News Highlights: Top Global Markets News of the Day - Thursday at 3 PM ET

Nasdaq Rises as More Earnings Roll In 
 

U.S. stocks rose, with the Nasdaq Composite outperforming the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials, as investors await Apple's quarterly results and U.S. payrolls data due Friday.

 
U.S. productivity slumps in first quarter 
 

Productivity had been a bright spot for the economy over the past year and today's data dims the outlook.

 
Bank of Canada Gov. Macklem Acknowledges Limits on Rate-Policy Divergence From Fed 
 

"Clearly, if we cut interest rates and that weakens the Canadian dollar, that is something you have to take into account," Macklem said.

 
Jobless claims inch up to 208,000. Layoffs still extremely low. 
 

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week barely rose to 208,000, indicating that layoffs remain at extremely low levels associated with a sound economy.

 
Elliott and Warren Buffett Are Now Both Bullish on Japan 
 

Hedge fund Elliott has built a position in Sumitomo, joining Berkshire Hathaway. The trading firm's shares are up 10% this week.

 
Canada Swings to Goods-Trade Deficit as Exports Drop 
 

Canada unexpectedly posted a goods-trade deficit in March after a slump in exports erased gains made the month before, led by a retreat in gold shipments and declines in the automotive industry.

 
Former Pioneer CEO Is Accused of Trying to Collude With OPEC 
 

The FTC alleges Scott Sheffield tried to coordinate on oil production and prices. The agency referred the case for a potential criminal probe.

 
U.S. trade deficit hovers near highest level in almost a year 
 

The trade deficit was flat in March at a nearly one-year high, capping off a first quarter in which a bigger shortfall acting as a drag on the official measure of U.S. economic growth.

 
BOJ Data Suggest Second Yen Intervention This Week 
 

Japan likely carried out a second round of significant yen-buying intervention this week, according to a calculation based on data from the Bank of Japan and private money brokers.

 
Buffett Rules Out 'Eye-Popping' Returns. But Investors Aren't Listening. 
 

Berkshire is poised to hit a $1 trillion valuation as investors gather this weekend for its annual shareholder meeting

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 02, 2024 15:15 ET (19:15 GMT)

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