WTI Heads for Sixth Weekly Decline as OPEC Cuts Demand Outlook

West Texas Intermediate headed for its sixth weekly drop, the longest run of declines in almost a year, as OPEC cut forecasts for the amount of crude it will need to supply amid the U.S. shale boom. Futures were little changed in New York, poised for a 3.3 percent decrease for the week. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries lowered every forecast for its crude through 2035 except next year, according to the groups annual...

Dollar Stronger Before Payrolls as Australian Stocks Rise

The dollar held its advance, trading near multi-year highs versus the euro and the yen before U.S. payrolls data. Stocks in Australia and New Zealand rose after American equity gauges extended records, while U.S. oil was headed for its sixth straight weekly decline. The greenback was at 115.22 yen by 8:52 a.m. in Tokyo, set for a third weekly advance after reaching its strongest level in seven years. The dollar rose to a more than...

Most Asian Stocks Advance, Paring Weekly Loss, Before U.S. Jobs

Most Asian stocks rose, paring a weekly decline on the regional index, after a drop in American jobless claims bolstered optimism in the worlds largest economy before a government report on employment. More than three shares climbed for each that retreated on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, which gained 0.1 percent to 140.18 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo, before markets opened in Hong Kong and China. The measure is headed for a 1.2 percent...

Japanese Stocks Extend Weekly Gain on U.S. Jobless Claims, Yen

Japanese stocks rose, with the Topix index extending its third weekly gain, after U.S. jobless claims dropped and the yen weakened. The Topix added 0.8 percent to 1,366.90 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, heading for a 2.4 percent advance this week. All 33 industry groups climbed. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.8 percent to 16,924.79. The yen traded at 115.19 per dollar today after falling 1.4 percent over the previous two days. Futures...

European Stocks Rise First Time in Three Days as Novartis Gains

European stocks rose, snapping a two-day drop, as Novartis AG and UBS AG rallied after posting financial updates and as U.S. consumer confidence surged to a seven-year high. The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 1 percent to 328.25 at the close of trading as 18 of its 19 industry groups rose. The gauge briefly pared its advance after an earlier report showed U.S. durable-goods orders unexpectedly fell. Novartis added 1.8 percent...