Global Focus Financial News

French stocks were little changed in cautious trade on Friday as investors awaited the all-important U.S. jobs report later in the day that could help shape investor expectations on interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, France\'s trade deficit increased at the start of the year as exports fell faster than imports, data released by the customs office...

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Monday, as Japanese stock market traded higher, adding to the gains in the previous session, with gains across most sectors lead by index heavyweights and technology stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is moving to a tad shy of the 39,000 level for...

The manufacturing sector in Australia continued to contract in May, and at a steady pace, the latest survey from Judo Bank revealed on Thursday with a manufacturing PMI score of 49.6. That\'s unchanged from the April reading, and it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Production levels fell for...

A day ahead of the release the more closely watched monthly jobs report, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits came in unchanged from an upwardly revised level in the week ended March 2nd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims came in at 217,000, unchanged from...

The manufacturing sector in Australia continued to contract, albeit at a slightly slower pace, the latest survey from Judo Bank revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 49.7. That\'s up marginally from 49.6 in April, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Manufacturing production and new...

French stocks slipped into the red on Monday after a survey showed Frances manufacturing activity contracted at its fastest pace since January in August as a result of a sharp fall in output and new orders. The HCOB France Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, dropped to 43.9 from 44.0 in July....