U.S. Trade Deficit Unexpectedly Falls to Lowest Level Since 2009
The October deficit was $29.4 billion, an imbalance nearly 40% smaller than September's.
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U.S. Wholesale Inventories Rise at Slower Pace
Inventories at merchant wholesalers increased 0.2% on month, after jumping by 0.5% in September, according to Commerce Department figures.
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U.S. Unemployment Claims Stayed Modest Last Week
U.S. jobless claims edged slightly higher last week, but remained near the low end of levels seen over the past year.
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Defense Stocks Rise; Dow Slips at Open
Stock indexes diverged, with the Dow industrials rising and the Nasdaq composite dropping, while defense stocks jumped.
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U.S. Push Into Venezuela Oil Patch Raises Questions About OPEC Dynamic
The prospect of increased U.S. influence over Venezuela's oil industry is raising questions about Washington's potential future role in OPEC, the cartel of global oil producers that President Trump has often called on to lower crude prices.
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Canada Swings to Goods-Trade Deficit of C$583 Million in October
Canada's trade balance deteriorated slightly in October, swinging the country to an eighth deficit in the first 10 months of last year.
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China Warns AI Startups Seeking to Emulate Meta Deal: Not So Fast
Beijing worries the $2.5 billion acquisition of startup Manus will encourage more entrepreneurs to follow in its footsteps.
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Eurozone's Jobless Rate Posts Surprise Fall for First Time Since April
The eurozone's unemployment rate in November unexpectedly declined for the first time in seven months, showing the labor market's resilience despite last year's uncertain economic environment.
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China Deprives Japan of Rare-Earths Supply, Escalating Dispute
Beijing is punishing Tokyo for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, again wielding critical minerals as an economic weapon.
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Eurozone Business Confidence Slips
The decline in a key indicator measuring attitudes of businesses across multiple sectors ends four consecutive months of rising sentiment.
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German Factory Orders Jump as Tariff Headwinds Ease
Total orders rose 5.6% on month in November, with large-scale bookings once again boosting the factory sector as tariff uncertainty subsides.
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Brits Splurge on Christmas Food, Lifting Retailers Despite Weaker Fashion Spending
Grocery sales were a bright spot in retail, with U.K. shoppers spending more than ever on groceries in December.
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Swiss Inflation Inches Up, Easing Pressure on SNB Over Negative Rates
Inflation rose for the first time in five months in December, reaching 0.1% from 0% in November.
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Trump Team Works Up Sweeping Plan to Control Venezuelan Oil for Years to Come
The U.S. president believes the effort could lower oil prices to his target price of $50 a barrel.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 08, 2026 13:00 ET (18:00 GMT)
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