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☆ Pioneer beats on earnings, announces succession, tweaks dividend — a mix pressuring the oil stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Pioneer set its second-quarter base plus variable dividend at $3.34 a share – factoring in a base dividend of $1.25, which was raised 14% from $1.10, and a variable dividend of $2.09. Management wants more flexibility to repurchase shares instead of paying a huge variable dividend. This means that Pioneer will likely shift what previously went to the variable dividend into share buybacks. Notably, Pioneer doesn't hedge its oil production, making its realized pricing closer to that of the underlying commodity. Oil production is forecast between 357,000 to 372,000 barrels per day, which at the midpoint tops estimates of 364,000.

☆ Argentina vows to battle peso slide towards 500 per dollar in black market
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Rodrigo Campos | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The peso hit 495 against the dollar on Tuesday in informal markets that have flourished as the official foreign exchange market is under tight controls. That is down from 400 pesos per dollar just over a week ago and compares to the official spot rate of around 221. The official peso, which is in a controlled, sliding peg to the dollar, has fallen 20% so far this year. The gap between the black and official rates of some 122% is the widest since July. Last week, Argentina's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 300 basis points to 81% after inflation soared past expectations in March to 7.7%, the fastest monthly increase in two decades.

☆ Argentina's lithium pipeline promises 'white gold' boom as Chile tightens control
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Lucila Sigal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Neighboring Chile, the region's top lithium producer, last week unveiled plans for a state-led public-private model, spooking investors. Bolivia has long maintained strict control over its huge though largely untapped resources, while Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year. The country has six lithium projects under construction and 15 in the advanced exploration or feasibility stage, Mignacco said. "Argentina's lithium sector has thrived through a decentralized, pro-market strategy," said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America program at The Wilson Center, adding in contrast Bolivia's lithium sector had "repeatedly stalled as a result of excessive state control." "Chile today produces and exports much more lithium than Argentina," said Natacha Izquierdo, analyst at consultancy ABCEB.

☆ Taiwan or China? Paraguay's dilemma puts election race in the spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Lucindaalice Elliott | Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Paraguayan presidential candidate Santiago Pena from ruling Colorado Party, attends his campaign rally, in Asuncion, Paraguay April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoASUNCION, April 24 (Reuters) - From Paraguayan capital Asuncion to Taipei and Washington, diplomats, officials - and farmers - are closely watching a tight election race that could determine Paraguay's future ties with Taiwan. "How can I deny a relationship that is beneficial for all Paraguayans, a people that need development, need investment, need industry?" China has long argued that democratically-ruled Taiwan is part of its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei strongly rejects. 'WHEN, NOT IF'Among diplomatic circles in Asuncion there is a sense a switch is inevitable - regardless of the election outcome.

SQM's lithium contract in Chile is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043, giving it more insulation from the potential move. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. SQM has a larger footprint in Chile, with 81,000 hectares (about 200,000 acres) for lithium extraction compared with Albemarle's 16,000 hectares. Argentine state energy firm YPF last year began exploring lithium, while Bolivia has long maintained strict control over its huge though largely untapped resources. Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Bolivia's Luis Arce have touted the idea of a regional lithium "OPEC" to coordinate on lithium policy and benefit local economies.

The move would see Chile, the world's second largest lithium producer, shift to a model with the state holding a controlling interest in all new lithium projects through a public company that would partner with private mining firms. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. In early trading on Friday, Chilean firm SQM's U.S.-listed shares slid 6.2%, while Albemarle was down 2.5%. SQM's lithium contract in Chile is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043, giving it more insulation from the potential move. Mining shares in London fell sharply too.

BUENOS AIRES, April 20 (Reuters) - Argentina's central bank hiked the benchmark interest rate a sharper-than-expected 300 basis points on Thursday after inflation soared past expectations in March to hit 104% on an annual basis, the monetary authority said in a statement. The bank hiked the benchmark rate 300 basis points in March, the first raise since September at the end of a vicious tightening cycle through most of 2022. The bank had wanted to cut rates this year on hopes inflation would cool. Reuters reported earlier this month that central bank board members were discussing another interest rate hike to rein in one of the world's highest inflation rates. A central bank poll forecasts inflation will end this year at 110%, while J.P. Morgan estimates it could hit 130%.

☆ As EV costs tumble in China, an export wave builds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] People use their phones in front of the BYD Seagull that is displayed at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 19, 2023. Patrick Koller, chief executive of French auto supplier Faurecia (EPED.PA), said the entry-level EV market in Europe was an open lane for Chinese automakers. Koller said he had met with the CEO or chairman of more than two dozen Chinese automakers in Shanghai. Renault’s (RENA.PA) Dacia ships the Spring EV, an entry-level hatchback like the BYD Seagull, to Europe and ranked as the second-largest EV exporter from China last year after Tesla. BYD has not announced export plans for the Seagull, which is priced below what is now the best selling EV in China, the BYD Dolphin, which is priced from 116,800 yuan ($17,000) in China.

☆ Exclusive: Paraguay opposition leader plans state 'austerity' vs tax hikes on farmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soy exports currently face no levies, boosting competitiveness, but the country's diplomatic ties with Taiwan have closed doors to China. Peña, the ruling party candidate, has said publicly he wants to crack down on tax evasion and have more people working in the formal economy. Alegre has criticized Paraguay's current diplomatic relations with Taiwan going back over 60 years, which have made it hard to sell soy and beef to China, a major global buyer. "We are going to solve this based on national interests and of course also based on our alliances in international politics. The current relationship is insufficient, we have a critical position to what we have today," he said.

[1/6] An Aedes aegypti mosquito is seen under a magnifying glass at the CNEA (National Atomic Energy Commission), in Ezeiza, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina April 12, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYBUENOS AIRES, April 17 (Reuters) - Argentine, fighting one of its worst outbreaks of dengue in recent years, is sterilizing mosquitoes using radiation that alters their DNA before releasing them into the wild. Their population keeps on moving further south," said National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) biologist Marianela Garcia Alba. They expect to release the first batch of sterilized males in November. Similar techniques to sterilize pests using the same radiation found in X-rays have been utilised for decades, helping global efforts to control diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

A woman looks on as she stands outside of his flooded home after heavy rain in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 13, 2023. People in South Florida are grappling with the aftermath of a record-breaking storm that hit Fort Lauderdale this week and damaged critical infrastructure, flooded homes and vehicles and shut down the city's airport. About 600 people have been taken to shelters and no deaths have been reported. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which halted flights Wednesday after exits, entrances and runways were flooded, resumed operations on Friday morning, the airport said. Ron DeSantis on Thursday declared a state of emergency for Broward County, where Fort Lauderdale is located, which orders the director of the Division of Emergency Management to execute response and recovery plans to address the flooding.

☆ Argentina cenbank mulls another rate hike to tame 100% inflation - adviser, analysts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Jorge Otaola | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUENOS AIRES, April 12 (Reuters) - Argentina central bank board have been discussing the idea of another potential interest rate hike from the current 78% level, an adviser to the bank said on Wednesday, with analysts anticipating a 200-basis-point raise to contend with annual inflation running at over 100%. "The possibility of a new rate rise has been raised, but it is not yet defined," an advisor to the central bank told Reuters, asking not to be named as the discussions were private. A central bank spokesman declined to comment. Analysts, however, unanimously agreed another hike was likely, with monthly inflation for March expected to have accelerated to above 7%, the fastest since July last year. He agreed the rate would likely rise to 80%.

BUENOS AIRES, April 10 (Reuters) - Argentina has patched up its wobbly economy with a so-called "soy dollar" preferential exchange rate to boost grains exports and bring in much-needed foreign currency, which analysts said would give the government breathing room, at least temporarily. "The 'farm dollar' will not create extra foreign currency, but at least will accelerate it coming in and so provide temporary relief," said economist Gustavo Ber, adding that foreign currency reserves had hit "critical levels." Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe so-called "soy dollar" was used twice last year and did help create a boost in exports, at least in the short-term helping ease availability of foreign currency. "This new measure aims to buy two months, which in the current context is not insignificant," Geretto told Reuters. Reporting by Walter Bianchi and Anna-Catherine Brigida; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Argentina - a serial defaulter which has long battled high inflation, currency weakness and indebtedness - struck a $57 billion deal with the IMF in 2018 to try and fix its economic woes. Those reviews of how Argentina is doing against its economic targets are linked to scheduled disbursements of funds. Failure to meet the targets could stall the program or force the IMF to adjust the targets further. The IMF net reserve targets are the amount Argentina needs to accumulate over time above a baseline of $2.277 billion at the end of 2021. "That will make it hard to meet the IMF's (downwardly revised) FX reserve target and increases the risk of a disorderly devaluation."

The Chinese Embassy in Washington called self-ruled Taiwan "an inalienable part of China" and said the one-China principle was an "overwhelming trend" internationally. When Taiwan temporarily averted a split with Honduras after President Xiomara Castro took office in January 2022, U.S. State Department officials remained wary. The Biden administration is also keeping a close eye on tiny Belize for any cracks in its Taiwan relationship. Two U.S. officials said Washington was putting less stock in Taiwan maintaining its diplomatic allies in favor of efforts to increase its participation in international organizations. While denied a seat in the United Nations, Taiwan is a member of the WTO and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

☆ Ford's first quarter sales increase 10.1% on improved F-Series truck production
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermidDETROIT – Ford Motor on Tuesday reported a roughly 10% increase in its quarterly U.S. sales, led by jumps in its critical F-Series pickups and Bronco SUVs. Sales of Ford's trucks increased by nearly 20%, while car sales were up by 5.1% and SUVs increased by less than 1%. Ford reported sales of 170,377 F-Series pickups, up about 21% compared to a year earlier. Ford's sales increase comes as Wall Street analysts monitor rising vehicle inventories and incentives for the U.S. automotive industry following historically low levels of both during the past three years. Morgan Stanley estimates industry sales last month increased 8.7%, as automakers increase production levels following several years of significant supply chain problems.

☆ Why some Wall Street analysts think Tesla may have more price cuts ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

He also said that price cuts reflect an industry leader's structural advantage that, while pressuring margins, can squeeze competition. Tesla's cuts were seen as catalysts in a "price war," as legacy automakers such as Ford followed in slashing prices for their electric vehicles. That places him in the majority, with more than half of analysts rating Tesla a buy, according to Refinitiv. Brinkman also said price cuts hurt Tesla more than legacy automakers. "We are of the opinion that without the aggressive price cuts, Tesla sales may not have grown on a sequential basis, a sign that even the most dominant EV player is not invulnerable to a slowing macro and competition."

BUENOS AIRES, March 31 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Argentina's fourth review under its $44 billion loan program on Friday, unlocking the disbursement of $5.4 billion to the indebted country, the lender said in a short statement. The country's central bank foreign reserves jumped by $2.5 billion on Friday versus a day earlier, data from the bank showed. That reflected the new IMF funds minus $2.7 billion of repayments Argentina had to make to the lender on Friday. A central bank source told Reuters the funds had arrived and been reflected in reserve levels. Reporting by Jorge Otaola, Rodrigo Campos and Jorgelina do Rosario; Writing by Adam JourdanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The Vatican on Thursday said Pope Francis' health was improving and that he has resumed working while treatment continues. In the Flores neighborhood, many people reminisced about the pope, who has not been back to his homeland in the decade since he was chosen as pontiff. In the Buenos Aires Cathedral on Thursday morning, prayers were held for Pope Francis too, though his illness was cast as a just a "slight halt." Back in the neighborhood of Flores, 50-year-old housewife Marcela Borda said everyone was praying for his "speedy recovery". "It's good to pray for him, to ask for the strength he always had, and health, health for him and for everyone.

[1/6] Jorge Pedro Armoa, 67, works with metal in one of his three jobs to beat Argentina's over 100% inflation rate, in 9 de Abril, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina March 21, 2023. REUTERS/Tomas CuestaBUENOS AIRES, March 30 (Reuters) - As Argentina's over 100% inflation rate saps earning power and outstrips wages, Jorge Pedro Armoa, 67, has found a painful solution: juggling three jobs as a metal worker, soccer coach and part-time salesman of medical creams, flip flops and honey. So sometimes it's not enough," said Armoa, a metal mold factory worker who is the technical director of a local soccer team and funds his own small business. Armoa, even with his three salaries and income from his wife, a teaching assistant, often struggles to get by. "You have to put a positive face on things, good energy and think that tomorrow things will be better."

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., will return to the Senate during the week of April 17 after about two months of treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center for depression, his office tells NBC News. The announcement comes as Fetterman introduces a new bill Wednesday focused on bolstering railway safety regulations in the aftermath of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The legislation is the first bill that Fetterman is leading since being elected to the Senate — he's previously introduced legislation alongside fellow Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who also join Fetterman in backing his new bill. Fetterman has also worked in bipartisan tandem with Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, on legislation aimed at preventing future rail disasters. The new legislation includes measures to ensure that railroads provide warning equipment to railroad watchmen and mandates mechanics inspect rail cars to attest to their safety, among other proposals.

☆ In Paraguay, calls for change test Colorado Party's political machine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ASUNCION, March 28 (Reuters) - Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party - a conservative political machine that has dominated government in Asuncion for some eight decades - could be facing a major challenge at the ballot box next month. Many voters say they feel it is time for something new. Pena may also be impacted by a U.S.-led graft probe into Horacio Cartes, a former Colorado president who led the country from 2013 to 2018. However, the Colorado party retains a powerful election campaign machine and supporter base that goes back generations. Adelina Caceres, director of a public school in the town of Guarambare, on the outskirts of the capital, said she supported the Colorado party mainly because "her grandfather had been Colorado," and despite being often frustrated by them.

☆ Rivian shares keep hitting all-time lows. Here's where Wall Street sees it going next
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Its shares keep hitting all-time lows, dipping below $13 per share at some points during March. Rivian shares also plunged after it said it planned to raise $1.3 billion in cash via a sale of convertible bonds. Morgan Stanley analysts, led by Adam Jonas, also put the spotlight on its "aggressive growth," in a comparison with Tesla. However Morgan Stanley is still giving the stock an overweight rating, and a price target of $26 – or nearly 90% upside. Canaccord analysts also pointed to the possibility of new partnerships, beyond Amazon, that could be a tailwind for Rivian – a point that Morgan Stanley also raised.

☆ Argentina orders public sector to give up dollar bonds in debt shake-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Eliana Raszewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File PhotoBUENOS AIRES, March 23 (Reuters) - Argentina ordered public sector bodies on Thursday to sell or exchange their holdings of 11 sovereign dollar bonds in a bid to reorganize its debt as inflation soared above 100% and its foreign reserves dropped. A presidential decree in Argentina's official gazette said public sector bodies would have to sell or auction five local law dollar bonds maturing between 2029 and 2041, and to swap six foreign law dollar bonds for peso debt. The order makes official plans announced earlier in the week, which had dragged down the value of Argentina's sovereign bonds. These are already in distressed debt territory after a ninth sovereign default and a major debt restructuring in 2020. Public sector bodies will have to sell the local law dollar bonds and exchange foreign law dollar bonds maturing between 2029 and 2046 for debt payable in pesos issued by the Treasury.

☆ Harley-Davidson's focus on bread-and-butter business can lift the stock by more than 30%, Morgan Stanley says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's worth hopping on Harley-Davidson due to the company's focus on the core business and better-off consumer, according to Morgan Stanley. His price target of $50 implies the stock could gain 33.2% from where it closed Monday. HOG YTD mountain Harley-Davidson Jonas also said he's increased his optimism given Chairman and CEO Jochen Zeitz's focus on generating cash flow from the core motorcycle business, while simultaneously managing risks related to spun-off electric motorcycle maker LiveWire . Jonas said Zeitz's business has a "back to basics" approach that's proving useful amid lingering supply chain challenges and a changing consumer spending outlook. He said the 2022 spinoff of LiveWire allows Harley-Davidson to focus on perfecting its bread-and-butter business and catering to the core base rather than trying to expand reach.

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