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The MSCI All-World index (.MIWD00000PUS) rose 0.1% on the day, although it is on track for a 4.4% decline in December. U.S. index futures , rose between 0.5%-0.6%, suggesting some of this strength may carry through to the Wall Street open later. On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) widened its trading band for 10-year government bond yields from 25 basis points (bps) either side of zero to 50 bps. CARRY TRADESBond markets were kept under pressure as the last big central bank anchoring its bond market starts to loosen its iron grip on yields. Japanese 10-year yields rose 7 bps to 0.48%, close to the BOJ's 0.5% ceiling.

[1/3] Examples of Japanese yen banknotes are displayed at a media event in Tokyo, Japan, November 21, 2022. Those positions took a hit when Tuesday's Bank of Japan policy shift allowed 10-year yields to almost double to 0.47%. On Wednesday the long end of Japan's yield curve actually rallied, with 30-year yields down 2.5 bps to 1.545%. "The 10-year yield is still very low ... maybe they will invest in the 20-year." In Australia, where Japan is also the largest foreign player in the bond market, 10-year yields are up about 20 bps.

☆ Analysis: Bank of Japan gives an inch, investors ready to claim a mile
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But rather than providing breathing room, investors say it is likely to encourage more of the sort of pressure that has bent the bond market out of shape. "Fifty basis points becomes the new 25 basis points. When trading resumed in Japan, 10-year JGB yields shot towards their new ceiling and futures fell so fast it triggered a circuit breaker suspending trade. By the end of the session, 10-year bond yields sat 14.5 basis points higher at 0.395%, the sharpest one-day rise for Japanese 10-year yields in more than 14 years. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERSThose swaps - another market measure of interest rate expectations - tracked bond yields until early this year.

☆ Glittering gold gives markets some Christmas cheer
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Gold miners in Australia led a 1.3% jump for the S&P/ASX 200 (.AXJO). On Tuesday the Bank of Japan (BOJ) widened its trading band for 10-year government bond yields from 25 basis points (bps) either side of zero to 50 bps. The resultant drop for the U.S. dollar has spot gold prices testing six-month peaks and gold miners riding high. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields rose four bps to a three-week high of 3.722%. Japanese 10-year yields rose 5.5 bps to 0.45%, close to the BOJ's 0.5% ceiling.

☆ Bank of Japan makes surprise policy tweak
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

ATUSHI TAKEDA, CHIEF ECONOMIST, ITOCHU ECONOMIC RESEARCH, TOKYO:"Today's move reflects the BOJ's determination not to alter its yield cure control policy. CAROL KONG, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY:"I think the move was certainly unexpected, to say the least. MOH SIONG SIM, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, BANK OF SINGAPORE:"They've widened the band, and I guess that came earlier than expected. CHRISTOPHER WONG, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, OCBC, SINGAPORE:"The timing of the policy tweak is a surprise, though we have been expecting the move to come in 2Q 2023. "The tweak may seem modest but is significant for a central bank that has held dovish for a long time.

☆ Bank of Japan reviews yield-curve control policy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Dec 20 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan has slightly loosened the shackles on its 10-year yield target and said it will review its yield-curve control policy, surprising financial markets and sending the yen sharply higher. However, it is only a first step and yield-curve control (YCC) remains in place, as does negative rate strategy. CAROL KONG, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY:"I think the move was certainly unexpected, to say the least. MOH SIONG SIM, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, BANK OF SINGAPORE:"They've widened the band, and I guess that came earlier than expected. CHRISTOPHER WONG, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, OCBC, SINGAPORE:"The timing of the policy tweak is a surprise, though we have been expecting the move to come in 2Q 2023.

☆ Morning Bid: Sayonara, cheap money
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Bank of Japan has loosened its yield-curve control, the 10-year yield has surged toward its new ceiling and pulled the yen with it. Japanese government bond futures fell fast enough to trip a circuit breaker in Tokyo and the Nikkei lost 2.8%. But markets have already taken the move as a step toward Japan extricating itself from yield curve control and near-zero interest rates. And that would bring down the curtains for the last bastion of super-easy policy in developed markets, leaving investors to ponder a higher-for-longer world. Asian shares (.MIAPJ0000PUS) spiked lower, the yen reached a four-month high on the dollar, while the yields on the 10-year Japanese bond hovered at 0.40% - just under their new roof of 0.5%.

☆ NBA roundup: Thunder spoil Damian Lillard's record night
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

No Thunder player other than Gilgeous-Alexander scored more than 13 points, but six other Oklahoma City players scored in double figures. He scored 11 points and nailed three 3-pointers in the first six minutes to help the Cavaliers establish control early. Jarrett Allen added 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Darius Garland contributed 17 points and eight assists. Trae Young led the Hawks with 37 points, and he added 13 assists for his 15th double-double of the season. Anunoby returned from a four-game absence to score 13 points and reserve Chris Boucher had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who lost their sixth straight game.

☆ Stocks steady, yields rise as rate risks cloud 2023 outlook
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Danilo Masoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

By 1152 GMT, the index was broadly unchanged after a heavy week for rate increases on Friday sent it to its lowest point since Nov. 10. Long-term borrowing costs rose for a fourth straight session and short-dated yields remained not far off their highest levels in more than a decade. It wreaked havoc even on rate markets," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. Ten-year Treasury yields rose 4 basis points (bps) to 3.522%. Gold inched 0.1% higher at $1,764 an ounce, as a softer dollar countered pressure from expectations of higher U.S. rates.

Summary Global stocks index up 0.1%Japan could tweak inflation target - sourceshttp://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgnhttp://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVhMILAN, Dec 19 (Reuters) - World stocks inched higher on Monday but stayed near 6-week lows as investors started the year's last full trading week still mindful of interest rate hike risks to the economy in 2023. By 0902 GMT, the index rose 0.1% after a heavy week for interest rate increases on Friday sent it to its lowest point since Nov. 10. It wreaked havoc even on rate markets," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. "Except for the BOJ and perhaps the Bank of England, there's little confidence in the other central banks. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) fell 1.05% to a six-week low and the yen rose 0.5% to 135.9 per dollar.

☆ Rising interest rates give pause to festivity for markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japan's Nikkei (.N225) fell 1.1% and the yen , which rose about 0.4% to 136.20 per dollar, was the biggest mover in otherwise quiet currency trade. Japan will consider revising a 2% inflation target agreed between the government and central bank next year, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The yen has been the worst-performing G10 currency this year, with a 15% loss against the dollar, driven mainly by the gap between rising U.S. rates and anchored Japanese rates. U.S. rates were steady last week, despite the Fed projecting further hikes ahead, as traders fret that interest rates are already high enough to start hurting economic growth. It is down 20% for the year and has failed in several attempts at sustainably trading above its 200-day moving average.

☆ Turnover surges as funds rush to exit private equity stakes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Conceived as an illiquid but lucrative method of accessing unlisted companies, private investments are typically structured into funds run by buyout firms. Investment firm Hamilton Lane says an unprecedented $224 billion in private equity stakes have been offered in the secondary market this year to mid-November. Others want to deploy their capital elsewhere - a sign that private equity funds are no longer so highly regarded. The need to sell to rebalance can occur when, as this year, private equity funds have outperformed public markets. On paper, plenty of private investments, which are typically valued quarterly, appear to have done very well this year.

☆ Festivity on hold for stocks as rate hikes loom
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) fell 0.1%. Japan will consider revising a 2% inflation target agreed between the government and central bank next year, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The yen has been the worst-performing G10 currency this year, with a 15% loss against the dollar, driven mainly by the gap between rising U.S. rates and anchored Japanese rates. U.S. rates were steady last week, despite the Fed projecting further hikes ahead, as traders fret that interest rates are already high enough to start hurting economic growth. It is down 20% for the year and has failed in several attempts at sustainably trading above its 200-day moving average.

☆ Festivity on hold for stocks as rate hikes beckon
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Japan's Nikkei (.N225) fell 1% in early trade and the yen , which rose about 0.5% to 136.00 per dollar, was the biggest mover in quiet currency trade. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.4%. The yen has been the worst-performing G10 currency this year, with a 15% loss against the dollar, driven mainly by the gap between rising U.S. rates and anchored Japanese rates. U.S. rates were steady last week, despite the Fed projecting further hikes ahead, as traders fret that interest rates are already high enough to start hurting economic growth. It is down 20% for the year and has failed in several attempts at sustainably trading above its 200-day moving average.

HONG KONG, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Asia's hedge funds are heading for their worst showing in a dozen years, with long-short stockpickers wrongfooted by volatility in China, while macro strategy funds riding big global shifts in interest rates shine. On average, Asian hedge funds fared better than the indexes, losing 9.1% through to end-November, Eurekahedge data showed. By strategy, Asia equity long-short funds lost 12% and Greater China long-short funds lost 14%, while Asia macro funds rose 12% and Asia multi-strategy rose 1%. Big picture macro funds, which trade on economic and political shifts, also performed well, as U.S.-China tension and rising interest rates roiled financial markets. Long positions in U.S. government debt and the Singapore dollar also helped through November when many macro managers were caught out by a sudden drop in the U.S. dollar.

☆ China's COVID surge hits Beijing trading floors, Shanghai finance hub
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SHANGHAI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - COVID-19 is sweeping through trading floors in Beijing and spreading fast in the financial hub of Shanghai, with illness and absence thinning already light trade and forcing regulators to cancel a weekly meeting vetting public share sales. Internal surveys by several big asset managers and banks suggest more than half of their employees in Beijing, the epicentre of the virus surge, have tested positive. Stock trading volume also eased last week. DISRUPTIONThe pandemic also has an impact on initial public offerings (IPOs), with the China Securities Regulatory Commission calling off a weekly meeting vetting them last week. To be sure, years of strict COVID rules have left a lot of businesses well placed to handle disruption.

☆ Asia stocks slide toward weekly loss as central banks plough on with rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Central banks are still hawkish, still intent on raising rates," said Alvin Tan, Asia currency strategist at RBC Capital Markets in Singapore. "So there's a tension between the central banks being more hawkish than the market has been expecting, and that dichotomy has been emphasised over the past 48 hours by both the Fed and the European Central Bank." "This is not a pivot," she said of the smaller rate rate rise. The dollar index rose 0.9%. Gold fell against the rising dollar, dropping 1.7% to sit at $1,777 an ounce in Asia.

The sale is the second big chunk of stock he has cashed out since his $44 billion purchase of Twitter in October. I've spoken to a lot of investors who have Tesla shares and they're absolutely furious at Elon." There was no immediate response to a Reuters request for comment from Tesla and from Musk emailed outside business hours. The value of Musk's total selling over the past year comes to nearly $40 billion. Tesla investor Ross Gerber, a strong supporter of Musk, said on Twitter that Tesla should announce a buy back "to take advantage to (sic) the low share price Elon has created."

☆ Wall Street sees past Fed's lower rate hike to finish in red
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Lawrence Delevingne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, December 8, 2022. While the dollar index initially jumped on the Fed news, trading was choppy and was last down nearly 0.5% on the day. European stocks were flat, with the continent-wide Stoxx 600 (.STOXX) down 0.02% after rising 1.3% in the previous session. "Rather it is dot plot expectations that the Fed will hold rates throughout 2023, and not begin rate cuts until 2024." U.S. Treasury yields were little changed to slightly lower in choppy trading after the Fed news.

☆ 21 production companies that are acquisition targets as streamers race to get profitable and private equity bets big on Hollywood content
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The streaming wars have fueled a wave of deal-making for Hollywood production companies. Private equity is leading the charge, with firms like Apollo and Blackstone spending big on content. Insider identified 21 top production companies that could attract buyers or investors in 2023. Media companies need fresh content to win and keep subscribers who have more options than ever to choose from. Insider spoke with five industry dealmakers, consultants, and other experts who named 20 companies that could be hot acquisition targets as the drive for content continues.

☆ Brad Pitt sells 60% of his Plan B production company to French media conglomerate Mediawan, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Brad Pitt is selling 60% of his production company, Plan B Entertainment, to French media conglomerate Mediawan in a deal that's set to be announced this weekend, according to people familiar with the matter. Neither Plan B nor Mediawan responded to requests for comment. For TV, Plan B's productions have included HBO's 2014 adaptation of "The Normal Heart," directed by Ryan Murphy, and Amazon Prime Video's 2021 miniseries "The Underground Railroad." Candle Media also acquired a minority stake in Westbrook Inc. — the production company founded by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith – earlier this year. The boutique investment bank Moelis led the sale for Plan B.

☆ Arielle Charnas' company, Something Navy, is floundering amid dwindling sales, an employee exodus, and furious suppliers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Katie Warren | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +36 min

From the outside, it doesn't look as if Charnas' company is in trouble. Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for Beach MagazineSeveral former employees told Insider they cut ties with Something Navy because they saw signs the company was struggling. Several current and former Something Navy employees told Insider they'd been inundated with emails since the spring from suppliers, freelancers, and models asking where their money was. In one email viewed by Insider, Scanlan told a supplier that cash was tight but promised payment was on the way. The current Something Navy employee said that based on data she'd seen, the retail locations most likely don't turn a profit.

Economists said the reading pointed to elevated labor costs and inflation staying high, adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep raising rates. "Slower rate hikes have been the trend globally of late, but the Fed remains a wild card. Overall, it's a fickle, anxious market ahead of next week’s Fed meeting," said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Convera in Washington. Many in the market believe inflation is moderating and bond yields have peaked, allowing the Fed and other central banks to begin slowing rate hikes when policy-makers meet next week. Gold prices rose, helped by a retreat in the dollar and Treasury yields, as investors anticipate the projection of slower rate hikes at the Fed's meeting on Dec. 13-14.

☆ Stocks dip as growth fears offset China COVID shift
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Danilo Masoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Now, concerns over economic growth seem to be overtaking those over inflation," he added. The darkening economic outlook initially drove safe-haven demand for the U.S. dollar and longer-dated bonds but these moves partially reversed by early afternoon in Europe. In foreign exchange markets, the U.S. dollar reversed initial gains, as traders weighed up an uncertain economic outlook. The U.S. dollar index fell 0.35% to 105.18 after hitting earlier in the session a near one-week high, trending closer to the June 2022 low of 104.10 hit on Monday. The Canadian dollar was steady at 1.365 per dollar ahead of an expected rate hike from the Bank of Canada later on Wednesday.

"Now, concerns over economic growth seem to be overtaking those over inflation," he added. The darkening economic outlook drove fresh safe-haven demand for the U.S. dollar on Wednesday and longer-dated bonds extended their gains, while oil eased after a sharp fall on Tuesday. The Australian dollar was broadly steady at $0.669 despite Australian third-quarter growth coming in a bit below forecasts. The Canadian dollar was at 1.3675 per dollar ahead of an expected rate hike from the Bank of Canada later on Wednesday. The U.S. dollar index rose 0.1% to 105.6, further above the June 2022 low of 104.1 hit on Monday.

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