Regulatory News: Verallia announces that credit rating agency Standard & Poor's has lowered the Group's long-term credit rating from BBB- to BB+ with a stable outlook, amid market slowdown. Verallia acknowledges this decision and remains focused on continuing to improve its competitiveness, cash generation and deleveraging.
Friday's Canada jobs data release for February 2026 is a "decidedly weak report", said TD Bank, noting not only did employment decline, but the labour force contracted for a second consecutive month. "Even looking through some of the noise in the top-line jobs figures, the unemployment rate rose again, reversing most of last month's improvements.
Gold edged lower early Friday, remaining largely rangebound as the U.S. dollar rose to a four-month high after a report showed a key U.S. inflation measure eased in January, while a first revision to U.S. first-quarter gross domestic product slashed estimated growth in the period. Gold for April delivery was last seen down US$6.00 to US$5,119.80 per ounce.
The U.S. Commerce Department said on Friday its Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index rose largely in line with expectations in January, the latest sign that inflation remained relatively well behaved ahead of the war with Iran that began last month.
U.S. economic growth slowed more sharply than initially thought in the fourth quarter amid downward revisions to consumer spending and business investment, government data showed on Friday.
* Futures up: Dow 0.58%, S&P 500 0.55%, Nasdaq 0.55% * US consumer spending, core PCE inflation firmer in January. * Meta down 1.3%; report says AI model 'Avocado' rollout pushed to May or later. * SentinelOne slips 3.7% after bleak forecasts. By Johann M Cherian and Utkarsh Hathi.
U.S. economic growth slowed more sharply than initially thought in the fourth quarter amid downward revisions to consumer spending and business investment, government data showed on Friday.
The Canadian labor market took a worrisome turn in February, with employment dropping by 84,000 and the unemployment rate rising to 6.7% from 6.5%, said CIBC. That was in contrast to the consensus expectation for a gain of 10,000 jobs and for the unemployment rate to increase to 6.6%, noted the bank.
* BRAZIL'S CENTRAL BANK SELLS $1 BILLION IN SPOT DOLLAR AUCTION - STATEMENT. * BRAZIL'S CENTRAL BANK SELLS 20,000 REVERSE FX SWAP CONTRACTS AT AUCTION - STATEMENT.
US economic growth, measured by gross domestic product, was revised lower to a 0.7% increase in Q4 from a 1.4% gain in the advance estimate, compared with an expectation for no revision in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. GDP rose by 4.4% in Q3. Personal consumer expenditures were revised down to a 2.0% gain from the 2.4% increase in the advance estimate and were below a 3.5% gain in Q3.
Exchange Income Corporation (EIFZF) a diversified, acquisition-oriented company focused on opportunities in the Aerospace & Aviation and Manufacturing segments, is pleased to announce the successful closing of its previously announced offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 4.324% senior unsecured notes due March 13, 2031.
The Federal Reserve will probably next cut interest rates in September, traders bet on Friday after government data showed inflation by the Fed's targeted measure wasn't quite as hot as feared at the start of the year. Before the data, which showed a 2.8% year-on-year rise in the personal consumption expenditures price index in January, the betting had been for a first Fed rate cut in October.
U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in January amid higher prices, and the dragging Middle East conflict threatens to add to inflation, bolstering expectations that the Federal Reserve would not resume cutting interest rates before September.
U.S. consumer spending increased slightly more than expected in January, which together with continued strength in underlying inflation and the dragging war in the Middle East bolstered economists' views that the Federal Reserve would not resume cutting interest rates for some time.
U.S. stock index futures extended gains slightly on Friday as investors assessed data on inflation and economic growth for cues on the Federal Reserve's policy path. The Personal Consumption Expenditure index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.3% in January, on a monthly basis, in line with economists' estimates of a 0.3% rise.
U.S. stock index futures extended gains slightly on Friday as investors assessed data on inflation and economic growth for cues on the Federal Reserve's policy path. The Personal Consumption Expenditure index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.3% in January, on a monthly basis, in line with economists' estimates of a 0.3% rise.
U.S. economic growth slowed sharply toward the end of 2025. The reading was significantly revised down from the initial 1.4% estimate and marked a sharp deceleration from the 4.4% growth pace recorded in the third quarter.
Brazil's services activity grew slightly more than expected in January compared with the previous month, data from the statistics agency IBGE showed on Friday, ahead of the central bank's interest rate decision next week. * The main driver of Latin America's largest economy rose 0.3% in January from December, IBGE said. * Economists in a Reuters poll had expected a 0.1% increase.
* Canada sheds 83,900 jobs in February, after January decline. * Average hourly wage of permanent employees grows 4.2% * Analysts predicted 10,000 job gains, jobless rate 6.6% By Promit Mukherjee.
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $12.90, according to analysts polled by FactSet. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice.
The US dollar rose against its major trading partners early Friday ahead of the release of revised Q4 gross domestic product and personal income, spending and durable goods data for January, all at 8:30 am ET.
* Futures up: Dow 0.27%, S&P 500 0.27%, Nasdaq 0.23% * GDP, inflation data at 8:30 a.m. ET. * Meta down 1%; report says AI model 'Avocado' rollout pushed to May or later. * SentinelOne slips 5.3% after bleak forecasts. By Johann M Cherian and Utkarsh Hathi.
* FTSE 100 down 0.3%, FTSE 250 down 0.7% * ONS data shows UK's economy stalled in January. * HSBC (HSBC) and Standard Chartered (SCBFF) hit by Middle East conflict. * Energy index rises as oil prices exceed $100 per barrel. By Tharuniyaa Lakshmi.
Aluminium fell sharply on Friday, snapping three days of gains, as the dollar strengthened, although shipping disruptions amid the ongoing Middle East war kept the market on edge. Benchmark three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange was down 2.3% at $3,436.50 per metric ton as of 1700 GMT. "The biggest moving part there is the dollar," said Panmure Liberum analyst Tom Price.
Image: IUX Global multi-asset trading platform IUX has released a market insight analyzing the impact of recent Federal Reserve policy signals on gold and silver markets. According to the analysis, when the Federal Reserve signals a policy stance that is more hawkish than market expectations, the effects often extend beyond interest rate outlooks.
PAR Technology Corporation? shares tumbled in Friday's premarket after the company announced plans to raise $250 million through a convertible debt offering to refinance existing notes and fund share buybacks. PAR priced a private offering of $250 million in 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due March 15, 2031. The offering is expected to close on March 17, 2026, subject to customary conditions.
* Gold down about 1.7% so far this week. * Iran vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed. * Delayed US January PCE data due later today. By Ishaan Arora. Gold was on track for a second straight weekly loss, even as it edged higher on Friday, as surging oil prices dampened rate cut bets and caused investors to cover margin calls, while a rising dollar and U.S. yields also pressured prices.
Commerzbank in its "European Sunrise" note of Friday highlighted: Markets: United States Treasuries fall in the New York session, turn sideways in Asia. U.S. says it will allow countries to buy Russian oil stranded at sea for the next 30 days. Banks: U.S. Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman says the Fed will unveil relaxed capital proposals in the coming week.
New bank lending in China slumped far more than expected in February, retreating sharply from a seasonally strong start to the year as weak credit appetite continued to drag on borrowing in the world's second-largest economy.
* European stocks set for biggest two-week drop in a year. * U.S. futures point to moderate falls after steep falls in previous session. * Investors focus on oil prices, inflation risks. * Traders rapidly cut Fed rate cut wagers for the year. * Dollar stands tall, pushing yen to 20-month lows. By Lucy Raitano and Ankur Banerjee.
There is an incredibly busy week of central bank meetings next week and however the conflict pans in Iran out between now and these meetings, investors should be in a better position to understand the reaction functions of key G10 central banks by the end of next week, said MUFG.
Global equity funds recorded the largest weekly outflows since mid-December in the seven days to March 11 as disruptions to oil supplies stemming from the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran stoked concerns about inflation and global economic growth.
Chances for President Donald Trump's Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh to quickly loosen monetary policy are dwindling in the eyes of investors and analysts who have begun to question how far Warsh can steer his colleagues towards lower borrowing costs if an ongoing oil price shock persists.
Investors will seek clarity in the coming week on how much the Middle East conflict is complicating expectations for interest-rate cuts this year, as they brace for developments in the Iran war that could rattle markets.
* US central bank expected to hold rates steady on Wednesday. * Investors look to updated economic projections, view of Middle East fallout. * Surging oil prices in focus as inflation pressure point. By Lewis Krauskopf.
Global equity funds recorded the largest weekly outflows since mid-December in the seven days to March 11 as disruptions to oil supplies stemming from the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran stoked concerns about inflation and global economic growth.
New bank lending in China slumped far more than expected in February, retreating sharply from a seasonally strong start to the year as weak credit appetite continued to drag on borrowing in the world's second-largest economy.
China's banks extended 900 billion yuan in new yuan loans in February, plunging from 4.71 trillion yuan in January and missing analysts' forecasts, according to Reuters calculations based on data released by the People's Bank of China. The PBOC does not provide monthly breakdowns.
Aluminium slid on Friday as supply concerns eased and the dollar firmed, with elevated energy prices dimming prospects of U.S. rate cuts, although persistent shipping disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz kept prices on track for weekly gains. The most-active aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed daytime trade down 1.4% at 24,960 yuan a metric ton.
* U.S. Fed, Bank of Canada rate decisions Wednesday. * Europe, Japan central banks meet Thursday. * Iran war keeps markets on edge. War in the Middle East is driving up energy prices sharply and that puts central banks, scarred by 2022's inflation surge, in a sticky spot.
* UK economy fails to grow in January. * Level of GDP still at same level as June 2025. * ONS data underscore investor concern over UK's vulnerabilities. * Brent crude prices at $100 on Friday. By Andy Bruce and Suban Abdulla.
Britain's economy grew by 0.2% in the three months to January, disappointing against expectations, official figures showed on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 0.3% growth in gross domestic product for the November-January period compared with the previous three months.
In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.
Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.
Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.
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