World Economic News

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Dollar Gains, Global Stocks Creep Up


              They're looking to the future with interest. With the U.S. and the U.K. on vacation for the holiday weekend, Stoxx Europe 600 edged up 0.1 percent as investors were buoyed by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's statement Friday that interest rates would "probably" increase in the not-too-distant future. That brought the dollar up - and encouraging numbers in Friday's May employment report could see investors even more bullish ahead of potential rate hikes at the Fed's June or July meetings.

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Bank stocks suffer along with job creation, Fed prospects.

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Europe Advocates Leniency for 'Sharing Economy'


They're taking the law into their own hands. This week, the European Commission will set new guidelines for startups such as Airbnb and Uber, and the news isn't all bad for business. In fact, regulators are driving to end drastic action - like massive fines for renting Airbnbs in Berlin or threatened jail time for Uber executives in France - by creating EU-wide regulations that would likely be friendlier to sharing-economy stalwarts. However, startups may hit the brakes on attempts to define their workers as "employees," an ongoing fight stateside

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South Korean Bank Unexpectedly Drops Interest Rate


They hope it cuts the mustard. The Bank of Korea surprised markets today by trimming its main policy rate to a record low of 1.25 percent. While the country's economic sluggishness has been prompting calls for stimulus, most analysts weren't expecting any change to the benchmark rate until later this year. The move saw the won drop against the U.S. dollar, and three-year bond yields fell to a new low of 1.33 percent. Analysts, citing little hope for growth, expect another BOK interest rate cut within a year.

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Yellen Says No Rate Rise, Cites Brexit Vote

She's watching Britain with interest. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen says there won't be a June rate increase after Friday's disappointing jobs report compounded the monetary uncertainty gripping the EU while Britain prepares for its Brexit referendum. The pound sterling plummeted yesterday as international markets reeled from recent polls indicating the Leave campaign's gaining momentum, while Prime Minister David Cameron warned that an exit could trigger recessions, unfavorable trade and years of uncertainty. Yellen reiterated that rates will likely rise soon - but not before Britain's June 23 vote.

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   Investigation Reveals Luxembourg-McDonald's Tax Deal
They're getting grilled. The European Commission's been cracking down on corporate tax deals - especially those involving U.S. companies. Now it's revealed that McDonald's struck a deal with Luxembourg to make the fast food giant exempt from taxation in Europe on any income that could be taxed stateside, whether or not the tax was actually paid. McDonald's and the Grand Duchy both denied any wrongdoing, but Brussels could force the tiny country to go after taxes determined to be due, which could jeopardize Luxembourg's growing role as a European tax haven.

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Stocks Fall as Markets Watch China, Britain and the Fed


Strike up the bond. Nervous investors are heading for the safety of government-backed loans and gold as the U.K. teeters on the brink of potential recession in the case of a vote to leave the European Union next week. Traders may also have been spooked when Chinese economic data for May was wobbly, and by uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's option to raise interest rates again on Wednesday. Europe's Stoxx 600 fell close to 2 percent and the U.S. markets are expected to start 4 points down this morning.

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Markets Soar as Polls Show Shift Away From Brexit

Score one for the common market. This morning's surging global shares were a reminder of the EU's trading-bloc origins. London's FTSE 100 opened 2 percent higher on news that weekend polling indicated Britons, after favoring Brexit last week, now tilt slightly toward voting to retain EU membership. Economic separation anxiety reportedly prompted the shift, rather than outrage over last week's murder of pro-EU Labour MP Jo Cox. But with three days to go, there's still no telling whether Britain will be holding firm or selling

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Yen Soars, Global Economy Stutters Over Brexit Malaise


Investors are looking for any safe port. With the pound at a 31-year low and falling, those safe ports are bonds, gold and the yen. U.K. asset managers are now prohibiting investors from pulling out of commercial property funds, sparking fears of a real estate slide. Meanwhile, the yen rose in Tokyo trading and the yield on 20-year Japanese government bonds fell below zero for the first time - a trend that's expected to continue as investors watch the Bank of Japan's probable rate reduction later this month.

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   Iceland Boots England From Euro in Stunner
Brits are having a rough week. Iceland - the world's 34th-ranked team, a nation with a population of 330,000 - knocked England out of Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory Monday. The underdogs fell behind early but notched two quick goals in response, with Kolbeinn Sigthorsson striking the eventual winner, and held on with resilient play against a sluggish England side. Iceland's win sparked a massive celebration and a million social media Brexit jokes. England manager Roy Hodgson resigned immediately, while triumphant Iceland faces France in the quarterfinals.