Reuters Financial News

Nifty 50 today: Domestic market benchmarks the Sensex and the Nifty 50 closed in the negative territory for the second consecutive session on Thursday, October 19 amid weak global cues. Top Asian peers, including Japan's Nikkei, China's Shanghai Composite Index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell about two per cent each while in Europe, the UK's FTSE, Germany's DAX and France's CAC fell up to a per cent during the trade as investors remained worried over the prospects of an escalation of the Israel-Hamas war into a bigger regional crisis.

From 8-½ month highs of nearly $3.50, US natural gas is clinging to low $3s now after a mini crash over two weeks.

Rishi Sunak landed in Israel on Thursday, a Reuters witness said, beginning a visit in which he will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog before travelling on to other regional capitals. Sunak will share his condolences for the loss of life in Israel and Gaza as a result of the October 7 attack on Israel by Gaza-based Palestinian Hamas gunmen, his office said, and warn against further escalation of conflict in the region. «Every civilian death is a tragedy.

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Reuters. Claims of responsibility for the hospital blast varied, with many Arab leaders alleging Israeli involvement, while Hamas officials in Gaza attributed it to an Israeli airstrike. Israel denied any involvement and presented evidence suggesting the blast resulted from a rocket misfire by Islamic Jihad, another militant group operating in Gaza.

Netflix has increased the price of its premium ad-free plan by $3 per month to $22.99, while the cost for premium rose by 2 pounds to 17.99 pounds in Britain and by 2 euros to 19.99 euros in France, according to a report published by Reuters. The price hikes were announced in an earnings report that showed the company's global subscriber base reached 247 million at the end of September. Substantial subscriber gains came in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where Netflix added nearly 4 million subscribers.

(Reuters) — Smithfield Foods' Chinese owner WH Group (OTC:WHGLY) is working with banks to take the U.S.-based pork producer public again in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

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central bank kept its interest rate unchanged for a sixth straight meeting on Thursday while retaining a tightening bias, as policymakers stayed alert to higher oil prices that could interrupt a moderation in inflation. The Bank of Korea (BOK) said price pressures would remain for longer than expected due to heightened uncertainties surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and global oil prices. «The timing of consumer price inflation converging on the target level is more likely to be delayed than previously expected,» it said in a statement after keeping its key policy rate at 3.50%, as expected by all 49 economists polled by Reuters. The South Korean economy has taken a hit from a cumulative 300 basis points of rate hikes since August 2021 that has been adding financial stress to households, among the most indebted in the world. With markets not anticipating a rise in rates for the rest of the year, the focus is now on whether Governor Rhee Chang-yong will maintain his hawkish bias or signal a policy pivot. «Above-target domestic inflation will keep the BOK guarded. September's print exceeded expectations at 3.7%, driven mainly by oil and agricultural prices.

U.S. Federal Reserve will keep its key interest rate on hold on Nov.

(Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights! Click here!) The company also revealed historic results according to the new segment classification for the first nine months through July 1, 2023, as well as for its fiscal years 2022 and 2021. Also Read: Consumers sue Dabur subsidiaries in US, Canada over alleged cancer-causing hair products The move comes as Disney scouts strategic partners for its sports network ESPN.

BSE Sensex closed 551.07 points, or 0.83%, lower at 65,877.02, while the NSE Nifty 50 declined 140.40 points, or 0.71%, to settle at 19,671.10. “Profit booking ensued in Indian markets, spurred by weak global sentiments and escalating Middle East tensions. A sudden rise in the tension has led to instability in energy prices.

By Ankur Banerjee

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's new home prices fell for the third straight month in September, official data showed on Thursday, dashing hopes of a turnaround in demand during a traditionally peak month for home buying despite efforts to revive the crisis-hit property sector.

(Reuters) -Australian competition watchdog said on Thursday PETstock's certain completed acquisitions made between 2017 and 2022 raise significant concerns, as the regulator reviewed the pet retailer's stake sale to Woolworths Group.

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