The dollar rose across the board on Thursday as robust U.S. economic data raised the prospect of the withdrawal of monetary stimulus, while some positive earnings results boosted European stocks. The euro remained under pressure from persistent concerns over Greece's debt crisis, while a firmer dollar and the IMF's plan to sell more gold weighed
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Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Wednesday his debt-stricken country was not seeking European taxpayers' money but needed a breathing space to cut its budget deficit and borrow "on normal conditions". He made the comments after European Union finance ministers told Greece it will have to take additional austerity measures to achieve steep deficit
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The S&P 500 index futures fell on Thursday on weaker-than-expected results from Wal-Mart and as investors closely eyed jobs and inflation data. Wal-Mart (WMT.N) shares dipped 2 percent to $53.00 in premarket trading after the retail giant reported fourth-quarter results and gave an outlook. Dell (DELL.O), the world's No. 3 PC maker, is expected to
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A new type of computer virus is known to have breached almost 75,000 computers in 2,500 organizations around the world, including user accounts of popular social network websites, according Internet security firm NetWitness. The latest virus — known as "Kneber botnet" — gathers login credentials to online financial systems, social networking sites and email systems
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Amazon.com said on Thursday it is launching a new free Kindle application that will give customers access to over 420,000 books on a range of BlackBerry devices. Called "Kindle for Blackberry", the free application allows customers using BlackBerry devices on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and other U.S. carriers easy wireless access to Kindle books, most
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Britain's leading shares were higher at midday on Thursday, extending gains for a fourth day as early profit-taking attracted bargain hunters back into the market, with banks and commodities leading the risers. By 1158 GMT, the FTSE 100 index was up 26.18 points, or 0.5 percent, at 5,302.82 after trading as high as 5,316.15, its
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Oil fell towards $76 a barrel on Thursday, dragged down by high inventory levels and a stronger dollar, which also hit gold and other commodities. U.S. crude oil futures fell 74 cents to $76.59 a barrel by 0943 GMT, after briefly touching $76.32. Brent crude lost 82 cents to $75.45 a barrel. "We were impressed
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Britain posted its first budget deficit for the month of January on record after government spending shot up and tax receipts dived following the worst recession in decades, official data showed on Thursday. The Office for National Statistics said public sector net borrowing, the government's preferred measure, came in at 4.339 billion pounds ($6.78 billion)
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Several Federal Reserve policy makers want to begin selling securities relatively soon to cut back the U.S. central bank's massive help to the financial system as the economy finds a footing, the Fed said on Wednesday. Minutes of the Fed's latest policy meeting in January suggested officials remain positive about the economy's prospects even as
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Britain's leading shares were 0.1 percent lower in early Thursday trade, as investors paused after three days of gains, weighed down by retreats from heavyweight miners and banks. At 0904 GMT, the FTSE 100 index was 4.14 points lower at 5,272.50 after closing 0.6 percent higher on Wednesday. "The market's had quite a nice bounce,
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