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☆ Dollar eases as traders weigh rate cut prospects
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Data on Thursday showed U.S. consumer spending rose moderately in October, while the annual increase in inflation was the smallest in more than 2-1/2 years. "It remains to be seen if getting from 3% to 2% will be easy, or if inflation will remain sticky in 2024." Federal Reserve policymakers signaled on Thursday that the U.S. central bank's interest rate hikes are likely over, but left the door open to further monetary policy tightening should progress on inflation stall. Investor focus will now move to comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell later on Friday, with traders likely to scrutinize every word to sketch out rate outlook. The Australian dollar rose 0.20% to $0.662, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.37% to $0.618.

Persons: Ryan Brandham, Jerome Powell, Powell, Carol Kong, Sterling, Toshiro Muto Organizations: Risk, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan, New Zealand Locations: North America, U.S, Europe

☆ Dollar drifts near three-month low, focus on inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The index is down 3.7% in November on growing expectations the Fed will cut interest rates in the first half of 2024. The dollar clawed back some of its losses on Wednesday after data showed the U.S. economy grew faster in the third quarter than initially reported. "Markets will continue to play to focus on what FOMC officials say about the prospect of the upcoming rate-hike cycle." Two of the best-performers are at the polar opposite ends of the "carry" spectrum — the New Zealand dollar and Japanese yen . On Thursday, yen strengthened 0.09% to 147.11 per dollar, remaining close to two and half month high of 146.675 per dollar it touched on Wednesday.

Persons: Carol Kong, Jerome Powell, Christopher Waller, Christopher Wong, Goldman Sachs, Sterling Organizations: Federal, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand, Bank of Japan Locations: U.S

☆ Sterling rises, dollar listless as markets brace for post-Thanksgiving buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The pound was on track for a roughly 3.8% gain for the month, its largest monthly gain in a year. Elsewhere, the dollar fell 0.32% to 148.97 yen , while the euro gained 0.2% to $1.0952. The dollar index slipped 0.12% to 103.31 and was headed for a monthly loss of more than 3%, its worst performance in a year. In China, the yuan slipped after the official midpoint snapped five straight sessions of strengthening, with the onshore yuan last at 7.1550 per dollar. Reporting by Rae Wee; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sterling, Carol Kong, Jane Foley, Rae Wee, Gerry Doyle, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Federal, Reserve Bank of New, PMI, Bank of England, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Traders, Rabobank, ", Fed, New, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, OPEC, Australia, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand, China, Beijing

☆ Brent slips toward $80/bbl ahead of OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Florence Tan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Monday, with Brent falling toward $80 a barrel, as investors awaited the OPEC+ meeting later this week for an agreement to curb supplies into 2024. Since then, the group has moved closer to a compromise, four OPEC+ sources told Reuters on Friday. Ahead of the OPEC+ meeting, estimated exports by OPEC countries have declined to 1.3 million barrels per day below levels in April, Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note, in line with the group's supply targets. The International Energy Agency said it expects a slight surplus in global oil markets in 2024 even if the OPEC+ nations extend their cuts into next year.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Brent, Goldman Sachs, Vivek Dhar, Florence Tan, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, Friday, ING, OPEC, United, International Energy Agency, Commonwealth Bank, IEA, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, Rights SINGAPORE, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi, United Arab Emirates, Gaza

☆ Brent holds above $80 a barrel ahead of OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices were little changed on Monday, with Brent holding above $80 a barrel, as investors awaited the OPEC+ meeting later this week for an agreement to curb supplies into 2024. Brent crude futures edged up 12 cents, or 0.2%, to $80.70 a barrel by 0028 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $75.64 a barrel, up 10 cents, or 0.1%. Since then, the group has moved closer to a compromise, four OPEC+ sources told Reuters on Friday. "We still expect an extension of the unilateral Saudi and Russia cuts through at least 2024 Q1, and unchanged group cuts, although a deeper group insurance cut is likely on the table," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note. Ahead of the OPEC+ meeting, estimated exports by OPEC countries have declined to 1.3 million barrels per day below levels in April, they added, in line with the group's supply targets.

Persons: Brent, Goldman Sachs, Vivek Dhar Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, OPEC, United, International Energy Agency, Commonwealth Bank, IEA Locations: OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi, United Arab Emirates, Gaza

☆ Sterling steady, dollar wobbles as markets brace for post-Thanksgiving buzz
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In this photo illustration, a old British £1 note is pictured with a one Dollar bill note on November 05, 2023 in Bath, England. The Australian dollar likewise stood near a roughly three-month high and last bought $0.6578, ahead of domestic inflation data on Wednesday. The weakening greenback provided some respite for the Japanese yen , which sat on the stronger side of 150 per dollar and last stood at 149.52 per dollar. The New Zealand dollar eased 0.1% to $0.6076, but was likewise hovering near Friday's more than three-month high of $0.6096. "I think the issues in the Middle East have definitely become more of a background risk," said CBA's Kong.

Persons: Sterling, Carol Kong, Jane Foley, CBA's Organizations: Federal, Reserve Bank of New, PMI, Bank of England, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S ., U.S, Rabobank, Fed, New Zealand, Israel Locations: Bath, England, OPEC, Australia, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Friday's, U.S, East, Gaza

☆ Dollar beaten to over two-month low as Fed cut bets take charge
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. Against the weaker greenback, the euro hit its highest since August at $1.09365, while the yen firmed at a one-month high of 148.68 per dollar. The Japanese yen remained on the stronger side of 150 per dollar and was last 0.3% higher at 149.17. The onshore yuan rose 0.5% to an over three-month high of 7.1700 per dollar, while the offshore yuan similarly got a boost and jumped roughly 0.6% to an over three-month top of 7.1703 per dollar. The Aussie was last 0.5% higher at $0.6546, having struck a three-month high of $0.6563 earlier in the session, while the kiwi gained 0.54% to $0.6025.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Carol Kong, Vishnu Varathan, CBA's, Rae Wee, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal Reserve, New Zealand, Fed, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Treasury, ., Mizuho Bank, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, China

☆ Dollar stumbles to over two-month low as markets eye Fed cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The yuan struck three-month highs in both the onshore and offshore markets, propped up by China's central bank, while the Australian dollar similarly scaled a three-month top against the falling greenback. "If we do see risk appetite improve again, then the dollar can definitely weaken further." Against the weaker dollar, the euro rose to an over two-month high of $1.0924, ahead of flash PMI readings in the euro zone due later this week. The risk-sensitive Australian dollar edged roughly 0.5% higher to $0.6546, its strongest level since August, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.52% to $0.60235. The onshore yuan rose 0.5% to an over three-month high of 7.1753 per dollar, while the offshore yuan similarly got a boost and jumped roughly 0.6% to an over three-month top of 7.1745 per dollar.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Carol Kong, Sterling, Vishnu Varathan, CBA's, Rae Wee, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal Reserve, Fed, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Treasury, ., Mizuho Bank, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, China

☆ Dollar on the back foot as focus turns to Fed easing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"(The) euro zone PMI surveys will be watched closely for further signs the region is on the cusp of, or already in, recession," said economists at Wells Fargo in a note. "In our view, the chances of at least a mild euro zone recession beginning in the latter part of 2023 are now becoming increasingly likely." Sterling slipped 0.06% to $1.24545, but was not far from a two-month high of $1.2506 hit last week. Ahead of China's loan prime rate decision later in the day, the offshore yuan firmed near a three-month high against the dollar and last stood at 7.2214 per dollar. The Australian dollar , often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, fell 0.17% to $0.6504, while the New Zealand dollar slipped 0.04% to $0.5990.

Persons: Sterling, Carol Kong Organizations: Federal Reserve, PMI, Fed, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand Locations: China, Asia, Beijing, Wells

A pedestrian looks at his phone as he walks past a logo for Australia's Westpac Banking Corp located outside a branch in central Sydney, Australia, November 5, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), Australia's third largest bank by market capitalisation, said on Monday it would raise A$750 million ($488.1 million) in an Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital transaction. The AT1 bonds are used by banks to stabilise cashflow in periods of stress, according to APRA. Under that deal, holders of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds received nothing, while shareholders, who usually rank below bondholders in terms of who gets paid when a bank or company collapses, received $3.23 billion. ($1 = 1.5366 Australian dollars)Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Gray, Stephen Jones, Scott Murdoch, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Stephen Coates Organizations: Australia's Westpac Banking Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Westpac Banking Corp, Westpac, prudential, Credit Suisse, APRA, Credit Suisse AT1s, Commonwealth Bank, Credit, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

☆ Yen's fall toward multi-decade lows keeps markets on intervention watch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Against the dollar, the yen last stood at 151.72 , languishing near a one-year low of 151.92 hit on Monday. A break below last year's trough of 151.94 per dollar would mark a fresh 33-year low for the yen. "I'm inclined to also think that it wasn't a BOJ intervention... It intervened again in October 2022 after the yen plunged to a 32-year low of 151.94. The comments have kept the U.S. dollar bid and against the greenback, the New Zealand dollar fell to an over one-week low of $0.58705.

Persons: Thomas White, Carol Kong, Rodrigo Catril, Jerome Powell, NAB's, Rae Wee, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Japan's, greenback, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of, National Australia Bank, NAB, Ministry of Finance, Federal, U.S, New Zealand, Sterling, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, New York, Bank of Japan, U.S

☆ Australia's CBA Q1 profit flat as competition in home loan market intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Himanshi Akhand | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Even though rate hikes since last year have boosted interest incomes and margins at Australian banks, rising cost of repayments has intensified competition in the home loan market, capping profit margins and hindering credit growth. Australia's biggest lender said cash net profit after tax was A$2.50 billion ($1.59 billion) for the quarter ended Sept. 30, same as the year earlier. CBA dominates Australia's A$2 trillion mortgage industry, which benefited from a property boom through COVID-19 restrictions. That had prompted Australia's "Big Four" banks to start offering cash payments for mortgage refinancing to lure borrowers. CBA's rivals National Australia Bank (NAB.AX), Westpac (WBC.AX) and ANZ Group (ANZ.AX) all posted higher annual profit earlier this month despite inflationary headwinds.

Persons: Edgar Su, CBA's, Matt Comyn, Australia's, Himanshi, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, REUTERS, Commonwealth Bank of Australia's, Citi, CBA, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ Group, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Australia's, COVID, Bengaluru

CBA said cash profit was A$2.5 billion ($1.6 billion) for the quarter, which was 3% better than a consensus estimate for the period, according to data aggregator Visible Alpha. "Home lending margins stabilised in the quarter," it added, without giving figures. Shares of CBA rose as much as 1% in morning trading, in line with the broader market (.AXJO) as analysts welcomed the better-than-expected margin outcome and a smaller-than-expected provision for potential loan impairments. Commenting on the bank's stabilising home loan margins, E&P Financial analyst Azib Khan said that "it would be helping on this front that CBA has been willing to forgo market share". For the year to September, CBA said it grew its mortgage book at 0.7 times the rate of the overall mortgage industry.

Persons: Brendan Sproules, Azib Khan, Himanshi, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Commonwealth Bank of, ANZ, Westpac, National Australia Bank, CBA, Citi, P, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Dollar headed for best week against yen in three months; cryptos leap
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Four thousand U.S. dollars are counted out by a banker counting currency at a bank in Westminster, Colorado November 3, 2009. The dollar stood near a one-year high at 151.355 yen on Friday and touched one-week highs against the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The greenback, however, regained its footing this week and was eyeing a weekly gain of roughly 1.3% against the yen, its best performance since August. The Aussie and the kiwi were likewise headed for a 2.3% and 1.75% weekly decline against the dollar respectively, also their steepest drop in months. "Even though we don't expect Powell to deliver on the tightening bias, that tightening bias does support the dollar," said Kong.

Persons: Rick Wilking, Jerome Powell, Powell, Tina Teng, it's, Carol Kong, Carl Szantyr, Rae Wee, Lincoln, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal, New, CMC Markets, Fed, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Australian, New Zealand, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: Westminster , Colorado, Rights SINGAPORE, New Zealand, U.S, China

☆ Dollar eyes best week against yen in three months; cryptos leap
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Four thousand U.S. dollars are counted out by a banker counting currency at a bank in Westminster, Colorado November 3, 2009. The dollar stood near a one-year high at 151.38 yen on Friday and touched one-week highs against the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The greenback, however, regained its footing this week and was eyeing a weekly gain of roughly 1.3% against the yen, its best performance since August. The Aussie and the kiwi were likewise headed for a 2.4% and 1.8% weekly decline against the dollar respectively, also their steepest drop in months. "Even though we don't expect Powell to deliver on the tightening bias, that tightening bias does support the dollar," said Kong.

Persons: Rick Wilking, Jerome Powell, Powell, Tina Teng, it's, Carol Kong, Carl Szantyr, Rae Wee, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Federal, New, CMC Markets, Fed, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Australian, New Zealand, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: Westminster , Colorado, Rights SINGAPORE, New Zealand, U.S, China

☆ Aussie 'big four' banks hike home loan rates after RBA decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

People use Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) bank ATMs in Sydney, Australia May 3, 2018. The National Australia Bank (NAB.AX), ANZ Group Holdings (ANZ.AX) and Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), the other three of Australia's "big four", had hiked their home loan rates on Wednesday by 0.25%. The rate hike by the National Australia Bank (NAB.AX) and ANZ Group Holdings (ANZ.AX) would be effective from Nov. 17, while Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) would raise rates from Nov. 21, the lenders said in separate statements on Wednesday. CBA said its home loan variable rate change would be effective from Nov. 17. Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee and Upasana Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Edgar Su, Rishav Chatterjee, Upasana Singh, Savio D'Souza, Rashmi Organizations: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, REUTERS, Thursday, National Australia Bank, ANZ Group Holdings, Westpac Banking Corp, Reserve Bank of Australia, Wednesday, CBA, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Dollar bounces after sharp selloff, euro dented by weak data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Karen Brettell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. one dollar banknotes are seen in front of displayed stock graph in this illustration taken, February 8, 2021. The dollar index which tracks the U.S. unit against six main peers, was up 0.37% at 105.64. If that continues, he added, attention will turn to how long to keep interest rates at current levels. The euro fell 0.37% to $1.0677 after data showed a larger-than-expected fall in German industrial production in September. The yen softened to 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jerome Powell, Marc Chandler, Chester Ntonifor, Chandler, Powell, Neel Kashkari, Austan Goolsbee, Fiona Cincotta, Carol Kong, Karen Brettell, Alun John, Ankur Banerjee, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, U.S ., Australian, Fed, Bannockburn Global, BCA Research, Traders, Minneapolis, . Chicago Fed, PMI, Index, Reserve Bank of Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: U.S, Bannockburn, New York, Tokyo, London, Singapore

Tuesday data showing a larger-than-expected fall in German industrial production in September contributed to the euro's weakness, said Fiona Cincotta, senior financial market analyst at City Index. The euro, like most other currencies, gained sharply on the dollar last week as a series of data points - most notably U.S. data from Friday showing job growth slowed in October - sent the U.S. unit lower. The dollar fell 1.4% last week, its steepest decline since mid-July, a sharp reversal after a recent run higher. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said on Monday the U.S. central bank likely has more work ahead to control inflation. The yen softened to 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Fiona Cincotta, Chester Ntonifor, Neel Kashkari, Jerome Powell, Carol Kong, Kong, Ankur Banerjee, Alun John, Sam Holmes, Miral Fahmy, Edmund Klamann, Kim Coghill, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, PMI, Federal, Treasury, BCA Research, Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, U.S, Bank, Australian, Commonwealth Bank of, Aussie, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, LONDON, U.S, Australia, Tokyo, Singapore, London

☆ Asia stocks snap winning streak, await RBA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Asian stocks snapped a three-day winning streak on Tuesday, slipping as the bond market's rally paused and investors reined in enthusiasm about a possible peak in global interest rates. Focus is on whether Australia's central bank turns odd man out and raises rates, with a policy decision due at 0330 GMT. Overnight the dollar had rallied with a rise in U.S. Treasury yields, leaving the Australian dollar under gentle pressure at $0.6495 in morning trade in Asia. Aussie government bond futures fell slightly and the ASX200 (.AXJO), which had gained five sessions in a row, slipped 0.4%. Ten year yields rose 10 bps on Monday, but had fallen almost 30 bps last week.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Ben Bennett, Alan Ruskin, George Saravelos, Commonwealth Bank analyst Carol Kong, Gold, bitcoin, Ankur Banerjee Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, Reserve Bank of Australia, Treasury, Japan's Nikkei, U.S . Federal Reserve, Nasdaq, Legal, General Investment Management, U.S, Deutsche Bank, Commonwealth Bank analyst, Brent, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, U.S, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan, East, Russia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore

☆ Dollar steady as risk rally eases, RBA in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. one dollar banknotes are seen in front of displayed stock graph in this illustration taken, February 8, 2021. The Australian dollar was 0.23% lower at $0.6474, but remained close to the three-month peak of $0.6523 touched on Monday. "I think the RBA will probably reiterate its tightening bias," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "But I think it's still too early to say the latest easing in the dollar will be sustained. The yen hit 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Carol Kong, Neel Kashkari, Jerome Powell, Powell, CBA's, Sterling, Kazuo Ueda, Ankur Banerjee, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reserve Bank of Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand, Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, U.S, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Dollar steady as risk rally eases, Reserve Bank of Australia in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A man walking past the Reserve Bank of Australia in the central business district of Sydney on June 7, 2022. The dollar was steady on Tuesday, holding overnight gains as investors took a breather from a risk rally, while the Australian currency drifted lower ahead of a central bank interest rates decision later in the day. All eyes in Asian hours will be on the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is widely expected to raise rates by 25 basis points, snapping four months of on hold policy decisions. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said on Monday the U.S. central bank likely has more work ahead of it to control inflation. The yen hit 151.74 per dollar last week, edging closer to October 2022 lows that spurred several rounds of dollar-selling intervention.

Persons: Carol Kong, Neel Kashkari, Jerome Powell, Powell, CBA's, Sterling, Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand, Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, U.S, Bank of Japan Locations: Sydney, Tokyo

SYDNEY, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Millions of Australians were left without a phone or internet connection on Wednesday after the country's second-largest telecommunications provider experienced an unexplained nationwide outage. "Our teams are working urgently to restore services. The government had sought further information from Optus including when they expected to restore services. Melbourne's train networks were forced to shut down for about 30 minutes due to the outage, resulting in delays during the morning rush, media reported. A cyber breach last year hit Optus, exposing personal details of millions of its customers, including their home addresses, driver licence and passport numbers.

Persons: telco, Michelle Rowland, Rowland, Renju Jose, Praveen Menon, Stephen Coates Organizations: SYDNEY, Optus, Singapore Telecommunications, Commonwealth Bank, CBA, Reuters, Federal Communications, ABC Radio, Thomson Locations: Sydney

☆ Optus outage nationwide affects millions of Australians, phone and internet connections still down
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Millions of Australians were left without a phone or internet connection on Wednesday after the country’s second-largest telecommunications provider experienced an unexplained nationwide outage. “It is highly unlikely (that the problem started within software in Optus networks), our systems are actually very stable … This is a very, very rare occurrence,” she said. It has wide ramifications across mobile, fixed, and broadband services for Optus customers,” Rowland told reporters. Ramsay Health Care, which owns 70 hospitals and clinics in Australia, its phone services were impacted. “We encourage any customers who need to contact emergency services to use a mobile line to call 000,” Optus said in a statement.

Persons: Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, ”, Angela Ican, Kyle, couldn’t, it’s, “, Michelle Rowland, ” Rowland, Ramsay Organizations: Optus, ABC Radio, Singapore Telecommunications, “, Reuters, ”, Bank, Federal Communications, Health Care, Optus landlines, ” Optus Locations: Australia

The results show how Australia's retail banks are leaning into businesses outside their traditional earnings engine of mortgages as higher interest rates raise the cost of repayments, spurring competition which has flattened profit margins. Sydney-listed Westpac said profit from its consumer division, which has just over one-fifth of Australian mortgages, shrank 7% in its full-year to end-September. Westpac gave no profit forecasts but said April-to-September trading was "more challenging" than the previous six months and "this is expected to continue into 2024". "If that does eventuate, interest rates will probably need to be higher than what we're thinking," he said on a call with analysts and media. Westpac declared a final dividend of 72 Australian cents per share, up from 64 Australian cents a year earlier.

Persons: David Gray, Azib Khan, Peter King, We've, Byron Kaye, Roushni Nair, Upasana Singh, Andrew Heavens, Josie Kao, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Australia's Westpac Banking Corp, REUTERS, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, ANZ, Sydney, midsession, P Capital, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Ukraine, Bengaluru

The funds available for deals are growing as investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth and insurance firms look for meaty returns hard to find in today's equity markets, especially in the beaten-down real estate sector. Australian real estate specialist Qualitas (QAL.AX), whose backers include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has nearly doubled funds under management to A$8 billion ($5.07 billion) since mid-2022, with roughly half the increase since this June. U.S.-based PGIM Real Estate expects to deploy a further $1 billion in the country over the next few years, said its head of Australian real estate Steve Bulloch. Lenders are expanding into residential and commercial construction as banks slow lending or exit, a March report from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said. JUICY RETURNSInvestors can expect returns from 9% to 11% with the added security of loans pledged against real assets like condos or warehouses, often with a 30% to 40% equity buffer, said Paul Notaras, executive director at Barings Real Estate Australia.

Persons: Stella Qiu, meaty, Steve Bulloch, JUICY, Paul Notaras, Notaras, Qualitas, Andrew Schwartz, Bonds, We've, Schwartz, Lewis Jackson, Rae Wee, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ Group, International Monetary, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australia, prudential, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Parramatta, Sydney, SYDNEY, Australian, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Qualitas, Singapore

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