Lady Gaga Delivers Stunning Performance At Joe Biden's Inauguration Ceremony

Daniel Welsh
·Entertainment Reporter
·4 min read

Lady Gaga gave an emotional performance of the American national anthem to commemorate Joe Biden being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States.

The Oscar-winning star was a vocal supporter of Joe Biden in last year’s US election, having been critical of Donald Trump throughout his presidency, and was later invited to join the line-up during his inauguration ceremony.

Appearing on stage outside the US Capitol in Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon, Gaga truly delivered on the fashion front, sporting a navy blue blazer, massive red skirt and golden dove brooch.

Lady Gaga enters the stage outside the US Capitol building (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Lady Gaga enters the stage outside the US Capitol building (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

She delivered a stunning rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner (with a golden microphone and earpiece to match her brooch, naturally!), as the world watched on.

Gaga performing during the inauguration (Photo: Rob Carr via Getty Images)
Gaga performing during the inauguration (Photo: Rob Carr via Getty Images)

Her performance – and, it has to be said, her look – immediately went down a storm with those watching the inauguration live on TV:

In the lead-up to the US election in November, Gaga shared a video of herself recreating some of her most iconic looks, while urging fans to vote.

Although the video didn’t contain an endorsement for one candidate over another, she did say: “When they announce who has won this election, it will become very clear what this country has become... let’s be real, you know who I voted for. But believe me, and listen to me now, even if you disagree with me, your vote still matters to the world.”

The Chromatica singer later joined Biden on stage at his final drive-in rally in Pittsburgh, on the same day Trump was quoted as saying: “Lady Gaga is... not so good. I could tell you plenty of stories. I could tell you stories about Lady Gaga. I know a lot of stories.”

Joe Biden and Lady Gaga in November 2020 (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)
Joe Biden and Lady Gaga in November 2020 (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

Gaga previously won praise when she sang Star-Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl in 2016. A year later she was invited back to perform during the Half-Time Show.

Other celebrities who appeared during the Biden inauguration included Jennifer Lopez and country star Garth Brooks.

Following the inauguration, a TV special is set to air in the US, featuring celebratory performances from stars including John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato and the New Radicals, who reformed specifically to deliver a rendition of their hit You Only Get What You Give, a song Biden has said in the past holds a special place in his heart.

READ MORE:

Lady Gaga Recreates Her Most Iconic Looks (Including That Meat Dress) In Rousing Election Video

Lady Gaga Urges Americans To Vote Trump Out At Joe Biden Rally As US President Claims He Has ‘Plenty Of Stories’ On Singer

These Photos Of Lady Gaga Meeting Soldiers In Washington DC Has Everyone Making The Same Joke

This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.

Latest Stories

  • Pandemic, EU billions drive Greece's digital revolution

    Before COVID-19, visits to Greece's paper-strewn labour offices were a ordeal of queues and case files, often for basic matters that in less than a year have moved online as the pandemic upended old administrative routines. "Essentially overnight, two thirds of the visits were no longer necessary," said Spiros Protopsaltis, head of OAED, the Organization of Employment and Unemployment Insurance. Crammed with thousands of folders and blue OAED registration cards spilling out onto desks and floor space, the corridors of the building where he spoke still offer a daunting vision of the challenge to overhauling public services in Greece.

  • England slump to two-day Test defeat against India in Ahmedabad

    Spinner Axar Patel took five for 32 to finish with a match haul of 11 wickets.

  • Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Continues Monthly Distributions, Declares Distributions of $0.10 Per Share

    The Board of Trustees of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSE American: GLU) (the "Fund") approved the continuation of its policy of paying fixed monthly cash distributions. The Board of Trustees declared cash distributions of $0.10 per share for each of April, May, and June 2021.

  • Loonie tops 80 cents US, S&P/TSX composite index up in early trading

    TORONTO — The loonie topped 80 cents US, while Canada's main stock index edged higher in early trading and U.S. stock markets moved lower. The Canadian dollar traded for 80.11 cents US compared with 79.69 cents US on Wednesday. The rise in the currency came as the S&P/TSX composite index was up 16.37 points at 18,500.90. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 4.31 points at 31,957.55. The S&P 500 index was down 2.62 points at 3,922.81, while the Nasdaq composite was down 10.32 points at 13,587.65. The April crude oil contract was down 25 cents at US$62.97 per barrel and the April natural gas contract was down a penny at US$2.79 per mmBTU. The April gold contract was down US$18.90 at US$1,779.00 an ounce and the May copper contract was up two cents at US$4.33 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X) The Canadian Press

  • Get used to fewer trains, says rail body

    Around one in ten rail services should be cut while passenger numbers remain low, says Network Rail.

  • Carlo Ancelotti hopes to be Everton boss when club moves into new stadium

    Planning permission was granted for the 52,888-capacity ground near the River Mersey, which is scheduled to open in time for the 2024-25 season.

  • No. 6 Exercise of share options in Solar A/S

    In accordance with article 19 of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, Solar is required to report trading with Solar A/S shares and related financial instruments carried out by members of the Board of Directors, members of the Executive Board and related parties. In 2017, the Board of Directors granted share options to the Executive Board and management team, and a number of these employees now exercise their respective share options. At the time of granting in 2017, the exercise price was fixed at DKK 373.84. The settlement price in 2021 is determined at DKK 456.39. Solar announces the transactions below under ID code DK0010274844 Solar B based on the reports received by Solar. All transactions relate to the exercise of share options from the grant year 2017 and will either be converted into shares or settled with cash. CEO Jens E. Andersen has exercised 2,709 share options, and is thereby granted an equivalent number of shares. CFO Michael H. Jeppesen has exercised 2,186 share options, and is thereby granted an equivalent number of shares.CCO Hugo Dorph has exercised 2,703 share options, equating a total cash settlement of DKK 223,140. Solar has no further outstanding share options. For the purpose of these transactions, Solar has sold 4,895 B shares. Solar’s portfolio of treasury shares now totals 56,813 B shares. Contacts Chairman of the Board of Directors Jens Borum Tel. +45 79 30 00 00 IR Director, Dennis Callesen - Tel. +45 29 92 18 11 Attachment No. 6 2021 Exercise of share options

  • Acne Drugs Market Research Report by Acne Type, by Drug Class, by Drug Type, by Route of Administration - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

    Acne Drugs Market Research Report by Acne Type (Comedonal, Cystic, Inflammatory, and Postsurgical/Wound), by Drug Class (Antibiotics, Combination Drugs, Hormonal Agents, and Retinoids), by Drug Type, by Route of Administration - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19New York, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Acne Drugs Market Research Report by Acne Type, by Drug Class, by Drug Type, by Route of Administration - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06027986/?utm_source=GNW Market Statistics:The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available.1. The Global Acne Drugs Market is expected to grow from USD 5,123.97 Million in 2020 to USD 7,146.37 Million by the end of 2025.2. The Global Acne Drugs Market is expected to grow from EUR 4,492.79 Million in 2020 to EUR 6,266.07 Million by the end of 2025.3. The Global Acne Drugs Market is expected to grow from GBP 3,994.10 Million in 2020 to GBP 5,570.55 Million by the end of 2025.4. The Global Acne Drugs Market is expected to grow from JPY 546,857.44 Million in 2020 to JPY 762,698.76 Million by the end of 2025.5. The Global Acne Drugs Market is expected to grow from AUD 7,440.68 Million in 2020 to AUD 10,377.47 Million by the end of 2025.Market Segmentation & Coverage:This research report categorizes the Acne Drugs to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:Based on Acne Type, the Acne Drugs Market studied across Comedonal, Cystic, Inflammatory, and Postsurgical/Wound. Based on Drug Class, the Acne Drugs Market studied across Antibiotics, Combination Drugs, Hormonal Agents, and Retinoids. Based on Drug Type, the Acne Drugs Market studied across OTC Drugs and Prescription Drugs. Based on Route of Administration, the Acne Drugs Market studied across Injectable, Oral, and Topical. Based on Geography, the Acne Drugs Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles:The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Acne Drugs Market including AbbVie Inc., Almirall, S.A., AndroScience Corporation, Anterios Inc, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Bayer AG, BioPharmX, Inc, Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Galderma S.A., Guthy-Renker LLC, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc, Mayne Pharma Group Limited, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, Mylan N.V, Oculus Innovative Sciences, Pfizer Inc., Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals, Stiefel Laboratories, Inc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, and Valeant Pharmaceutical International Inc. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.FPNV Positioning Matrix:The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Acne Drugs Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.Competitive Strategic Window:The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.The report provides insights on the following pointers:1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developmentsThe report answers questions such as:1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Acne Drugs Market?2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Acne Drugs Market during the forecast period?3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Acne Drugs Market?4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Acne Drugs Market?5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Acne Drugs Market?6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Acne Drugs Market?Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06027986/?utm_source=GNWAbout ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.__________________________ CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001

  • Final round of applause at funeral of Scottish entertainer Sydney Devine

    The showman sold millions of records throughout his long career.

  • $4.42 Bn Baby Wipes Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

    The "Baby Wipes Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

  • Nadal pulls out of Rotterdam Open with back issue

    The 20-time Grand Slam winner has been struggling with a back issue since the build-up to the Australian Open and was forced to skip Spain's ATP Cup ties earlier this month. "Unfortunately, Rafael Nadal is forced to pull out of the 48th ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament," the tournament organisers said in a statement. Despite the injury, Nadal did not drop a single set at the Australian Open until the quarter-final stage, where he was knocked out by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas last week.

  • Consolidated Communications: 4Q Earnings Snapshot

    MATTOON, Ill. (AP) _ Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc. (CNSL) on Thursday reported a loss of $6.9 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the Mattoon, Illinois-based company said it had a loss of 9 cents. Earnings, adjusted to extinguish debt and for stock option expense, came to 12 cents per share.

  • Lion Electric to Bring Zero Emission School Buses to California’s Largest School District

    Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:NGA) announces that its proposed business combination partner: Lion Electric (Lion), an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles, today announced that it has secured an order for its all-electric school buses from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This initial order of 10 LionC school buses, which follows Lion’s recent delivery of all-electric school buses to the Twin Rivers Unified School District in Sacramento, further solidifies Lion’s leadership in zero-emission school buses in California and North America.

  • Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. Announces $9.3 million Overnight Offering for Big Pharma Split Corp.

    TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. (“Harvest”) is pleased to announce that Big Pharma Split Corp. (the “Company”) has completed the overnight marketing of 385,200 Preferred Shares and 385,200 Class A Shares of the Company for gross proceeds of $9,341,100. The offering is being led by BMO Capital Markets, CIBC World Markets Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc. The sales period of the overnight offering has now ended. The offering is expected to close on or about March 4, 2021 and is subject to certain closing conditions including approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Preferred Shares were offered at a price of $10.50 per Preferred Share to yield 4.8% and the Class A Shares were offered at a price of $13.75 per Class A Share to yield 9.0%. The closing price on the TSX of each of the Preferred Shares and the Class A Shares on February 24, 2021 was $10.52 and $13.99, respectively. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to invest in an equally-weighted portfolio of ten issuers comprised of equity securities selected by Harvest from a universe of pharmaceutical issuers which includes: Eli Lilly and Company | Johnson & Johnson | Amgen Inc. | Novartis AG | Pfizer Inc. AstraZeneca PLC | Sanofi SA | Merck & Co Inc. | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | AbbVie Inc. In order to seek to generate additional returns, Harvest may write call options each month in respect of some or all of the equity securities in the portfolio. The investment objectives for the Preferred Shares are to provide their holders with fixed cumulative preferential quarterly cash distributions in the amount of $0.125 per Preferred Share ($0.50 per annum) until December 31, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”) and to return of the original issue price to holders on the Maturity Date. The investment objectives for the Class A Shares are to provide their holders with regular monthly cash distributions targeted to be $0.1031 per Class A Share ($1.2372 per annum) and with the opportunity for growth in net asset value per Class A Share. Harvest is the manager, portfolio manager and promoter of the Company. For additional information: Please visit www.harvestportfolios.com, e-mail info@harvestportfolios.com or call toll free 1-866-998-8298. About Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. Founded in 2009, Harvest is a Canadian Investment Fund Manager managing over $1.2 billion in assets for Canadian Investors. Harvest offers an innovative suite of exchange traded funds, mutual funds and publicly-listed structured fund products designed to satisfy the long-term growth and income needs of investors. We pride ourselves in creating trusted investment solutions that meet the expectations of our investors. A prospectus supplement to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated November 4, 2020 containing important detailed information about the Preferred Shares and the Class A Shares being offered will be filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the short form base shelf prospectus may be obtained from your registered financial advisor using the contact information for such advisor, or from representatives of the agents listed above. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities being offered until the prospectus supplement has been filed with the Securities Commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.

  • Pfizer-BioNTech to begin testing booster shot to combat variants; Trisha Yearwood 'doing OK' after contracting virus: Live COVID-19 updates.

    Pfizer-BioNTech will begin testing a booster shot to combat COVID-19 variants, the companies announced Thursday. Latest COVID-19 updates.

  • Brexit news - live: Trade issues not ‘teething problem’, warns Cameron as PM branded ‘unrepentant liar’

    Follow updates below

  • 'Incident' halts train service between Bugis and Aljunied: SMRT

    Train services between Bugis and Aljunied stations on the East-West Line have been halted due to an "incident".

  • Harvest One Announces Upsized Bought-Deal Public Offering To $5 Million

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvest One Cannabis Inc. ("Harvest One" or the "Company") (TSX-V: HVT; OTCQB: HRVOF), a uniquely positioned cannabis-infused CPG leader, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a revised agreement with Mackie Research Capital Corporation, as sole bookrunner, and ATB Capital Markets Inc., as the co-lead underwriters (together, the “Underwriters”), to increase the size of the previously announced bought-deal short-form prospectus offering of units of the Company (the “Units”) to an aggregate of 32,258,000 Units at a price of $0.155 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $5 million (the “Offering”). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a “Common Share”) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.195 (the “Exercise Price”) at any time up to 36 months following Closing Date (as defined below). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to expand the Company’s existing product lines and distribution channels, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company has granted the Underwriters an option (the “Over-Allotment Option”), exercisable in part or in whole at the Underwriters’ discretion, at any time until thirty (30) days following the Closing Date, to purchase up to the number of additional Units, and/or the components thereof, equal to 15% of the aggregate number of Units sold in the Offering to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. The Offering will be completed: (i) by way of a short form prospectus to be filed in all provinces of Canada other than Quebec pursuant to National Instrument 44-101 – Short Form Prospectus Distributions; and (ii) on a private placement basis in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and applicable U.S. state securities laws. The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about March 17, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), or such later or earlier date as the Underwriters and the Company may agree upon, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, and the securities regulatory authorities, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The securities referred to in this press release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Harvest One Harvest One is a global CPG company that develops and distributes premium health, wellness and selfcare products with a market focus on sleep, pain, and anxiety. Harvest One is a uniquely positioned company in the cannabis space with a focus on cannabis infused and non-infused consumer packaged goods. Harvest One owns and operates two subsidiaries: Dream Water Global and LivRelief. For more information, please visit www.harvestone.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance about Harvest One, its business and its operations, and the Offering, which include, among other things, the Closing Date of the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Underwriters, regulatory approvals, and Harvest One’s corporate strategy moving forward, its financial position, and future opportunities available for the Company. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Investor Relations: Colin ClancyInvestor RelationsIR@harvestone.com 1-877-915-7934

  • Stocks start mostly lower on Wall Street; GameStop surges

    Stocks are off to a mostly lower start on Wall Street, led by drops in several big technology companies, while bond yields marched steadily higher as traders anticipate greater economic growth and more stimulus from Washington. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% in the early going Thursday, in line with declines in other indexes. Investors turned their focus to another wild surge in GameStop and a handful of other stocks favoured by online investors. The money-losing video game retailer soared another 50% in early trading, after more than doubling in the last hour of trading a day earlier. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets followed Wall Street higher Thursday after the Federal Reserve chairman said the U.S. central bank is in no hurry to withdraw support for the economy. London and Frankfurt rose in early trading. Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul closed higher. U.S. futures were mixed. Overnight, Wall Street hit a new high after chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed sees no sign inflation might rise out of control. That helped to dampen fears sparked by a rise in U.S. Treasury bond yields, an indicator of inflation sentiment, that rising price pressure might lead the Fed to raise interest rates. "Powell has again been pouring oil on troubled markets," said Robert Carnell of ING in a report. “But the Fed still has communication issues over its future policies which could emerge as a tantrum some way down the line.” In early trading, the FTSE 100 in London rose 0.3% to 6,680.06 and Frankfurt's DAX added less than 0.1% to 13,985.53. The CAC 40 in Paris advanced 0.4% to 5,819.27. On Wall Street, the future for the benchmark S&P 500 index was off less than 0.1% while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2%. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 added 1.1%. The Dow climbed 1.4% and Nasdaq Composite picked up 1%. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.6% to 3,585.04 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gained 1.7% to 30,168.27. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced 1.2% to 30,074.17 after the territory's government promised more coronavirus aid and forecast economic growth of at least 3.5% this year. The Kospi in Seoul added 3.5% to 3,099.69 after the Bank of Korea left interest rates unchanged and forecast 3% annual economic growth. Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 was 0.8% higher at 6,834.00 and India's Sensex gained 0.8% to 51,181.85. New Zealand retreated while Southeast Asian markets advanced. Global stock prices have soared over the past six months on hopes for a coronavirus vaccine and central bank promises of abundant credit to support struggling economies. Those sentiments have faltered due to warnings the rally might be too early and that inflation might rise, prompting central banks to pull back. On Wednesday, Powell affirmed the Fed's policy commitment in a second day of testimony to legislators in Washington. The central bank earlier indicated it would let the economy “run hot” to make sure a recovery is well-established following the deepest slump since the 1930s. Powell said it might take more than three years to hit the Fed's target of 2% inflation. On Thursday, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, or the difference between the market price and what a buyer would be paid when it matures, widened to 1.42%, the highest in just over a year. That indicated investors were moving money out of bonds, a sign they expect inflation to rise, which would reduce the value of the payout. Powell told the House Financial Services Committee the Fed was in no hurry to raise interest rates or trim its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases, which pushes down interest rates by making more money available for lending. In Asia, governments aside from China "should more or less follow the Fed in a patient ‘wait-and-see’ mode in the near future,” said Alex Wolf of JP Morgan Private Bank in a report this week. “This could be a further tailwind to growth this year.” Investors also are looking for Congress to approve President Joe Biden's proposed economic aid plan. That includes $1,400 checks to most Americans. However, the plan faces staunch opposition from Republicans and is still subject to negotiations. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude gained 51 cents to $63.73 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.55 on Wednesday to $63.22. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 56 cents to $66.74 per barrel in London. It advanced $1.67 the previous session to $67.04. The dollar rose to 106.08 yen from Wednesday's 105.95 yen. The euro rose to $1.2199 from $1.2148. The Associated Press

  • Exclusive: LME data to support end to open outcry is misleading, brokers say

    Two commodities brokers say data the London Metal Exchange is using to support its proposal to shut its trading floor for good exaggerates the increase in the use of electronic platforms during coronavirus lockdowns. Sucden Financial and StoneX Financial, which oppose the end of so-called ring trading at the 144-year-old exchange, say data used by the LME in a presentation does not take into account electronic trading before floor trading was suspended in March. The row highlights a long-running battle between modernists and traditionalists over the future of the LME ring, the last open-outcry trading floor left in Europe after other exchanges for everything from oil to stocks to cocoa all moved online.