European Economics Preview: Swiss Central Bank Rate Decision Due
The monetary policy announcement from the Swiss National Bank is due on Thursday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news.
At 3.00 am ET, the market research group Gfk is set to release consumer confidence survey results. The consumer sentiment index is seen at -11.9 in April versus -12.9 in March.
At 3.45 am ET, the French statistical office Insee publishes business sentiment survey results. The business confidence index is expected to rise marginally to 98 in March from 97 in February.
At 4.00 am ET, Spain’s INE releases producer prices data.
At 4.30 am ET, the Swiss central bank announces its monetary policy decision. The central bank is expected to retain the policy rate and interest on sight deposits at the SNB at -0.75 percent.
In the meantime, Statistics Sweden publishes producer prices for February.
At 5.00 am ET, the European Central Bank is set to publish economic bulletin.
At 6.00 am ET, the ECB is scheduled to issue money supply data for February. Eurozone M3 is forecast to grow 12.5 percent annually, the same rate as seen in January.
At 7.00 am ET, the Confederation of British Industry releases Distributive Trades survey data for March. The retail sales balance is seen at -37 percent versus -45 percent in February.
Stock Alert: JD.com Shares Up 3%
Shares of JD.com Inc. (JD) are currently trading at $81.32, up $2.61 or 3.32%, with trading volume rising over 2.05 million versus an average volume of 11.4 million shares. The stock has been trading between $39.26 and $108.29 in the past one year.
As recently as on March 22, JD.com and Dada Group jointly announced that JD.com, through its subsidiary, entered into a share purchase agreement with Dada, under which JD.com has agreed to invest a total of $800 million in newly issued ordinary shares of Dada, at a per share price that equals to the closing trading price of Dada’s ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 19, 2021.
Clippers acquire Rajon Rondo from Hawks for Lou Williams, picks, cash
In hopes of bolstering their point-guard depth, the Los Angeles Clippers turned to a steady veteran that has become increasingly valuable in the playoffs.
The Clippers acquired 14-year guard Rajon Rondo from the Atlanta Hawks for reserve guard Lou Williams, two second-round picks and cash, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a deal that hasn’t been finalized.
The deal made sense for both what the Clippers and Hawks needed with their respective rosters.
The Clippers prioritized a pass-first point guard that has become reliable in the playoffs in Rondo. He helped the Los Angeles Lakers win an NBA championship last year by becoming increasingly valuable with his passing, defense and occasional scoring after spending most of the regular season mired with sub-par shooting performances and health issues.
West Texas A&M defeats Lincoln Memorial on buzzer-beater in Final Four of NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament
March Madness has been madder than ever, and that hasn't been exclusive to the basketball tournament taking place in the Indianapolis area.
On Thursday night, that March mayhem hit the NCAA Tournament for men's Division II basketball.
West Texas A&M Buffaloes defeated Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters with an amazing buzzer-beater in the Division II Final Four in Evansville, Indiana.
Down 86-84 with 7.5 seconds remaining, West Texas A&M inbounded the ball. Qua Grant drove to the bucket, but missed his shot. The rebound eventually was tipped to Zach Toussaint, who was residing behind the three-point line and nailed a game-winning shot as time expired for top-seeded West Texas A&M in an 87-86 win.
Check out this wild finish:
WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED.@WestTXD2Hoops NAILS the three as time expired and they are moving on to the @NCAADII National Championship. pic.twitter.com/3QSASXRSPT
BRACKETS: Men's and women's tournament results and schedules
West Texas A&M – which advanced to its first NCAA Division II basketball championship game – will face Northwest Missouri State for the national title on Saturday (noon ET, CBS).
Report: Lakers’ LeBron James could miss three to five more weeks with ankle injury
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to be sidelined between three to five more weeks after suffering a high right ankle sprain last week, according to an Athletic report.
“I really don’t have anything to add to where he’s at other than he’s out indefinitely,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said following shootaround in preparation for the team’s game on Thursday against Philadelphia. “We’re proceeding right now. My whole focus is the guys we have in uniform and the Philadelphia 76ers. We’re not really going to give updates as to where he’s at with the recovery.”
If that timeline bears out, James could return anywhere between April 16 to April 30. That would sideline James for an additional eight to 15 games. But the Lakers have nine regular-season games in May before the playoffs start on May 22.
