Japan’s central bank shocks markets with more easing as inflation slows
TOKYO (Reuters) – The Bank of Japan shocked global financial markets on Friday by expanding its massive stimulus spending in a stark admission that economic growth and inflation have not picked up as much as expected after a sales tax hike in April.
RBS takes $640 million forex charge and warns of more to come
LONDON (Reuters) – State-backed Royal Bank of Scotland has set aside 400 million pounds ($640 million) to cover potential fines for manipulating currency markets and warned further charges for past misconduct would continue to hit its profits.
BNP shakes off impact of U.S. fine, returns to profit
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s No. 1 bank BNP Paribas returned to net profit in the third quarter, recovering from a costly U.S. legal settlement to publish what it called a “rock solid” balance sheet, sending its shares up over 4 percent.
Wal-Mart to expand discounts as retail price war heats up
(Reuters) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc said it will expand its offering of discounted products during the holiday season and may broaden a price-matching scheme to include online rivals, in the latest sign of an escalating price war among big U.S. retailers.
Global shares jump, yen slumps as BOJ cranks up stimulus
LONDON (Reuters) – World shares jumped and the yen fell to a seven-year low against the dollar on Friday as the Bank of Japan surprised financial markets by significantly expanding its massive stimulus program.
Starbucks Americas sales disappoint on softer traffic
(Reuters) – Starbucks Corp’s early re-launch of its popular Pumpkin Spice latte drink failed to heat up business at its U.S. cafes, disappointing Wall Street and sending the company’s shares down almost 5 percent.
Samsung Electronics seeks China comeback with first metallic smartphones
SEOUL (Reuters) – Samsung Electronics Co Ltd unveiled two mid-tier handsets with a premium design as it prepared to deliver a riposte to its low-priced Chinese rivals and reclaim its title as the top brand in the world’s biggest smartphone market.
Sony reports narrower second-quarter loss than estimated on strong PlayStation 4 sales
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Sony Corp reported a second-quarter operating loss on Friday that was narrower than analysts had estimated, as blockbuster sales of its PlayStation 4 games console reduced the impact of a sluggish smartphone division.
Fed’s Williams: inflation targets work, but room for improvement
(Reuters) – A top Federal Reserve policymaker on Friday said global central banks have had good success with inflation-targeting, but should consider other methods that may work better in the face of low interest rates and the risk of asset bubbles.
Fed’s Williams: inflation targets work, but room for improvement
(Reuters) – A top Federal Reserve policymaker on Friday said global central banks have had good success with inflation-targeting, but should consider other methods that may work better in the face of low interest rates and the risk of asset bubbles.
