Investments and Business

TOKYO — Official data released Wednesday confirmed that Japanese authorities spent 5.53 trillion yen ($36.8 billion) in July to support the yen. The move follows a period of significant volatility in the currency. Japan's Ministry of Finance provided data covering the period from June 27 to July 29, revealing that the amount of intervention met market expectations. The move came after several warnings from Japanese officials about potential measures to address the currency's erratic movements. Japan's recent foreign exchange intervention follows the yen's plunge to a 38-year low against the U.S. dollar. In late May, the government acknowledged the first…

TOULON — The European Union's statistics agency reported on Wednesday that headline inflation in the euro zone unexpectedly rose to 2.6% in July, despite a slight slowdown in the services sector. Inflation stood at 2.5% in June, down slightly from 2.6% in May. Economists polled by Reuters had expected July's inflation rate to hit June's 2.5%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, hit 2.9% in July, slightly above the Reuters estimate of 2.8% and in line with June's core inflation rate. Services inflation, a closely watched indicator, fell to 4% in July from…

Las Vegas — Qualcomm’s fiscal third-quarter earnings beat Wall Street forecasts, delivering solid results and an upbeat outlook for the next quarter. In a press conference during CES 2022, Qualcomm Chairman and CEO Cristiano Amon discussed the company's performance. Following the earnings report, Qualcomm shares jumped more than 6% in after-hours trading. For the quarter ended June 23, Qualcomm's results were as follows versus LSEG consensus estimates: Earning per share: $2.33 (adjusted) vs. $2.25 expected Income: $9.39 billion (adjusted) vs. $9.22 billion expected Net income for the quarter reached $2.13 billion, or $1.88 a share, up from $1.8 billion, or…

On July 9, 2024, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivered his semiannual monetary policy report to Congress, addressing banking, housing, and urban issues in the Senate. The focus of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting is more on future actions than immediate changes. As expected, policymakers are likely to keep current short-term interest rates in line with last year's levels. However, recent supportive inflation data has led to widespread speculation that the Fed may signal a willingness to cut interest rates starting in September. The degree of clarity provided in their forward guidance will be crucial to market interpretations. "We…

FARNBOROUGH, England — This year’s biggest air show saw a notable absence of the huge plane orders typical of previous events. Instead, the spotlight was on Boeing and Airbus as they navigated the complexities of ramping up production after pandemic-related disruptions. Analysts believe that problems such as training new workers will persist for years, causing ongoing difficulties for airlines, suppliers and manufacturers and leading to a shortage of new, more fuel-efficient aircraft. “It’s a legitimate concern on the part of the supply base and the airlines that we haven’t met our commitments in terms of on-time delivery and predictability,” Ihssane…

The world of sports has seen many extraordinary father-son pairs, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields. From basketball to football, baseball to racing, these pairs have not only displayed individual brilliance, but also a shared legacy of excellence. Let's explore some of the most iconic father-son pairs in sports history. LeBron and Bronny James LeBron James has cemented his status as an NBA legend, recently becoming the league's all-time leading scorer. With 20 All-Star selections, four MVP awards and four Finals MVP titles, his career spans 21 seasons, including six with the Lakers. His son, Bronny, was…

A key inflation gauge for the Federal Reserve showed a modest increase in June from a year earlier, potentially setting the stage for an expected interest rate cut in September. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, a key measure of inflation, rose 0.1% in June and is up 2.5% year over year, matching Dow Jones estimates, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That follows a 2.6% year-over-year increase in May, with the monthly measure unchanged. The Federal Reserve relies heavily on the PCE index to measure inflation, which remains above the central bank's long-term target of 2%. Core inflation, which…

Shares of Diageo, the renowned spirits maker behind Johnnie Walker, fell more than 10% on Tuesday after it reported its first annual sales decline since the pandemic began. By the end of the trading day, the shares had recovered some losses but still closed down 5.08%. The London-based company reported a 0.6% decline in organic net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, attributed primarily to underperformance in Latin America and the Caribbean markets. Reported net sales fell 1.4%. Despite the overall downturn, Guinness emerged as a bright spot for Diageo. The iconic Irish stout, which has seen a…

PARIS — In a modest gym north of Paris, U.S. team coach Cheryl Reeve pondered what gave her team the upper hand at the Olympics. “Depth,” she mused. “No, size. 1A, 1B.” Reeve’s assessment isn’t far off the mark. With three players over 6 feet 4 inches tall and several guards around 6 feet 1 inch, Team USA boasts a significant height and length advantage over most opponents. Their depth is equally formidable; while other nations might field competitive starting lineups, few can match the talent of the U.S.’s reserves. It’s a scenario where bench players like the WNBA All-Stars…

DETROIT – Stellantis, the global automaker, is launching a large-scale voluntary buyout program for its U.S. workforce as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce costs and increase profitability. In an email to employees Tuesday morning, the company revealed plans to offer a voluntary severance package to non-union U.S. employees at the vice president level and below in specific departments. Stellantis, which recently announced disappointing first-half financial results, has indicated that involuntary layoffs may be necessary if the buyout program fails to reach sufficient participation. Eligible employees will receive detailed emails in mid-August with instructions on how to access their…