BEIJING (AP) — International stock markets sank today on weak Chinese economic data as investors look ahead to a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting and Scotland’s independence referendum. Futures point to losses at today’s Wall Street open, which comes off a down day Friday. The dollar declined against the yen but edged up against the euro. Benchmark U.S. crude oil fell to just above $91.50 per barrel.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Investors will be watching the Federal Reserve closely this week to see if it will hike interest rates sooner than expected. Fed policymakers begin a two-day meeting to set interest rates on Tuesday. Today, the fed will release industrial production numbers for August. Tomorrow, the Labor Department will releases the Producer Price Index for August
WASHINGTON (AP) — Income inequality is turning into much more than a struggle between so-called “haves” and “have nots.” The widening gap between the wealthiest Americans and everyone else is putting the squeeze on state government balance sheets at a time when raising taxes is politically risky. A report by Standard & Poor’s says the income of the wealthy is accelerating, and can usually be shielded from taxes. Meanwhile, worker income barely keeps pace with inflation.
PARIS (AP) — Air France is telling passengers today it can only guarantee about 48 percent of its flights due to a pilots’ strike and that they should seek other alternatives. At least half of Air France flights have been canceled. The weeklong strike is over shifts of jobs and operations to a low-cost carrier. In Germany, Lufthansa pilots walk out for one day tomorrow.
AMSTERDAM (AP) — Family-controlled brewer Heineken says it has rejected a takeover bid by rival SABMiller. In a statement issued late last night, the Dutch brewer said the Heineken family informed SABMiller it intends “to preserve the heritage and identity of Heineken as an independent company.” Heineken did not release any details of the SABMiller bid.
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