The U.S. trade deficit fell to its lowest monthly level since 2009 in October, a twist in volatile trade flows over the past year that economists didn't anticipate. ...

Core Insights - U.S. jobless claims increased slightly last week but remained close to the lower end of the range observed over the past year [1] Summary by Category Employment Data - Jobless claims rose marginally last week, indicating a slight uptick in unemployment filings [1] - Despite the increase, the current levels of jobless claims are still near the lowest points recorded in the past year [1]

Core Viewpoint - Fast Retailing reported an increase in profit across various regions and downplayed concerns regarding the potential impact of Japan-China tensions on its apparel business [1] Group 1 - The company experienced profit growth in multiple regions, indicating strong performance in its operations [1] - Fast Retailing addressed concerns about Japan-China tensions, suggesting that these geopolitical issues may not significantly affect its apparel business [1]

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of startup Manus for $2.5 billion raises concerns in Beijing about encouraging more entrepreneurs to pursue similar paths [1] Group 1 - The $2.5 billion acquisition is seen as a significant move that may set a precedent for other startups [1] - Beijing's worries stem from the potential increase in entrepreneurial activities that could follow this acquisition [1]

Group 1 - The online retailer is closing its Erfurt center as part of a strategy to reshape its pan-European logistics network [1] - This closure aims to strengthen the company's market position [1]

Core Insights - The global megabank's shares have shown strong performance over the past three years, indicating a positive trend in its stock value [1] Group 1 - The bank's stock has outperformed its peers during the specified period, suggesting a competitive advantage in the market [1] - However, expectations for future performance have increased, indicating that the bank may face higher benchmarks to meet investor expectations [1]

Group 1 - U.S. stock futures and international equities are mostly down, indicating a negative market sentiment among traders [1] - Traders are focusing on a mix of geopolitical, economic, and industry developments, which are influencing market movements [1]

Core Viewpoint - Japanese and Chinese stocks have experienced a decline of more than 1% amid broader market concerns [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Japanese stocks fell by over 1%, reflecting investor anxiety and market volatility [1] - Chinese stocks also dropped more than 1%, indicating a similar trend in the region [1] Group 2: Investor Sentiment - The decline in both markets suggests a cautious sentiment among investors, potentially influenced by global economic factors [1]

Group 1 - The supermarket chain reported a 2.9% year-on-year increase in like-for-like group sales, excluding fuel, for the 19 weeks ending January 3 [1]

Core Insights - Inflation increased to 0.1% in December from 0.0% in November, marking the first rise in five months [1] Economic Indicators - The rise in inflation indicates a potential shift in economic conditions, as it is the first increase observed in a five-month period [1]