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On the other end, regional banks' shares stretched gains from a rebound on Friday, with PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) jumping 19.9% after the lender sharply cut its quarterly dividend to boost capital. Shares of such banks tumbled for much of last week on worries tied to the collapse of First Republic Bank. "We're in an information vacuum right now, waiting for the next inflation data. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc's Class B shares rose 1.2% after posting a $35.5 billion first-quarter profit, reflecting gains from stocks such as Apple. The S&P index recorded seven new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 31 new highs and 23 new lows.

The blue-chip index (.FTSE) and the mid-cap FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) rose 0.3% each, as of 0830 GMT. Oil and gas sector (.FTNMX601010) jumped 1.7%, with firm crude prices and a weaker dollar supporting gains. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank hiked interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) earlier this week. Though the ECB signalled more hikes were to come, the Fed indicated a potential pause in its monetary tightening. "As long as inflation doesn't move higher, it looks like the Fed has done enough in the near term."

While the Fed is widely expected to raise rates by 25 basis points at its policy rate announcement at 1800 GMT, the hopes of a pause in increases have grown after a banking crisis that has threatened to hurt economic growth. Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) edged down 0.8% despite beating quarterly profit estimates, as the bellwether lender echoed rivals in maintaining its full-year forecasts. However, energy stocks (.FTNMX601010) were a drag, down 1.2%, tracking weakness in crude prices. Haleon (HLN.L) lost 3.8% as the world's biggest standalone consumer health business reported first-quarter profit below analyst expectations. Luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda (AML.L) lost 2.2% after it reported a narrower quarterly pre-tax loss and maintained its 2023 outlook.

☆ London's FTSE 100 gains on upbeat results; Capricorn Energy drops
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The London Stock Exchange Group offices in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleSummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 up 0.1%, FTSE 250 off 0.2%April 27 (Reuters) - The UK's FTSE 100 edged higher on Thursday, snapping a three-day losing streak as markets cheered upbeat corporate updates, while shares of Capricorn Energy fell due to a full-year operating loss. The blue-chip index (.FTSE) was up 0.1%, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) lost 0.2%, as of 0717 GMT. Banks (.FTNMX301010) added 0.7%, led by Barclays (BARC.L) gaining 2.7% after the lender's first-quarter profit exceeded expectations as strong performance from its credit card business offset pressure on other business lines. Unilever (ULVR.L) gained 1.3% after it smashed quarterly sales forecasts as another big rise in prices triggered only a small dip in volumes.

The blue-chip index (.FTSE) fell 0.3%, down for the third straight session, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) shed 0.4% as of 0829 GMT. The FTSE 100 had a good run earlier this month, buoyed by strength in commodity stocks and defensives like pharmaceuticals. However, markets have taken to a wait-and-see mode as earnings kicked in, to assess the impact of monetary tightening on results. Oil and gas stocks (.FTNMX601010) rose 0.6% as crude prices gained on reports of falling U.S. crude oil and fuel inventories. Drax Group's shares (DRX.L) rose 3.8% after the power generator announced a 150 million pound ($187 mln) share buyback programme.

SummarySummary Companies Britain's house prices show weak rise in AprilBunelm gains on Stifel upgradeMedica Group surges on buyout dealFTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 adds 0.2%April 24 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 fell on Monday as energy stocks and base metal miners lost ground on weak demand outlook, while caution set in ahead of a busy week of earnings. Oil giants BP (BP.L) and Shell (SHEL.L) lost 0.9% and 1.2%, respectively, as crude prices fell more than 1% on concerns about rising interest rates, global economic slowdown and fuel demand outlook. The FTSE 100 (.FTSE) fell 0.2%, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) was up 0.2%, as of 0821 GMT. Growth companies, including Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), Google parent Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), are scheduled to report their earnings this week. The FTSE 100 logged its fifth consecutive weekly rise on Friday, marking its longest streak of weekly gains in more than a year, buoyed by commodity stocks, even as weak global economic growth outlook keeps investor sentiment subdued.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) fell 0.4%, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) was down 0.8%, as of 0820 GMT. Data showed Britain now has Western Europe's highest rate of consumer price inflation, after a weaker-than-expected fall in March to 10.1% from February's 10.4%. The FTSE 100 clocked its longest winning streak since December 2020 on Tuesday, buoyed by defensive and commodity-linked stocks. Food, beverages and tobacco sector (.FTUB4510) was a bright spot, up 0.8% on the heels of sticky inflation numbers. Leading losses on the FTSE 250 was Liontrust Asset Management Plc (LIO.L), down 5.5% as the asset manager reported significant quarterly net outflows.

☆ TSX notches 6-week high as investors cheer US bank earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Fergal Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) rose 15.42 points, or 0.1%, to 20,579.91, its highest closing level since March 3. "Good bank earnings out of the U.S. spilled over into Canada," said Allan Small, senior investment advisor of the Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth. Canadian banks had been pressured in recent weeks by the banking stress in the United States and Europe. The Toronto market's heavily-weighted financials sector added 0.2%, while energy was up 0.3% as oil added to recent gains. Reporting by Shristi Achar A in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

ET (1413 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) was up 26.71 points, or 0.13%, at 20,591.2. The heavily-weighted financials sector (.SPTTFS) added 0.4%, mirroring gains in big U.S. banks. "The read through to Canada is largely from the banks (in the U.S.) because the banks comprise about 20% of the weight of the Toronto Stock Exchange," said Brian Madden, chief investment officer at First Avenue Investment Counsel. "It is good news for the Canadian banks in general because they have operations in the United States, so that should bode well for their results in their US operations." Reporting by Shristi Achar A in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ TSX futures gain on oil boost; big US banks jump
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 14 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's commodity-heavy stock index edged up on Friday, tracking a rise in crude prices, while upbeat earnings from big U.S. banks supported optimistic investor mood. June futures on the S&P/TSX index were up 0.2% at 7:00 a.m. Wall Street futures slipped as most growth and technology stocks were down in premarket trading, while robust earnings from big U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) and Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N), limited losses for futures tracking S&P 500 (.SPX). The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE) rose on Thursday to its highest closing level in nearly six weeks, buoyed by strength in gold miners. In company news, Scotiabank downgraded oil and gas company Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE.TO) to "sector perform" from "sector outperform."

The commodity-heavy FTSE 100 (.FTSE) edged 0.1% lower, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) was flat as of 0814 GMT. "Gains in homebuilders is being counteracted by ex-dividend moves today," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG Group. Even as concerns over a potential U.S. recession have weighed on investor sentiment, defensive stocks such as pharmaceuticals as well as commodity-linked stocks have kept FTSE 100 afloat recently. Shares of Lloyds Group (LLOY.L), Unite Group (UTG.L) and Persimmon (PSN.L) among others were down between 1.7%-3% as the stocks traded ex-dividend. Reporting by Shristi Achar A in Bengaluru; Editing by Sohini Goswami and Janane VenkatramanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.5%, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) lost 0.1% as of 0807 GMT. Oil and gas (.FTNMX601010) added 0.8% as crude prices gained against the dollar, lifting oil giants BP Plc (BP.L) and Shell Plc (SHEL.L) 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively. "The FTSE 100 is falling in line with the positive sentiment we saw at the start of the week, overlooking the China-Taiwan tensions," said Giles Coghlan, chief market analyst at HYCM. While concerns over a potential recession in the U.S. amid persistent inflation have weighed on sentiment recently, the FTSE 100 has been on a positive streak, helped by commodity stocks and defensives including pharmaceuticals. Shares of West Africa-focused oil producer Tullow Oil (TLW.L) slid 2.9% on Jefferies' downgrade to "underperform" from "hold."

The boost was shortlived and fears of a banking crisis gripped the market on Friday, with shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N), which also suspended its dividend payout, dropping 24.5%. The KBW regional banking index (.KRX) and the S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK) fell over 9% each in the week. Investors are now looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, due next week, to gauge how it will tame inflation. Money market participants now see a 67% chance of the Fed raising rates by 25 basis points on March 22. . Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 5.46-to-1 ratio on the NYSE by a 3.56-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

Shares of First Republic fell 20.7% in early trading after the bank suspended its dividend payout. The KBW regional banking index (.KRX) and the S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK) fell over 2% each. "Deposits have fled from regional banks like First Republic into the big banks who are now bailing them out by putting the deposits back in. "Until you stop the deposit flight from regional banks into the systemically important banks that are too big to fail, it doesn't matter how much money you pour into the bucket." The S&P index recorded two new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded seven new highs and 75 new lows.

SummarySummary Companies Credit Suisse rebounds on lifeline from Swiss central bankHousing starts, jobless claims data due 8:30 am ETAdobe rises on upbeat profit forecastMeta, Snap climb as U.S. threatens TikTok banFutures mixed: Dow down 0.29%, S&P down 0.19%, Nasdaq up 0.16%March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were mixed on Thursday as the Swiss central bank's lifeline for embattled Credit Suisse did little to boost investor sentiment as they awaited economic data for clues on the outlook for U.S. interest rates. U.S.-listed shares of Credit Suisse rose 8.8% in premarket trading after the bank secured a credit line of up to $54 billion from the Swiss National Bank to shore up liquidity and investor confidence, which had nosedived after the lender's shares slumped on Wednesday. Troubles at Credit Suisse, coming on the heels of the collapse of SVB Financial (SIVB.O) and peer Signature Bank (SBNY.O) have sparked fresh worries about stress in the banking sector, dwarfing relief on expectations of less aggressive moves by the Federal Reserve. "Central banks are in a bit of a bind because they need to make sure that inflation is brought back under control. Shares of Adobe Inc (ADBE.O) supported Nasdaq futures, rising 5.8% in premarket trade after the Photoshop maker raised its 2023 profit target.

CHICAGO, March 14 (Reuters) - U.S. airlines on Tuesday tried to reassure investors about the strength of travel demand, a day after United Airlines (UAL.O) stoked worries about the industry's pricing power. Even as executives in other sectors of the economy have warned of recession risks, airline chief executives until now have remained upbeat as consumer travel demand stayed strong. Delta reaffirmed its first-quarter outlook, saying travel demand is strong and getting stronger. American Airlines (AAL.O) CEO Robert Isom said the Texas-based carrier was enjoying "tremendous" demand. Airline ticket prices have gone up due to persistent capacity constraints and an unending thirst for travel after pandemic-related restrictions ended.

But your second thought is, how big was that crisis, how big were the risks that this step had to be taken?" Trading in shares of SVB's peer Signature Bank (SBNY.O), which was shut down by regulators on Sunday, was halted. Shares of big U.S. banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Morgan Stanley (MS.N) and Bank of America (BAC.N) fell between 2.8% and 6.3%. The KBW regional banking index fell 11.2%, while the S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK) dropped 7.7%. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week highs and 44 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 19 new highs and 321 new lows.

Helping futures for the tech-heavy Nasdaq gain nearly 1%, U.S. two-year Treasury yields tumbled to more than a month low, while futures for the cyclicals-heavy Dow Jones edged lower. Big Tech and growth companies such as Meta Platforms (META.O), Amazon (AMZN.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O) rose between 1% and 2% premarket. Traders' bets are currently equally split between a pause and a 25-basis-point rate hike at the Fed's next meeting in March. The projections of a terminal rate have also receded to just under 5% by June from around 5.5% in September earlier. ET, Dow e-minis were down 48 points, or 0.15%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 5.5 points, or 0.14%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 99.25 points, or 0.84%.

Wall Street's main indexes recorded steep losses in the previous session after startups-focused lender SVB Financial Group's (SIVB.O) share sale to shore up its balance sheet wiped out more than $80 billion in value from bank shares. The bank is in talks to sell itself, the report added. All three major U.S. indexes were headed towards weekly losses as Fed Chair Jerome Powell earlier this week left open the possibility of a large rate hike at the Fed's March meeting, after the central bank dialed down the size of its rate hike last month. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 3.33-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 3.88-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar and Shristi Achar in Bengaluru Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 for the week ended March 4, the Labor Department said on Thursday. "This could be a game changer for today's market," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York. The gains pushed up the S&P 500 communication services (.SPLRCL), consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) and information technology (.SPLRCT) sectors between 0.4% and 0.6%. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.64-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.06-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded four new 52-week highs and 11 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 28 new highs and 54 new lows.

The remarks followed recent data showing an unexpected inflation increase in January and an unusually large jobs gain for the month. Traders dramatically raised their bets for a 50-basis-point rate hike in March after Powell's comments, with money market futures last pricing in a more than 70% chance of such a move, up from around 31% on Monday, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. Data influencing the Fed's rate hiking path will include Friday's closely watched nonfarm payroll additions for February. Meanwhile, the yield on two-year Treasury notes , which best reflects short-term rate expectations, hit 5% for the first time since July 2007. Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS.N) rallied 11% after the retailer forecast annual earnings above Wall Street estimates and more than doubled its quarterly dividend.

Equities lost ground right after Powell's prepared remarks were released ahead of his testimony and sank further as the session wore on. Powell told U.S. lawmakers the Fed is prepared to move in larger steps if economic data suggests tougher measures are needed to control rising prices. Data the Fed will use to influence its rate hiking path will include Friday's non-farm payroll numbers. Meanwhile, the yield on two-year Treasury notes , which best reflects short-term rate expectations, hit 5% for the first time since July 2007. Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS.N) was up 9.6% after the retailer forecast annual earnings above Wall Street estimates and more than doubled its quarterly dividend.

Meanwhile, Fed fund rates were seen peaking at 5.6% in September compared to 5.47% earlier. Investors are awaiting data later this week that is expected to show nonfarm payrolls increased by 200,000 in February, compared with the much stronger-than-expected 517,000 jobs reported in January. All the 11 major S&P sectors fell, with cyclical sectors such as financials (.SPSY) and materials (.SPLRCM) leading declines. Meanwhile, the yield on two-year Treasury notes , which best reflects short-term rate expectations, rebounded to its highest since 2007 at 4.96%. The S&P 500 recorded 10 new 52-week highs and six new lows, while the Nasdaq posted 40 new highs and 112 new lows.

Traders drastically increased their bets of a 50-basis-point rate hike in March after Powell's comments, with money market futures pricing a more than 40% chance of such a move, from 23% before the remarks. Meanwhile, Fed fund rates were seen peaking at 5.56% in September compared to 5.47% earlier. Investors are awaiting data later this week that is expected to show nonfarm payrolls increased by 200,000 in February, compared with the much stronger-than-expected 517,000 jobs reported in January. Among individual stocks, Rivian Automotive (RIVN.O) tumbled 10.5% after the electric automaker unveiled plans to sell bonds worth $1.3 billion. The S&P index recorded 10 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 30 new highs and 77 new lows.

March 6 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 made little progress on Monday, closing slightly higher than its session low as U.S. Treasury yields pulled higher with investors braced for this week's testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the February jobs report. Rising bond yields tend to weigh on equity valuations, particularly those of growth and technology stocks, as higher rates reduce the value of future cash flows. "People are worried about the jobs number and the economic data because they're worried about what the Fed will do. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 (.SPX) gained 2.72 points, or 0.07%, to end at 4,048.36 points, while the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) lost 12.59 points, or 0.11%, to 11,676.41. Since Powell last spoke strong economic data and hotter than expected inflation have raised concerns the Fed will raise rates higher than expected or keep them higher for longer.

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