Chile’s lithium takeover plan faces technical, political challenges

By Fabian Cambero SANTIAGO (Reuters) -While Chile’s plan to take control of its lithium industry has caused global shockwaves, state-led production of the metal used to make electric vehicle batteries is seen by analysts as likely years away given technical and political challenges. President Gabriel Boric last week said he would move to gradually nationalize…

Read More

Wall Street notches biggest gain in months, Treasury yields rise on solid earnings

By Stephen Culp NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on Thursday and Treasury yields resumed their climb as strong earnings helped investors look past signs of economic weakness. All three major U.S. stock indexes surged in a broad rally, with megacap tech and tech-related companies boosting the Nasdaq to its biggest one-day…

Read More

US dollar edges higher as GDP, jobless claims affirm rate hike bets

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK (Reuters) – The dollar rose on Thursday as weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth in the first quarter is viewed as not likely to deter the Federal Reserve from raising interest rates next week. The advance estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) showed a 1.1% annualized rate during the period. The…

Read More

Australia to overhaul immigration system, smooth entry for skilled workers

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia proposed on Thursday overhauling its immigration system to speed up getting highly skilled workers into the country and smoothening the path to permanent residency. The federal Labor government said the current system used to select skilled migrants – the points test – will be modified to identify people with the correct…

Read More

New Zealand committed to cutting spending, PM Hipkins says

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The New Zealand government is committed to reducing spending even though severe weather events earlier this year caused asset damage of roughly NZ$9 billion ($5.51 billion) to NZ$14.5 billion, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Thursday. Flash floods hit Auckland, the country’s largest city, in January and Cyclone Gabrielle…

Read More

Euro near one-year peak as US economic risks weigh on dollar

By Kevin Buckland TOKYO (Reuters) – The euro hovered near a one-year high versus the dollar on Thursday, as Europe’s resilient economy contrasted with banking contagion risks in the United States, the debt ceiling standoff and a potential recession. The risk-sensitive Aussie struggled to stay above the key 66 cent mark, while leading cryptocurrency bitcoin…

Read More

Tech powers Nasdaq gains; recession fears weigh on cyclicals, dollar

By Stephen Culp NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Nasdaq rose and the dollar weakened on Wednesday as investors weighed solid company earnings against weaker-than-expected economic data and ongoing wrangling in Washington over raising the debt ceiling. While surging tech shares helped the Nasdaq hold positive territory, the S&P 500 and the Dow were weighed down…

Read More