Oil prices inched higher on Thursday, supported by rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East, as investors weighed the possibility that escalating tensions between the United States and Iran could disrupt global crude supplies. Brent crude futures rose 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $69.75 a barrel by 08:53 GMT, while …

European equities moved higher on Thursday, supported by a heavy slate of corporate earnings and fresh economic data from the U.K., while rising oil prices added to market momentum amid renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. By 03:10 ET (08:10 GMT), Germany’s DAX advanced 1%, France’s CAC 40 jumped …

Bitcoin traded largely flat near the $67,000 mark during Asian hours on Thursday, as investors digested stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data that reduced expectations for near-term Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The world’s largest cryptocurrency was last up 0.4% at $67,102.8, remaining capped below the key $70,000 level. Trading activity was …

The U.K. economy expanded only modestly in the final month of 2025, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of England will remain under pressure to continue easing monetary policy as the new year unfolds. Data released on Thursday showed that gross domestic product grew by just 0.1% in December, marking a …

Most Asian stock markets edged higher on Thursday, led by a sharp rally in South Korea where shares surged to record highs on strong gains in chipmakers. Japanese equities, meanwhile, traded flat after touching a fresh all-time peak above the 58,000 mark, as optimism surrounding the so-called “Takaichi trade” began …

Russia sharply criticized new U.S. restrictions affecting Venezuela’s oil industry on Wednesday, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describing the measures as “blatant discrimination” against Moscow and other countries, while the Kremlin said it would seek clarification from Washington. The comments followed a move by the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday …

U.S. stock futures pointed to a solid start on Wednesday after stronger-than-expected employment data signaled resilience in the world’s largest economy, prompting investors to reassess the outlook for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 130,000 in January, comfortably beating economists’ expectations for a 70,000 increase, while the …

The U.S. economy added significantly more jobs than expected in January, offering fresh evidence that the labor market is stabilizing after a prolonged period of weakness—an outcome likely to influence Federal Reserve interest rate decisions later this year. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 last month, well above economists’ forecasts of …

OPEC on Wednesday projected a decline in global demand for crude from the wider OPEC+ producer group in the second quarter of the year, pointing to a softer seasonal outlook as producers weigh their next supply moves. According to OPEC’s latest monthly oil report, world demand for OPEC+ crude is …

Shares of Shopify Inc. surged more than 12% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the e-commerce platform delivered stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, issued robust first-quarter revenue guidance, and unveiled a $2 billion share repurchase program. For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Shopify reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.57, comfortably …