Cong bigwigs on ‘satyagraha’ against CAA, Jagan says won’t implement NRC

By Ritu, Capital Sands   Stating that democracy in India is under threat from the BJP-led government at the Center, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to chief ministers and senior leaders belonging to opposition parties urging them to unite and chalk out a plan to “save the country”. As massive anti-Citizenship Amendment Act  […]

European shares edge lower ahead of Christmas holiday break

By Ritu, Capital Sands   European shares dipped slightly on Monday after nearing a record high in the previous session, as trading thinned ahead of the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays later in the week. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.1% at 0814 GMT, with the banking sector  leading declines. An improving outlook […]

Battle lines harden over Trump impeachment trial witnesses

By Ritu, Capital Sands   The White House on Sunday signaled comfort with plans by Senate Republicans to avoid new witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, while a top Democrat seized on a newly released email on the withholding of U.S. aid to Ukraine to press his case for testimony. The Democratic-led House of […]

European stocks grind higher in pre-holiday trading

By Ritu, Capital Sands   European shares edged higher on Thursday, with a pre-holiday lull making for a quiet trading session aside from a handful of corporate updates. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.2% by 0821 GMT, with media, healthcare and utilities sectors leading gains. All eyes will turn to the Bank of England’s monetary policy […]

In historic moment, U.S. House impeaches Donald Trump for abuse of power

By Ritu, Capital Sands.   Donald Trump became the third U.S. president to be impeached on Wednesday, as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America. The Democratic-led House passed the abuse of power article of impeachment on […]

Stocks Fluctuate Treasuries Edge Up; Pound Slips: Markets Wrap

By Ritu, Capital Sands   European stocks edged higher on Wednesday while U.S. equity futures fluctuated and Asian shares were mixed. Bonds also nudged upward while the pound extended its decline. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index traded slightly higher as most national benchmarks in the region were in the green. Luxury TV and stereo maker Bang […]

Japan to trim annual government bond issuance next fiscal year – sources

By Ritu, Capital Sands   Japan plans to trim government bond issuance by 0.5% next fiscal year from current year’s levels, government officials said on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walks a fine line between supporting an economy and reining in huge public debt. The drop would mark the seventh straight year of declines […]

Trump ratings highest ever over economics despite impeachment proceedings

By Ritu, Capital Sands   Strong economic figures have helped US President Donald Trump to his highest approval ratings ever, despite impeachment, a new poll found Monday. Although the Quinnipiac University survey said Trump has a high of 43 per cent for his job approval, that is still far below nearly all previous presidents in modern times […]

Oil hovers near three-month high on trade optimism, supply cuts

By Ritu, Capital Sands Oil prices trickled a fraction lower on Tuesday but remained near a three-month high as investors kept the faith with hopes that a fully fledged U.S.-China trade deal is in the pipeline and set to stoke oil demand in the world’s biggest economies. Brent crude oil futures had slipped by three […]

Pound Gains on Brexit Optimism as Focus Shifts to Trade Talks

By Ritu, Capital Sands   Want the lowdown on European markets? In your inbox before the open, every day. Sign up here. The pound rallied for a second day amid optimism a speedy resolution to the Brexit deadlock is in store after the Conservative Party’s election victory. Sterling advanced against all its major peers after Chief Secretary […]