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Wall Street stocks finished little changed Thursday as markets absorbed a disappointing inflation report, while oil prices shot higher on the eve of a US-Russia summit on Ukraine.After a negative start, major US indices worked their way back up to even following July wholesale price data.The producer price index rose 0.9 percent on a month-on-month basis, much greater than analysts expected following benign consumer pricing data earlier this week. “The large spike in the Producer Price Index (PPI) this morning shows inflation is coursing through the economy, even if it hasn’t been felt by consumers yet,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer for US-based Northlight Asset Management.Zaccarelli called the report a “most unwelcome surprise,” adding that it is “likely to unwind some of the optimism of a ‘guaranteed’ rate cut next month” from the Federal Reserve.However, futures markets still were betting on a quarter point interest rate decrease, but the PPI data likely means a large half-point rate cut is “off the table,” said Jack Ablin of Cresset Capital Management.All three major US indices finished within 0.1 percent of their start points.In Europe, the main markets in Paris, Frankfurt and London registered positive figures by the close of trading.London rallied back into the green from an earlier slump as data showed the UK economy had slowed in the second quarter — though less than feared — as Trump’s tariffs came into effect.Meanwhile, oil prices finished up around two percent as traders nervously awaited US President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid fears by European leaders that Putin will cajole Trump into a settlement imposed on Ukraine.But oil traders are worried about a different outcome: “that if the meeting doesn’t go well, we’ll see stronger sanctions on Russian oil thereby depriving the world of or making it much difficult for this oil to get to the market,” said Stephen Schork of the Schork Group.The market is “very nervous,” Schork added. Among individual companies, Intel surged 7.4 percent following a Bloomberg News report that Trump is considering an investment in the beleaguered chip company in exchange for a government stake. Such a deal would represent Trump’s latest departure from the US government’s traditional laissez-faire posture towards business.- Key figures at around 2030 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN less than 0.1 percent at 44,911.26 (close)New York – S&P 500: UP less than 0.1 percent at 6,468.54 (close)New York – Nasdaq: DOWN FLAT at 21,710.67 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,177.24 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.8 percent at 7,870.34 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.8 percent at 24,377.50 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,649.26 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 25,489.59 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,666.44 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1657 from $1.1705 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3535 from $1.3576 Dollar/yen: UP at 147.76 yen from 147.38 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.05 pence from 86.21 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.8 percent at $66.84 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 2.1 percent at $63.96 per barrelburs-jmb/jgc

Wall Street shares fell Thursday after data showed US producer price inflation surged far more than expected in July, denting optimism that the Federal Reserve would soon start cutting interest rates.Analysts said the surprise spike raised concerns that President Donald Trump’s tariffs were having an impact on businesses, which could soon pass on the higher prices to consumers.The broad-based S&P 500 index of leading companies and the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell throughout the morning in New York, retreating from record highs set the previous day.In Europe, however, the main markets in Paris, Frankfurt and London registered positive figures by the close of trading.London rallied back into the green from an earlier slump as data showed the UK economy had slowed in the second quarter — though less than feared — as Trump’s tariffs came into effect.The US producer price index (PPI) rose 0.9 percent on a month-on-month basis in July, much higher than the 0.2 percent forecast by analysts after a flat reading in June.”The large spike in the Producer Price Index (PPI) this morning shows inflation is coursing through the economy, even if it hasn’t been felt by consumers yet,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer for US-based Northlight Asset Management.The shock figure came after data on Tuesday showed that US consumer inflation held steady in July at 2.7 percent on an annual basis.The two diverging inflation figures complicate the task of the Federal Reserve, which had been widely expected to begin cutting rates in September.Zaccarelli said the PPI figure was a “most unwelcome surprise to the upside and is likely to unwind some of the optimism of a ‘guaranteed’ rate cut next month”.Bitcoin, which had hit a record high of $124,514.59 on rate-cut hopes, tumbled to $118,297 following the inflation report.”Today’s hot PPI data has reduced the case for a September rate cut ever so slightly,” said Fawad Razaqzada, an analyst at City Index and Forex.com.He said, however, that the market was “still nearly fully” expecting the Fed to cut its rate next month.”It is likely that the Fed will see through the rise as the one-time increase and their concerns about the jobs market may make them more open to the idea of resuming rate cuts from September,” he said.Elsewhere, oil prices rose as traders awaited Friday’s Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose sanctions-hit country is a major crude producer.- Key figures at around 1545 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,750.17 pointsNew York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,445.48New York – Nasdaq: DOWN 0.1 percent at 21,648.61 London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,177.24 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.8 percent at 7,870.34 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.8 percent at 24,377.50 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,649.26 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 25,489.59 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,666.44 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1658 from $1.1704 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3544 from $1.3577 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.29 yen from 147.40 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.10 pence from 86.21 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.4 percent at $66.54 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.5 percent at $63.61 per barrelburs-bcp-lth-jxb/js

India and China are discussing resuming border trade five years after it was halted, foreign ministry officials on both sides have said, as US tariffs disrupt the global trade order.Past trade between the neighbours across the icy and high-altitude Himalayan border passes was usually small in volume, but any resumption is significant for its symbolism.The two major economic powers have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia.However, the two countries, caught in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, have moved to mend ties.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected for talks in New Delhi on Monday, according to Indian media, after his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Beijing in July.That, as well as agreements to resume direct flights and issue tourist visas, has been seen as an effort to rebuild a relationship damaged after a deadly 2020 border clash between troops. “For a long time, China–India border trade cooperation has played an important role in improving the lives of people living along the border,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement sent to AFP on Thursday.It said the two sides have “reached a consensus on cross-border exchanges and cooperation, including resumption of border trade”.New Delhi’s junior foreign minister, Kirti Vardhan Singh, told parliament last week that “India has engaged with the Chinese side to facilitate the resumption of border trade”.No restart date was given by either side.- ‘Transitions and challenges’ -Successive US administrations have seen India as a longstanding ally with like-minded interests when it comes to China.India is part of the Quad security alliance with the United States, as well as Australia and Japan.However, ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump’s ultimatum for India to end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine.The United States will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers.Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Thursday that the partnership between New Delhi and Washington had “weathered several transitions and challenges”.Jaiswal said India hoped that the “relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests”.He said India “stands ready” to support the efforts to end the Ukraine war and endorses the summit to be held between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Indian media, might also visit China in late August. It would be Modi’s first visit since 2018, although it has not been confirmed officially.Beijing has said that “China welcomes Prime Minister Modi” for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit opening on August 31.burs-bb/pjm/pbt

European and Asian stock markets diverged Thursday and bitcoin hit a record high on the eve of landmark talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on potentially ending the Ukraine war.Most European equity indices climbed after major Asian peers ended lower.Bitcoin hit a new peak at $124,514.59 in Asian trading, before cooling to around $121,500. The world’s biggest cryptocurrency is benefitting from expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut US interest rates before 2026, which is weighing on the dollar.Bitcoin is also winning investor support thanks to strong backing for the cryptocurrency sector from Trump.”An accommodative stance from the Trump administration combined with expectations of a September Fed rate cut have helped to propel gains for bitcoin,” Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, noted Thursday.The pound won some support thanks to expectations that the Bank of England may not follow up its interest-rate cut last week with another reduction this year.The currency’s rise weighed on London’s FTSE 100 index of top companies, some of which earn in dollars.Britain’s economy performed better than expected in the second quarter as it weathered the impact of US tariffs and a higher UK business tax, official data showed Thursday.On Friday, Putin and Trump are to discuss ways to settle the Ukraine conflict during a summit in Alaska, the Kremlin said.The meeting will be the first between sitting US and Russian presidents since 2021, and comes as Trump seeks to broker an end to Russia’s nearly three-and-a-half year offensive.”It is probably obvious to everyone that the central topic will be the resolution of the Ukraine crisis,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.Oil prices edged higher Thursday, with market watchers waiting to see if the meeting’s outcome affects trading of crude, of which Russia is a major supplier.- Key figures at around 1100 GMT -London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 9,156.32 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 7,826.19Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.4 percent at 24,286.34Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,649.26Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 25,489.59Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,666.44New York – Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 44,922.27 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1693 from $1.1704 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3586 from $1.3577 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 146.54 yen from 147.40 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.12 pence from 86.21 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $65.72 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $62.72 per barrelburs-bcp/ajb/jxb

India and China are discussing resuming border trade five years after it was halted, foreign ministry officials on both sides have said, as US tariffs disrupt the global trade order.Past trade across the icy and high-altitude Himalayan border passes between the neighbours was usually small in volume, but any resumption is significant for its symbolism.The two major economic powers have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia.But caught in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, the countries have moved to mend ties.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected for talks in New Delhi on Monday, according to Indian media, after his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Beijing in July.That, as well as agreements to resume direct flights and issue tourist visas, has been seen as an effort to rebuild a relationship damaged after a deadly border clash in 2020 between their nations’ troops. “For a long time, China–India border trade cooperation has played an important role in improving the lives of people living along the border,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement to AFP on Thursday.It added that the two sides have “reached a consensus on cross-border exchanges and cooperation, including resumption of border trade”.New Delhi’s junior foreign minister, Kirti Vardhan Singh, told parliament last week that “India has engaged with the Chinese side to facilitate the resumption of border trade”.No restart date was given by either side.Successive US administrations have seen India as a longstanding ally with like-minded interests when it comes to China.India is part of the Quad security alliance with the United States, as well as Australia and Japan.But ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump’s ultimatum for India to end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine.The United States will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Indian media, might also visit China in late August. It would be Modi’s first visit since 2018, although it has not been confirmed officially.Beijing has said that “China welcomes Prime Minister Modi” for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opening on August 31.burs-bb/pjm/sco

Markets were mixed Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei down as bitcoin hit a new high and investors braced for talks between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska.Bitcoin hit a new peak during early Asian trading, with the cryptocurrency briefly exceeding $124,500 before retreating, driven by favourable US legislation and a rise in US equities.”The crypto market is enjoying a period of highly favorable fundamentals,” said Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com.Hopes of a US interest rate cut after soft inflation data pushed Tokyo’s Nikkei to its second record close in as many days on Wednesday, but on Thursday the index closed down 1.45 percent.Hong Kong and Taipei also fell while Seoul edged up. London, Frankfurt and Paris were all higher in early trade. With US President Donald Trump calling on the US Federal Reserve to cut rates, his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pressured the Bank of Japan governor to lift borrowing costs.Despite inflation being above its target, the BoJ has been holding off raising borrowing costs, seeing price rises as caused by temporary factors and not by strong demand or wage growth.”The Japanese have an inflation problem…   They are behind the curve so they are going to be hiking,” Bessent told Bloomberg TV.Investors were also eyeing talks on Friday between Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on ending the more than three-year war in Ukraine.- Key figures at around 0715 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.5 percent at 42,649.26Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 25,489.59Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,666.44London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,165.23Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1679 from $1.1704 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3581 from $1.3577 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 146.46 yen from 147.40 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 85.99 pence from 86.21 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $63.07 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.6 percent at $66.04 per barrelNew York – Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 44,922.27 (close)

Bitcoin hit a new peak during early Asian trading on Thursday, as the yen surged after the US Treasury Secretary said he expects Japan to hike interest rates.The cryptocurrency rose above its previous July record, briefly exceeding $124,500 before retreating.Bitcoin’s value has recently soared, fuelled by US regulatory changes under US President Donald Trump, a strong backer of the crypto sector.”The crypto market is enjoying a period of highly favorable fundamentals,” said Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com.Japan’s currency rose significantly against the dollar, climbing to its highest level since late July after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had told the Bank of Japan (BoJ) governor that it was “behind the curve” in its fight against inflation. “So they’re going to be hiking and they need to get their inflation problem under control,” Bessent told Bloomberg TV.The Bank of Japan, which has long maintained a negative interest rate policy, began monetary tightening in 2024. However, it left rates unchanged at the end of July and is expected by observers to maintain the status quo at its next monetary policy meeting in September. Bessent “may be trying to weaken the dollar through his comments,” according to Hideo Kumano of Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute, as cited by Bloomberg.Bessent and President Donald Trump are pushing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to lower rates as quickly as possible.Hopes of rate cuts following soft inflation data released Tuesday had boosted stock markets, with the broad-based S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq reaching new summits this week. Tokyo’s Nikkei hit a record as it closed 1.3 percent higher on Wednesday.- Key figures at around 0400 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.3 percent at 42,698.81Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.1 percent at 25,597.85 Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,690.88Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1706 from $1.1704 on WednesdayPound/dollar: FLAT at $1.3577 from $1.3577 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 146.43 yen from 147.40 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.22 pence from 86.21 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.3 percent at $62.86 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.4 percent at $65.86 per barrelNew York – Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 44,922.27 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,165.23 (close)

Stock markets rose Wednesday, with Wall Street building on the previous day’s record highs after steady US inflation data fueled hopes that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.The broad-based S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq extended gains after reaching new summits on Tuesday. Both indices again finished at fresh records.Tokyo’s Nikkei index followed suit on Wednesday, hitting a record as it closed 1.3 percent higher.European stock markets also finished in the green.Investors have worried about the impact that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will have on inflation and growth in the world’s biggest economy.But official figures showed Tuesday that the US consumer price index remained steady at 2.7 percent in July, unchanged from June. Investors shrugged off data showing that core CPI — a measure of inflation that strips out volatile food and energy prices — accelerated in July to the fastest pace in six months to 3.1 percent.”Even as core CPI was accelerating, markets were reassured because the tariff impact on inflation didn’t look so obvious this time,” Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note.Markets could have reacted negatively as core inflation is usually the data point favored by the Fed to make decisions on interest rates, said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.”Investors instead increased September cut expectations, thinking that imported goods inflation remained lower than feared as companies continued to absorb tariff costs,” she said.Trump has repeatedly demanded that the independent Fed cut rates and lambasted its chief, Jerome Powell, over the issue. The central bank, which will make its next interest rate decision in September, has kept borrowing costs unchanged for now.The dollar slumped against other major currencies as the prospect of lower interest rates reduced its appeal to foreign investors.Investor focus was also on a summit in Alaska on Friday between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the three-year-old Ukraine war.And oil prices retreated as the International Energy Agency raised its forecast for supply growth in 2025 and 2026 — leaving the world with a surplus — after OPEC+ decided to raise production.- Key figures at around 2030 GMT -New York – Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 44,922.27 (close)New York – S&P 500: UP 0.3 percent at 6,466.58 (close)New York – Nasdaq: UP 0.1 percent at 21,713.14 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,165.23 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.7 percent at 7,804.97 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 24,185.59 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.3 percent at 43,274.67 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 2.6 percent at 25,613.67 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 3,683.46 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1704 from $1.1675 on TuesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3577 from $1.3500Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.40 yen from 147.84 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.21 pence from 86.47 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.8 percent at $62.65 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.7 percent at $65.63 per barrel

Stock markets rose Wednesday, with Wall Street building on the previous day’s record highs after steady US inflation data fuelled hopes that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.The broad-based S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq extended gains after reaching new summits on Tuesday.Tokyo’s Nikkei index followed suit on Wednesday, hitting a record as it closed 1.3 percent higher.European stock markets also finished in the green.Investors have worried about the impact that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will have on US inflation and growth in the world’s biggest economy.But official figures showed Tuesday that the US consumer price index (CPI) remained steady at 2.7 percent in July, unchanged from June. Investors shrugged off data showing that core CPI — a measure of inflation that strips out volatile food and energy prices — accelerated in July to the fastest pace in six months to 3.1 percent.”Even as core CPI was accelerating, markets were reassured because the tariff impact on inflation didn’t look so obvious this time,” Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note.Markets could have reacted negatively as core inflation is usually the data point favoured by the Fed to make decisions on interest rates, said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.”Investors instead increased September cut expectations, thinking that imported goods inflation remained lower than feared as companies continued to absorb tariff costs,” she said.Trump has repeatedly demanded that the independent Fed cut rates and lambasted its chief, Jerome Powell, over the issue. The central bank, which will make its next interest-rate decision in September, has kept borrowing costs unchanged for now.The dollar slumped against other major currencies as the prospect of lower interest rates reduced its appeal to foreign investors.Investor focus was also on a summit in Alaska on Friday between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the three-year-old Ukraine war.And oil prices fell more than one percent as the International Energy Agency raised its forecast for supply growth in 2025 and 2026 — leaving the world with a surplus — after OPEC+ decided to raise production.- Key figures at around 1540 GMT -New York – Dow: UP 0.8 percent at 44,790.31 pointsNew York – S&P 500: UP 0.2 percent at 6,456.15New York – Nasdaq: UP 0.1 percent at 21,700.95London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,165.23 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.7 percent at 7,804.97 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 24,185.59 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.3 percent at 43,274.67 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 2.6 percent at 25,613.67 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 3,683.46 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1713 from $1.1677 on TuesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3571 from $1.3501Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.24 yen from 147.77 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.31 pence from 86.45 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.4 percent at $62.28 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.2 percent at $65.32 per barrel

Markets rose Wednesday on growing hopes of US interest rate cuts after soft inflation data, with Japan’s Nikkei hitting a second record high in as many days.The S&P 500 and Nasdaq finished at fresh highs Tuesday after US data showed a tamer-than-feared impact on prices from President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz.That boosted hopes among that the US Federal Reserve and its embattled chief Jerome Powell will cut interest rates next month.”Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell must NOW lower the rate,” Trump said on Truth Social, while also threatening a “major lawsuit” over renovations to Fed buildings.The US consumer price index reading for July showed annualised inflation at 2.7 percent, unchanged from a month earlier.Investors calculated that the benign data was not enough to sway the Fed away from an expected interest rate cut next month.”Stocks… took the (inflation) number as confirmation that September is shaping up to be the long-anticipated ‘insurance cut’ in an economy still treading water above the break-even line,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.Katy Stoves, investment manager at Mattioli Woods, warned however: “This gentle cooling of the economy will certainly not justify a cut of interest rates to one percent as President Donald Trump is calling for.”Tokyo climbed 1.3 percent to a record high and Hong Kong rose 2.6 percent while Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta also saw healthy gains.Europe followed suit, with London, Frankfurt and Paris all higher in early trade.Oil prices edged lower after OPEC raised its demand forecast for 2026, signalling it expected stronger global activity next year.Investor focus was also on a summit in Alaska on Friday between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the three-year-old Ukraine war.In corporate news, AI firm Perplexity offered Google $34.5 billion for its Chrome web browser, which it may have to sell as part of antitrust proceedings.Intel rose 5.5 percent on Wall Street after CEO Lip-Bu Tan met with Trump, who praised the executive after previously calling for him to step down.- Key figures at around 0820 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.3 percent at 43,274.67 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 2.6 percent at 25,613.67 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 3,683.46 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 9,172.20 Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1718 from $1.1677 on TuesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3561 from $1.3501Dollar/yen: DOWN at 147.39 yen from  147.77 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 86.41 pence from 86.45 penceBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.2 percent at $65.92 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $62.90 per barrelNew York – Dow: UP 1.1 percent at 44,458.61 (close)