Commodities
Bitcoin soars to all-time high despite claims of a bubble
Bitcoin soared past the $5,000 threshold on Thursday to hit a record high, having started 2017 at $966.
US crude stockpiles drop as refineries recover and domestic production falls, DoE says
US crude oil stockpiles dropped as refinery activity continued to recover from the impact of recent hurricanes and domestic oil production fell back.
North Korea issues fresh threat, says it's close to final goal
North Korea' foreign minister stoked renewed tensions in northeast Asia, saying the US president had set the region on a course towards war, adding that his country's nuclear weapons programme could never be a subject of negotiation and that Pyongyang was close to achieving a real balance-of-power with America.
US producer prices pick up in September but match forecasts
Wholesale inflation picked up last month, especially on the services side of the economy.
Weekly US jobless claims dip despite hurricanes
US jobless claims retreated by slightly more than expected over the last reference week, although the government statisticians cautioned that hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria had impacted the claims data.
Brexit talks hit 'deadlock' over divorce bill, EU's Barnier says
The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator says talks with Britain have reached "deadlock" over the divorce bill but "decisive progress" could be made by Christmas.
Deutsche Banks lifts Spain stocks to 'overweight', spies lower 'break-up' risk
On a related note, analysts at Deutsche Bank raised their recommendation on Spanish stocks from an 'underweight' to an 'overweight' as - in their opinion - the tail risks of a break-up of the country had faded.
Eurozone industrial production rises more than expected in August
Eurozone industrial production rose more than expected in August, according to data released by Eurostat on Thursday.