更正：澳洲儲備銀行數據顯示，3月澳洲新支付平台交易額成長26%

Challenger US April Layoff Intentions Rise From March, Led by Technology Sector

Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said Thursday that companies planned to cut 83,387 jobs in April, up from 60,620 in March but below the 105,441 level at the same time a year earlier.The largest layoff count in April was in the technology sector, which accounted for 33,361 of those intentions, with increased use of artificial intelligence with the most cited reason for layoffs."Technology companies continue to announce large-scale cuts and are leading all industries in layoff announcements," said Andrew Challenger, the company's chief revenue officer. "They are also often citing AI spend and innovation. Regardless of whether individual jobs are being replaced by AI, the money for those roles is."There were 10,049 hiring plans announced in April, down from the 32,826 hiring plans in March and from 16,191 a year ago.

Challenger US April Layoff Intentions 83,387 Vs. Prior 60,620; 105,441 Year-Ago

Bharat Forge's Consolidated Net Profit Declines in Fiscal Q4; Shares Up 5%

Bharat Forge's (NSE:BHARATFORG, BOM:500493) consolidated net profit declined to 2.33 billion Indian rupees in the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, from 2.83 billion rupees a year ago.Earnings per share contracted to 4.86 rupees from 5.92 rupees a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing to the Indian stock exchanges.Revenue from operations, however, increased to 20.3 billion rupees from 17.0 billion rupees a year ago.The company's board recommended a final dividend of 6.50 rupees per equity share of the face value of 2 rupees each for the financial year ended March 31.Bharat Forge's shares were up nearly 5% in recent trade.