International News
US close: Stocks end up on earnings, Nasdaq breaches 6,000 for first time
US stocks ended in the black on Tuesday thanks to some well-received corporate news and as investors awaited a big tax reform announcement from President Donald Trump, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq breaching the 6,000 level for the first time.
FX round-up: Sterling holds up well as attentions turn from Macron to ECB, US tax reforms
Sterling held up relatively well on Tuesday -- up on the dollar but down on the euro -- as the market looks to the European Central Bank's rate decision later in the week, US tax reforms tomorrow and a stack of other economic data due on both sides of the Atlantic.
Europe close: Stocks consolidate gains even as single currency jumps
European stocks made slight gains as markets consolidated the previous session's sharp rise on the heel of the results of the French presidential election, with the euro continuing to advance of the European Central Bank's next policy meeting.
US open: Nasdaq hits 6,000 mark for the first time ever
The Nasdaq hit the 6,000 mark for the first time on Tuesday on the back of recent better-than expected corporate earnings and the so called ‘Trump rally’.
Investors hungry for McDonald's shares after first quarter earnings beat
Fast food giant McDonald's rose almost 5% on Wall Street after its first quarter earnings beat analysts' estimates on Tuesday.
London close: FTSE consolidates Macron gains as gaze turns to US tax reforms
Stocks in London spent Tuesday consolidating their gains after Monday's sprint higher on the outcome of the first round of voting in France's presidential election, with traders now turning their attentions to potential US tax reforms.
Lockheed Martin reports increased F35 revenue, cuts earnings outlook
Defence contractor Lockheed Martin reported its first-quarter earnings on Tuesday ahead of the bell on Wall Street, seeing increased revenue in its aeronautical business, which includes the F35 program much maligned by President Donald Trump.
US consumer confidence slips in April
US consumer confidence slipped in April as the outlook for business conditions and employment deteriorated, according to one of the most widely-followed gauges of sentiment.
Commodities: Crude futures tend lower ahead of much-watched API data
Crude-oil futures were tending lower ahead of industry stores data from American Petroleum Institute later on Tuesday.
US new home sales rise at fastest pace since 2007 in March
US home sales increased last month at their fastest clip since 2007.
Systemair buys Austrian air handling unit manufacturer
Nasdaq and Stockholm-listed ventilation company Systemair AB has bought Frivent Luft & Wärmetechnik, an Austrian manufacturer of air handling units, for an undisclosed sum.
Comment: Canadian dollar not yet over its troubles
The Canadian dollar depreciated to the lowest levels since December against the US dollar on Tuesday, with a possible trade war likely to do major damage, writes Ipek Ozkardeskaya of London Capital Group.
Mitsubishi and Nissan chairman rules out merger
Japanese carmakers Mitsubishi Motors Corp and Nissan Motor Co are not looking at plans for a merger between the two companies, according to the chairman of both firms.
Asia report: French frenzy still pushes markets higher
Markets in Asia finished higher on Tuesday, as the French election frenzy continued, though tensions on the Korean peninsula managed to put a lid on some of the gains.
Trump administration considers laptop ban for European flights
European passengers travelling to the US may face a ban on bringing their laptops on board as Donald Trump weighs up plans to restrict the use of computers on flights from Europe.
US pre-open: Stocks seen touch higher as investors eye earnings
US futures pointed to a marginally firmer open on Wall Street on Tuesday as investors continued to mull Donald Trump's tax reform pledges ahead of more earnings reports.
French business sentiment steady in April
Business confidence in France was steady in April amid improved conditions in the factory sector, offset by a slip in service sector confidence.