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Investors are betting on bold step from Fed
WASHINGTON — If the world’s investors are right, the Federal Reserve is about to take a bold new step to try to invigorate the U.S. economy. And many expect the Fed to unleash its most potent weapon: a third round of bond purchases meant to ease long-term interest rates and spur borrowing and spending. It’s […]
Fed could be moving to more bond buying
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve appears to be moving toward announcing some new step to try to energize the troubled U.S. economy. The question is whether it will do so after its policy meeting this week. Probably not, many economists say. The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of just 1.5 percent from April […]
Oil hovers near $90 amid Europe action hopes
The price of oil hovered near $90 a barrel on Monday, holding onto most of the previous week’s gains, as expectations remain elevated that the European Central Bank would act to prevent Spain’s financial woes from deepening. By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for September delivery was down 18 cents at $89.95 a barrel […]
Oil extends rise after ECB head vows to save euro
BANGKOK — Oil extended gains Friday in Asia after the European Central Bank chief promised to do what it takes to keep the euro currency union intact and China stepped up stimulus efforts to counter its slowdown. Benchmark crude for September delivery was up 23 cents at $89.62 a barrel at midday Bangkok time in […]
Employers add 80,000 jobs as economy struggles
WASHINGTON — The American job machine has jammed. Again. The economy added only 80,000 jobs in June, the government said Friday, erasing any doubt that the United States is in a summer slump for the third year in a row. “Let’s just agree: This number stinks,” said Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at the investment […]
Central banks’ actions lift world markets
FRANKFURT, Germany — The central banks of the wealthiest countries, trying to prevent a debt crisis in Europe from exploding into a global panic, swept in Wednesday to shore up the world financial system by making it easier for banks to borrow American dollars. Stock markets around the world roared their approval. The Dow Jones […]
Apple’s earnings miss drags tech stocks lower
NEW YORK — A rare earnings miss by Apple pulled down technology stocks Wednesday. Broad market indexes turned lower in late afternoon trading on reports of an impasse in talks to resolve Europe’s debt crisis. The leaders of Germany, France, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank met Wednesday in preparation for a […]
U.S. 10-year Treasury yield falls to lowest on record
Fears about Europe’s debt crisis are pushing the yield on the 10-year Treasury note to its lowest point on records dating back nearly 50 years as investors seek safety. The rally in Treasury prices was sparked in part by the unexpected resignation of a key European Central Bank official. The bank said its top economist […]
Stocks plunge as worries about Europe intensify
The problems that weighed down stocks all summer show no sign of letting up. U.S. stocks plunged Friday, erasing the week’s gains, amid rising fears about fallout from Europe’s debt crisis. Seeking safer investments, investors sent the yield on the 10-year Treasury note to the lowest level in five decades. The resignation of a key […]
Fed’s low rates pledge supports global stocks
LONDON — A pledge by the Federal Reserve to keep extremely low interest rates for another couple of years has calmed investors’ jitters, sending stock markets around the world higher Wednesday. The Fed’s surprise announcement Tuesday that it would likely keep its Fed funds rate at near zero percent through 2013 to help the ailing […]
Treasury prices lose ground after oil prices rise to $112
NEW YORK — Treasury prices fell Friday after oil prices raced past $112 a barrel and investors considered the possibility of a government shutdown. The price on the 10-year Treasury note slipped 25 cents per $100 invested in late trading. Its yield, which moves in the opposite direction, rose to 3.58 percent from 3.55 percent […]
