Reuters - Before the Bell

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

U.S., China launch high level trade talks amid deep differences

The United States and China were set to try again on Wednesday to dig out from a damaging trade war with a new round of high-level talks aimed at bridging deep differences over China's intellectual property and technology transfer policies.

Boeing profit beats; targets 900 plane deliveries in 2019

Boeing Co topped expectations with both quarterly profit and its forecast for 2019 cash flow on Wednesday, as a boom in air travel underpinned a prediction for full-year deliveries of around 900 commercial airplanes.

Subject to contract: German firms set own Brexit terms

With Brexit less than two months away, and no divorce deal in sight, some German companies are taking matters into their own hands to limit any damage to their businesses.

Alibaba revenue grows at weakest pace in 3 years as slowing China bites

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's quarterly revenue grew at its weakest pace since 2016, as the impact of a slowing Chinese economy and a crippling Sino-U.S. trade war kept buyers away during its top-sale season.

Oil prices rise 1 percent on Venezuela sanctions

Oil prices rose about 1 percent on Wednesday, boosted by concerns about supply disruptions following U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry but pegged back by uncertainty over the global economy.

Exclusive: Juul plans India e-cigarette entry with new hires, subsidiary

U.S.-based electronic cigarette company Juul Labs Inc is hoping to launch its products in India by late 2019, a person familiar with the strategy told Reuters, marking one of its boldest bets to expand away from its home turf.

AT&T misses phone subscriber estimates amid stiff competition

AT&T Inc on Wednesday missed Wall Street estimates for net new wireless subscribers who pay a monthly bill, as the company struggled to attract customers in a saturated U.S. phone market.

Siemens steels itself for EU rejection of rail merger with Alstom

Siemens will accept defeat if the European Union rejects its pleas to allow it to combine with Alstom to create a powerful Franco-German rail business.

U.S. sends 70 questions to WTO about China's subsidies

The United States has accused China of hiding some trade-distorting subsidy programs from international scrutiny while disclosing others it does not need to, according to a document circulated on Wednesday at the World Trade Organization.

Stocks steady before Fed as Apple relief offsets Brexit complications

World stocks and the dollar steadied on Wednesday ahead of policy guidance from the U.S. Federal Reserve, with Apple results providing relief while market confidence that a no-deal Brexit can be avoided took a hit.