STORY: From bitcoin back on a tear, to Japan’s ever-rising stocks, this is the Week in Numbers.
Almost 50% was the gain for bitcoin in February, marking its best month in over three years.
The top cryptocurrency has been boosted by new exchange-traded funds that feature it, and is now within sight of all-time highs.
Nearly 20% is the gain so far this year for Japan’s Nikkei stock index, which keeps hitting new record highs.
Japanese equities have been boosted by factors including a weak yen, which makes it cheap for foreigners to buy shares there.
BMO Family Office Chief Investment Officer Carol Schleif says there are more fundamental reasons too:
“You’ve got some shifting demographics, you’ve inflation for the first time in a generation and a half”.
90 days is how long Boeing has to come up with a plan to tackle quality control issues.
The aerospace giant was given the deadline by watchdogs, who want to see action after a dramatic midair blowout on one of the firm’s 737 jets.
About 900 is how many jobs are going at Sony’s PlayStation gaming unit.
Later in the week, game maker Electronic Arts said it too was shedding jobs.
Those are just the latest signs that the video game sector is struggling to grow amid subdued consumer spending.
And over 10% was the plunge in shares for Air France-KLM on Thursday – even as it posted record revenues.
Traders focused instead on a surprise loss over the latest quarter, amid rising fuel costs and turmoil in the Middle East.
