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☆ A new Walmart in-store AI is giving employees advice on how to sell products before it's too late
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Michelle Castillo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The internally developed AI technology allows Walmart employees to scan produce like bananas to see how ripe the product is. Many clothing items are not recyclable, due to being made of blended fabrics. U.S. residents also discard about 11.3 million tons of clothing waste each year, according to Earth.org. Walmart isn't alone in using AI to tackle in-store waste, as several startups are creating tools to solve this growing problem. "When it comes to food waste, there is no silver bullet," said ReFED's executive director Dana Gunders, which has worked with Walmart for a few years on food waste solutions.

Persons: it's, Swati Kirti, Kirti, It's, UCLA Anderson, Sravana Karnati, Dana Gunders, Homer Swei, Swei, Karnati Organizations: Walmart, Walmart International Tech, UCLA, Walmart International Technology, Walmart Global Tech, Retailers Locations: Canada, U.S, United States, Mexico

☆ Bank of England could be about to open the door to interest rate cuts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

People walk outside the Bank of England in the City of London financial district, in London, Britain, January 26, 2023. Henry Nicholls | ReutersLONDON — The Bank of England is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at 5.25% on Thursday, but market observers will be closely watching voting patterns, projections and language for hints about future rate cuts. The labor market has shown signs of rebalancing, although the overall trajectory remains somewhat uncertain, while wage growth and services inflation have surprised the Bank's November projections substantially to the downside, Goldman Sachs economists noted on Sunday. "We expect the MPC to retain its data-dependent approach and reiterate that monetary policy 'will need to be sufficiently restrictive for sufficiently long'," Quadri said. Goldman sees a first 25 basis point cut in May, followed by further quarter-point increments at every meeting until the Bank rate reaches 3% in May 2025.watch now

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Goldman Sachs, Ibrahim Quadri, Swati, Catherine, Mann, Quadri, Goldman Organizations: Bank of England, Reuters LONDON, Monetary, MPC, Goldman Locations: City, London, Britain, British, U.K

☆ LSEG says FX system briefly impacted by technical glitch, it is investigating
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Swati Bhat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas//o/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMUMBAI, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Financial technology and data provider LSEG said on Friday it had resolved a technical incident that affected its Indian foreign exchange trading platform earlier in the day and was investigating what had happened. Whether standard operating procedures were followed and a business continuity plan was put in place when the system went down". "They are keen to find out if the issue was due to a system failure or some human error," the source said. Six traders said there was a system outage for about 10 minutes on the spot dollar/rupee trading platform during which they had been unable to transact. LSEG said earlier on Friday that all indices compiled by FTSE Russell, which it also owns, were hit by a technical issue that prevented them being published for forty minutes.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, LSEG, Swati Bhat, Alun John, Jon Boyle, Catherine Evans Organizations: Bank of India, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Reserve Bank of India, FTSE Russell, London Stock Exchange Group, Thomson Reuters, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Rights MUMBAI, LSEG, London

☆ Goldman Sachs just promoted 608 employees to the coveted role of managing directors. See the full list here.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Goldman Sachs announced its 2023 class of managing directors Thursday afternoon, giving 608 employees the coveted title. It's a smaller cohort than the bank's 2021 MD class, down 5% amid a dealmaking slowdown. Still, Goldman appears to have taken pains to promote employees in revenue-generating divisions like investment banking and trading. Goldman says the percentage of women it promoted as part of the 2023 MD class sets a record, up 1% from 2021. Two years ago, Goldman promoted the largest managing director class in its history, naming 643 employees to the designation in 2021.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, David Solomon, John Waldron, we've, Solomon, Waldron, Goldman Sachs Fereshteh Abbasi Thomas Abe Devina Abreo Francesca Adamski Emmanuel Adenitire Gopal Agarwal Prasoon Agarwal Udit Agrawal Khamran Ali Omar Alzaim Dorothee Amar Akbar Amin Joe Amsler Wilfred Amuri Jack Anstey Paul Antonios Hidemi Aoki, Carolina Aragon Gonzalez Nelson Armbrust Georgina Aspden Laurene, Gisha, Sharon Babick Navin Babu Alexey Bachurin Alberto Bacis Patrick Badaro Rahul Bajaj Elise Bal Tanya Ballaram Brian Baltz Guillaume Banderet Nirav Bansal Nitin Bansal Swati, Chalapathi, Andrei Banu Camella Barnes James Barry Elisa Anna Bassu Aman Batra Eleanor Beasley Nicole Beavan Michael Becker Yukiko Beer Omar Benchekroune Richard Bennett Nigel Beslee Ashima Bhalla Nikhil Bhandari Nimita Bhargava Bodha Bhattacharya Rebecca Bibb Roseline, Rahul Bindu Mark Bird Leo Biselman Christian Blanc Patrick Bogues Michael Boratin Katherine Bordlemay Gabriela Borges Kate Boucher Erik Bouland Joanne Braidi Chris Brett Joseph Briggs Charles Brockett Emmeline Brothers Aaron Brown Adrienne Brown Kevin Bryck Archana Budida Oliver Bunn Rebecca Burgoyne Andrew Burpitt Todd Byers Patrick Byrne Michael Cahill Ashley Caldwell Jake Caldwell Serdar Caliskan Jon Calluzzo Stewart Campbell Samantha Cantor Yuri Cantor Dan Carabas Gemma Carlaw Laura Carroll Tim Carson Matt Carter Quentin Cezard Alex Cham Simon Chamama Heidi Chan Patrick Chan Suraj Chandran Kim Cheah Jon Cheh CP Chen Nelly Cheng Sarrah Cherhabil Jackson Cheung Michael Cheung Rama, Stan Chiu Anish, Kunal Choraria Ankit Chowdhari Dario Claus Cosimo Codacci, Michael Coleman David Collerd Shannon Collins Francesca Condini Lee Coppersmith John Couch Tim Creamer Maziar, Satish Damodaran Gareth Davies Serkan, Nick De Kock Ann de la, Nick De Kock Ann de la Montaigne Jan Debeuckelaer Molly Decker Gabrielle Decrion Laurent Dedieu Antoine Demongeot Yannick Derippe Deepalakshmi Desai Tim Desiano Joshua Dezube Randeep Dhillon Javier Diaz, Merry Matheus, Jared Dickow Alex Doell Mao Dong Praneil Doolabh Daniel Dooling Michelle Dorea Szymon Doroz Jacqueline Du Benjamin Duell Kelsey Dumont Julie Duval Todd Ebe Dayo, Jeremy Eisenstein Chris Elmore Ryan Erickson Joaquin Escribano Larry Estrada Pavel Fadeev Will Fairbourn Jeremy Falgiani Fabio Federici Wenlong Fei David Felman Sophia Ferguson Zach Fernandez David Fernandez Miguez Scott, William Fio Rito Duffy Fischer Lisa Florentine Akshay Fomra Janice Foo Nicholas Forbat Elie Franko Georgina Fraser Jason Freeman Nicole Freeman Oliver Friedberg Gavriel Friedland Ross Fuller Angela Fung Greg Furness Nikhil Gadodia Stefano Gamba Amit Singh Gambhir Javier Gandara Giorgio Gandola Amit Gangrade Sudha Garimella Mima Garland Mingmin Ge Graziano Gemma Shefali Gera Constance Germain Brad Gifford Benjamin Giles Abbas Ginwala Marlene Giorgio Thomas Giovachini Zachary Glasser Guillaume Gnech Harley Golding Yuriy Goldman Jesse Goldstein Roy Golender Sharon Gonnella Alejandro Gonzalez Steven Gooden Jessie Gould Varun, George Graf von Waldersee Florian Granier Jamie Greenberg Brian Grzelakowski Alessandro Guicciardi Michael Guiliano Samuel Guinness Bivash Gunpath Deepa Gupta Parikshit Gupta Lauren Gutierrez Johannes Hahn Chris Hallam Alex Halpern Christina Halpin Michael Hamilton Brooke Hammel Saki Hanioka John Hanson Mathew Harris Ally Hart Amy Harwood Tom, Emily Hashimoto Rob Haslam Michael Heino Brandon Herde Sarah Higgins Camilla Hill Spencer Hill Sho, Cecilia Ho Jonathan Ho Bryan Hoffman Kevin Hoffmeyer Eliza Hollyday Simon Holmes Mehdi, Lily, Derek Hu Jennifer Hui Tim Huiszoon Camille Humbert Kurt Humes Kelley Hutchison Masayuki Ichioka Andrew Imber Calvin Isaac Jackson Isaacs Sharif Ismail Yu, Doug Michael Jaffa Nitin Jagga Rahul Jain, Jataprolu Fiona Jervis Yinpeng Jin Sandeep Jindal Jennifer Jochinger Steven Johnson David Johnstone Megan Jordan Nicolas Joseph Bob Kadel Jean Kam Harneet Kaur Vinay Kaura Peter Kelman Stephanie Kenary Maggie Keohan Humayun Khalid Sunil Khandelwal Scott Kilpatrick Jenny Kim Ashley King Joel Klaus Rene Klos Rossitsa, Michael Kondoleon Gregory Kontopoulos Larry Kornreich Shrivathsa Kota Konrad Krallmann Ken Kraska Alexander Kretzberg Bryant Krongard Simon Kubbies Adam Kulik Peter Kulka Ajeya Kumar Aditya Kurella Sara Lachapelle Raagini, Langalia Chaim Langer Alexander Langley Raven LaRue Dolapo Lawal Claire Leblanc, Langalia Chaim Langer Alexander Langley Raven LaRue Dolapo Lawal Claire Leblanc Mary LeDonne, Allison Lee Michael Lee Soohyun Lee Victoria Lewis Alice Li Qing Li George Lin Ali Lippert David Lipworth Bozhena Lisko, Murphy Mark Littlewood Zhenyi Liu Yelli Lobel Avinash Lobo Burke Loeffler Gabriela Lopez Cristian Lopez, Balboa Carlos Lopez Torrero Stephanie Louie Edward Lowe Reynolds Lowry Fei Luo Ranjan Luthra Sangeetha M Martin Ma Matthew Maciaszek Michael Magee Steffen Mahringer Poonam Majithia Terres Maloney Gopal Manchikanti Jade Mandel, Manfay Varun, Pierre Marboeuf Matt Margolin Thiago Marinheiro Kevin Martens Masato Maruyama Lucinda Mataka Rishi Mathur Pierre Maugest Scott Maxfield Andrei Maxim Michael McClurg Selina McCole Jeff McCown Andrea McGee Sinead McGuigan John McGuinness Benjamin McRoberts Amit Mehrotra Gaurav Mehta Kelly Mellecker Josef Menasche Raf Mercado Alexander Mielke Rachel Miles Christopher Miller Megan Miller Robert Miller Max Minton Edward Mitchell Oliver Money Tyler Moni Anna Montvai Taylor Moore Anthony Moschella Brandon Moy Faraz Munaim Sasha Munn Ashok Musuvathy Negar, Julian Naden Robinson Hiroki Nagamine Srijith Nair Cornelius Namiluko Sanjiv Nanwani Jay Narain Robert Andranik Nazarian Jovan Negovan Ryan Newman Michael Ng, Tasuku Nishihara John Nixon Kristy Nomi Alexandre Nunes Patrick O'Callaghan Yusuke Ochi KC O'Connor David Olivares Erica Olsen Victoria Ortengren Anas, Peter Pace Robert Packwood Nitin, Ellen Pak Ruth Pan Pedro Panizo Jayshri, Rahul Parikh Dan Parisi Freddie Parker Phil Parsons Peter Paruch Paul Pate Bella Patel Preya Patel Rakesh Patel Amit Patni Ed Paulinski Adam Pennacchio Kyle Penton Abhishek Periwal Michael Perrier Yoric Perrin Rasmus Persson Tommy Pinhas, Marco Poletti Megan Prasad Avijit Praveer James Puccinelli Sameer Punde Rob Pyne Na Qiao Valentina Quadri Marco Quirico Anya Radford Abhishek Rai Rahul Raj Ram Rajamony Ryan Ramsay Rami Rankoussi Nach Rao Pawan Rao Anurag Rathi Philip Renton Noel Reyes Ruth Reynolds Timothy Richards Peter Richter Brigid Riley Hutchinson Nick Rill Kristina Ristagno Vicky Ritter Martin Roberson James Roberts James Robinson Giorgio, Erin Roos Erin Ross Sumit Roy Conrad Ryan Soo, Ryu David Sage Jai Sahani Namita, Sarah Sakkej Karim Saleh Ayesha Salman Divya Samani Henrik Samuelsson Ryan Sansalone Vikram Sarker Shalini Satish Babu Charlotte Saury, Hania Schmidt Helene Schmitt Emily Schorr Wendy Schrunk Thomas Schwegler Michael Sciancalepore Brandon Seaman Benjamin Seigel Gamal Selvarajah Nicholas Semeniuk Devjoy Sengupta Michael Shafik Arpan Shah Shashwat Shah Shahnawaz Shahbaz Manoj Sharma Sachin Sharma Wazila, Gunduz Shirin Alex Silver Asmita Singh Kamalpreet Singh Andrew Sinnott Sapna, Dan Skinner Andrew Snow Stephanie Snyder Farouk Soussa Christopher Spahr Erik Sparks Matt Speltz Naveen Srinivasan Bhargav, Warren, Damian Steele Tobias Stein Catherine Stemp Dave Stringer Shekar Subramanian Jordan Sudy Philipp Suess Fatima Sultana Lu Sun Kumar Sundaram Fiona Syer Matthew Sykes Tofi, Filippo Taddei Sandhya Tadishetty Omer Tanvir Rita Taylor Zachary Tcheyan Brian Teague Wesley, Caitlin Terry Thomas Tesauro Hemal, Justin Therry Christine Thornburg Gregory Thysheril Angelo Tierno Alexander Tingle Ryan Townsend Cynthia Trillo Dimitris, Jessica Tung Jonathan Tung Ezgi, Zachary Upcheshaw Kiyomi, Nadine Urseanu Jim Vais Pim Valantagul Perrin Van Allen Annerieke van Dijk Jeroen van Dorp Dennis van Laer Todd van Stolk, Riley Jacqueline Vargas Alexander Vavalidis Edwin Velez Prasanna Venugopal Tim Verheyden Amanda Verstegen Ankit Vijay Vargiya Salvador Villanueva Arthur Villard Sichel Denzel Voesenek Bradley Wainwright Adam Walker Barbara Walters Omar Waly Daniel Wang Kenneth Wang Kristen Ward Gavin Warren Michael Washington Harry Webster Fredrik Weege Brian Weiss Thomas Weitz Nat Wells Joe Wenzel Tim Whitehead Henry Willans Matthew Williams Taylor Williams Katie Wilson Richard Wilson Stephanie Wisner Ilana Wolfe Jake Woodson Jeff Wu Qi Wu Jackson Yang Esma, Yoon Harm, John Zhai Jenny Zhang Lynn Zhang Raye Zhu Jane Zhuang Hans Zijlmans Carolyn Zimmer Samia Zitouni Mira Zorkot Organizations: Goldman, Wall, Carolina, Nick De Kock Ann de la Montaigne, Langalia Chaim Langer Alexander Langley Raven LaRue Dolapo Lawal Claire Leblanc Mary Locations: Europe, Asia, India

☆ Bank of England set to hold rates again, but markets see no cuts on the horizon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

People walk outside the Bank of England in the City of London financial district, in London, Britain, January 26, 2023. "U.K. economic activity appears to have slowed further, the housing market is weaker, consumer spending is falling, and inflationary pressure is showing further signs of dissipating. U.K. inflation came in at 6.7% in September , unchanged from the previous month and considerably higher than in other G7 economies. "The only way that we can rationalise this is if U.K. inflation remains stuck at 3% or higher forever, and/or the U.K. economy avoids a meaningful recession," he said. The European Central Bank last week held rates steady at their current record high of 4%, ending a run of 10 straight hikes.

Persons: Mike Riddell, BoE, Swati Dhingra, Riddell, Abbas Khan, Haskel, Mann, Dhingra, Catherine Mann, Allianz's Riddell Organizations: Bank of England, Allianz Global Investors, P, MPC, Bank, Monetary, LONDON, Barclays, U.S . Federal, Treasury, European Central Bank Locations: City, London, Britain, Israel

☆ Maldives will return Indian military as soon as possible, says incoming president
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives presidential candidate of the opposition party, People's National Congress speaks with the media personnel during the second round of a presidential election in Male, Maldives September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dhahau Naseem/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCOLOMBO, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Maldives will work to return Indian military personnel from its shores "as soon as possible," President-elect Mohamed Muizzu told Reuters on Sunday, insisting it was the top foreign policy priority for the tiny Indian Ocean island chain. Muizzu won Maldives' presidential election last month, beating incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in a second-round runoff. Solih had followed an "India first" policy but Muizzu in his election campaign promised to remove a small Indian military presence of some 75 personnel in Maldives. "The focus is not on the actual number of military personnel here, it is on not having any at all in the Maldives.

Persons: Mohamed Muizzu, Dhahau Naseem, Muizzu, Ibrahim Solih, Solih, I’m, Uditha, Swati Bhat, Susan Fenton Organizations: People's, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Maldives ., Thomson Locations: Maldives, Male, India, China

KOCHI, India, Oct 29 (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and several were injured in a series of explosions at a convention centre in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Sunday where a Christian group was holding a prayer meeting. The incident took place during a Jehovah's Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) northeast of Kochi. P. Rajeev, Kerala's industry minister, told reporters that he cause of the explosion could not be immediately determined. Local newspaper Mathrubhumi said at least three explosions occurred inside the convention hall, with more than 23 people injured. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall," TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson for the Jehovah's Witnesses told mathrubhumi.com.

Persons: Pinarayi Vijayan, Rajeev, Jehovah's, Mathrubhumi, Veena George, mathrubhumi.com, Swati Bhat, Gerry Doyle Organizations: TA, Thomson Locations: KOCHI, India, Kerala, Kalamassery, Kochi, United States

People stand outside a convention centre where multiple blasts occurred during a religious gathering in Kochi, India, October 29, 2023. Preliminary investigation showed that an improvised explosive device was used, Kerala Director General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters earlier. Police were appointing a special investigations team, Saheb told reporters, adding that strict action would be taken against those involved. "The explosions occurred seconds after the end of a prayer as part of the day's event. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall," TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson for the Jehovah's Witnesses told mathrubhumi.com.

Persons: Umesh, Veena George, Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb, Saheb, Pinarayi Vijayan, mathrubhumi.com, Swati Bhat, Gerry Doyle, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Asianet News, Reuters, Police, Local, National Security Guard, TA, Thomson Locations: Kochi, India, Rights KOCHI, Kerala, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kalamassery, United States

☆ One Killed, Several Injured in Explosions in India's Southern State
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jose Devasia and Maria PonnezhathKOCHI, India (Reuters) -At least one person was killed and several were injured in a series of explosions at a convention centre in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Sunday where a Christian group was holding a prayer meeting. The incident took place during a Jehovah's Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) northeast of Kochi. P. Rajeev, Kerala's industry minister, told reporters that he cause of the explosion could not be immediately determined. Local newspaper Mathrubhumi said at least three explosions occurred inside the convention hall, with more than 23 people injured. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall," TA Sreekumar, regional spokesperson for the Jehovah's Witnesses told mathrubhumi.com.

Persons: Jose Devasia, Maria Ponnezhath, Pinarayi Vijayan, Rajeev, Jehovah's, Mathrubhumi, Veena George, mathrubhumi.com, Swati Bhat, Gerry Doyle Organizations: TA Locations: Maria Ponnezhath KOCHI, India, Kerala, Kalamassery, Kochi, United States

Savings accounts are low interest rate-bearing deposits offered by Indian banks, forming a third of their total deposits. Public sector banks offer interest rates between 2.70% to 4% on savings deposits, while large private banks offer rates between 3% to 4.50%. Savings deposits rate of banks vs RBI's repo rateThe RBI has been nudging banks at meetings to raise savings deposit rates and may need to push them again if required, the same source said. The RBI said in its monetary policy report that while the increase in term deposit rates in the current tightening cycle has exceeded that in lending rates, savings deposit rates have remained almost unchanged. Yes Bank (YESB.NS), Kotak Mahindra Bank (KTKM.NS) and IndusInd Bank (INBK.NS) are among lenders that have recently said they have no plans to raise savings deposit rates.

Persons: Anushree, Siddhi Nayak, Swati Bhat, Nivedita Organizations: Reserve Bank of India, REUTERS, Rights, Savings, Reuters, Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, Siddhi, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Rights MUMBAI

☆ India's state-run banks to lower bond purchases as liquidity tightens, treasurers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Dharamraj Dhutia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Oct 13 (Reuters) - India's state-owned banks will slow government bond purchases in the weeks ahead as banking system liquidity tightens, treasury officials from nine state lenders said. Bond yields have spiked since Oct. 6, when the central bank said it will keep monetary policy restrictive and sell bonds to manage banking system liquidity. These lenders have bought 253 billion rupees ($3 billion) of government debt since Sept. 22, including 100 billion rupees on Oct. 6. Reuters GraphicsBanking system liquidity - the quantum of funds in the interbank market - has largely been in deficit from the middle of September. Bond purchases would be incremental and linked to rise in yields, say at every 3-4 basis points, the treasury head at the state-run bank said.

Persons: Vijay Sharma, PNB Gilts, Dharamraj Dhutia, Swati Bhat, Mrigank Organizations: Reuters Graphics Banking, Reserve Bank of India, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, India

☆ California regulator proposes $45 mln penalty for PG&E over 2021 Dixie fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A firefighter continues to hold the line of the Dixie Fire near Taylorsville, California, U.S., August 10, 2021. REUTERS/David Swanson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 10 (Reuters) - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Monday proposed a $45 million shareholder-funded penalty against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for its connections to the destructive 2021 Dixie wildfire. The proposed penalty, pending CPUC Commissioner's approval, consists of a $2.5 million fine to the California General Fund, $2.5 million payment to tribes impacted by the fire for remediation, and $40 million for capital expenditures to transition records to electronic format. CPUC enforcement staff is recommending this penalty under an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) and Agreement, as per a release on the state regulator's website. Reporting by Anjana Anil and Swati Verma in Bengaluru; editing by Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Swanson, Anjana Anil, Swati Verma, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, California Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, California General Fund, Thomson Locations: Taylorsville , California, U.S, California, Bengaluru

☆ India central bank keeps key rate steady; liquidity measures in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) logo is seen inside its headquarters in Mumbai, India, April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas Acquire Licensing RightsMUMBAI, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India's key lending rate was held steady at a fourth consecutive policy meeting on Friday, as widely expected, with investors more focused on the regulator's liquidity management plan amid a resurgence in inflation. The country's monetary policy committee (MPC) kept the repo rate (INREPO=ECI) unchanged at 6.50%, in a unanimous decision. It has raised rates by 250 basis points (bps) since May 2022 in a bid to cool surging prices. High inflation has put the focus back on liquidity management amid the reduced ability to keep hiking rates at the risk of hurting growth and commentary and further measures, if any, are being closely monitored by market participants.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Das, Swati Bhat, Sudipto Ganguly, Savio D'Souza Organizations: Bank of India, REUTERS, Rights, Reserve Bank of, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Rights MUMBAI

People walk past the main entrance of the Sri Lanka's Central Bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka March 24, 2017. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) lowered the standing deposit facility rate and the standing lending facility rate by 100 basis points each to 10% and 11%, respectively, it said in a statement. Sri Lanka, however, failed to reach an agreement with the IMF in its first review of the bailout package last month, due to a potential shortfall in government revenue. Even with policy loosening Sri Lanka could find it difficult to post (a 2% contraction) this year," said Udeeshan Jonas, chief strategist at equity research firm CAL Group. The central bank reiterated that it would like to see market interest rates come down further.

Persons: Dinuka, CBSL, Udeeshan Jonas, Thilina Panduwawala, Uditha Jayasinghe, Swati Bhat, Sam Holmes, Sudipto Ganguly Organizations: Sri, Central Bank, REUTERS, Rights, International Monetary Fund, Central Bank of Sri, IMF, CAL, Frontier Research, Bank Locations: Colombo, Sri Lanka, Lanka's, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Sri, Lanka

U.S. gold futures gained 0.3% to $1,938.90. The yuan hit two-week highs against the U.S. dollar after data showed China factory output and retail sales in August beat forecasts, making greenback-priced bullion more attractive for Chinese buyers. "The outlook for rates to be kept high for longer has been keeping non-yielding gold prices under pressure," said Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG. We, therefore, do not view monetary policy as supportive of gold until well into 2024," HSBC said in a note. "Institutional investors have yet to commit to gold, as net long positions on the CME and ETF holdings indicate."

Persons: Yuan, Bullion, Jun Rong, Swati Verma, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: U.S, Reuters Graphics, IG, HSBC, CME, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Bengaluru

A Reuters poll of 17 analysts show that 15 are forecasting a rate hike. An easing of import restrictions and the removal of subsidies - both conditions of the bailout - have fueled spikes in energy prices. Although overall inflation fell slightly to 27.4% in August, food inflation remain elevated at 38.5%. Pakistan's central bank said in July that it expects inflation to be on a downward path over the next 12 months. Analysts also noted that rises in cut-off yields in treasury bill auctions - the highest yield at which a bid is accepted - indicate that market participants expect a rate hike.

Persons: Shivaan Tandon, Ariba Shahid, Swati Bhat, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: State Bank of Pakistan, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: KARACHI, Karachi

☆ IMF urges pact to boost its resource quota, strengthen world economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Swati Bhat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, arrives to attend a G20 Finance Ministers' and Central Bank governors' meeting at Gandhinagar, India, July 18, 2023. "To make the global economy stronger and more resilient in a more shock-prone world, it is vital to reach an agreement to increase the IMF's quota resources before the end of the year," she said. Such a pact would secure resources needed for the Fund's interest-free support to the poorest countries through the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, she added. The G20 summit also pledged to strengthen and reform multilateral development banks, while accepting a proposal to regulate cryptocurrencies more tightly worldwide. Reporting by Swati Bhat; Editing by Sudipto Ganguly and Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kristalina Georgieva, Amit Dave, Georgieva, Swati Bhat, Sudipto Ganguly, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Ministers, Central Bank governors, REUTERS, Growth Trust, Thomson Locations: Gandhinagar, India, DELHI, New Delhi

☆ Countries of the global south helped avoid Ukraine overshadowing G20 agenda - Lavrov
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Katya Golubkova | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at a press conference, during the G20 summit, in New Delhi, India, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the G20 summit in India a success and said that due to the consolidated position of the countries of the global south, Russia managed to ensure the G20 agenda was not overshadowed by the Ukraine conflict. Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions and sown economic turmoil across the world. Lavrov also said the Russia was willing to return to the Black Sea grain deal as soon as its conditions are met. Lavrov said Russia values the attempts by the United Nations to facilitate grain talks but called it "west only talks".

Persons: Sergei Lavrov, Francis Mascarenhas, Lavrov, Swati Bhat, Jacqueline Wong, Kim Coghill Organizations: Russian, REUTERS, United, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, United Nations, Turkey

Police stand on a road outside 'Bharat Mandapam', the main venue of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, September 3, 2023. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 10 (Reuters) - India's strong leadership made it possible for G20 leaders to reach consensus in intense discussions on a summit message urging nations to shun use of force in territorial disputes, a senior European Union official said on Sunday. "Without India's leadership it would not have been possible," he added, referring to the summit declaration. The EU official, however, said there was not a single word on the Black Sea grain deal from Russia, which finds itself more isolated after the summit. The official said, "The European Union leadership made the points very strongly during the session.

Persons: Bharat Mandapam, Altaf Hussain, Putin, Manoj Kumar, Swati Bhat, Sudipto Ganguly, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Group, EU, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia

NEW DELHI, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Any initiative to revive the Black Sea grain deal that isolates Russia is not likely to be sustainable, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said in a press briefing after the conclusion of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Sunday. Russia, Ukraine and Turkey are going to continue to discuss the grain deal, Erdogan added. Russia is willing to send free grain to poorer countries, which Turkey favours, he told reporters, adding that Qatar had also agreedErdogan said he was not "hopeless" about reviving the grain deal. The Turkish president also held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the sidelines of the G20 summit regarding efforts to revive the deal, two sources with knowledge of the matter said, without giving further details. Reporting by Krishn Kaushik and Aftab Ahmed, Writing by Swati Bhat; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Russia, Erdogan, Fumio Kishida, Krishn Kaushik, Aftab Ahmed, Swati Bhat, Kim Coghill Organizations: United, Japanese, Thomson Locations: DELHI, Russia, New Delhi, Sunday, United Nations, Turkey, Ukraine, Qatar, Turkish

[1/3] U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen addresses the media, ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 8, 2023. She will seek to build G20 support for an "equi-proportional" increase in IMF quota funds paid-in by member countries, which would increase IMF lending resources, but not immediately change its shareholding structure. At the briefing, Yellen said there was significant progress made on international debt relief efforts. "Those are crucial additional resources for reducing poverty, advancing global health security and combating climate change," Yellen said. "Even without Russia's active participation and the tensions the war has created, I still see that G20 is highly effective," Yellen said.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Francis Mascarenhas, Yellen, David Lawder, Swati Bhat, Leslie Adler, Kim Coghill Organizations: . Treasury, REUTERS, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, U.S, Congress, U.S . Treasury, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, United States, Ukraine, U.S, Washington

In top consumer China, premiums climbed to as high as $55 an ounce over global spot prices this week, traders said, from $20-$38 last week. The policy-measures to support the economy are expected boost physical gold demand, said Peter Fung, head of dealing at Wing Fung Precious Metals. Official data on Thursday also showed that the People's Bank of China increased its gold holdings to 69.62 million fine troy ounces at end-August. Local gold prices were trading around 59,200 rupees per 10 grams on Friday, up nearly 2% in three weeks. In Japan, where domestic gold rates were trading at record levels this week, dealers charged $0.5 premiums.

Persons: Peter Fung, Bernard Sin, Harshad Ajmera, JJ, Anushree Mukherjee, Swati Verma, Rajendra Jadhav, Maju Samuel Organizations: Chinatown, Metals, People's Bank of China, U.S ., MKS, JJ Gold, Traders, Rajendra, Thomson Locations: China, Japan, India, Greater China, Kolkata, Local, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Bengaluru, Mumbai

☆ IMF-FSB recommends cooperation, info sharing for crypto asset regulation-report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund and Financial Stability Board has recommended cross border co-operation and information sharing for consistent regulation of crypto assets, the two said in a joint report to the Group of 20 nations released to the media on Thursday. A blanket ban that makes crypto activities illegal can be costly and demanding to enforce, the report added. Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh and Shivangi Acharya Writing by Swati BhatOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yuri Gripas, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Swati Bhat Organizations: Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, DELHI

☆ India central-bank chief urges fintech firms to form a self-regulatory body
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das speaks during a press conference after a G20 Finance Ministers' and Central Bank governors' meeting at Gandhinagar, India, July 18, 2023. "I would like to use this opportunity to urge and encourage the fintechs to establish a self-regulatory organisation or SRO themselves. From the Reserve Bank, we are willing to engage with you," Das said while delivering the keynote address at the Global FinTech Fest 2023 (GFF). The other advantage is that all the aspects of regulation will not be burdened on the Reserve Bank." Reporting by Siddhi Nayak and Swati Bhat; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shaktikanta Das, Amit Dave, Das, T, Rabi Sankar, Siddhi Nayak, Swati Bhat, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: Bank of India, Ministers, Central Bank governors, REUTERS, Rights, Financial, Reserve Bank of India, Reserve Bank, Global, Siddhi, Thomson Locations: Gandhinagar, India, Rights MUMBAI

☆ Texas Power Grid to Resume Normal Operations, Cancels Emergency Alerts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - The Texas power grid operator said late on Wednesday it was resuming normal operations after lifting emergency measures, but still encouraged users to reduce power electric use. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which serves more than 26 million customers, had earlier declared an Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 (EEA 2), as operating reserves continued to drop. "No power outages associated with the ERCOT power grid were necessary," ERCOT said, adding that Texas had set a new September peak demand record of 82,705 Megawatts (MW). That was still below its all-time peak demand record of 85,435 MW hit on Aug. 10. Real-time power prices briefly hovered around $5,000 in most of ERCOT's Texas hubs, according to the ERCOT website.

Persons: ERCOT, Swati Verma, Rahul Paswan, Sherin Elizabeth Varghese, Ashitha, Richard Chang, Jamie Freed, Kim Coghill Organizations: Reuters, Reliability, of Texas, Energy, Texas Locations: Texas, EEA, ERCOT's Texas, Bengaluru

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