U.S. stock index futures were lower on Friday as investors braced for key monthly jobs data for clues on the direction of the economy and the sustainability of a recent run-up. * The government's all-important non-farm payrolls report, to be released at 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT), will show the number of jobs lost in
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Oil edged down on Friday from a six-week high as markets looked to upcoming U.S. July employment data for clues on whether the U.S. economy could be emerging from recession. By 0935 GMT U.S. light crude for September delivery fell 70 cents a barrel to $71.24 after briefly touching as low as $70.91. It settled
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European shares were lower in early trade on Friday as investors awaited key U.S. monthly jobs data, with banking shares the biggest losers after Royal Bank of Scotland posted a first-half loss. By 0846 GMT, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares was down 0.9 percent at 929.79 points. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of
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Key data on the state of U.S. joblessness loomed over financial markets on Friday, pushing equities lower and weakening support for the dollar. The U.S. non-farm payrolls report was due later in the day (1230 GMT). It will provide a snapshot of job creation in the world's largest economy and with it a hint at
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Britain's top share index fell in early trade on Friday, dragged lower by banks after Royal Bank of Scotland's glum first-half results, and with investors bracing themselves ahead of the latest U.S. jobs report. By 0809 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 46.11 points, or 1 percent, at 4,644.42, having closed 43.40 points higher on
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Twitter and Facebook suffered service problems from hacker attacks on Thursday, raising speculation about a coordinated campaign against the world's most popular online social networks. The attacks, which came a month after the White House website was targeted in a similar online assault, left millions unable to carry out daily routines that have assumed an
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Japan's Nikkei average hit its highest close in 10 months on Friday, helped by companies such as Toray Industries which had surprisingly good earnings reports. Without other convincing market-moving news, earnings results took centre stage. While investors bought shares of companies with upbeat results, they punished those with disappointing numbers. Konica Minolta Holdings tumbled 10
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The Finance Ministry and the Central Bank decided on Thursday to create the legal framework for the issue of covered bonds amounting to EUR 3 bln in a bid to inject additional liquidity into the Cypriot market. Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis and representatives of the Cyprus Central Bank (CCB), the commercial banks and employers associations
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The chapter of governance and power sharing and particularly the executive will be the first issue Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will discuss at the first meeting of the second round of the ongoing UN-led direct negotiations, on September 3rd. Special Adviser of the UNSG for Cyprus, Alexander Downer,
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For the first time in 45 years, two ambulances have crossed to and from Cyprus’ northern Turkish-occupied areas, in a pilot scheme, ahead of the anticipated opening of a crossing point at Limnitis village, on the northwestern coast of the island. Limnitis crossing point, in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, opened on Thursday for
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