The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a slight improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the “Fear” zone on Thursday. U.S. stocks settled lower on Thursday, following the release of economic reports. The U.S. economy grew an annualized 1.6% in the first quarter, marking a notable slowdown from the 3.4% rate in the final...

TOKYO, April 26 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose on Friday led by a rebound in chip-related stocks, while investors awaited the central bank's policy decision. Chip sector shares recovered from Thursday's losses, tracking overnight gains in U.S. peers, with the Philadephia SE Semiconductor Index jumping nearly 2% even as Wall Street's three main indexes declined. U.S. stock futures...

With U.S. stock futures trading higher this morning on Friday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows: Wall Street expects Exxon Mobil Corporation ( XOM ) to report quarterly earnings at $2.20 per share on revenue of $78.35 billion before the opening bell, according to data from Benzinga Pro. Exxon Mobil ( XOM )...

(Updates prices, adds additional details, analyst comment) By Kevin Buckland TOKYO, April 26 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average extended early gains on Friday after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) opted to leave interest rates unchanged, as widely expected, and said accommodative monetary conditions are likely to continue for the time being. The Nikkei was up 0.7% at 37,890.48, as...