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☆ Amazon faces class-action lawsuit over eBook pricing
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-15 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: The logo of Amazon is seen on the door of an Amazon Books retail store in New York City, U.S., February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc was slapped with a class-action lawsuit on Thursday accusing the e-commerce giant of inflating the prices of ebooks in collusion with some publishers. (refini.tv/2MXXVqs)The lawsuit comes a day after Connecticut said it was investigating Amazon for potential anti-competitive behavior in its business selling digital books. About 90% of eBooks are sold through Amazon, the largest U.S. eBooks seller, the lawsuit claimed. Law firm Hagens Berman, bringing the case, in 2011 filed a similar lawsuit against Apple Inc and the ‘Big Five’ over ebook prices.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Hagens Berman Organizations: Amazon, REUTERS, Inc, Apple Inc Locations: New York City, U.S, Connecticut

☆ Amazon hit with class action antitrust lawsuit claiming it colluded with major publishers to illegally drive up ebook prices by 30%
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-15 | by ( Tyler Sonnemaker | ) www.businessinsider.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

Amazon is facing fresh antitrust scrutiny after consumers filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing the company of illegally colluding with major book publishers to drive up prices for ebooks. The lawsuit alleged that Amazon illegally inflated prices using a tactic called as "pricing parity," which relies on "most-favored-nation" clauses. The scheme Amazon and the big five publishers are accused of employing isn't new to the ebook industry, either. According to Thursday's lawsuit, that led to lower ebook prices in 2013 and 2014, before Amazon's renegotiated deals in 2015 caused prices to surge again. An analysis of Amazon ebook prices included in the lawsuit that claims prices spiked after Amazon signed contracts with "big five" publishers.

Persons: Simon, Schuster, Apple, Amazon's, that's, Steve Berman, Hagens Berman, " Berman Organizations: Amazon, — Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random, EU, Hachette, Bloomberg, Apple, of Locations: Southern, of New York

☆ ANALYSIS-Dollar bears grow cautious as U.S. yields rise
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | Ritvik Carvalho | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

(Adds comment, details on real yields; adds chart)NEW YORK/LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A rally in U.S. yields is clouding the outlook for one of the market’s most popular trades: betting against the dollar. Still, some investors believe a rise in U.S. yields can only go so far. For investors looking to see if the recent dollar rally has staying power, real U.S. yields - which take inflation into account - may be key. So far, U.S. Treasury real yields across the curve remain well in negative territory, making holding dollars less appealing to investors. “The moment real yields start to move in the same direction as nominal yields, to me, is a signal that we could see a stronger dollar,” Amundi Pioneer’s Upadhyaya said.

Persons: ”, Thanos Bardas, Neuberger Berman, “, John Doyle, Joe Biden’s, Paresh Upadhyaya, Athanasios, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, “ We’re, Jeremy Stretch, Pioneer’s Upadhyaya Organizations: Democratic, Federal Reserve, Tempus Inc, Asset Management, Bank of America, CIBC, Treasury Locations: U.S, Washington, Europe

☆ Analysis: Dollar bears grow cautious as U.S. yields rise
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | Ritvik Carvalho | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - A rally in U.S. yields is clouding the outlook for one of the market’s most popular trades: betting against the dollar. FILE PHOTO: A picture illustration shows U.S. 100 dollar bank notes taken in Tokyo August 2, 2011. “I think that is exaggerating the strength in the dollar,” said Paresh Upadhyaya, director of currency strategy and portfolio manager for Amundi Pioneer Asset Management. Still, some investors believe a rise in U.S. yields can only go so far. “We’re not going to see U.S. yields moving up to a level where they are going to provide more yield-based support for the dollar,” said Jeremy Stretch, head of G10 FX strategy at CIBC.

Persons: Yuriko, ”, Thanos Bardas, Neuberger Berman, “, John Doyle, Joe Biden’s, Paresh Upadhyaya, Athanasios, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, “ We’re, Jeremy Stretch Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic, Federal Reserve, Tempus Inc, Asset Management, Bank of America, CIBC Locations: Tokyo, U.S, Washington, Europe

☆ Analysis: Wall Street brushes off political turmoil, looks to economic rebound
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Lewis Krauskopf | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

“It’s a market that actually says, ‘We are investing for 2021 and we see explosive economic growth in the back half of this year,’” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at National Securities. Upcoming corporate earnings reports may need to be strong to support stock valuations. The S&P 500 trades at 22.7 times future earnings estimates, well above its long-term average of 15.3, according to Refinitiv Datastream. Earnings for S&P 500 companies are expected to rise nearly 24% in 2021 after falling 15% last year, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. “I’m not concerned because I think market valuations are reflecting a quicker rebound in profitability than folks thought was possible in the spring,” Fed Vice Chair Richard Clarida said on Friday.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “, ‘, ’ ”, Hogan, ”, Jeremy Grantham, Refinitiv, that’s what’s, “ I’m, Richard Clarida, Erik Knutzen, Neuberger Berman Organizations: YORK, U.S, Capitol, National Securities, Treasury, Federal, BofA Global Research, Research Locations: U.S, Washington, Refinitiv

☆ 'No coordinated strategy' to defend Trump's actions as he faces his second impeachment
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +6 min

Buck deflected the question, saying, "The people who came into the Capitol are the people responsible for that action. The exchange happened just before the House prepared to vote on an article of impeachment. Share this -House now conducting procedural rule votes The House has concluded debate on the procedural rule ahead of impeachment. The first vote is a procedural vote offered by Republicans that seeks to amend the rule to immediately consider H.R. The second vote governs the floor for consideration of the article of impeachment, setting up two hours of debate.

Persons: Pelosi, Capitol Pelosi, VbOhyFxcVj — Frank Thorp V, Joe Biden, Joshua Roberts, Brian Mast, “, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump, Trump, Jim Jordan, Liz Cheney, Trump’s, ” Jordan, Cheney, Airbnb Organizations: Capitol, Troops, of Columbia National Guard, National Guard, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S, GOP House, House Republican, Republican, Virginia, Republicans Locations: Afghanistan, America, Ohio, United States, Washington

☆ Pelosi thanks troops stationed outside the Capitol
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +6 min

SEE NEW POSTSPelosi thanks troops stationed outside the Capitol Pelosi went outside the Capitol late Wednesday morning to thank the troops that are protecting the building and gave them her challenge coin. Pelosi just went outside and thanked the troops protecting the Capitol, and game them all her challenge coin: pic.twitter.com/VbOhyFxcVj — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 13, 2021 Share this -Troops receive arms outside the Capitol As the House opens its impeachment hearing, the District of Columbia National Guard said it has been authorized to arm troops assigned to security duty on the Capitol grounds. Joshua Roberts / Reuters Share this -Congressman gives National Guard troops a Capitol tour Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., gave National Guard troops a tour of the Capitol on Wednesday, after coming upon service members who slept in the Capitol Visitor Center overnight ahead of Wednesday's impeachment vote. Share this -House now conducting procedural rule votes The House has concluded debate on the procedural rule ahead of impeachment. Share this -National Guard troops pose before Rosa Parks statue in Capitol A National Guard member poses for a picture with a statue of Rosa Parks as the House convenes ahead of an impeachment vote on Wednesday.

Persons: Pelosi, Capitol Pelosi, VbOhyFxcVj — Frank Thorp V, Joe Biden, Joshua Roberts, Brian Mast, “, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump, Trump, Jim Jordan, Liz Cheney, Trump’s, ” Jordan, Cheney, Airbnb, Rosa Parks Organizations: Capitol, Troops, of Columbia National Guard, National Guard, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S, GOP House, House Republican, Republican, Virginia, Republicans Locations: Afghanistan, America, Ohio, United States, Washington, Capitol

☆ Troops receive arms outside the Capitol
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +7 min

SEE NEW POSTSTroops receive arms outside the Capitol As the House opens its impeachment hearing, the District of Columbia National Guard said it has been authorized to arm troops assigned to security duty on the Capitol grounds. Joshua Roberts / Reuters Share this -Congressman gives National Guard troops a Capitol tour Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., gave National Guard troops a tour of the Capitol on Wednesday, after coming upon service members who slept in the Capitol Visitor Center overnight ahead of Wednesday's impeachment vote. Buck deflected the question, saying, "The people who came into the Capitol are the people responsible for that action. And in 2019, zero House Republicans defected from Donald Trump when he was impeached over the Ukraine matter. Trump:• Rep. Cheney of WY• Rep. Kinzinger of IL• Rep. Katko of NY• Rep. Upton of MI• Rep. Herrera Beutler of WA215+ House Democrats support impeachment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Joshua Roberts, Brian Mast, “, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump, Trump, Jim Jordan, Liz Cheney, Trump’s, ” Jordan, Cheney, Airbnb, Rosa Parks, Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, Mitt Romney, Pres, Upton, Herrera Beutler Organizations: Capitol, of Columbia National Guard, National Guard, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S, GOP House, House Republican, Republican, Virginia, Republicans, Democrats, Senate, •, WY, IL •, NY •, MI •, NBC Locations: Afghanistan, America, Ohio, United States, Washington, Capitol, WASHINGTON, Ukraine, IL, NY, MI

☆ Congressman gives National Guard troops a Capitol tour
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +6 min

SEE NEW POSTSCongressman gives National Guard troops a Capitol tour Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., gave National Guard troops a tour of the Capitol on Wednesday, after coming upon service members who slept in the Capitol Visitor Center overnight ahead of Wednesday's impeachment vote. Share this -National Guard troops pose before Rosa Parks statue in Capitol A National Guard member poses for a picture with a statue of Rosa Parks as the House convenes ahead of an impeachment vote on Wednesday. And in 2019, zero House Republicans defected from Donald Trump when he was impeached over the Ukraine matter. ET Wednesday, 5 House Republicans say they will vote to impeach Pres. Trump:• Rep. Cheney of WY• Rep. Kinzinger of IL• Rep. Katko of NY• Rep. Upton of MI• Rep. Herrera Beutler of WA215+ House Democrats support impeachment.

Persons: Brian Mast, “, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump, Trump, Jim Jordan, Liz Cheney, Trump’s, ” Jordan, Cheney, Airbnb, Rosa Parks, Joshua Roberts, Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, Mitt Romney, Pres, Upton, Herrera Beutler Organizations: National Guard, Capitol, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S, GOP House, House Republican, Republican, Virginia, Republicans, Democrats, Senate, •, WY, IL •, NY •, MI •, NBC Locations: Afghanistan, America, Ohio, United States, Washington, Capitol, WASHINGTON, Ukraine, IL, NY, MI

☆ House Democrat asks FBI to investigate 'reconnaissance' tours claims
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +7 min

SEE NEW POSTSHouse Democrat asks FBI to investigate 'reconnaissance' tours claims Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., said she has requested an FBI investigation into allegations she made Tuesday that that some members of Congress led people through the Capitol on a "reconnaissance" tour of the building a day the riot last Wednesday. Ryan added that the allegations had “been passed on” to authorities “as early as Wednesday night, Thursday morning last week." "We know that the president of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion, against our country," she said in remarks on the House floor. Buck deflected the question, saying, "The people who came into the Capitol are the people responsible for that action. The exchange happened just before the House prepared to vote on an article of impeachment.

Persons: Mikie Sherrill, “ We’re, ” Sherrill, Sherrill, “, Tim Ryan, I’ve, Ryan, Pelosi, Trump, ”, Donald Trump’s, Capitol Pelosi, VbOhyFxcVj — Frank Thorp V, Joe Biden, Joshua Roberts, Brian Mast, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump Organizations: FBI, Capitol, Facebook, Republicans, Walmart, Apple, ExxonMobil, Boeing, Troops, of Columbia National Guard, National Guard, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S Locations: D, Ohio, ”, United States, “, Afghanistan, America

☆ Pelosi calls Trump 'a clear and present danger' to the U.S. ahead of impeachment vote
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +7 min

SEE NEW POSTSPelosi calls Trump 'a clear and present danger' to the U.S. ahead of impeachment vote Opening two hours of debate ahead of the impeachment vote Wednesday afternoon, Pelosi laid out her argument for why the president should be held accountable for the events leading to the riot in the Capitol last week. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love." Pelosi said the people who participated in the insurrection were "not patriots," but rather "domestic terrorists." Pelosi delivers remarks on impeachment: Trump presents a 'clear and present danger' Jan. 13, 2021 07:17 Share this -House moves to consideration of impeachment measure The House voted 221 to 203 to adopt the rules for consideration of the impeachment measure, which they are debating this afternoon. The exchange happened just before the House prepared to vote on an article of impeachment.

Persons: Pelosi, Trump, ”, Donald Trump’s, “, Capitol Pelosi, VbOhyFxcVj — Frank Thorp V, Joe Biden, Joshua Roberts, Brian Mast, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan, Liz Cheney, Trump’s, ” Jordan, Cheney Organizations: Capitol, Republicans, Walmart, Apple, ExxonMobil, Boeing, Troops, of Columbia National Guard, National Guard, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S, GOP House, House Republican, Republican Locations: United States, “, Afghanistan, America, Ohio

☆ House moves to consideration of impeachment measure
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-13 | by ( Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +7 min

SEE NEW POSTSHouse moves to consideration of impeachment measure The House voted 221 to 203 to adopt the rules for consideration of the impeachment measure, which they are debating this afternoon. But Buck said after years of increasing animosity between Republicans and Democrats, blaming one Trump speech for the riots is inaccurate. Buck deflected the question, saying, "The people who came into the Capitol are the people responsible for that action. The exchange happened just before the House prepared to vote on an article of impeachment. Earlier this week, Airbnb banned “numerous individuals” associated with known hate groups or the violent attack on the Capitol.

Persons: Trump, ”, Donald Trump’s, “, Pelosi, Capitol Pelosi, VbOhyFxcVj — Frank Thorp V, Joe Biden, Joshua Roberts, Brian Mast, I’d, ” Mast, John Berman, Ken Buck, Berman, Buck, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan, Liz Cheney, Trump’s, ” Jordan, Cheney, Airbnb Organizations: Republicans, Capitol, Walmart, Apple, ExxonMobil, Boeing, Troops, of Columbia National Guard, National Guard, Capitol Visitor Center, Guardsmen, CNN, GOP, U.S, GOP House, House Republican, Republican, Virginia Locations: “, Afghanistan, America, Ohio, United States, Washington

☆ 'EVERYONE OUT, RIGHT NOW': 2 buildings evacuated as Trump supporters try to storm US Capitol while Congress debates election challenges
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-06 | by ( John L. Dorman | Taylor Berman | ) www.businessinsider.com sentiment -0.98 time to read: +1 min

Supporters of President Donald Trump attemped to storm the US Capitol building on Wednesday, and Hill staffers were said to be evacuated from two buildings. Trump has done little to discourage his most ardent supporters from contesting the election results, as he continues to spread debunked claims of voter fraud in the waning days of his administration. Supporters of President Donald Trump tried to storm the US Capitol building on Wednesday as members of Congress debated challenges to the results of the November election. Thousands of pro-Trump protesters came to the nation's capital to participate in the March for Trump. Both the Madison and Cannon buildings on the Capitol Complex have been evacuated, acccording to reporters on the scene.

Persons: Donald Trump attemped, Trump, Donald Trump, acccording, Jake Sherman, —, Nancy Mace Organizations: Capitol, Hill, Trump, Madison, Punchbowl Locations: Cannon

Law firm hiring from the government was down 38% in 2020 compared to last year, according to legal-data provider Firm Prospects. Still, some law firms proved they're willing to shell out cash to bring on a government lawyer, especially if they're a big name or handled big deals. The decline this year is in line with overall hiring trends: overall partner moves between law firms are down 27% from last year, according to Leopard Solutions, while associate moves are down 35%. He said in an email that fewer people have moved back through the revolving door because law firms are wearier about hiring people associated with President Trump. His bio on the law firm's website says he does a wide variety of work, from crisis management to tax disputes.

Persons: Bernard Nigro, Fried Frank, Kelly Cleary, Akin Gump, Steve Peikin, Cromwell, Andrew Regan, President Trump, Trump, Geoffrey Berman, Fried Frank Geoffrey Berman, Berman, Fried Frank Berman, William Barr, Greenberg Traurig, Chris Collins, Donald Trump, Igor Fruman, Lev Parnas, Rudy Giuliani, Fried, Audrey Strauss, Steven Wirzel, Jessie K, Liu, Skadden Jessie Liu, Skadden Liu, Morrison & Foerster, she's, Jeffrey Gerrish, Beau Buffier, Wilson Sonsini, Buffier, Biden, Wilson, Read, James McDonald, Sullivan, Cromwell James McDonald, McDonald, Williams, Connolly, Steve Nelson, Avery Ellis, McDonald's, Rod Rosenstein, James Comey, Robert Mueller, Rosenstein, WhatsApp, Elizabeth Prelogar, Cooley Elizabeth Prelogar, Cooley, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Mueller, Andrew Goldstein, Prelogar, Hogan Lovells, Joe Biden, Uber, Kelly Ann Shaw, Hogan Lovells Shaw, John Kucera, Lauren Bell, Boies Schiller, Backpage, Bell, Jesse Panuccio, Nicholas Gravante, David Willingham, Karen Dunn, Bill Isaacson, David Boies, Nasim, Fussell, Chuck Grassley, She's, Pitney Bowes, Uzo Asonye, Davis Polk Uzo Asonye, Davis Polk, Davis Polk Asonye, Myers, Robert Mueller's, Paul Manafort, Asonye, Davis Organizations: Leopard Solutions, DOJ, Department of Health, Human Services, Sullivan, SEC, Search Partners, Southern, of, US, Office, Southern District, Trump, Treasury, District of Columbia, Morrison &, Skadden, US Trade, New York Attorney, Shearman, Plaid, Department, Visa, Google, Justice Department, JPMorgan, DC, Mestel & Company, King & Spalding Former, Associated Press, FBI, King & Spalding, New York Times, Cooley, Department of Justice, Turo, Hogan Lovells, National Economic Council, US Trade Representative, CSIS, Columbia Law School, District of, Knight, Senate Finance, Japan, Department of Commerce, Pitney, General Motors, Holland & Knight, Eastern, O'Melveny Locations: of New York, Washington, Skadden's Washington, China, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Russia, Idaho, Massachusetts, East, Los Angeles, Malaysian, District, District of Ohio, Holland, USMCA, US, of Virginia

☆ Trump pardons former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted of multiple felonies and described as a 'grave counterintelligence threat'
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-24 | by ( Sonam Sheth | Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com + 0.00 time to read: +10 min

President Donald Trump has pardoned his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. President Donald Trump has pardoned Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager. The former Trump campaign chairman was ultimately sentenced to 7 1/2 years in federal prison for his crimes. He also pointed to the crimes Manafort committed after already being charged in the Russia investigation. Manafort was leading the Trump campaign when WikiLeaks dumped the emails.

Persons: Donald Trump, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Charles Kushner, Trump's, Jared Kushner, Trump, Manafort, Robert Mueller's, ensnared, Stone, commutations, Michael Flynn, Sergey Kislyak, Kislyak, Axios, Mr, Viktor Yanukovych, Rick Gates, Yanukovych, Amy Berman Jackson, Robert Mueller, Mueller, Jonathan Ernst, Getty, Andrew Weissmann, Weissmann, Alfonse Capone, Dole, Michael Cohen, Patrick Semansky, Konstantin, Kilimnik, Oleg Deripaska, Natalia Veselnitskaya, Hillary Clinton's, Donald Trump Jr Organizations: Republican, Intelligence, Trump, White, GOP, Blackwater, FBI, Prosecutors, Ukraine's Party of Regions, Party of Regions, House Intelligence, Capitol, Reagan, Manhattan US, Mueller Investigation, New York Times, AP, Patrick Semansky Republican, Democratic National, WikiLeaks, Trump Tower Locations: Russia, American, Moscow, Virginia, Washington, DC, Rayburn, Washington ,, Russian, Manafort

☆ Owl Rock, Dyal Strike Deal to Combine and Go Public
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-23 | by ( Cara Lombardo | Miriam Gottfried | ) www.wsj.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

Owl Rock Capital Partners LP and Dyal Capital Partners agreed to merge in a complicated deal that would take them public through a blank-check company. The new company, to be named Blue Owl, would combine one of the biggest owners of private-equity firm stakes with Owl Rock, a rapidly growing credit investor. Blue Owl would be led by Owl Rock co-founder Doug Ostrover as chief executive. It already owns stakes in both Owl Rock and HPS. Perella Weinberg Partners LP, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities Inc. are financial advisers to Owl Rock.

Persons: Doug Ostrover, Dyal, Michael Rees, Sean Ward, Neuberger Berman, Neuberger, Ostrover, Marc Lipschultz, Craig Packer, Perella Weinberg, Goldman Sachs, Cara Lombardo, cara.lombardo, Miriam Gottfried, Miriam.Gottfried Organizations: Rock Capital Partners, Dyal Capital Partners, Street Journal, Altimar, HPS Investment Partners, Owl Rock, United Wholesale Mortgage, Sports, DraftKings Inc, Lehman Brothers, Neuberger, Mr, GSO Capital Partners, Blackstone Group, KKR, Co, Goldman Sachs, Inc, Goldman Sachs & Co, BofA Securities Inc, Ardea, Evercore, Morgan Securities, Citigroup, UBS Locations: U.S

☆ Analysis: Investors bet weak dollar will keep risk rally going in 2021
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-23 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors are counting on a weakening dollar to boost rallies in everything from U.S. stocks to emerging markets and industrial metals in 2021. “The table is set for continued dollar weakness,” said Michael Purves, chief executive officer at Tallbacken Capital Advisors, in a note to clients. BofA Global Research estimates that every 10% drop in the U.S. dollar translates to a roughly 3% boost to S&P earnings. A weaker dollar is also a boon for emerging markets, making it easier for countries that borrowed in dollars to service their debt. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which measures stock performance, is up 13% year-to-date.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, ”, Michael Purves, Jeroen Blokland, Robeco, Thanos Bardas, Neuberger Berman, Buck, John Hardy Organizations: YORK, REUTERS, Tallbacken Capital Advisors, U.S, Investment, Goldman Sachs, Commodities, Societe Generale, Saxo Bank, U.S . Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, U.S, Indonesian

☆ Analysis-RPT-Investors bet weak dollar will keep risk rally going in 2021
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-23 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Investors are counting on a weakening dollar to boost rallies in everything from U.S. stocks to emerging markets and industrial metals in 2021. “The table is set for continued dollar weakness,” said Michael Purves, chief executive officer at Tallbacken Capital Advisors, in a note to clients. A weaker dollar is also a boon for emerging markets, making it easier for countries that borrowed in dollars to service their debt. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which measures stock performance, is up 13% year-to-date. The episode illustrated that when risk appetite dries up, the dollar remains “the safest of safe havens,” wrote John Hardy of Saxo Bank.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, ”, Michael Purves, Jeroen Blokland, Robeco, Thanos Bardas, Neuberger Berman, John Hardy Organizations: YORK, REUTERS, Tallbacken Capital Advisors, U.S, Investment, Goldman Sachs, Societe Generale, Saxo Bank Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, U.S, Indonesian

☆ Trump announces new list of pardons of former lawmakers and aide
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-23 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com + 0.97 time to read: 1 min

CNN's Pamela Brown and John Berman discuss the list of people President Trump has just pardoned, including former campaign aide George Papadopoulous, two former US congressmen and others.

Persons: CNN's Pamela Brown, John Berman, Trump, George Papadopoulous

A federal prosecutor who has overseen investigations involving individuals close to President Donald Trump was named U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday. Before taking over as head of the office, Strauss was a deputy U.S. attorney and closely oversaw a number of sensitive investigations involving those close to Trump, including Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon. Strauss became acting U.S. attorney when Attorney General William Barr asked Geoffrey Berman to step down as U.S. attorney in June. On Tuesday, the federal judges of the SDNY court unanimously appointed Strauss to become U.S. attorney effective the following day, Jan. 16. Prosecutors for SDNY have been in communication with Justice Department officials in Washington about gaining access to Giuliani's emails, NBC News reported Monday.

Persons: Donald Trump, Audrey Strauss, Strauss, Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, William Barr, Geoffrey Berman, “, Giuliani, Bannon Organizations: Southern, of, Biden, Senate, Jan, Prosecutors, SDNY, Justice Department, NBC News Locations: U.S, of New York, Trump, New York, Washington

Special-purpose acquisition companies — aka "blank-check" companies — are having a moment on Wall Street. Lemkau announced his plan to exit at the end of the year for a job running Michael Dell's investment firm. One of those is EGS, a longtime player in the SPAC market after setting out to develop a focus on the space. FidelityThe asset-management behemoth — it now handles more than $3.3 trillion — likes to throw its weight around in the SPAC market. A few more like Nikola, they worry, and the opportunity in the SPAC market could shut quickly.

Persons: Bill Ackman, Reid Hoffman, Billy Beane, Bill Gurley, Marc Stad, Alec Gores, there's, Rowe Price, didn't, Goldman Sachs, Who'd, Dakin Campbell, Jack Newsham, Alex Morrell, David Batalion, Cantor Fitzgerald Cantor, Cantor, Betsy Cohen, Daniel Cohen, Cohen, Batalion, John Chirico, It's, Ron Burkle's SPAC, Bill, cohead, Chirico, Tyler Dickson, Doug Adams, Phil Drury, Niron, Niron Stabinsky, Stabinsky, Carlyle, SPACs, Trump, Gary Cohn, Chamath Palihapitiya, Opendoor, Simon Watson, Olympia McNerney, David Cote, Goldman Sachs It's, Kevin Hartz, Gerry Cardinale, Goldman's, McNerney, Niccolo de Masi, Goldman, Gregg Lemkau, David Solomon, Lemkau, Michael, de Masi, who've, Read, Derek Dostal, Davis Polk Derek Dostal, Davis Polk, they've, who's, Dostal, he's, Bill Foley, Chinh Chu, Ellenoff Grossman, Schole Douglas Ellenoff, Doug Ellenoff, Alan Annex, Greenberg Traurig Greenberg Traurig, Greenberg Traurig Greenberg, Greenberg, Gores, Paul Tropp, Gregg Noel, Skadden, Noel, Cohn Robbins, DraftKings, Joel Rubinstein, Jonathan Rochwarger, Elliott Smith, Rubinstein, Niccolo De Masi, Michael Klein, They've, Harry Sloan, Jeff Sagansky, Sloan, Sagansky, you'll, they're, Neuberger Berman, Cantor Fitzgerald, Charles Kantor, Neuberger Berman Charles Kantor, Chu, Kantor, Cliff Greenberg, Baron, Cliff Greenburg, Greenburg, — Dan Duggan, Jason Roth, Ken Waitz —, Izzy Englander, Mike Milken, Sylvain Gaboury, that's, Beane, Moneyball, RedBall, William Danoff, Drew Angerer, Nikola, Trevor Milton Organizations: Dragoneer Investment, Silicon, SPACs, United Wholesale Mortgage, Fidelity, Capital Research, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Harvard Law School, IPOs, Business, Underwriters, Credit Suisse, Research, The Bancorp, Cohen & Co, Fintech, Paya, CF Finance, Corp, PropTech, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Cold Spring, Deutsche Bank's Los, Apollo, Credit, Suisse, Virgin Galactic, Honeywell, Olympia, Goldman, UBS, underwriters, Blackstone, TWC Tech Holdings II, True, Vesper Healthcare, Allergan, Lending, Department of Justice, Gray, Pershing, Tontine Holdings, Neuberger Principal Holdings, Vertiv Holdings, Winston, White, Churchill, Eagle Acquisition Corp, Neuberger, Holdings, Reuters, Monroe Capital, Churchill Capital, Clarivate, Millennium, Industry, Millennium Management, Oakland Athletics, Bankers, Volkswagen, Kensington Capital, VectoIQ, ValueAct, Bloomberg News Locations: Silicon, Swiss, SPACs, North America, Deutsche Bank's Los Angeles, Niron, Americas, Boston, Freshfields, QuantumScape

☆ Rachel Zoe says her son survived 40-foot fall from ski lift
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-22 | by ( Chloe Melas | ) edition.cnn.com sentiment -0.91 time to read: 1 min

(CNN) Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe is sharing a terrible scare her family went through after her 9-year-old son fell 40 feet from a ski lift. Zoe didn't say when it happened but it appears to have been recent. She provided some details of the incident on her Instagram, writing, "Sky fell 40 feet from a ski lift yesterday which could have been easily prevented if the operator had stopped the lift when he saw Sky wasn't on from the start and [husband Rodger Berman] screaming to stop the lift. Needless to say by a miracle and the Ski patrol heroes who quickly put a mat under where they thought he would fall ultimately saved his life or from what could have happened," she wrote. Zoe also said that Sky is in "great spirits" but understandably "sore" and even posted a video of him saying, "I'm kinda hurting but I'm fine."

Persons: Rachel Zoe, Zoe didn't, Rodger Berman, Zoe Organizations: CNN

☆ Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani blasts investigators as federal probe heats up
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-22 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani on Tuesday lashed out against federal prosecutors investigating him, suggesting they are acting as "secret police" and serving the political interests of President-elect Joe Biden. "I'm proud to be number one on Biden Vindictive government list," Giuliani wrote in a tweet. It is not known exactly why SDNY prosecutors are investigating Giuliani, who currently is leading Trump's extremely long-shot efforts to reverse Biden's Electoral College victory. Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that SDNY prosecutors had reviewed Giuliani's bank records in connection with a probe of his dealings in Ukraine. The DA's office has a warrant empowering it to obtain Trump's tax records and other financial documents from his long-time accounting firm.

Persons: Rudolph Giuliani, Donald Trump, Donald Trump's, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Biden, Giuliani's, Audrey Strauss, Strauss, Giuliani, Geoffrey Berman, Biden, Obama, Biden didn't, Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, Hunter Biden, Hunter, Biden's, Trump Organizations: Republican National Committee, Tuesday, Department of Justice, NBC News, of, NBC, Biden, DOJ, Police, Electoral, New York City, Street Journal, Manhattan District, U.S, Supreme Locations: New York, Manhattan, Southern, of New York, U.S, Ukraine, Russia

☆ SEC sues California biotech company for misleading investors about COVID-19 tests
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-17 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: The seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission hangs on the wall at SEC headquarters in Washington, June 24, 2011. REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstNEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Decision Diagnostics Corp and its chief executive for allegedly misleading investors by promising the biotechnology company could test for COVID-19 with a finger-prick of blood and provide accurate results in less than one minute. In a complaint filed on Thursday in Manhattan federal court, the SEC said Chief Executive Keith Berman made materially false statements between March and June about what he claimed was his company’s blood testing kit, and its efforts to obtain Food and Drug Administration approval for its emergency use. The SEC said all the California-based company had at the time was “a theoretical concept that had not yet materialized into a product,” and that Berman’s misstatements led to surges in Decision Diagnostics’ stock price and trading volume. Decision Diagnostics did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst NEW, Keith Berman, Berman’s misstatements Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange, SEC, REUTERS, Jonathan Ernst NEW YORK, Exchange Commission, Diagnostics Corp, Drug Locations: Washington, Manhattan, California

☆ Bill Barr was a historically bad attorney general. His resignation shouldn't rehabilitate him.
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-15 | by ( Scott Lemieux | Scott Lemieux Is A Teaching Professor In The Political Science Department At The University Of Washington. He Is The Co-Author Of | ) www.nbcnews.com + 0.00 time to read: +8 min

Attorney General William Barr announced his resignation on Monday, effective next week, shortly after the Electoral College formally confirmed that Joe Biden would be the next president. Barr’s performance as attorney general should be judged by comparing him to his predecessors, rather than by Trump’s expectation that he should have his own Roy Cohn in the office. By the former metric, Barr is arguably the worst attorney general in American history. That was, of course, far from the only case of Barr acting like Trump’s personal attorney rather than the attorney general of the United States. Barr also dropped the case against Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pled guilty to federal crimes.

Persons: William Barr, Joe Biden, — he’ll, Donald Trump’s, Barr, don’t, Roy Cohn, Robert Muller’s, — Barr, Muller, Mueller, Trump, Michael Flynn, Geoffrey Berman, Berman, George Floyd, —, Jean Carroll, Carroll, Joe, Hunter Biden, Rudy Giuliani, James Comey, Hillary, “, James Comey ”, Barr —, America —, Republicans —, Donald Trump, it’s, confidants, Grover Cleveland, Sonia Sotomayor, Brandon Bernard, Alfred Bourgeois, Bill Barr Organizations: Electoral, Trump, Republican, Intelligence, Southern, of, New, FBI, Republicans, Republican Party Locations: United States, of New York, Lafayette Park, Washington, Russia, Pittsburgh, New York, Trump, America

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