Bonds & Stocks
Heightened geopolitical worries sent stocks falling, extending a surge in oil prices and dragging down Treasuries amid perceived inflation risks. Bond yields edged up ahead of a sale of $9 billion of new 30-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities.
Economy
Applications for US unemployment benefits fell by the most since November, adding to evidence of stabilization in the labor market. Initial claims decreased by 23,000 to 206,000 in the week ended Feb. 14, according to Labor Department data released Thursday.
World
The International Monetary Fund faulted China’s economic policies for causing waste at home and damage abroad and called for a reorientation by Beijing to embrace a model based on domestic consumer spending.