Reuters - Business Today

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Thursday, November 2, 2017

BoE set for hike, Fed to get new head, trillion-dollar Apple?

LONDON (Reuters) - Traders were bracing on Thursday for landmark events including the Bank of England's first rate hike since 2007 and the unveiling of a new Fed chief as well as results from Apple as it looks to become the world's first $1 trillion company.

Apple market value: We may need a bigger chart

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook quashed concerns recently about muted demand for the iPhone X, saying pre-orders for the 10th anniversary smartphone were "off the charts," but it might be the company's market capitalization that needs a bigger graph.

Bombardier scales back CSeries jet deliveries, improves earnings

(Reuters) - Bombardier Inc scaled back CSeries jet deliveries by around a third because of engine delays, but reported improved earnings and a quarterly loss in line with analyst estimates.

U.S. jobless claims fall to near 44-1/2-year low

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to a near 44-1/2-year low last week, supporting expectations of a sharp rebound in job growth in October after employment was depressed by hurricane-related disruptions in September.

U.S. third-quarter productivity fastest in three years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. worker productivity increased at its fastest pace in three years in the third quarter, holding down labor costs, but the trend in productivity growth remained moderate.

Chesapeake Energy profit beats on higher oil prices, lower costs

(Reuters) - Oil and gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corp reported on Thursday a quarterly adjusted profit that beat analysts' estimates on tight cost controls and higher oil prices.

Alibaba delivers 'outstanding quarter' on e-commerce growth

BEIJING (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd hailed an "outstanding quarter" on Thursday as the Chinese firm beat forecasts with a 61 percent revenue rise driven by continuing e-commerce growth.

Pizza Hut same-restaurant sales growth help Yum Brands beat Street

(Reuters) - Pizza Hut broke a five-quarter streak of declining sales, helping owner Yum Brands Inc report profit and revenue for the third quarter above Wall Street expectations on Thursday.

Wall Street treads water ahead of tax bill, Fed chair pick

(Reuters) - Wall Street was set to open flat on Thursday as investors braced for the unveiling of a long-awaited tax bill and President Donald Trump's decision on the next Federal Reserve chair.

Bank of England hikes rates for first time in a decade, sees only gentle rises ahead

LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England raised interest rates for the first time in more than 10 years on Thursday and said it expected only "very gradual" further increases over the next three years.