Economy

Stocks waver after hitting record highs
Stocks waver after hitting record highs

Stock markets wavered Thursday following record-breaking rallies that were fuelled by cooling US inflation, though Wall Street pushed ahead with the Dow topping the 40,000-point mark mid session for the first time.

Walmart profits rise on strong sales from wealthier shoppers
Walmart profits rise on strong sales from wealthier shoppers

Walmart reported higher profits Thursday behind solid gains at US stores as the retail giant pointed to increased purchases by wealthier shoppers and improving e-commerce sales. The improved sales to wealthier shoppers reflect a focus on affordable pricing and convenience, as well as a greater attention to products such as fresh food, company executives said on a conference call.

China's Baidu posts weakest quarterly revenue growth in over a year
China's Baidu posts weakest quarterly revenue growth in over a year

Chinese internet giant Baidu announced Thursday its slowest quarterly revenue growth in over a year, as competition between top players in the country's cutting-edge tech sector intensifies. The figure represents a year-on-year increase of one percent -- the slowest quarterly revenue growth recorded by Baidu since the final quarter of 2022.

Monet painting fetches $35 million at New York auction
Monet painting fetches $35 million at New York auction

A Monet sold for nearly $35 million at auction Wednesday evening, Sotheby's said, marking a solid start to New York's spring art sales. Christie's, meanwhile, sold some $115 million in contemporary art the prior evening, including a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting for $32 million.

Asian markets track Wall St records after US inflation data
Asian markets track Wall St records after US inflation data

Asian equities rallied Thursday after US data showed inflation cooled last month, fuelling speculation that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates twice this year. Tokyo also advanced, even after data showed Japan's economy shrank more than expected in the first three months of the year.