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BEIJING (AP) — International stock markets mostly fell today after Wall Street slid and Japan's central bank surprised markets by putting off possible additional stimulus. Futures point to opening losses on Wall Street. Benchmark U.S. crude edged down to $46.00 per barrel. The dollar fell against the yen and the euro.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Labor Department will release the first-quarter employment cost index today. Also, the Commerce Department will report on personal income and spending for March. And oil giant Exxon Mobil will report quarterly financial results before the market opens.
BRUSSELS (AP) — Officials say there's been an unexpected growth spurt in the eurozone's economy. In a preliminary estimate, Eurostat says the economy grew by a quarterly rate of 0.6 percent in the first three months of year, meaning the currency bloc has finally clawed back the ground lost during the recessions it has suffered since 2008. Eurostat also says inflation fell.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A chunk of Australia bigger than South Korea and almost as big as the U.S. state of Virginia may not be bought by a Chinese-led consortium after all. Citing national security concerns, Treasurer Scott Morrison says he is also worried that the land owned by a pioneering dynasty is more than 1 percent of Australia's total land area and 2 percent of agricultural land. The refusal to sell is preliminary and the owner has until Tuesday to respond.
LONDON (AP) — Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca says first-quarter earnings fell 12 percent as it announced plans to cut costs so it can devote more resources to cancer drugs. Core operating profit, which excludes one-time items such as restructuring costs and impairments, fell to $1.59 billion versus $1.81 billion in the first quarter of 2015. AstraZeneca said Friday that income increased to $646 million from $550 million.
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