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Stocks flat as rally runs out of steam
Global Markets Overview: Investors are turning very selective about risk, as shares decline while some currency markets embrace chancier assets

Tech and consumer stocks weigh on Wall St
US equities erased early gains, dragged down by technology and consumer staples stocks, outweighing positive earnings reports and jobless data

Chocolatier sees cocoa prices staying high
Barry Callebaut chief warned prices could stay at current high levels for the foreseeable future because of continued demand pressure and scarce supply

Prudential gains amid talk of strategic review
Weak earnings news from the US countered strong figures from UK companies to send the FTSE 100 slightly lower

Dollar lower as carry trade returns
The Federal Reserve’s cautious outlook for the world’s biggest economy sends the dollar to a three-month low on a trade-weighted basis, as further fragile data adds to concern

Copper gains ground as supplies tighten
Base metals prices rise to near a three-month high, lifted by greater appetite for risk and tight supply of some ores

Profit-taking and forecasts damp Europe
A rally in telecoms companies had put the eurozone core back into positive territory in early trading, but a poor performance on Wall Street later hit confidence

Developing nations need to ‘inhale’ global capital
Never have so many emerging markets been as flush as they are today, so investors with a long-term horizon should add selectively to their exposure

Gilts lose lustre for overseas investors
Flight from eurozone risk to UK government bonds is moderating

Swap rates fall below Treasury yields
The relationship between government bonds and swaps has dislocated this week for only the second time, largely as a result of the burst of bond issuance from banks