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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Stocks may move to the upside in early trading on Friday, adding to the gains posted in the previous session. The major index futures are currently pointing to a higher open for the markets, with the S&P 500 futures up by 0.5 percent.

Bargain hunting may contribute to continued strength on Wall Street, as traders continue to pick up stocks at relatively reduced levels.

While the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 closed higher in each of the two previous sessions, the major averages remain near their lowest levels in over three months.

The futures remained positive following the release of closely watched inflation data that came in line with economist estimates.

The Commerce Department report said the annual rate of consumer price growth accelerated to 3.5 percent in August from 3.4 percent in July. The modest acceleration matched economist estimates.

Meanwhile, the annual rate of growth by core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy prices, slowed to 3.9 percent in August from 4.3 percent in July. The slowdown also matched expectations.

The report also said personal income climbed by 0.4 percent in August after rising by 0.2 percent in July. The advance matched economist estimates.

The Commerce Department said personal spending also increased by 0.4 percent in August after jumping by an upwardly revised 0.9 percent in July.

Economists had expected personal spending to rise by 0.4 percent compared to the 0.8 percent advance originally reported for the previous month.

After ending Wednesday's volatile session narrowly mixed, stocks moved mostly higher during trading on Thursday. The major averages all moved to the upside on the day, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading the advance.

While the Nasdaq climbed 108.42 points or 0.8 percent to 13,201.28, the S&P 500 increased 25.19 points or 0.6 percent to 4,299.70 and the Dow rose 116.07 points or 0.4 percent to 33,666.34.

In overseas trading, stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region moved mostly higher during trading on Friday, with markets in China and South Korea closed for holidays. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged by 2.5 percent, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index rose by 0.3 percent.

The major European markets have also moved to the upside on the day. While the French CAC 40 Index has jumped by 1.1 percent, the German DAX Index is up by 1.0 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index is up by 0.6 percent.

In commodities trading, crude oil futures are jumping $1.18 to $92.89 a barrel after tumbling $1.97 to $91.71 a barrel on Thursday. Meanwhile, after falling $12.30 to $1,878.60 an ounce in the previous session, gold futures are climbing $10.70 to $1,889.30 an ounce.

On the currency front, the U.S. dollar is trading at 149.11 yen versus the 149.31 yen it fetched at the close of New York trading on Thursday. Against the euro, the dollar is valued at $1.0603 compared to yesterday's $1.0566.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Friday's trading might be influenced by economics announcements, especially, the Personal Income and Spending report that includes readings on inflation.

Early signs from the U.S. Futures Index suggest that Wall Street might open higher. Asian shares finished mostly up, while European shares are gaining.

As of 7.50 am ET, the Dow futures were up 141.00 points, the S&P 500 futures were adding 17.25 points and the Nasdaq 100 futures were progressing 82.75 points.

The U.S. major averages finished higher on Thursday. The Nasdaq climbed 108.42 points or 0.8 percent to 13,201.28, the S&P 500 increased 25.19 points or 0.6 percent to 4,299.70 and the Dow rose 116.07 points or 0.4 percent to 33,666.34.

On the economic front, the International Trade in Goods (advance) for August will be released at 8.30 a.m. ET. The consensus is for a deficit of $90.1 billion, while in the prior month, the deficit was $90.9 billion.

Personal Income and Outlays for August will be published at 8.30 a.m. ET. The consensus is for growth of 0.4 percent, while it was up 0.2 percent in the prior month.

The Chicago PMI for September will be issued at 9.45 a.m. ET. The consensus is 47.9, while it was up 48.7 in the previous month.

The Consumer Sentiments for September will be revealed at 10.00 am ET. The consensus is 67.7.

The Baker Hughes Rig Count for the week. In the prior week, the North America rig count was 820 and the U.S. rig count was 630.

The Agriculture Department's Farm Prices for August will be published at 3.00 pm ET. In the prior month, Farm prices were down 2.1 percent.

New York Fed President John Williams will deliver remarks and participates in a moderated discussion on the economic outlook and monetary policy before the Long Island Association Regional Economic Briefing at 12.45 pm ET.

Asian stocks ended mostly higher on Friday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped 2.51 percent to 17,809.66.

Japanese shares ended little changed. The Nikkei average finished marginally lower at 31,857.62 as shipping stocks fell on going ex-dividend and energy stocks tracked oil prices lower.

In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.34 percent to 7,048.60. The broader All Ordinaries index gained 0.38 percent to close at 7,249.70.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European shares rose on Friday to extend gains from the previous session after data showed Eurozone inflation hit a two-year low in September - supporting expectations that the European Central Bank will keep interest rates on hold.

Eurostat reported that the Eurozone's annual inflation rate fell to 4.3 percent year-on-year in September, marking the lowest level since October 2021.

Elsewhere, data showed the British economy grew stronger than expected in the first quarter.

Revised data showed that GDP rose by 0.3 percent between January and March, up from the 0.1 percent growth previously estimated.

GDP growth for 2022 as a whole was revised up to 4.3 percent, while second-quarter growth was unrevised at 0.2 percent.

The pan European STOXX 600 climbed 1.1 percent to 453.62 after rising 0.4 percent on Thursday.

The German DAX rose 0.9 percent, France's CAC 40 jumped over 1 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 0.8 percent.

China-exposed luxury stocks traded higher, with Richemont, LVMH, Kering and Hermes International rallying 2-4 percent on expectations of increased sales during the Golden Week holiday in mainland China.

JD Sports Fashion, Puma and Adidas jumped 5-6 percent after Nike topped Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit.

Commerzbank AG jumped 11 percent after an announcement that it was revamping its pay-out policy for investors.

The German lender said It intends to return a total of 3 billion euros to shareholders as dividends and share buy-backs for period of 2022 to 2024. To reach the target, the pay-out ratio will be at least 70 percent in 2024.

Shares of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings soared 12 percent in London after an announcement that Yew Tree consortium has agreed to buy an additional 3.27 percent or 26 million common shares in the automobile company.

Water and wastewater services provider Severn Trent rallied 3 percent after it announced a plan to invest about 12.9 billion pounds across the next five-year regulatory period.

Syncona, a healthcare company, climbed 6.4 percent on share buyback news.

3i Infrastructure gained 1 percent after the infrastructure investment group said it is on track to deliver the fiscal year 2024 dividend target of 11.90 pence per share, up 6.7 percent from fiscal year 2023.

Specialist media firm Future surged 21 percent after retaining its annual earnings guidance despite continued macroeconomic volatility.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks advanced on Friday after data showed the economy grew stronger than expected in the first quarter.

Revised data showed that GDP rose by 0.3 percent between January and March, up from the 0.1 percent growth previously estimated.

GDP growth for 2022 as a whole was revised up to 4.3 percent, while second-quarter growth was unrevised at 0.2 percent.

Investors shrugged off separate data showing that U.K. mortgage approvals fell more than forecast in August as a result of slowing housing market.

The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 60 points, or 0.9 percent, at 7,671 after closing up 0.1 percent on Thursday.

Shares of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings soared 12 percent after an announcement that Yew Tree consortium has agreed to buy an additional 3.27 percent or 26 million common shares in the automobile company.

Water and wastewater services provider Severn Trent rallied 3 percent after it announced a plan to invest about 12.9 billion pounds across the next five-year regulatory period.

Syncona, a healthcare company, climbed 6.4 percent on share buyback news.

Specialist media firm Future surged 21 percent after retaining its annual earnings guidance despite continued macroeconomic volatility.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French stocks rallied on Friday after data showed French inflation unexpectedly slowed in September as a result of easing food prices.

Inflation in France stood at 4.9 percent in September, the same as in August, official data revealed.

However, the harmonized index, which is important for the European Central Bank, rose 5.6 percent from a year earlier, after a 5.7 percent in August.

Eurozone inflation data and the Fed's preferred inflation gauge are due for release later in the day.

The benchmark CAC 40 rose 62 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,178 after rising 0.6 percent the previous day.

China-exposed luxury stocks traded higher, with LVMH, Kerin and Hermes International rallying 2-4 percent on expectations of increased sales during the Golden Week holiday in mainland China.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks advanced on Friday ahead of Eurozone inflation data and the U.S. personal spending figures later in the day.

Investors shrugged off data released earlier in the day showing that German retail sales unexpectedly fell in August as a result of persistently high inflation in the euro zone's largest economy.

German retail sales dropped 1.2 percent in August compared with the previous month, official data revealed. Year-on-year, retail sales fell by 2.3 percent.

The benchmark DAX jumped 113 points, or 0.7 percent, to 15,436 after climbing 0.7 percent in the previous session.

Commerzbank AG jumped 11 percent after an announcement that it was revamping its pay-out policy for investors.

The lender said It intends to return a total of 3 billion euros to shareholders as dividends and share buy-backs for period of 2022 to 2024. To reach the target, the pay-out ratio will be at least 70 percent in 2024.

Kloeckner & Co SE, a steel and metal company, edged up slightly on news that CEO Guido Kerkhoff will take over the management of EU European operations with immediate effect.

CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Asian stocks ended mostly higher on Friday, with Hong Kong leading regional gains. Trading volumes were thin due to holidays in mainland China and South Korea.

Underlying sentiment was underpinned by a fall in oil prices and declining bond yields ahead of key U.S. inflation reading due later in the day.

The dollar pulled back, helping gold prices recover some lost ground. Oil prices were marginally higher in Asian trade after falling sharply overnight on expectations of supply increases by Russia and South Korea.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped 2.51 percent to 17,809.66 ahead of China PMI data due over the weekend.

Tech stocks topped the gainers list after the release of draft rules by China's cyberspace regulator to ease cross-border data-security controls.

Japanese shares ended little changed in the final trading day of the week as investors reacted to a mixed bag of economic readings.

Japan's factory output was flat in August and retail sales grew 7 percent from a year earlier in the month while core inflation in Tokyo slowed in September for the third straight month, a slew of data showed.

The unemployment rate in August came in at 2.7 percent, unchanged from the previous month.

The Nikkei average finished marginally lower at 31,857.62 as shipping stocks fell on going ex-dividend and energy stocks tracked oil prices lower.

Tech stocks surged, with Advantest and Tokyo Electron both climbing around 3 percent each. The broader Topix index settled 0.94 percent lower at 2,323.39.

In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.34 percent to 7,048.60, snapping a three-day losing streak on hopes that the RBA meeting in October will result in another pause. The broader All Ordinaries index gained 0.38 percent to close at 7,249.70.

Core lithium shares soared 19.1 percent after the company turned profitable for the first time.

Across the Tasman, New Zealand's benchmark S&P NZX-50 index rallied 1.06 percent to 11,296.43 after a late rebound on the back of end-of-quarter buying.

U.S. stocks closed higher overnight after bond yields slipped from 16-year highs and crude prices pulled back from their highest level in more than a year.

In economic releases, unemployment claims edged up in the week ending Sept. 23 and pending home sales plunged in August while GDP increased at an unrevised 2.1 percent annualized rate last quarter, a slew of data showed.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8 percent, the S&P 500 added 0.6 percent and the Dow rose 0.4 percent.

CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars strengthened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Friday, as Asian stock markets traded higher amid China's Golden week holiday. Traders are indulging in bargain hunting as they picked up stocks at reduced levels following recent weakness even as concerns remain about interest rates and the outlook for global economic growth.

In economic data, the Reserve Bank of Australia said that Australia's monthly private sector credit rose 0.4 percent in August, compared to the previous growth of 0.3 percent. On yearly basis, the private sector credit rose 5.1 percent after rising 5.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the housing credit remained unchanged at 0.3 percent in the month of August.

Data from ANZ-Roy Morgan showed that the New Zealand's consumer confidence rose to 86.4 in September, from 85.0 in the prior month.

The safe-haven yen weakened against other major currencies, as Asian stock markets traded higher. Traders are also weighing the possibility of the Japanese central bank intervening in the currency market as the yen slides toward the 150 a dollar mark.

In economic news, the unemployment rate in Japan came in at a seasonally adjusted 2.7 percent in August, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications or MIAC, said on Friday. That was unchanged from the July reading, although it missed expectations for 2.6 percent. The jobs-to-applicant ratio was 1.29, unchanged and in line with forecasts. The participation rate also was unchanged, at 63.1 percent.

The MIAC also said overall consumer prices in the Tokyo region of Japan were up 2.8 percent on year in September. That was in line with forecasts and down from 2.9 percent in August. Core CPI, which excludes the volatiles costs of food, was up an annual 2.5 percent - shy of expectations for 2.6 percent and down from 2.8 percent in the previous month.

Further, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or METI, said the value of retail sales in Japan jumped 7.0 percent on year in August, coming in at 13.391 trillion yen. That exceeded expectations for a gain of 6.0 percent following the upwardly revised 7.0 percent gain in July. On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 0.1 percent, easing from 2.2 percent in the previous month.

The METI also said Industrial output in Japan came in flat in August, beating expectations for a decline of 0.8 percent following the 1.8 percent drop in July. On a yearly basis, industrial production fell 3.8 percent after slipping 2.3 percent in the previous month.

In the Asian trading now, the Australian dollar rose to nearly a 3-month high of 96.52 against the yen and nearly a 2-month high of 1.6374 against the euro, from yesterday's closing quotes of 95.89 and 1.6429, respectively. If the aussie extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 98.00 against the yen and 1.61 against the euro.

Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the aussie advanced to a 1-week high of 0.6461 and a 9-day high of 0.8708 from Thursday's closing quotes of 0.6423 and 0.8662, respectively. The aussie may test resistance around 0.66 against the greenback and 0.89 against the loonie.

The NZ dollar rose to nearly an 8-1/2-year high of 89.73 against the yen, from yesterday's closing value of 89.11. The kiwi may test resistance around the 91.00 region.

Against the U.S. dollar and the euro, the kiwi advanced to a 4-week high of 0.6007 and a 2-1/2-month high of 1.7614 from Thursday's closing quotes of 0.5969 and 1.7678, respectively. If the kiwi extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 0.61 against the greenback and 1.71 against the euro.

The kiwi edged up to 1.0776 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.0753. On the upside, 1.09 is seen as the next resistance level for the kiwi.

The yen fell to an 8-day low of 182.67 against the pound, from yesterday's closing value of 182.09. The next support level for the yen is seen around the 187.00 region.

Against the euro and the Swiss franc, the yen dropped to 4-day lows of 158.11 and 163.58 from Thursday's closing quotes of 157.64 and 163.12, respectively. If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 160.00 against the euro and 167.00 against the franc.

Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the yen edged down to 149.51 and 110.88 from yesterday's closing quotes of 149.29 and 110.67, respectively. The yen may test support around 152.00 against the greenback and 112.00against the loonie.

Looking ahead, Eurostat is set to issue euro area flash inflation figures for September at 5:00 am ET. Inflation is expected to slow to 4.5 percent from 5.2 percent in the previous month.

At 3:40 am ET, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will deliver a speech at the joint IEA-ECB-EIB conference on 'Ensuring an orderly energy transition: Europe's competitiveness and financial stability in a period of global energy transformation' in Paris, France.

In the New York session, Canada GDP data for August and budget balance for July, U.S. PCE price index for August, U.S. goods trade balance for August and personal income and spending for August, retail and wholesale inventories for August, U.S. Chicago PMI for September, U.S. University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for September and U.S. Baker Hughes oil rig count data are slated for release.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks are likely to open higher on Friday as Treasury yields stalled and the dollar came off 10-month highs, giving comfort to investors who were concerned about inflation and a potential U.S. government shutdown.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin said on Thursday that there are various possible outcomes facing the economy and it's too soon to know if another interest-rate increase will be needed in coming months.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Powell didn't make any comments on the outlook for economy or monetary policy in his Thursday's speech.

Asian markets were mostly higher in thin trade amid holidays in mainland China and South Korea.

The Japanese yen traded at 10-month lows after reports showed Japan's factory output was flat in August and core inflation in Tokyo slowed in September for the third straight month.

Oil prices were little changed after falling sharply from 2023 highs overnight on expectations of increased supply from Russia and Saudi Arabia and lingering concerns over China's beleaguered property market.

In economic releases, the focus will be on the Eurozone's CPI and the U.K.'s Q2 final GDP figures along with the U.S. data on personal income and spending that includes readings on inflation said to be preferred by the Fed.

U.S. stocks closed higher overnight after bond yields slipped from 16-year highs and crude prices pulled back from their highest level in more than a year.

On the economic front, unemployment claims edged up in the week ending Sept. 23 and pending home sales plunged in August while GDP increased at an unrevised 2.1 percent annualized rate last quarter, a slew of data showed.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8 percent, the S&P 500 added 0.6 percent and the Dow rose 0.4 percent.

European stocks bounced back from a six-month low on Thursday after data showed German inflation slowed in September to the lowest since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

The pan European STOXX 600 rose 0.4 percent. The German DAX climbed 0.7 percent, France's CAC 40 rose 0.6 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 edged up 0.1 percent.

CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Mirroring the broadly positive cues from global markets overnight, Asian stock markets are mostly higher in thin trades on Friday amid China's Golden week holiday. Traders are indulging in bargain hunting as they picked up stocks at reduced levels following recent weakness even as concerns remain about interest rates and the outlook for global economic growth. Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday.

Snapping the four-session losing streak, the Australian stock market is modestly higher on Friday, following the broadly positive cues from global markets overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is staying above the 7,000 mark, with gains in miners and technology stocks, partially offset by losses in energy stocks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index is gaining 29.80 points or 0.42 percent to 7,054.60, after touching a high of 7,058.40 earlier. The broader All Ordinaries Index is up 32.20 points or 0.45 percent to 7,254.70. Australian markets ended slightly lower on Thursday.

Among major miners, BHP Group is gaining more than 1 percent, Rio Tinto up almost 1 percent, Mineral Resources is adding more than 2 percent and Fortescue Metals is edging up 0.5 percent.

Oil stocks are mostly lower. Santos and Origin Energy are losing almost 1 percent, while Woodside Energy is edging down 0.1 percent. Beach energy is gaining almost 1 percent.

Among tech stocks, Afterpay owner Block is losing more than 1 percent. WiseTech Global and Xero are edging up 0.2 to 0.5 percent each, while Appen is gaining more than 4 percent and Zip is adding more than 1 percent.

Among the big four banks, Commonwealth Bank is edging down 0.3 percent, while ANZ Banking is edging up 0.1 percent. National Australia Bank and Westpac are flat.

Gold miners are mostly higher. Northern Star Resources, Gold Road Resources and Resolute Mining are gaining more than 2 percent each, while Newcrest Mining is edging up 0.4 percent and Evolution Mining is adding more than 1 percent.

In other news, shares in Core Lithium are skyrocketing almost 21 percent after the miner reported its upbeat maiden full-year results.

In the currency market, the Aussie dollar is trading at $0.645 on Friday.

Adding to the losses in the previous session, the Japanese stock market is slightly lower on Friday, despite the broadly positive cues from global markets overnight. The benchmark Nikkei 225 is staying above the 31,800 level, as traders reacted to some mixed domestic data, with weakness in exporters and financial stocks, partially offset by gains in technology stocks.

Traders are also weighing the possibility of the Japanese central bank intervening in the currency market as the yen slides toward the 150 a dollar mark.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index closed the morning session at 31,836.24, down 36.28 points or 0.11 percent, after touching a high of 32,027.46 earlier. Japanese stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday.

Market heavyweight SoftBank Group is gaining almost 1 percent, while Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing is edging down 0.2 percent. Among automakers, Honda is losing almost 2 percent, while Toyota is edging up 0.2 percent.

In the tech space, Advantest is gaining almost 2 percent, Screen Holdings is edging up 0.1 percent and Tokyo Electron is adding 1.5 percent.

In the banking sector, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial and Mizuho Financial are losing 1.5 percent each, while Sumitomo Mitsui Financial is down more than 1 percent.

Among major exporters, Canon and Mitsubishi Electric are down almost 1 percent each, while Panasonic is losing almost 2 percent. Sony is edging up 0.3 percent.

Among other major losers, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines are losing almost 5 percent each, while Chubu Electric Power is down more than 4 percent. Kansai Electric Power is declining almost 4 percent, while Nippon Yusen K.K. and Mazda Motor are slipping more than 3 percent each.

Nippon Steel, Kobe Steel, Sompo Holdings and ENEOS Holdings are sliding almost 3 percent each.

Conversely, CyberAgent and Z Holdings are gaining almost 4 percent each, while Resonac Holdings is adding more than 3 percent.

Further, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or METI, said the value of retail sales in Japan jumped 7.0 percent on year in August, coming in at 13.391 trillion yen. That exceeded expectations for a gain of 6.0 percent following the upwardly revised 7.0 percent gain in July (originally 6.8 percent). On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 0.1 percent, easing from 2.2 percent in the previous month.

In the currency market, the U.S. dollar is trading in the lower 149 yen-range on Friday.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong is up 2.1 percent, while New Zealand, Singapore and Indonesia are higher by between 0.5 and 0.6 percent each. Malaysia is down 0.7 percent. South Korea remains closed for the Chuseok Festival. Taiwan and China are closed for the Mid-Autum Festival.

On Wall Street, stocks moved mostly higher during trading on Thursday after ending Wednesday's volatile session narrowly mixed. The major averages all moved to the upside on the day, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading the advance.

While the Nasdaq climbed 108.42 points or 0.8 percent to 13,201.28, the S&P 500 increased 25.19 points or 0.6 percent to 4,299.70 and the Dow rose 116.07 points or 0.4 percent to 33,666.34.

The major European markets also moved to the upside on the day. While the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index crept up 0.1 percent, the French CAC 40 Index climbed 0.6 percent and the German DAX Index advanced 0.7 percent.

Crude oil futures failed to hold gains and fell sharply on Thursday, due largely on profit taking. Oil prices rose to one-year high earlier in the day after recent data showing a drop in crude inventories in the U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for November ended down $1.97 or 2.1 percent at $91.71 a barrel.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Newell Brands Inc. and its former CEO, Michael Polk, with misleading investors about the company's core sales growth. The parties agreed to settle the SEC charges. Newell and Polk agreed to cease and desist from violating certain provisions of the securities laws and to pay civil penalties of $12.5 million and $110 thousand, respectively.

'Today's order finds that Newell's former CEO issued an instruction to 'scrub' the company's accruals after he learned that the company was projecting a 'massive' and 'disappointing' miss for the quarter,' said Mark Cave, Associate Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement.

The SEC found that, in 2016 and 2017, Newell and Polk took actions that increased the company's publicly disclosed core sales growth in ways that were out of step with actual but undisclosed sales trends, allowing the company to announce strong or solid results in quarters it internally described as disappointing.

PANAMA (dpa-AFX) - Below are the earnings highlights for Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL):

Earnings: $1.07 billion in Q3 vs. -$770 million in the same period last year.

EPS: $0.79 in Q3 vs. -$0.65 in the same period last year.

Excluding items, Carnival Corporation & plc reported adjusted earnings of $0.86 per share for the period.

Analysts projected $0.75 per share

Revenue: $6.85 billion in Q3 vs. $4.31 billion in the same period last year.

-Guidance:

Next quarter EPS guidance: $(-0.10) to $(-0.18)

Full year EPS guidance: $(-0.04) to $(-0.12)

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) announced the FDA has accepted for Priority Review the Biologics License Application for odronextamab to treat adult patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma or R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, who have progressed after at least two prior systemic therapies. The target action date for the FDA decision is March 31, 2024. The company said its BLA is supported by data from a Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial.

The FDA previously granted odronextamab Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation for follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In August, the European Medicines Agency accepted for review a Marketing Authorization Application for odronextamab.

For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Geron Corporation (GERN) said the European Medicines Agency has validated the Marketing Authorization Application for imetelstat in the treatment of transfusion-dependent anemia in patients with lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes. The MAA was submitted earlier in the month and is now under regulatory review by the CHMP. Review of the MAA is expected to be approximately 14 months, the company said.

Geron noted that the MAA validation follows the acceptance by the FDA of a New Drug Application, which was assigned a PDUFA action date of June 16, 2024.

For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - BGC Group, Inc. (BGC), a brokerage and financial technology firm, on Friday reaffirmed its outlook for the third-quarter of 2023.

For the third-quarter, excluding items, the company still expects to register pre-tax income of $87 million to $110 million.

The Group continues to record revenue of $445 million to $500 million, for the quarter.

For the third-quarter of 2022, the company had registered adjusted pre-tax profit of $82.8 million, on revenue of $416.6 million.

PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Halifax Group, a middle market private equity firm, announced Friday its agreement to acquire the Worldwide Home Care division of French food services and facilities management firm Sodexo S.A. (SDXAY.PK). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The deal includes Sodexo's home care subsidiaries in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Brazil.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Sodexo's Worldwide Home Care division, with 12,000 employees, provides in-home care services across 8 countries.

Irvine, California -based division operates as a franchisor in the U.S. in the non-medical personal care sector, while internationally, it offers personal care in Ireland, the U.K., Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and France. In addition, it offers complex care, i.e., skilled nursing, therapies and home hospitalization, in the U.K. and Brazil.

Following the acquisition, Worldwide Home Care Division CEO Natalie Black will remain along with the senior management team.

Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman and CEO of Sodexo, said, 'We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Halifax, and confident that their resources and expertise will greatly benefit the Worldwide Home Care team in accelerating their growth and success. For Sodexo, this milestone marks another step forward in the implementation of our 2025 strategic plan, and our ambition to become the leader in sustainable food and valued experiences.'

In deal, Lazard served as the financial advisor to Sodexo.

SAN DIEGO (dpa-AFX) - The UK's Competition Markets Authority said on Friday that it is investigating the planned acquisition by Qualcomm Inc (QCOM). of Autotalks Ltd. raising concerns that the merger may substantially lessen the competition for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the market regulator has invited comments on the transaction from any interested party, in advance to the start of its formal investigation.

On May 8, Qualcomm, a semiconductor company, had announced that its unit, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has entered into a deal to acquire Autotalks, a fabless semiconductor firm.

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British automobile major Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc (AML.L) announced on Friday that Yew Tree consortium has agreed to buy an additional 3.27 percent or 26 million common shares in the automobile company.

Consequently, the consortium will own a total of 26.23 percent of the company's issued share capital.

'This additional investment demonstrates the Yew Tree Consortium's continuing confidence and belief in the future of Aston Martin. The Company has delivered a major turnaround since the Yew Tree Consortium's initial investment three years ago. We have rebuilt this iconic company, transforming it into an ultra-luxury brand, with a portfolio of highly desirable, performance-driven cars,' the company said in a statement.

On Thursday, the shares of Aston Martin closed at 261 pence down 0.99% on London Stock Exchange.

DUISBURG (dpa-AFX) - Kloeckner & Co SE (KLKNF), a German steel and metal company, Friday announced that CEO Guido Kerkhoff will take over the management of EU European operations with immediate effect as the Supervisory Board has decided to terminate contract with Bernhard Weiß.

In addition to his current responsibilities, Kerkhoff will also take over any other responsibilities from Weiß.

The company noted that contract with Weiß will be terminated by joint agreement as of September 30.

He was member of the Management Board since June 1, 2021 and Chief Executive Officer Europe or CEO Europe previously responsible for the EU-European business.

From now on, the Management Board will consist of the members CEO Guido Kerkhoff, CFO Oliver Falk and CEO Americas John Ganem.

Dr.-Ing. Dieter Vogel, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said, 'With this reorganization of responsibilities regarding the European business, we will optimize the composition of the Management Board, which will make the committee even more efficient.'

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Rathbones Group Plc (RAT.L), a provider of individual investment management services, said on Friday that its Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Mathias, will step down with effect from December 31.

The Group has appointed Iain Hooley as CFO. Hooley was Finance Director of IW&I UK for over a decade and was appointed CEO of IW&I UK in February.

Mathias will be appointed as Group Chief of Staff post December 31 to support the integration of Investec Wealth & Investment Limited or IW&I UK, a unit of Rathbones.

These changes are being made to support the company's integration with IW&I UK, the company said.

BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German unemployment increased less than expected in September despite weak economic activity, official data revealed on Friday.

The number of unemployed increased by only 10,000 in September after climbing 20,000 in August, the Federal Labor Agency said Friday. Unemployment was expected to rise 15,000.

At the same time, the jobless rate held steady at 5.7 percent in September and also matched economists' expectations.

The onset of autumn recovery is comparatively small this year, Daniel Terzenbach, regional director of the Federal Employment Agency said.

Both unemployment and underemployment are falling, but less than usual in September, said Terzenbach. The labor market is still stable, he added.

Based on the labor force survey, Destatis said the adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.0 percent in August. Unemployment increased by 4,000 or 0.3 percent month-on-month to 1.33 million in August.

On an unadjusted basis, the jobless rate rose marginally to 3.2 percent from 3.1 percent a year ago.

Employment rose 0.8 percent or 342,000 in August from the last year. Destatis said the long-term upward trend on the labor market continued also in the summer months of 2023, although with relatively little momentum.

Another data from Destatis revealed that retail sales declined unexpectedly in August. Retail turnover was down by real 1.2 percent on weak food and non-food sales. Economists had forecast sales to grow 0.5 percent.

Year-on-year, retail sales posted a decline of 2.3 percent, worse than economists' forecast of 0.7 percent drop.

Data today showed that Germany's import prices declined at the fastest pace in almost four decades in August, mainly due to base effect from the surge in prices in the same month last year due to the war in Ukraine.

Import prices fell 16.4 percent annually after a 13.2 percent slump in July. The latest decline was the biggest annual fall in import prices since November 1986.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Personal income in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of August, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday.

The report said personal income climbed by 0.4 percent in August after rising by 0.2 percent in July. The advance matched economist estimates.

Disposable personal income, or personal income less personal current taxes, rose by 0.2 percent in August after coming in unchanged in July.

The Commerce Department said personal spending also increased by 0.4 percent in August after jumping by an upwardly revised 0.9 percent in July.

Economists had expected personal spending to rise by 0.4 percent compared to the 0.8 percent advance originally reported for the previous month.

Real personal spending, which excludes price changes, inched up by 0.1 percent in August after climbing by 0.6 percent in July.

The report also said the annual rate of consumer price growth accelerated to 3.5 percent in August from 3.4 percent in July. The modest acceleration matched economist estimates.

Meanwhile, the annual rate of growth by core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy prices, slowed to 3.9 percent in August from 4.3 percent in July. The slowdown also matched expectations.

The Commerce Department said personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income fell to 3.9 percent in August from 4.1 percent in July.

BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Germany's import prices declined at the fastest pace in almost four decades, mainly due to base effect from the surge in prices in the same month last year due to the war in Ukraine, the statistical office Destatis said Friday, adding to signs of easing price pressures in the biggest euro area economy.

Import prices fell 16.4 percent year-on-year after a 13.2 percent slump in July. In June, prices decreased 11.4 percent.

The latest decline was the biggest annual fall in import prices since November 1986, when they decreased 16.5 percent, Destatis said.

Compared to the previous month, import prices rose 0.4 percent in August, ending the series of monthly declines since September last year.

The latest year-on-year decline in import prices was mainly due to a 54 percent slump in prices of energy imports. However, they were 4.1 percent higher compared to the previous month.

Within energy imports, natural gas had the biggest fall of 73.4 percent from last year.

All other imported energy sources were also considerably less expensive than in the same month a year earlier, Destatis said.

Excluding energy prices, import prices fell 3.4 percent year-on-year and 0.3 percent from the previous month.

Prices of intermediate goods imports decreased 9.7 percent annually and those of agricultural imports were down 1.5 percent.

Imported durable consumer goods prices decreased 0.3 percent year-on-year, while prices of capital goods rose 2.5 percent, led by motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers and for machinery.

Export prices dropped 5.1 percent year-on-year in August, but rose by 0.1 percent from the previous month. This was the largest year-on-year decline in export prices since the monthly index calculation began in 1962, Destatis said.

Inflationary pressures have eased in the biggest euro area economy, but remains high, prompting the European Central Bank to maintain a cautious stance.

Preliminary figures released by Destatis on Thursday showed that consumer price inflation in Germany slowed to 4.5 percent in September, which was the lowest since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Core inflation softened to 4.6 percent from 5.5 percent in the previous month.

Data released on Friday showed that Euro area inflation weakened sharply to 4.3 percent in September, which was the lowest level since late 2021. Core inflation slowed to 4.5 percent.

The ECB has raised rates for ten policy sessions in a row and the key interest rate is now at a record level.

Earlier this month, the bank raised the key interest rates, but ECB President Christine Lagarde signaled a pause ahead, which is in sync with the stance adopted by major peers such as the Fed and the Bank of England.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Personal income in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of August, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday.

The report said personal income climbed by 0.4 percent in August after rising by 0.2 percent in July. The advance matched economist estimates.

The Commerce Department said personal spending also increased by 0.4 percent in August after jumping by an upwardly revised 0.9 percent in July.

Economists had expected personal spending to rise by 0.4 percent compared to the 0.8 percent advance originally reported for the previous month.

The report also said the annual rate of consumer price growth accelerated to 3.5 percent in August from 3.4 percent in July. The modest acceleration matched economist estimates.

Meanwhile, the annual rate of growth by core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy prices, slowed to 3.9 percent in August from 4.3 percent in July. The slowdown also matched expectations.

BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Germany's retail sales declined unexpectedly in August amid weaker demand for both food and non-food items, data from Destatis revealed on Friday.

In real terms, retail sales fell 1.2 percent month-over-month in August after remaining flat in July. In contrast, economists had expected a 0.5 percent gain for the month.

Food sales were down 1.2 percent compared to last month, and those of non-food items dropped 0.7 percent.

Data showed that online sales contracted significantly by 8.7 percent over the month.

On a yearly basis, retail sales decreased 2.3 percent in August, well above the 0.7 percent drop expected by economists.

In nominal terms, retail sales slid 0.8 percent from a month ago, while they increased 2.3 percent from last year.

BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - U.S. personal income and spending data for August has been released at 8:30 am ET Friday. After the data, the greenback inched up against its major rivals.

The greenback was trading at 149.27 against the yen, 1.0593 against the euro, 1.2252 against the pound and 0.9126 against the franc around 8:32 am ET.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Euro area inflation weakened sharply in September to the lowest level since late 2021 after ten consecutive interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank, but the monetary policy is expected to remain tight for longer as the 2 percent target is still away.

Inflation eased sharply to 4.3 percent in September from 5.2 percent in August, flash data from Eurostat revealed Friday. This was also below economists' forecast of 4.5 percent.

The rate was the lowest since October 2021, when inflation stood at 4.1 percent.

The core rate that excludes volatile energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, slowed more-than-expected to 4.5 percent from 5.3 percent in the previous month. The rate was seen at 4.8 percent.

The slowdown in core inflation reinforces the view that the ECB has finished raising interest rates, Capital Economics' Jack Allen-Reynolds said. However, the economist said the bank will not start cutting rates until late 2024.

Although weak demand and base effects are impacting inflation favorably, higher energy and wage costs do keep the risk alive that inflation could remain above target for longer than hoped, ING economist Bert Colijn said.

The ECB has raised rates by a cumulative 400 basis points with hikes in every policy session of the current tightening cycle that began in July last year.

At the September meeting, rate-setters assessed the euro area inflation to remain 'too high for too long', but ECB President Christine Lagarde signaled a pause ahead.

All components of the harmonized index of consumer prices, or HICP, weakened in September, data showed on Friday. Food, alcohol and tobacco prices grew at a slower pace of 8.8 percent annually after climbing 9.7 percent in August.

Energy prices registered an annual decline of 4.7 percent, worse than the 3.3 percent decrease in August.

The increase in non-energy industrial goods prices slowed to 4.2 percent from 4.7 percent. Similarly, the increase in services cost eased to 4.7 percent from 5.5 percent.

On a monthly basis, the HICP gained only 0.3 percent in September.

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - UK mortgage approvals fell to a six-month low in August as rising interest rates weighed on housing market activity, official data revealed on Friday.

Approvals for house purchases fell to 45,400 in August from 49,500 in July, the Bank of England reported. The expected level was 45,000.

The actual interest paid on newly drawn mortgages increased by 16 basis points to 4.82 percent.

At the September rate-setting meeting, the BoE kept its benchmark rate unchanged at the highest level since early 2008, after raising the rate over 14 consecutive sessions.

Lending and economic activity are likely to weaken further this year as the Bank keeps interest rates at 5.25 percent until late in 2024, Capital Economics' economist Ashley Webb said.

Mortgage borrowing posted the fourth consecutive monthly increase and also reached the highest since January 2023, data showed. Net borrowing rose to GBP 1.2 billion in August from GBP 0.2 billion in July.

Data showed that individuals borrowed an additional GBP 1.6 billion in consumer credit, up from GBP 1.3 billion in July. This was largely driven by increased borrowing through other forms of consumer credit.

The annual growth in consumer credit rose to 7.6 percent from 7.3 percent in July.

UK businesses repaid a net GBP 0.9 billion of loans in August following a net borrowing of GBP 0.6 billion in July. Net repayments by small and medium sized businesses rose to GBP 0.7 in August and net repayments by large businesses totaled GBP 0.2 billion.

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