Dollar Snaps 3-Day Gain as Wider Trade Deficit Damps Growth Bets

The dollar snapped a three-day gain after the U.S. trade deficit widened in March to the highest level in more than six years, raising doubts that the economy was gaining traction.The data, which showed the trade gap increasing the most in 18 years, followed a report last week that indicated U.S. growth stalled in first quarter. The focus turns to April payrolls data on May 8, as the Federal Reserve weighs whether the economy is strong...

Gold Rises for Second Day as Oil Rally Spurs Inflation Concerns

Gold futures rose for the second straight day as higher energy costs added to speculation that U.S. inflation will start to pick up, reviving demand for the precious metal as a store of value. Crude oil in New York rose above $60 a barrel for the first time since December. In April, the price soared 25 percent, the most since May 2009, on signs the U.S. supply glut is easing. Investors who in December were unloading gold and bracing...

U.S. Stocks Join Global Retreat in Equities Amid Data, Greece

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell the most in more than a month, joining a global decline in equities, as mixed data added to U.S. growth concerns and speculation rose that Greece won’t be able to resolve its debt crisis. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.2 percent to 2,089.51 at 4 p.m. in New York, near its average price during the past 50 days. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.6 percent, and the Russell 2000...

Greek Drop Leads Europe Stocks Down Amid Growing Default Concern

A slide in Greek shares led European stocks to their lowest level in two months on concern that debt negotiations will fail to secure funding in time to prevent the nation defaulting. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 1.5 percent to 391.01 at the close of trading, after earlier rising as much as 1.1 percent on better-than-estimated company results. Shares extended losses after a Greek official said a funding deal won’t be possible until...

U.S. Stocks Join Global Retreat in Equities Amid Data

U.S. stocks halted a two-day rally, joining a global decline in equities, as mixed data added to U.S. growth concerns and speculation rose that Greece won’t be able to resolve its debt crisis.Apple Inc. lost 1.6 percent, and semiconductors fell 1.8 percent. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index slid 1.6 percent. Delta Air Lines Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. declined more than 2.4...