Goldman Sachs Group Inc is planning to shift its principal strategies business into a fund that raises outside money, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing a source with direct knowledge of the plan.
Stocks slipped on Thursday after an unexpected rise in first-time claims for jobless benefits underscored concerns that the recovery in the labor market will be slow.
It is too early to declare victory over the financial crisis despite stronger than expected data suggesting the euro zone recovery is outstripping expectations, the European Central Bank said on Thursday.
Stocks were set for a weak open on Thursday after data showed first-time claims for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly, underscoring ahead of Friday's key jobs report the hurdles facing a recovery in the labor market.
Stock index futures dipped on Thursday as investors took a cautious track ahead of data on first-time jobless claims, a precursor to the monthly jobs report due later in the week.
The European Central Bank kept euro zone interest rates at 1 percent as expected on Thursday, teeing up what should be an upbeat news conference with the bank's President following a strong run of economic data.
Cigna Corp posted a far higher-than-expected second-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by better performance in its main health insurance business, and the company raised its full-year forecast.
International inspectors on Thursday applauded Greece's efforts to exit its debt crisis, endorsing a fresh 9 billion euro payment from an EU/IMF bailout scheme, but urged reforms in energy, banking and the public sector.
Verizon Communications Inc and Google Inc agreed to a deal over how Internet traffic will be treated, two people familiar with the agreement said on Wednesday.
China's banking regulator has ordered lenders to test the impact of a fall in house prices of up to 50 percent in key cities where prices have risen sharply, banking and regulatory sources said on Thursday.
Wheat markets raced to fresh highs on Thursday, with Chicago wheat trading limit-up, as Russia announced a halt to grain exports from next week in response to a drought that has withered crops.
Russia's worst drought on record has devastated crops in parts of the country and sent international grain prices soaring as markets have speculated on restricted supply from one of the world's leading exporters.
Oil prices fell for a second day on Thursday toward $82 a barrel after a jump in U.S. jobless claims and rising oil product inventories stoked doubts about the pace of fuel demand recovery in the top consumer.
Longer-dated U.S. Treasury debt prices rose in Europe on bargain-hunting after a retreat the previous session following positive U.S. data.
* Traders said some investors were also inclined to take long positions before key non-farm payrolls data due on Friday which bond bulls expect to support expectations that the Fed will adopt more quantitative easing measures.
Stock index futures edged higher on Thursday as investors took a cautious track ahead of the morning's labor data, a precursor to Friday's monthly jobs report.
Higher than expected profits from Barclays and Commerzbank failed to dispel concerns over the underlying health of Europe's top banks on Thursday.
Third quarter euro zone economic data has been surprisingly strong so far but the European Central Bank still expects the bloc's economic recovery to be moderate and uneven, President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Thursday.
New claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, government data showed on Thursday, underscoring a weak labor market and the fragile economic recovery.
The Bank of England kept interest rates at a record-low 0.5 percent on Thursday, a decision which was no surprise to economists but probably conceals a vigorous debate about whether Britain is at greater risk from slow growth or high inflation.
The euro turned higher against the dollar on Thursday, lifted by a successful Spanish debt auction and positive comments about Greece's progress in reducing its deficit from the International Monetary Fund.
Metal producers should steer clear of using forward prices to assess potential profitability of new projects or for budgeting purposes as this could lead to misleading conclusions.
Instead they could look at long-term price forecasts or use consultants. However, there are times when a producer without in-house research or unable to pay consultants, has little choice. In this case results should carry a health warning.
Slowly China is turning into a Gold's own country. Till now India boasted of its unchallenged gold power with the farmers and most of the 1 billion people buying the yellow metal on any religious or special occasions.
Higher-than-expected profits from Barclays and Commerzbank failed to dispel concerns over the underlying health of Europe's top banks on Thursday.
Wall Street stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower start on Thursday as investors await earnings news and U.S. weekly jobless data ahead of the all important key U.S. non-farm payrolls figures on Friday.
Greece's reform efforts are off to a good start but challenges remain, European and International Monetary Fund officials said after an assessment of the country's efforts to resolve its debt crisis.
A joint statement from the European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund and European Commission said spending had been kept below budget limits and the contraction in the economy was in line with projections.
Lower bad debts propelled higher-than-expected profits at Barclays and Commerzbank on Thursday, but ongoing regulatory and economic uncertainty reined in investor optimism.
The European Central Bank looks set to keep interest rates on hold for the 15th month running on Thursday with the focus of attention its view on an economic recovery that remains in a delicate phase.
After a run of strong euro zone data and the success of bank stress tests in calming markets somewhat, ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet is expected to reaffirm that rates remain appropriate, bolstering expectations they will remain on hold well into next year.
The dollar rose on Thursday, recovering as investors unwound bets against the currency thanks to some better signs on the economy ahead of key U.S. non-farm payrolls figures on Friday.
An ADP report on Thursday showed the U.S. added 42,000 jobs in July. Coupled with encouraging service sector data, that relieved some of the recent pessimism about the world's biggest economy, but traders said more good news was needed to overturn negative dollar sentiment.
Gold held steady on Thursday after drop in prices from a 2-week high spurred light buying from jewelers in Asia, but firm stock markets were likely to weigh while holdings on the ETF fell slightly.
Investors await the release of more data from the United States, particularly the payrolls report, which will offer clues on the health of the economy. Friday's government report on jobs may show a drop of 65,000 in July as census jobs dried up.
Oil fell for a second day on Thursday, approaching $82, as dollar strength kept a lid on prices, neutralizing the effect of upbeat U.S. employment data and a drop in the nation's crude inventories last week.
World stocks eked out small gains with European shares staying flat on Thursday as investors eyed meetings of the European Central Bank and Bank of England later in the session and Friday's U.S. jobs data loomed large.
