DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Where key issues stand as UAW closes in on extended strikes against GM, Ford and Stellantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Headline economic issues and benefits such as hourly pay, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, wage progression and work-life balance remain central to the discussions. Here's a general overview of where the union and companies stand on key issues. Wage tiers — putting autoworkers into distinct pay ranges or classifications — is a tricky, moving target. The companies and union have defined tiers differently during past negotiations as well as during the talks this year. UAW leaders are specifically concerned with vehicle production commitments at Stellantis, which has proposed closing, selling or consolidating 18 facilities.

Persons: Ryan Sullivan, Chris Sanders, Stone, Casey Miner, Kennedy R, Barbee, Stephen Brown, Sarah Rice, Shawn Fain, Mark Reuss, there's, wouldn't, GM Organizations: United Auto Workers, Jeep, Getty, DETROIT, Detroit, UAW, General Motors, Ford Motor, Union, Media, GM, Ford Locations: Toledo , Ohio, Michigan , Ohio, Missouri, Wells Fargo, Here's, Stellantis

Perks Info icon Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. In our points and miles valuations, we peg Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents apiece in value on average. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.

Persons: Marriott, you'll, you've, Regis, Marriott Bonvoy, you'd, You'll, Read Organizations: Marriott, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express, Ritz, Carlton, TSA, Global, TSA PreCheck, Cell, New Hampshire Insurance Company, AIG Company Locations: Marriott Bonvoy, U.S, Marriott, St

☆ Your Fitbit and Apple Watch may wind up hurting you
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Kelli María Korducki | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen numbers take overThe 10,000-step benchmark has generally been the baseline goal for smartphone apps and fitness trackers. When the Fitbit tracker launched in 2009, 45 years after Yamasa's gadget cemented the 10,000-steps ideal in the public consciousness, it kick-started a boom in fitness wearables and spawned a frenzy for health data. This flood of easily accessible health data has certainly had some positive effects. Many fitness-tracking products also incorporate social-sharing features, which can give us a better perspective on how our exercise habits stack up against our friends', providing a little healthy competition as motivation. Many health- and fitness-tracking apps and wearables issue notifications throughout the day to urge their users toward their movement goals.

Persons: I've, Amanda Paluch, —, Paluch, John Toner, Toner, Cathleen Kronemer, Louis, she's, Kronemer, there's, I'm, Kelli María Korducki Organizations: Apple, US Department of Health, Human Services, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Hull, Health, Washington University School of Medicine, — Locations: East Asia, St, New York City

☆ Jefferies says this Latin American oil giant is underappreciated and can rally more than 35%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

For Brazilian oil and natural gas giant Petrobras , Jefferies says to "let the assets do the talking." It believes its pre-salt oil portfolio offshore Brazil gives it one of the strongest asset bases among global energy names — but shares are currently trading at a 30% discount to its peers. The market underappreciates PBR's high margin pre-salt assets & cash returns ability in an US$80/bbl oil world," analyst Alejandro Anibal Demichelis wrote in a Thursday note. Jefferies' set a $21.20 price target on shares, which implies nearly 38% upside potential from Wednesday's close. In comparison, other international oil companies have an average of 11% shareholder distribution yields and 5% dividend yields, according to Demichelis.

Persons: Jefferies, Alejandro Anibal Demichelis, Demichelis, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Petrobras, bbl, PBR's CF, PBR, West Texas Locations: Brazil

☆ GM executive slams UAW over 'flow of misinformation,' rhetoric during strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The UAW opens auto contract negotiations with Stellantis today, Ford on July 14, and General Motors on July 18. "As the past has clearly shown, nobody wins in a strike," Reuss said in a Wednesday column in the Detroit Free Press. watch nowGM's last offer was made Sept. 14, ahead of the union initiating a "Stand Up Strike" at one assembly plant each for GM, Ford Motor and Stellantis. UAW President Shawn Fain said Monday the strikes will expand at noon Friday unless "serious progress" is made in negotiations. Late Monday, Ford released a lengthy statement fact-checking comments made by Fain, including auto worker wages, company profits and stock buybacks.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Bill Pugliano, Mark Reuss, Reuss, GM's, Wells Fargo's Colin Langan, Langan, Andrew Harrer, Ford, Fain, Jim Farley, He's, We've, Farley, CNBC's Phil LeBeau, he's Organizations: United Auto Workers, Sterling Heights Assembly, UAW, Ford, General Motors, Getty, DETROIT, Detroit automakers, General, Detroit Free Press, GM, Ford Motor, Stellantis, General Motors Co, Chevrolet Silverado, Auto, Bloomberg Locations: Sterling Heights, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Stellantis, Wentzville , Missouri, Wayne , Michigan, Toledo , Ohio, Detroit , Michigan

MILAN (AP) — Thousands came out in a rain to watch an open-air Diesel show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday, making the denim-centric brand the hottest ticket in town. A latex dress hugged the form in a nearly nude beige, somewhere on the border between transparency and cover. Zip pockets are sewn into bra tops, while a trio of fanny packs become a bandeau top: perfect for the festival circuit. The technology going into the textiles is so cutting-edge that Rosso said that part of the production site is sealed off from the rest to protect the secrecy. “Touch the garments, and you will go out of your mind,’’ Rosso said.

Persons: Glenn Martens, Jaden Smith, Martens, fanny, Renzo Rosso, ’, Rosso, ’ ’ Rosso Organizations: MILAN, Milan Locations: tatters

☆ Opinion | Pro-Choice? Pro-Union? Donald Trump Has a Deal for You.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Ross Douthat | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

(And on the evidence of national polls, in which he now does slightly better than DeSantis against Biden, it’s working.) Does Trump actually have a labor-friendly solution to the U.A.W. workers should be fired the way Ronald Reagan fired the air traffic controllers. Likewise, can Trump actually mediate a national compromise on abortion by stiff-arming the pro-life movement? But his sudden pro-choice outreach is a cynical response to a real political problem for Republicans.

Persons: —, DeSantis, he’s, Biden, it’s, Tim Scott, Ronald Reagan, Trump Organizations: Trump, Republicans

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday declined to address a report its former foreign minister Qin Gang was ousted from his position over an alleged extramarital affair. When asked about the report during a regular press briefing Tuesday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said she was “not aware” of the information. “As for the appointment and removal of the Chinese Foreign Minister, the Chinese side has released information before,” spokesperson Mao Ning said in an apparent reference to the July announcement of his replacement. Qin served as Chinese Ambassador to the US from July 2021 until early 2023 when he assumed his short-lived role as foreign minister. According to a biographical information page on China’s Foreign Ministry website, Qin is married with a son.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Li Shangfu, “, Mao Ning, Wang Yi, –, Xi, Antony Blinken Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Wall Street Journal, Communist Party, Rocket Force, China’s Defense, Foreign Ministry, Communist, Wall Street, CNN, China’s, Information Office, China’s Foreign Ministry, Foreign Locations: Hong Kong, Washington, Beijing, China’s, China, United States

☆ Russell Brand’s Timeline of Scandal and Controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Alex Marshall | More About Alex Marshall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But after The Mail on Sunday newspaper wrote about the calls, thousands of irate callers flooded the BBC switchboard and the incident became a political storm. Brand was forced into an apology, but Greenslade said that incident didn’t affect Brand’s popularity among fans as it played into his “bad boy” image. With those videos, Monbiot said, Brand engaged young and disenfranchised voters in a way that actual politicians had struggled to do. Over time, the tenor of the Brand’s videos changed, and became filled with conspiracies and conservative talking points, including vaccine skepticism. Throughout his career, Brand — a self-described narcissist — had sought attention and on YouTube, it was right-wing talking points that got the most likes and shares.

Persons: Andrew Sachs, Manuel, Brand, Jonathan Ross, Greenslade, ” Greenslade, Sarah Marshall ”, he’d, George Monbiot, Brand’s, Monbiot, Ed Milliband, “, Rupert Murdoch, Anthony Fauci, ” Monbiot, —, Ron DeSantis Organizations: BBC, Labour Party, YouTube Locations: Britain, Spanish, ”, United States, British

☆ Strikes are often buying opportunities for GM shares, but this time could be different
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

GM, led by CEO Mary Barra, tends to be the U.S. automaker most affected by strikes, historically speaking. During past work stoppages, GM has experienced 94% of total lost worker days among the Big Three U.S. auto manufacturers, Barclays said. The trading pattern for GM shares during walkouts has been somewhat predictable. GM has so far followed this trend, with shares barely changed on the year, compared with a 15% gain for the S & P 500 . in the eventual agreement that create an amount in excess of this would likely negatively impact post-strike stock performance," Levy said.

Persons: Mary Barra, Dan Levy, Levy Organizations: Motors, Barclays, GM, Big, United Auto Workers, UAW Locations: U.S, walkouts

☆ Hunter Biden tells court he plans to plead not guilty to gun charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Kara Scannell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, plans to plead not guilty to federal gun charges, he said in a court filing Tuesday. He is also asking for his initial court appearance to be held remotely. In a letter to Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke, attorney Abbe Lowell said Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to the three felony gun charges relating his possession of a revolver in 2018 whether the appearance is held over video or in person. Hunter Biden was previously fingerprinted and had his mug shot taken when he was in court in July when his plea deal collapsed. Because it was in federal court, the photo was not made public.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Christopher Burke, Abbe Lowell, Mr, Biden, ” Lowell, “ Mr, “, ” Hunter Biden, Hunter Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Secret Locations: Wilmington , Delaware

☆ Side-by-side photos show 4 major changes made to SpaceX's Starship rocket system after its first launch ended in an explosion
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Marianne Guenot | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementMore than a thousand changes have been made to the rocket since and it is now "ready to launch" again Musk recently said. SpaceX's enormous Starship mega-rocket is made of two stages: the Starship spaceship and its booster, the Super Heavy booster. The Starship-Super Heavy launch system is made up of two stages. Instead, for Starship's maiden test flight, SpaceX decided to see if they could absorb the force of the flames with a thick concrete launchpad alone. The FAA will still need to review the changes made to the Starship launch system before it can grant a new license.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, it's, Abhi Tripathi, Starship's, Tripathi, Ashlee Vance, Vance, hushes, —, SpaceX's, LabPadre, SpaceX hasn't, It's, April's, Polly Trottenberg, Jared M, Margolis Organizations: SpaceX, Service, NASA, Super, Mission, University of California's, Sciences Laboratory, Flight Safety, FAA, Bloomberg, Boca Chica, CNBC, Texas Commission, Environmental, Center for Biological Diversity Locations: Wall, Silicon, Starship's, Boca Chica , Texas

A lawsuit filed Monday by an Islamic civil rights group on behalf of Khairullah and other plaintiffs says his exclusion from the White House event demonstrates that Muslims face negative repercussions even after they are able to clear their name from the list. The Secret Service declined to comment on the lawsuit. The FBI's Terrorist Screening Center plays a primary role in the watchlist, though many government agencies are involved in the secretive process. CAIR contends that its lawsuits have uncovered the breadth of government agencies that use the list, from local law enforcement to the State Department to the Secret Service. That's because in most cases, the government refuses to tell people if they've been placed on the list or if they've been removed.

Persons: — Mohamed Khairullah, Khairullah, Bashar Assad, Assad, ”, Hannah Mullen, Justin Sadowsky, ” Mullen, Mullen, they've, ” Khairullah Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Islamic Relations, CAIR, State Department, Secret Locations: U.S, Prospect Park , New Jersey, Newark , New Jersey, Syria, Boston, ”, Canada

☆ Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs. Z Flip 5: A larger cover screen and redesigned hinge make the new foldable option a better buy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Antonio Villas-Boas | John Lynch | Senior Tech Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs. Z Flip 5: DisplaysThe Galaxy Z Flip 4 (left) and Z Flip 5 (right) share very similar interior displays, save for extra brightness on the latter. AdvertisementAdvertisementSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs. Z Flip 5: Performance and storageThe Galaxy Z Flip 5 runs on a specialized version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that's technically more powerful than the Z Flip 4's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. AdvertisementAdvertisementSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs. Z Flip 5: CamerasThe Galaxy Z Flip 4's photo is brighter than the Z Flip 5's, but not in a good way. AdvertisementAdvertisementSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs. Z Flip 5: Battery lifeThe Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 5 have the same 3,700mAh battery and performed the same in our battery test. AdvertisementAdvertisementSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 vs. Z Flip 5: PriceYou can get the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Z Flip 5 at significant trade-in discounts.

Persons: Antonio Villas, it's, Worthy, That's, Price Organizations: Samsung, Qualcomm, Boas, YouTube, Netflix, Samsung Galaxy, Carriers, Verizon

☆ Stocks like Microsoft offer 'double digit growth' ahead thanks to AI, Wall Street analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Analysts say these stocks have double-digit growth potential and investors should buy shares now. They include: Microsoft, Wayfair, Pearson and Broadcom. Davidson admitted that the home category is displaying some degree of uncertainty, but Forte says he has confidence in Wayfair management's ability to deliver. In addition, Pearson's three emerging businesses, including Pearson+, English Language Learning and Workforce Solutions, are poised to "demonstrate double-digit growth," he said. Emerging businesses demonstrate double-digit growth, backed by cash flows from the core A & Q business."

Persons: Wayfair DA Davidson, Tom Forte, Davidson, Forte, Pearson, Morgan Stanley, Luke Holbrook, Morgan Stanley's, Holbrook, Cody Acree, Acree, DA Davidson, AVGO Organizations: CNBC, Microsoft, Wayfair, Pearson, Broadcom, Solutions, Nvidia, Citigroup, Benchmark, Data Center

☆ A former biology teacher who bought a small-town bookstore explains how she made the business profitable and competes with behemoths like Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Outside the front door of Main Street Books sits a three-tiered cart with neatly stacked brown bags filled with books. The "Curbside Pickup" cart, which sits outside Main Street Books, was born out of the coronavirus pandemic. Courtesy of Main Street BooksMain Street Books is on Main Street in Davidson, North Carolina, nestled between another local business, Summit Coffee, and a Fifth Third Bank. In 2018, the best-selling author David Sedaris came to Main Street Books for a reading. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, like most businesses, Main Street Books was forced to close.

Persons: Adah Fitzgerald, she's, she'd, —, bookstore's, They're, it's, Fitzgerald, — Barbara Freund, Betty Reinke —, stepdad, David Sedaris, Fitzgerald didn't, That's, Andrea Jasmin, Beth Helfrich, Catherine Edmondson, Kendra Adachi, QuickBooks Organizations: Small, Service, Fifth Third Bank, Books, Woodlawn School, Davidson College, Street Books, American Booksellers Association Locations: breakeven, Davidson , North Carolina, Davidson

☆ UAW strike brings blue-collar vs. billionaire battle to Detroit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

In this article STLAGMF Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTwatch nowDETROIT — The United Auto Workers strike is bringing a blue-collar versus billionaire battle to the Motor City, just as UAW President Shawn Fain wanted. Fain, a quirky yet emboldened leader, has meticulously brought the UAW back into the national spotlight after decades of near irrelevance. He wants to represent not just union members but also America's embattled middle class, which UAW helped create. United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain joins UAW members who are on a strike, on the picket line at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, September 15, 2023. Such profits are exactly what Fain has said UAW members deserve to share in.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, Rebecca Cook, Joe Biden, Biden, We've, Ford, Jim Farley, CNBC's Phil LeBeau, he's, Mary Barra, Stellantis, bargainers, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, Bob King, I've, it's, Anthony Dobbins, Dobbins, That's, Michael Wayland, Farley, Barra Organizations: DETROIT, United Auto Workers, Motor, UAW, Ford Michigan Assembly Plant, Reuters, Ford Bronco, UAW GM, Chrysler, National, General Motors, Ford Motor, Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant's, National Labor Relations Board, GM, Ford, CNBC, Democratic, UAW Local Locations: Motor City, irrelevance, Wayne , Michigan, Ford, Michigan, Vermont

☆ India's Infosys signs $1.5 bln contract to leverage AI solutions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An employee walks past a signage board in the Infosys campus at the Electronics City IT district in Bangalore, February 28, 2012. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Sept 15 (Reuters) - India's second-largest software services exporter Infosys (INFY.NS) said it signed a $1.5 billion contract for a 15-year period with a "global company". Under the deal, Infosys will provide enhanced digital experiences and business operation services, leveraging the company's platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, it said on Thursday. Infosys did not name the company nor mention whether it is an existing client. In July, Infosys signed a $2 billion deal with an existing client to provide AI and automation services for five years.

Persons: Vivek Prakash, Manvi, Janane Organizations: Infosys, Electronics City IT, REUTERS, Rights, Nvidia, Reliance Industries, Tata group's Tata Consultancy Services, Thomson Locations: Bangalore, U.S, Manvi Pant, Bengaluru

☆ Many Boards Are Playing Catch-Up on ESG and Green Issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Rob Sloan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

Other findings were that most believed sustainability efforts had brought real benefits and said ESG engagement with investors had been mostly positive. They also reported that while about half of big companies had ESG targets—many linked to executive compensation—smaller, private companies lagged behind. For public companies investors were most influential, followed by regulators, while directors of private businesses ranked their customers as top with investors in second place. “You had a wind that was giving companies and boards energy, and now you have a countervailing wind of political backlash,” Smith said. Despite those changes, half of respondents believe ESG will continue to be an important driver of their business decisions and strategy.

Persons: aren’t, —, ”, Kristin Campbell, Campbell, “, Alan Smith —, Smith, ” Hilton’s Campbell, ” Smith, ESG, ” Campbell, — hadn’t, Rob Sloan Organizations: Pro, National Association of Corporate, ESG, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Regency Centers, HSBC, Estates, Sustainable Business, rob.sloan@wsj.com Locations: U.S

☆ This new ETF tries to squeeze income from zero-day options
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Investment firm Defiance announced Thursday that it launched the Nasdaq-100 Enhanced Income Options Income ETF (QQQY). In the first half of this year, zero-day options accounted for 43% of all the contracts on the S & P 500 according to the report. Total daily trading volume in zero-day options topped $1 trillion earlier this year . While QQQY appears to be the first ETF focused solely on zero-day options, it is not the only put-write fund on the market. Its total return over the past five years is less than half that of the S & P 500, according to FactSet.

Persons: Defiance, Sylvia Jablonski, Cboe, QQQY Organizations: Investment, Nasdaq, CNBC Locations: Cboe

☆ U.S. Treasury official says Iraq must act to avoid further action on banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Timour Azhari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Employees walk at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq August 15, 2023. Despite the crackdown, the senior U.S. Treasury official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were still other Iraqi banks operating with risks "that must be remediated". Iraq's central bank governor has said Iraq is committed to implementing tighter financial regulations and combating the smuggling of dollars. The central bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. However, there were still "vested interests comfortable with the status quo that can create friction to driving change," the Treasury official said, without identifying who these were.

Persons: Ahmed Saad, Farhad Alaadin, Alaadin, Saddam Hussein, Mohammed Shia Al, Timour Azhari, Alexander Smith Organizations: Central Bank of, REUTERS, Treasury, U.S, Reuters, Iraqi, U.S . Federal, Iraq, U.S . Treasury, Thomson Locations: Central Bank of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, Iran, BAGHDAD, U.S, United States, Iraqi, Iranian, Tehran, Iraq's

☆ Thousands of UAW members go on strike at three key auto plants after deal deadline passes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this article GMFSTLA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTMembers of the United Auto Workers union hold a rally and practice picket near a Stellantis plant in Detroit, Aug. 23, 2023. For Ford, UAW President Shawn Fain said only workers in paint and final assembly will be on strike. About 12,700 workers – 5,800 at Stellantis, 3,600 at GM and 3,300 at Ford – will be on strike at the plants in total, the union said. The UAW represents about 146,000 workers across Ford, GM and Stellantis. Fain has referred to the union's plans as a "stand-up strike," a nod to historic "sit-down" strikes by the UAW in the 1930s.

Persons: Michael Wayland, Shawn Fain, Fain, Joe Biden, Biden, Ford Organizations: United Auto Workers, CNBC DETROIT –, General Motors, Ford Motor, Ford, UAW, GM, Facebook, YouTube, Detroit automakers, Tesla, Toyota Locations: Detroit, Wentzville , Missouri, Wayne , Michigan, Toledo , Ohio, Stellantis, United States

[1/2] Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command speaks at the IISS Special Lecture in Singapore March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States may seek access to more military bases in the Philippines under a joint defence agreement between the two countries, the chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific command said on Thursday. Admiral John Aquilino said he and the Philippines' military chief, Romeo Brawner, had discussed further expanding the number of bases U.S. forces could access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The United States says it intends to bolster an already strong alliance and improve the defence capability of the Philippines. Aquilino also said the two countries were seeking to complete an agreement on boosting their intelligence sharing.

Persons: John C, Aquilino, Caroline Chia, Admiral John Aquilino, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, there's, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Pacific Command, REUTERS, Rights, Enhanced, Thomson Locations: United States, Singapore, Rights MANILA, States, Philippines, U.S, China, Washington, Taiwan

☆ London gold body aims to create secure global database
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Melted gold flows out of a smelter into a mould of a bar at a plant of gold and silver refiner and bar manufacturer Argor-Heraeus in Mendrisio, Switzerland, July 13, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies The London Bullion Market Association FollowLONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) on Thursday called for proposals from service firms to create a secure global database that would improve trust in the gold market's value chain. Gold refineries must source gold responsibly under the industry body's accreditation requirements, allowing them access to London's bullion market, the world's largest. The group's database of Russian gold bars held by banks in London helps to prevent sanctions evasion by Russian companies. Reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Ruth Crowell, Polina Devitt, Richard Chang Organizations: REUTERS, Bullion Market, Bullion Market Association, Thomson Locations: Mendrisio, Switzerland, London

☆ New ETF looks to tap hot market for zero-day options
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Miami-based ETF sponsor Defiance ETFs LLC launched the Defiance Nasdaq-100 Enhanced Option Income ETF on Thursday, the first ETF to use daily options income generation, the ETF sponsor said in a press release. The ETF seeks to tap into the dual popularity of short-dated options contracts and the heightened interest in ETFs that seek to generate income through a combination of selling options and investing in U.S. large cap stocks. Investors have also flocked to ETFs that look to generate income and reduce portfolio volatility by selling options against stocks. One such ETF - the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI.P) - has grown its assets to about $29.5 billion from about $12.4 billion a year ago. Defiance ETFs is set to launch two other ETFs - the Defiance S&P 500 Enhanced Options Income ETF and Defiance R2000 Enhanced Options Income ETF , which will employ a similar strategy with exposure to the S&P 500 (.SPX) and the Russell 2000 Indexes (.RUT), respectively.

Persons: Sylvia Jablonski, QQQY, Lois Gregson, Gregson, Russell, Seth Golden, Golden, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Richard Chang, Ira Iosebashvili, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Defiance, Investors, JPMorgan, FactSet Research Systems, Finom, Thomson Locations: Miami

Search resuls for: "Enhanced"

25 mentions found