Reuters

By David Randall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors will closely watch next week’s inflation numbers and Federal Reserve meeting for clues on whether the soft landing hopes that drove stocks to record highs are still justified.

This year's rally has lifted the S&P 500 up more than 12% year-to-date, on expectations the Fed can cool inflation without hurting growth. Yet recent economic data have sent conflicting signals: U.S. employment... (continue reading...)

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration on Friday finalized tighter fuel economy rules for trucks and sport utility vehicles through 2031 that are not as stringent as it first proposed, a federal agency said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the proposed new rules will result in much lower compliance penalties than originally proposed, a significant win for Detroit... (continue reading...)

By Crispian Balmer

ROME (Reuters) - For the first time farmed aquatic production has exceeded the catch from traditional captured fisheries, the U.N. food and agriculture agency said on Friday, underscoring hopes that aquaculture can meet growing global demand for seafood.

In its latest biennial report on the state of world fisheries, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said global fisheries and aquaculture production... (continue reading...)

By Arasu Kannagi Basil and Echo Wang

(Reuters) -Shares of Waystar fell 2.3% below their initial public offering price in their Nasdaq Global Select Market debut on Friday, giving the healthcare payments company a valuation of $3.50 billion.

The company's stock opened at $21, slightly below the IPO price of $21.50, which was at the mid-point of its targeted range of $20 and $23.

Waystar, backed by Swedish private equity firm... (continue reading...)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vietnam has been increasing its dredging and landfill work in the South China Sea, creating almost as much new land as in the previous two years combined, setting the stage for a record year of island-building, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Since November 2023, when the Washington-based think tank issued its last report, Vietnam has created 692 new acres (280 hectares) of land, compared to 404 acres created in the first 11... (continue reading...)