Reuters - Business Today

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Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Stocks clock up fresh records as oil hits highest since mid-2015

LONDON (Reuters) - World stock markets notched up a fresh record high on Wednesday, powered by a 3 percent jump in basic resources shares after oil prices hit their highest since mid-2015 and by robust earnings from companies such as Sony.

Fed set to hold rates steady ahead of Trump's leadership decision

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday as speculation swirls on who will be its next leader, but the U.S. central bank will likely point to a firming economy as it edges closer to a possible rate rise next month.

Bitcoin blasts to new all-time high of $6,450

LONDON (Reuters) - Bitcoin climbed to a new all-time high of $6,450 on Wednesday, boosted by bets the cryptocurrency could enter the financial mainstream after the world's largest derivatives exchange operator said on Tuesday it would launch bitcoin futures.

TPP talks without U.S. near final stretch ahead of APEC

URAYASU, Japan (Reuters) - The 11 remaining nations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States edged towards sealing a comprehensive free trade pact after New Zealand agreed to amend laws that are not subject to TPP, to enable its ban on foreign home purchases.

U.S. private job growth hits 7-month high as storm effect fades: ADP

(Reuters) - U.S. companies added the most workers in seven months in October as hiring rebounded from a drop in September stemming from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Wednesday.

Thomson Reuters profit tops estimates, revenue misses

(Reuters) - Thomson Reuters Corp on Wednesday beat quarterly profit expectations on Wednesday, even as revenue slightly missed, and said full-year earnings will be at the high end of its earlier forecast.

Wal-Mart triples online items, lowers prices as holiday season kicks in

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc is planning to boost sales and fend off rivals this holiday season by doubling down on incentives for shoppers who buy online and those who visit its stores.

Futures jump on strong earnings; Fed takes center stage

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a strong opening for Wall Street on Wednesday, as an upbeat third-quarter earnings season lifted sentiment while investors waited for clues on future rate hikes from the latest Fed meeting.

New York Times' revenue rises 6.1 percent in third quarter

(Reuters) - The New York Times Co's revenue rose 6.1 percent in the third quarter as the newspaper company signed up more paying online readers.

Japan's steelmakers in rare sweet spot, but Kobe Steel may miss out

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's steelmakers are in the midst of the best market conditions in at least three years as steel prices rise with construction in full swing for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and automakers boosting production.