Stoxx 600, FTSE, DAX, ECB and BOE decisions, Iran

Hannelore Foerster | Bloomberg | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks opened sharply lower on Thursday as investors digest the latest reports on the Iran war and monitor a raft of corporate earnings and central bank decisions. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was trading 0.4% lower by 8:40 a.m. in London (3:40 a.m. E.T.). Regional bourses…

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Brent crude tops $121 as U.S. military to reportedly brief Trump on potential action against Iran

Alexander Manzyuk | Reuters Oil extended gains as a report suggested the U.S. military would brief President Donald Trump on potential action against Iran, raising worries that armed conflict could resume, building on the American blockade of Iranian exports. Axios reported Thursday that the U.S. Central Command was set to present Trump plans for potential…

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What that means for consumer loans

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at the conclusion of its policy meeting on Wednesday.  In what could be Jerome Powell’s last as chair before President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-confirmed nominee Kevin Warsh takes the helm, central bankers maintained the federal funds rate in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%.  Inflation has surged since the war with Iran…

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Fed holds rates steady amid dissent

An unusually divided Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its key interest rate steady as policymakers grappled with the policy impact of persistent inflation and awaited a looming leadership transition at the central bank. In what may have been Chair Jerome Powell‘s final meeting at the helm, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold…

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James Comey faces Trump threat seashells indictment

FILE PHOTO: Former FBI Director James Comey testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Senate Hart building on Capitol Hill, on Thursday, June 8, 2017. Cheriss May | Nurphoto | Getty Images Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in Alexandria, Virginia, federal court on Wednesday, a day after a two-count indictment charged…

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