• Reuters

    UPDATE 1-ECB most concerned about wages, services, Schnabel says

    The final stage of getting euro zone inflation back to 2% will be bumpy and an erosion in productivity, along with high services costs, pose some of the biggest risks, European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel said on Thursday. Euro zone inflation has fallen more quickly in recent months than many had expected, but the ECB now fears that price growth could oscillate over the next few months, including the possibility of some significant temporary upticks. The ECB has put a special focus on wages and said that a rate cut in June could only come after first quarter data confirm that the growth in labour costs is moderating.

  • Reuters

    Hipgnosis' bidding war intensifies as Concord hikes offer for Shakira music owner

    Concord, a Nashville-based independent music company, late on Wednesday sweetened its bid for Hipgnosis to $1.25 per share, or about $1.51 billion, slightly higher than Blackstone's proposal of $1.24 apiece. Shares of Hipgnosis were up 1.1% at 1.028 pounds ($1.28), as the fresh offer fuels the prospect of a higher counter-bid from the world's largest private equity firm.

  • The Canadian Press

    Shohei Ohtani has 3 doubles, Landon Knack gets 1st victory as Dodgers rout Nationals 11-2

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani had three doubles to improve his major league-leading batting average to .371, rookie Landon Knack got his first victory and the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Washington Nationals 11-2 on Wednesday night. The Dodgers had a season-high 20 hits en route to their third straight victory, with Mookie Betts and Will Smith each having four hits and Andy Pages homering. Nick Senzel homered for Washington. The Nationals didn’t have a baserunner after the second inning. Oh