UK retail sales were unchanged on a month-on-month basis in March, defying expectations for a gain, preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Retail sales including automotive fuel grew 0.1 percent in the previous month. Economists were looking for a 0.3 percent gain for March. This was the weakest outcome since December,...

French stocks edged lower on Friday as an escalation of the tensions in the Middle East and cautious comments from more Federal Reserve officials on how to manage inflation and interest rates in the coming months soured investor mood. The benchmark CAC 40 was down 44 points, or 0.6 percent, at 7,978 after gaining half...

U.K. stocks declined on Friday as Middle East tensions flared up and investors scaled back their expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this year. Meanwhile, U.K. retail sales came in unchanged on a month-on-month basis in March, defying expectations for a gain. Retail sales including automotive fuel grew 0.1 percent in the...

Sony Pictures Entertainment, affiliated to Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corp., is in discussions with US private equity group Apollo Global for making a joint takeover bid for entertainment giant Paramount Global, reports said citing people familiar with the matter. The talks are said to be in an early stage. Following the news, Paramount Global shares...

European stocks fell notably on Friday as tensions soared in the Middle East in the aftermath of Israel\'s retaliatory strikes against Iran. Also, hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials led investors to scale back their expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this year. Most market participants believe that the U.S. central bank...

The Indonesia stock market has finished lower in back-to-back sessions, retreating more than 150 points or 2 percent in that span. The Jakarta Composite Index now sits just above the 7,130-point plateau and it may take further damage on Thursday. The global forecast for thew Asian markets is mixed to lower, with oil and technology...

The Thai stock market has finished lower in two straight sessions, tumbling more than 40 points or 3 percent in that span. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now sits just above the 1,365-point plateau although it may find traction on Thursday. The global forecast for thew Asian markets is mixed to lower, with oil and...

Extending the losses in the previous three sessions, the Japanese market is slightly lower on Thursday, following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight. The Nikkei 225 is staying below the 38,000 mark, with losses in index heavyweights nearly offset by gains in technology and financial stocks. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index is down...

Indian shares may open on a cautious note Thursday after Wall Street stocks extended their losing streak to the longest since January amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and renewed uncertainty around rate cuts. The downside, if any, may remain limited as focus shifts to earnings and Israel\'s diplomatic offensive against Iran. Meanwhile, the...

Foreign trade data from Switzerland and the current account from the euro area are the top economic news due on Thursday. At 2.00 am ET, Switzerland\'s customs office is slated to release foreign trade data for March. In the meantime, the European Automobile Manufacturers\' Association publishes new car registrations data for March. Sales had increased...