HSBC

China?s manufacturing activity improved in April for the fifth straight month as economic conditions continued to strengthen, according to readings from a key gauge released Tuesday.

Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX), the largest gold miner, said Thursday it sold its 20.4 percent stake in Russian company Highland Gold Mining Ltd. (London: HGM) for $130 million as it seeks to unload non-core business.

HSBC Holdings PLC (NYSE: HBC) plans to cut more than 2,200 jobs in the United Kingdom, where it's most profitable, in a bid to lower costs and boost profit margins, according to published reports.

Palladium prices are bouncing back from a big decline that started in February in what could be a sign of rising investor confidence in the U.S. recovery, thanks to rising auto sales, and concerns over Russian supplies.

Federal Reserve officials are expected to be in wait-and-see mode on extra stimulus at the April Federal Open Market Committee meeting this week, as little has changed since the March meeting to warrant policy changes, economists say.

China factory activates slumped for the sixth consecutive month, albeit at a slower pace, data released by HSBC showed.

Asian stock markets ended lower on Monday as manufacturing data from China failed to ease concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second biggest economy.

Futures on major US indices point to a lower opening Monday as political uncertainty in France and the Netherlands, as well as mixed data from China, weighed on the sentiment.

China’s manufacturing activity improved in April compared to March but continued to contract for the sixth straight month, according to the preliminary HSBC flash Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released Monday.

China's factories posted their best performance this year as a measure of new business rose from multi-month lows, a private sector purchasing managers survey showed on Monday, though overall activity still contracted for a sixth successive month.

Asian stock markets declined Monday despite a report showing stable Chinese manufacturing activity in April.

The Federal Open Market Committee meeting on April 24-25, Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke's comments during the post-meeting press conference, and an advance reading on U.S. gross domestic product in the first quarter will dominate the economic calendar next week.

Asian stock markets rallied on Wednesday as sentiment was boosted by a successful Spanish debt auction and strong global growth forecast from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

HSBC Holdings PLC is planning to sell yuan-denominated bonds listed on the London Stock Exchange, a move that will make the City the first place outside mainland China or Hong Kong to do business in the currency.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), the world's largest soft-drink maker, reported first-quarter profits that topped analysts' estimates, helped by price increases and strong demand in emerging markets.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is expected to report stronger first-quarter profit as the world's largest soft-drink maker tries to offset higher commodity prices by undertaking a new cost-cutting program and continuing to target emerging market growth.

Asian stock markets declined Monday, following a slump in the US and European stocks last week on renewed eurozone concerns.

Asian stock markets declined Wednesday, following an overnight slump in Wall Street as surge in Spain’s borrowing costs reignited concern over the eurozone debt crisis.

Airport retailer Dubai Duty Free has mandated banks for a $1.1 billion multi-tranche loan facility to help fund the expansion of Dubai's international airport.

King concedes that quitting the euro zone and reintroducing its drachma currency would likely lead to financial and economic turmoil, but the move would ultimately benefit the Mediterranean country.

The head of China's national pension fund called for a bigger role for the Chinese currency in the international monetary system, saying the yuan could someday account for 10 percent of global reserves.