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☆ European markets set to open higher as positive momentum returns
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets were poised to open higher Friday, regaining momentum after a dip in yesterday's session. The pan-European benchmark Stoxx 600 index ended Thursday's session lower as investors digested a slew of first-quarter earnings, as well as a potential mining takeover bid. Looking ahead, corporate releases on Friday come from L'Oreal, TotalEnergies and NatWest. Asia-Pacific markets were higher after the Bank of Japan kept its benchmark policy rate at 0%-0.1%, as expected. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures rose overnight as Big Tech names Alphabet and Microsoft saw shares rally on strong earnings.

Organizations: L'Oreal, TotalEnergies, NatWest, Bank of Japan, U.S, Big Tech, Microsoft Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Bank of Japan needs to hike rates again as they're at an 'absurdly low level,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBank of Japan needs to hike rates again as they're at an 'absurdly low level,' economist saysRob Carnell, Asia-Pacific chief economist and head of research at ING, says the central bank has its "work cut out" for it.

Persons: Rob Carnell Organizations: Email Bank of Japan, ING Locations: Asia, Pacific

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as investors in Asia look to the Bank of Japan's policy decision and inflation figures out of Tokyo. Thirteen economists polled by Reuters unanimously forecast that the BOJ will leave its monetary policy unchanged. Tokyo's headline inflation rate for April came in at 1.8%, slowing from the 2.6% in March. Core inflation in the capital — which strips out prices of fresh food — sharply fell to 1.6% from March's 2.4%, missing expectations of 2.2% from economists polled by Reuters. Tokyo inflation data is widely considered as a leading indicator of nationwide trends.

Persons: Cherry Organizations: Nippon Budokan, Bank of, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific

☆ Yen at its weakest in decades as BOJ meets
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The yen was parked by a 34-year low on the dollar and decade lows on other crosses ahead of a Bank of Japan meeting where interest rates are expected to stay low, while the dollar dipped elsewhere on softer-than-expected U.S. growth data. The yen , however, fell to its weakest since 1990 at 155.75 per dollar, tracking a sharp rise in U.S. yields as separate figures showed a surge in an inflation measure. The size and persistence of the yield gap has encouraging short yen positions and drives Japanese money into dollar assets such as Treasuries, weighing on the currency. The Bank of Japan already hiked rates at a landmark meeting in March where it ended years of negative interest rates. The New Zealand dollar was a touch firmer in Asia morning trade at $0.5960 and has gained in the previous four sessions.

Persons: —, Shunichi Suzuki, Nathan Swami, I'm, Sterling Organizations: Bank of Japan, Japanese Finance, Bank of, Citi's, New Zealand Locations: Asia, Bank of Japan, Citi's Asia, Pacific, Singapore

☆ Japanese central bank's stance can be viewed as dovish, says former BOJ official
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailJapanese central bank's stance can be viewed as dovish, says former BOJ officialKazuo Momma, executive economist at Mizuho Research & Technologies and former Bank of Japan assistant governor, discusses Bank of Japan's decision to keep its key rate unchanged.

Persons: Kazuo Momma Organizations: Mizuho Research & Technologies, Bank of Japan

☆ Bank of Japan keeps monetary policy unchanged, sees slightly higher inflation in fiscal 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A pedestrian walks past the Bank of Japan (BoJ) building in central Tokyo on July 28, 2023. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate unchanged Friday after its monetary policy meeting, holding its benchmark policy rate at 0%-0.1%. While the move was expected, this comes after Tokyo's April inflation came in lower than expected, with the core inflation rate at 1.6% compared to expectations of 2.2% from Reuters. The bank previously said in March it bought about six trillion yen ($83.5 billion) worth of bonds per month in the past. No comment was made by the BOJ on the yen , which has steadily weakened since the BOJ ended its negative interest rate policy last month and abolished its yield curve control policy.

Organizations: Bank of Japan, The Bank of Japan, Reuters, U.S Locations: Tokyo

☆ Japanese yen hits fresh 34-year low despite verbal intervention from authorities
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In this article JPY= Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTThe Japan flag is juxtaposed against a Japanese yen bank note. Javier Ghersi | Moment | Getty ImagesThe yen slipped past 155 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, touching a new 34-year low against continued strength in the greenback. The weakness comes as the Bank of Japan is due to release its monetary policy decision Friday and in spite of verbal warnings from Japanese authorities. Some market watchers had speculated that the 155 level would prompt intervention after the currency languished at multi-decade lows for a month. The yen has weakened 4.2% since the BOJ's March meeting, worrying Japanese authorities and investors.

Persons: Javier Ghersi, Shusuke Yamada, Jerome Powell, Appio Organizations: U.S, Bank of Japan, BofA Securities, Federal, First Eagle Investments, CNBC, Korean Locations: Japan, South Korea

☆ Markets wary of intervention as yen struggles at 155 level
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Having traded in a tight range over the past few days, a buoyant dollar finally broke above the 155 yen level for the first time since 1990 in the previous session, and was last steady at 155.34 yen in early Asia trade. The breach of the 155 yen level comes as the BOJ meets to discuss monetary policy, though expectations are for the central bank to keep its short-term interest rate target unchanged following last month's landmark exit from negative rates. "We expect the BOJ meeting to deliver a marginally hawkish hold outcome," said Carl Ang, fixed income research analyst at MFS Investment Management. Continued expectations of gradual policy tightening and a low terminal policy rate make it difficult for the yen to appreciate significantly, even if at historically depressed levels." The dollar steadied at 105.79 against a basket of currencies, pulling away from a nearly two-week low hit in the previous session.

Persons: Carl Ang, Kazuo Ueda, Justin Smirk Organizations: Bank of Japan, MFS Investment Management, Reserve Bank of Australia, Westpac, New Zealand Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Australia

Commercial and residential buildings seen from the rooftop of the Lotte Corp. World Tower at sunset in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets took a breather after two straight days of rallies, mirroring moves on Wall Street ahead of first-quarter gross domestic product figures from the U.S. due Thursday. In Asia, investors will assess South Korea's advance first-quarter GDP growth of 3.4% year on year, the highest quarterly growth since the fourth quarter of 2021. Separately, the Bank of Japan kicks off its monetary policy meeting Thursday as investors monitor for action against yen weakness. The yen slid past the 155 mark against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, hitting a fresh 34-year low.

Organizations: Lotte Corp, Bank of Japan, U.S Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ Firm dollar drags yen down closer to intervention range
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A firm U.S. dollar had the yen locked near a fresh 34-year low on Tuesday, keeping investors on heightened intervention watch as they looked ahead to key U.S. inflation report and the Bank of Japan's rate decision this week. A firm U.S. dollar had the yen locked near a fresh 34-year low on Tuesday, keeping investors on heightened intervention watch as they looked ahead to key U.S. inflation report and the Bank of Japan's rate decision this week. Traders have been keeping wary eye as yen slips towards 155.00, a level considered by many participants as the new trigger for intervention by Japanese authorities. The weak yen complicates the BOJ's policy path, with some market players betting the central bank could come under pressure to hike rates sooner than it wants to slow the currency's decline. Markets are currently pricing in a 46% chance of the Fed's first rate cut starting in September, with November not far behind at 42%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Persons: Carol Kong, Shunichi Suzuki, BoE, Sterling, bitcoin Organizations: Bank of, Traders, Bank of Japan's, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Japan's Finance, Federal Reserve, Investors, Commonwealth Bank of Australia's, European Central Bank, Bank of England Locations: Japan, Iran, Israel, Tokyo, Japan's, U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Kong

☆ Currencies calm but cautious after a weary week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. one hundred dollar bills are being shown in this picture illustration taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 15, 2023. Eyes are on the yen this week, with the Bank of Japan's, or BOJ, Friday policy review the notable item on the economic calendar. The yen has been one of the biggest losers against the dollar this year, with losses mounting to 9%. The ECB's Robert Holzmann, however, said the ECB probably will not cut rates this year as much as planned if the Fed does not move. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey and Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden alluded last week to Britain's inflation slowing as expected.

Persons: Chris Weston, Weston, Kazuo Ueda, BoE, ECB policymaker Madis Muller, Christine Lagarde, Robert Holzmann, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, Dave Ramsden, Sterling, Bitcoin Organizations: U.S ., Bank of Japan's, Federal Reserve, Monetary Fund, Bank, Washington , Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Bank of England, ECB policymaker, ECB, Treasury Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, East, Tehran, Iran, Washington, United States, Japan, South Korea, Washington ,, U.S

☆ Japan and South Korea could coordinate currency intervention, but they may need U.S. support
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg via Getty ImagesInvestors have been monitoring for potential intervention in the Japanese yen, but recent comments have triggered discussion about "coordinated intervention" with South Korea. The currency has struggled, slipping past 150, since the Bank of Japan raised rates in March. Following that volatility, the U.S. last week acknowledged Japan and South Korea's "serious concerns" over the recent sharp depreciation in their currencies. The comments spurred chatter about possible coordinated currency intervention. Brady said South Korea and Japan could amplify their individual messages to the market by coordinating policy, which might also enhance the short-term impact compared to unilateral action.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, James Brady, Brady Organizations: Korean, Woori, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S ., Bank of, South Korean, greenback, Authorities, Treasury, Bank of Japan Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Bank of Japan, U.S, Japan, South, Tokyo, Bank of Korea

☆ The US dollar is strengthening. Here’s what’s driving the rally and what it means for Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

What does the dollar rally mean internationally? The US Commerce Department releases March figures on new orders for durable goods. The US Commerce Department releases its first estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product. The US Labor Department reports the number of new applications for unemployment benefits in the week ended April 20. The US Commerce Department releases March figures on household spending, income and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

Persons: it’s, Michelle Bowman, Bell, Claudio Irigoyen, It’s, Samantha Delouya, ”, eMarketer, Ross Benes, Wall, Read, Lockheed Martin, Raymond James, Northrop Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Reserve, Bank of America, Netflix, Verizon, Truist, Albertsons, The Chicago Fed, Visa, Tesla, Pepsico, Novartis, UPS, Lockheed, Banco Santander, Spotify, General Motors, Halliburton, Global, US Commerce Department, Meta, IBM, Boeing, Chipotle, Hilton, Ford, Hasbro, Whirlpool, Wyndham, Microsoft, Mobile, Caterpillar, Comcast, Intel, P Global, Honeywell, Gilead, Northrop Grumman, Valero, Capital, Nasdaq, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Citizens Financial, US Labor Department, National Association of Realtors, Bank of Japan, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, HCA Healthcare, Colgate, Palmolive, Phillips, Charter Communications, University of Michigan Locations: Europe, Japan, China, Roku

☆ Japan's March inflation slows to 2.6%, eyes are now on Bank of Japan move
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japan's core inflation slowed in March due to mild rises in food prices while staying comfortably above the central bank's 2% target, government data showed on April 19, 2024. Japan's core inflation slowed in March due to mild rises in food prices while staying comfortably above the central bank's 2% target, government data showed on Friday. The nationwide core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes fresh food items, rose 2.6% in March from a year earlier after rising 2.8% in February. The "core core" index, which excludes both fresh food and energy costs and is closely watched by the Bank of Japan as a key gauge of broader inflation trends, rose 2.9% after increasing 3.2% in February. The BOJ has said a virtuous cycle of sustained, stable achievement of its 2% price target and strong wage growth was crucial for normalizing policy.

Organizations: Bank of Japan

☆ Aussie, New Zealand dollars tumble on risk-off moves; yen rises
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The risk-sensitive Australian dollar tumbled 0.8% to $0.6370, and the New Zealand dollar fell 0.63% to $0.5864. ABC News reported late on Thursday that Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, citing a U.S. official. The shift in rate expectations has come on the back of a slew of resilient U.S. economic data that has repeatedly surpassed expectations, alongside still-sticky inflationary pressures. "Although policy easing may arrive a bit later than previously expected, we still believe the FOMC will start cutting rates before the year is out," said economists at Wells Fargo. Against a basket of currencies, the greenback rose 0.1% to 106.28, hovering near a more than five-month high of 106.51.

Persons: Carol Kong, I'm, Kazuo Ueda, it'll, CBA's, Jerome Powell Organizations: New, Hamas, U.S ., U.S, New Zealand, ABC News, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, ECB Locations: New Zealand, Iran, United States, Japan, South Korea, U.S, CBA's Kong, Wells Fargo

☆ Dollar firms, yen skids as Fed cut wagers crumble
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. one hundred dollar bills are being shown in this picture illustration taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 15, 2023. Japan intervened in the currency market three times in 2022 as the yen slid toward what was then a 32-year low of 152 to the dollar. The Japanese central bank last month ended eight years of negative interest rates but yen has remained rooted near 151 per dollar levels since then. The euro was last at $1.0744, having dropped 1% on Wednesday ahead of the European Central Bank, or ECB, meeting later in the day. The Australian dollar was little changed at $0.651, while the New Zealand dollar eased 0.17% to $0.598.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Kyle Rodda, Rodda, Kazuo Ueda, Kevin Cummins, Sterling Organizations: Fed, Reuters, Bank of, Bank of Japan, Federal Reserve, U.S, NatWest, Treasury, European Central Bank, ECB, New Zealand Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tokyo, Japan, Bank of Japan, U.S

☆ Dollar firm, yen under watch ahead of key US CPI release
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Japanese yen and U.S. dollar on display in Yichang, Hubei province, Nov 13, 2023. The inflation data follows a strong jobs report last Friday that blew past forecasts, raising questions on how soon and how much the central bank will cut rates this year. On the yen, Wednesday's CPI data will be "a big test for Japanese authorities," Kong added. The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against six rivals, held firm at 104.12. The kiwi climbed as high as $0.6077 versus the U.S. dollar, its strongest since March 21, before flattening at $0.60595.

Persons: Carol Kong, Kong, Kazuo Ueda, Sterling, bitcoin Organizations: U.S, Reserve Bank of New, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, U.S ., Treasury, Traders, European Central Bank, ECB Locations: Yichang, Hubei province, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, U.S, China

☆ The Japanese economy 'would not mind higher interest rates': Strategist
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Japanese economy 'would not mind higher interest rates': StrategistAmir Anvarzadeh of Asymmetric Advisors discusses why he thinks the Bank of Japan needs to abolish it's yield curve control policy and says the zero-interest rate environment has depressed bank lending to small and medium sized companies.

Persons: Amir Anvarzadeh Organizations: Advisors, Bank of Japan

☆ Japan's real wages fall for 23rd straight month, dampening Bank of Japan's hopes for 'virtuous cycle'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Real wages in Japan fell for a 23rd straight month, suggesting that high inflation is still biting into consumer spending power in the country. Labor ministry data released Monday showed that real wages fell 1.3% in February from a year ago, accelerating from a revised 1.1% drop in January. The data showed special payments, which include bonuses, slipped 5.5% year-on-year. But those pay hikes benefit only a fraction of Japan's workers, given only 16.3% of workers are unionized in the country and most unionized workers are concentrated in large companies. If real wages continue to decline, consumers may choose to save instead of spend, thereby generating little demand and impetus for prices to rise.

Organizations: Labor, Bank of Japan's Locations: Japan

☆ Dollar steady ahead of jobs data; yen hits two-week high
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The yen, while still close to the 152 range, hit a two-week high against the greenback as safe-haven bids and fresh warnings from Japanese authorities buoyed the currency. The dollar has had a turbulent week, falling from a five-month high to a two-week low after an unexpected slowdown in U.S. services growth supported expectations of bringing interest rates down. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, was last largely unchanged at 104.18. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki on Friday reiterated the government's resolve to take appropriate action against sharp yen falls. The yen strengthened 0.29% versus the greenback to a two-week high of 150.92.

Persons: payrolls, Neel Kashkari, Jerome Powell, Charu Chanana, Joe Biden, Matt Simpson, Shunichi Suzuki, Kazuo Ueda, bitcoin Organizations: U.S, The U.S, greenback, Minneapolis Federal, Saxo, Biden, Finance, Bank of Japan, Asahi Locations: The, Minneapolis, Gaza, Iran

☆ Why Japan's 'shunto' wage hikes may not bring cheer to over 80% of its workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Akihiko Matsuura, president of UA Zensen, center, raises his fist with members of the union during a rally for the annual wage negotiations in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. But will the "shunto" hikes really work for its legions of salarymen? However, headline inflation, which has been above the Bank of Japan's 2% target since April 2022, hits the entire population. This means that the generous pay raise negotiated by the unions leave out almost 84% of Japan's workforce. The recent wage negotiations are also likely to benefit mostly workers in large Japanese companies, while employees at small and medium enterprises might have to face rising prices without a commensurate hike to their salaries.

Persons: Akihiko Matsuura, Richard Kaye, Comgest, Japan Organizations: UA, Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Japan International Labour Foundation, Bank of Japan's, CNBC Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Dollar steadies, yen pinned near 152
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar was steady on Friday after data showed U.S. inflation remained sticky but easing gradually, keeping alive the chance of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in June, while the yen slid back to the key 150 per dollar level. The dollar was on the front foot on Wednesday, pinning the yen near its lowest in decades though the heightened threat of currency intervention by Tokyo capped further declines in the Japanese currency. The yen was last at 151.585 per dollar, languishing near last month's slump to 34-year lows of 151.975 in the wake of the Bank of Japan's historic policy shift. The dollar , which on Tuesday touched a nearly five-month high of 105.10 against a basket of currencies, was last steady at 104.76. "I think the dollar will hold up pretty well in the near term, and that will be a headwind for the other major currencies."

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Koichi Sugisaki, Sterling, Carol Kong, CBA's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bank of, Ministry of Finance, U.S ., U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Traders, Fed, New Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, CBA's Kong, New Zealand

☆ Dollar ascendant as Fed cut bets pared, jawboning props up yen
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar hovered near a 4-1/2-month high against major peers on Tuesday as traders rushed to push back bets for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut this year. The U.S. dollar hovered near a 4-1/2-month high against major peers on Tuesday as traders rushed to push back bets for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut this year. The U.S. rate futures market now factors in 61.3% odds of a Fed rate cut in June, down from about 70.1% probability a week ago, according to the CME's FedWatch tool. The Japanese yen firmed slightly on Tuesday to 151.565 per dollar, after dipping to 151.77 the previous day. Japanese authorities intervened in 2022 when the yen slid toward a 32-year low of 152 to the dollar.

Persons: –, Richard Franulovich, Sterling, Shunichi Suzuki, Westpac's, skidding, cryptocurrency bitcoin Organizations: U.S, Federal, Treasury, Bank of Japan's Locations: U.S, Japan

☆ Japan's finance minister says 'speculative' moves in currency market impacting yen
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The yen has been on a downtrend despite the BOJ's decision on March 19 to end eight years of negative interest rates. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Monday there were some speculative moves in the currency market that did not reflect economic fundamentals, repeating his warning against excessive yen declines. "We will watch currency market developments with a strong sense of urgency, and will respond appropriately against excessive moves without ruling out any options," Suzuki told parliament. Suzuki said various factors are driving currency moves such as the Bank of Japan's decision to end negative interest rates, Japan's current account balance, price moves, geopolitical risks, as well as market players' sentiment and speculative trades. "As for the yen's recent declines, we believe there are some speculative moves that do not reflect fundamentals when taking into account domestic and overseas economic as well as price developments," he said.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Suzuki Organizations: Japanese Finance, Bank of

☆ Asia markets climb as China factory activity assessed; Japan business optimism falls slightly
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets climbed Monday as investors assessed China's business activity for February and await economic data out of Japan. China's National Bureau of Statistics data showed that manufacturing activity expanded in March, with the purchasing managers index registering a reading of 50.8, compared to Feburary's reading of 49.1. Separately, Japan's first-quarter Tankan survey showed that business optimism among large manufacturers fell, with the gauge at +11 compared with +12 in the last survey. However, optimism among non-manufacturers rose, with the Tankan gauge at +34 compared with +30 in the fourth quarter and beating Reuters expectations of +33. The survey gauges business sentiment, which the Bank of Japan monitors when formulating monetary policy.

Persons: Japan's Organizations: China's National Bureau, Reuters, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan

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