Finance news you need to know today

ANALYSTS say sales of outdoor equipment are slipping as millennials drive changes in consumer habits, buying goods that are less specialised.

THE Australian share market looks set to open higher after US and Europe markets enjoyed strong gains at the end of last week. At 0700 AEDT on Monday, the share price futures index was up 30 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 6,015.

The Australian dollar is unchanged against the US dollar after Wall Street got a boost from healthcare stocks and a solid economic growth data. At 0700 AEDT on Monday, the Australian dollar was worth 81.05 US cents, level with where it finished the local session on Thursday.

WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:

TOKYO — Tokyo-based cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck Inc says it will return about 46.3 billion yen ($A524 million) of the virtual money it lost to hackers two days ago in one of the biggest-ever thefts of digital money.

SACREMENTO — Governor Jerry Brown has outlined a multi-billion dollar plan to help Californians buy electric vehicles and expand a network of charging stations.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY — Volkswagen’s drawn-out diesel emissions scandal has prompted another apology from the German carmaker after media reports that it had been complicit in allowing monkeys to inhale car fumes to test the toxicity of diesel emissions.

NEW YORK — Casino mogul Steve Wynn has resigned as finance chairman of the US Republican National Committee amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault.

WASHINGTON — Strong consumer spending and a big rebound in home construction helped the economy grow at a solid pace of 2.6 per cent in the final three months of last year. It followed gains of a little more than 3 per cent in the second and third quarters.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. International Trade Commission delivered a defeat to Boeing, ruling that the aircraft manufacturing giant has not been harmed by competition from Canada’s Bombardier. The unanimous decision effectively blocks the Commerce Department’s plans to slap 292 per cent tariffs on Bombardier.

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — The relationship between President Donald Trump and the global elites assembled in Davos seemed to thaw during the nationalist president’s appearance at the World Economic Forum.

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — Playing the role of economic cheerleader, Trump told a gathering of political and business elites Friday that the economic growth taking place in the U.S. due to his “America first” agenda also benefits the rest of the world.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is punishing 21 people and nine companies with sanctions over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. The Treasury Department says 11 of the individuals are Ukrainian pro- Russian separatists.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Commerce is forecasting an 18.5 per cent growth in international tourism to the U.S. through 2022 despite a slump in international visitation in the last two years.

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s top Democrat is casting President Donald Trump’s immigration proposal as a “wish list” for immigration opponents. The plan is continuing to draw harsh reviews from Democrats and some conservatives.

DENVER — Analysts say sales of outdoor equipment are slipping as millennials drive changes in U.S. consumer habits, buying goods that are less specialised and more versatile. NPD Group, a market research company, says millennials are less likely to demand outdoor gear that stands up to extreme conditions.