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A 25 basis-point rise would take Bank Rate to 4.25%, where most economists said it would stay for at least a year. But investors have turned more doubtful about the BoE's appetite for more rate hikes in recent days amid mounting anxieties about the global banking sector. Interest rate futures on Friday showed traders were putting a roughly 50-50 chance on the BoE maintaining Bank Rate at 4% next week. Investors expect a 25 basis-point rate hike from the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday, a day before the BoE's announcement. Forty-two of 47 economists polled by Reuters between March 13-16 expected the BoE to announce a 25 basis-point hike, hold Bank Rate at 4.25% for at least year and then lower it.

☆ A disturbing image of an elephant with a deformed spine shows the brutal toll that tourist rides can have
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Pictures of rescued elephants show the toll of the tourist trade on the hard-working animals. Unlike horses, elephants were not bred to be ridden and tourist treks can cause irreversible damage. Amy Jones/Moving Animals/WFFTPai Lin, the elephant shown on the left, was rescued after more than 25 years in the trekking industry. Boon Chuey, shown below, is another elephant whose spine was deformed by the tourist trade, per the WFFT. Amy Jones/Moving Animals/WFFT"It's important to understand that elephants, unlike horses, are not bred to be ridden.

Gigi Sohn testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing, examining her nomination to be appointed Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., February 9, 2022. Gigi Sohn, who was chosen by President Joe Biden to serve as telecommunications regulator to the Federal Communications Commission, said on Tuesday that she's withdrawing her nomination. After multiple hearings in the Senate Commerce Committee, it was still unclear if Sohn would have the votes for her nomination to pass the full Senate. During a 16-month battle with cable and media industry lobbyists, Sohn said she's been subject to "unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks" that have taken "an enormous toll" on her family. "And with the help of their friends in the Senate, the powerful cable and media companies have done just that."

Summary Poll dataBENGALURU, March 7 (Reuters) - India's housing market will remain resilient despite rising interest rates and a weak global economic outlook, according to a Reuters poll of property analysts who have barely changed their forecasts from three months ago. Defying a global trend of falling housing prices as mortgage rates rise and crimp affordability, India has exhibited resilience and is emerging from a decade-long downturn due to strong demand. A major source of employment in a country of 1.4 billion people where a majority are unskilled, the Indian housing market is likely to remain a stable contributor to economic activity in Asia's third-largest economy. A recent increase in unemployment also raises concerns about the sustainability of the current housing market trend. "Amid rising prices, affordability will only worsen in the coming quarters.

Mortgage rates had been broadly declining since October but resumed their ascent in recent weeks on expectations the Fed will keep its federal funds rate higher for longer. While house prices probably had a bit further to fall, an overall housing shortage will broadly support these historically-elevated levels, Sunbury said. "We don't think affordability will return to its post-GFC levels or even its pre-pandemic average in the coming years." The 30-year fixed mortgage rate, currently at 6.5%, will average 6.35% this year, the poll found. (For other stories from the Reuters quarterly housing market polls:)Reporting by Indradip Ghosh and Prerana Bhat; Polling by Susobhan Sarkar and Sujith Pai; Editing by Hari Kishan, Ross Finley and Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ At least two more Fed rate hikes and no cut this year, say economists: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Indradip Ghosh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

All 37 who replied to an extra question said the bigger risk was the fed funds rate would peak even higher. That means the Fed is going to keep the policy rate at high levels for quite a bit longer." One-third, or 18 of those 54 economists, predicted the fed funds rate would peak at 4.75%-5.00% and hold there through the remainder of the year. The unemployment rate, currently at the lowest since 1969, was expected to climb to 4.8% in Q1 2024, by which time most economists were expecting at least one rate cut. Asked which was more likely to compel a rate cut, 21 of 35 economists said a significant fall in inflation, with 14 saying a significant rise in unemployment.

☆ European Central Bank to raise deposit rate to 3.25% by mid-year - Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Jonathan Cable | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ECB President Christine Lagarde and her Governing Council will take the deposit rate to 2.50% on Feb. 2, said 55 of 59 economists in the Jan. 13-20 poll. The central bank will then add 25 basis points next quarter before pausing, giving a terminal rate in the current cycle of 3.25%, its highest since late 2008. In December's poll, the rate was put at 2.50% at end-March and was seen topping out at 2.75%. Reuters Poll - ECB deposit rate outlookAsked how the risks were skewed to their terminal deposit rate forecasts, over two-thirds of respondents, 23 of 33, said it was more likely it ends higher rather than lower than they currently expect. The refinancing rate was expected to rise 50 basis points to 3.00% next week and reach a peak of 3.50% in March.

☆ Death toll from Tibet avalanche rises to 28
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Jan 21 (Reuters) - At least 28 people were killed in an avalanche in the city of Nyingchi in the southwestern region of Tibet, the official Xinhua news agency reported late on Friday. Fifty-three survivors were found, five of whom were seriously injured, Global Times reported, citing a local government official in the western Chinese region. read moreWith an altitude of nearly 4,500 metres (14,764 ft), Doxong La mountain has steep slopes and Doxong La section of the road is rugged. The avalanche was triggered by strong winds as the weather gets warm, Xinhua added. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Malaysia central bank to hike rates to 3.00% on Thursday: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Sujith Pai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) became in May last year one of the first Asian central banks to hike rates in the current cycle and has added a cumulative 100 basis points. Median forecasts in the poll showed inflation to average 3.0% this year, an upgrade from the 2.8% predicted in October. All but one of 27 economists in the Jan. 10-16 Reuters poll forecast the central bank to hike its overnight policy rate (MYINTR=ECI) to 3.00%, where it was before the pandemic, at its meeting on Jan. 19. While a slim majority of respondents, 13 of 24, expected rates to still be 3.00% at end-March, 10 of them had a 3.25% forecast. Nearly 60% of economists, 14 of 24, expected rates to reach 3.25% or above by end-June, a quarter point higher from a November poll.

☆ 23 of the best business apps for entrepreneurs that help with organization, connectivity, and mindfulness
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Digital tools such as apps have become a crucial part of running a business, founders told Insider. Many of these apps are free and help with tasks like organizing project timelines or meditation. Many of these apps are free or low-cost and help entrepreneurs with tasks like organizing project timelines, connecting with customers, and finding time for themselves. TikTok"I love TikTok for both life and business," Daphne Chen, the founder of the sexual-healthcare company TBD Health, said. CalmDiego Osorio, the founder of the tequila brand Lobos 1707, prefers the Calm meditation app for 20-minute meditations and stress management.

☆ A market downturn hasn't made activist investing any easier. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But even with a market downturn, activist investors' campaigns haven't been the cakewalk some might expect. Insider's Daniel Geiger, Rebecca Ungarino, and Casey Sullivan spoke to industry insiders — including famed activist investor Carl Icahn — about why the current landscape isn't as accepting as some might think to activist campaigns. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and a difficult market environment doesn't mean we'll see the number of campaigns decrease. Click here to read more about why top activist investors like Carl Icahn say this line of work is riskier than ever. Here's a five-step plan to help you decide when that side gig you have should be the only gig you have.

BENGALURU, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Indian shares reversed early gains on Friday, dragged by information technology stocks, after HCL Technologies warned of a potential slowdown in client spending in the industry's key U.S. markets as recession fears weighed. read moreAll the top losers in the Nifty 50 index were information technology stocks, with HCL Tech, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and TCS, leading the decline. Most of the other sectors, however, gained as an overnight slide in oil prices and the easing of China's COVID-19 curbs limited losses. The Nifty PSU (.NIFTYPSU) index rose over 1%, on course to advance for the seventh day in a row, if gains hold. Oil prices stabilised, but still hovered around 2022 lows, after slipping for the fifth day in a row on Thursday.

☆ U.S. heading into shallow recession, no respite from rate hikes yet: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Indradip Ghosh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Unless inflation recedes quickly, the U.S. economy still appears headed for some trouble, though possibly a little later than expected. Although the fed funds rate is expected to peak at 4.75%-5.00% early next year in line with interest rate futures, one-third of economists, 24 of 72, expected it to go higher. A large majority of economists, 35 of 48, said any recession would be short and shallow. Eight said long and shallow, while four said there won't be any recession. The U.S. unemployment rate (USUNR=ECI), which so far has stayed low, was expected to climb from the current 3.7% to 4.9% by early 2024.

☆ Black Friday and Cyber Monday editors' picks: What our staff bought
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Gabriella Depinho | Gabriella Depinho Is A Production Coordinator For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the busiest shopping events of the year. Some of our staff purchased tried and true favorites that needed replacing, like beloved Lululemon running sneakers or perfume. I bought the Kalorik MAXX 10-in-1 because I have a large household and its 26-quart capacity can cook an entire rotisserie chicken. They’re lightweight yet supportive, and great for running outdoors or on the treadmill.” — Zoe Malin, associate updates editor“My brother and I bought this iPad for my mother's Christmas present. It also comes with a dishwasher-safe scraping tool for easy clean-up, says Cuisinart” — Mili Godio, associate reporter“I bought this cute toiletry bag that looks roomy.

If you were hoping to get some great electronics deals, a variety of Sonos devices are currently marked down. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best ongoing Sonos Cyber Monday deals to shop. Best Cyber Monday Sonos deals to shop nowBelow, we're sharing the best Sonos Cyber Monday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 6,772 reviews on AmazonThis sleek, wireless speaker delivers music, podcasts, radio and more with a rich, clear sound, says the brand. They can be placed around the room to deliver balanced sound, Sonos says, and offer Trueplay technology that adjusts the volume based on the acoustics of the room.

☆ 21 best Apple Cyber Monday deals live right now
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Deanna Pai | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

If you’re still planning to get some great Apple deals, you’re in luck. SKIP AHEAD Best early Cyber Monday Apple sales to shop nowApple's ongoing Black Friday deal offers a gift card with each purchase of an eligible product. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best Apple Black Friday deals to shop. Best early Cyber Monday Apple deals to shop nowBelow, we're sharing the best Apple Cyber Monday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. Best early Cyber Monday 2022 Apple salesHere are the best early Cyber Monday Apple sales we think you’ll want to know about.

The Nintendo Switch Black Friday Bundle, which pairs the console with a Mario Kart game and three-month online membership, all for the same price as the Nintendo Switch alone. Nintendo Switch BundleIf you want to introduce a loved one to the magic of the Nintendo Switch gaming — or just give it a try for yourself — then this bundle is a good place to start. Nintendo Switch accessories on saleTo ensure the quality of each deal, we’re running deals through price trackers like CamelCamelCamel and Honey — each product is at its lowest price in three months. 4.8-star average rating from 15,571 reviews on AmazonWhile the Nintendo Switch is famously portable, it can come with various accessories and games. Best Cyber Monday 2022 gaming salesHere are the best Cyber Monday gaming sales we think you’ll want to know about.

If you’re still planning to get some great Apple deals, you’re in luck. SKIP AHEAD Best Black Friday Apple sales to shop nowApple's ongoing Black Friday deal offers a gift card with each purchase of an eligible product. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best Apple Black Friday deals to shop. Best Black Friday Apple deals to shop nowBelow, we're sharing the best Apple Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. Best Black Friday 2022 Apple salesHere are the best Black Friday Apple sales we think you’ll want to know about.

The Nintendo Switch Black Friday Bundle, which pairs the console with a Mario Kart game and three-month online membership, all for the same price as the Nintendo Switch alone. Nintendo Switch BundleIf you want to introduce a loved one to the magic of the Nintendo Switch gaming — or just give it a try for yourself — then this bundle is a good place to start. The dock also allows for tabletop gaming, Nintendo says, which can be great when gaming with an audience. Nintendo Switch accessories on sale4.6-star average rating from 17,971 reviews on AmazonThis Bluetooth-enabled, wireless controller has everything you need if you want to play Nintendo Switch games with a crowd, PowerA says. Best Black Friday 2022 gaming salesHere are the best Black Friday gaming sales we think you’ll want to know about.

SKIP AHEAD Best Black Friday Apple sales to shop nowApple's current Black Friday deal offers a gift card with each purchase of an eligible product. For instance, when you buy certain iPhone models or Apple Watch SE, you'll get a $50 Apple gift card; AirPods come with a $75 Apple gift card, and MacBooks qualify for a $250 Apple gift card. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best Apple Black Friday deals to shop. Best Black Friday Apple deals to shop nowBelow, we're sharing the best Apple Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. Best Black Friday 2022 Apple salesHere are the best Black Friday Apple sales we think you’ll want to know about.

It’s Black Friday, and if you’re planning to get some great electronics deals, you’re in luck. Best Black Friday Sonos deals to shop nowBelow, we're sharing the best Sonos Black Friday deals based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 6,772 reviews on AmazonThis sleek, wireless speaker delivers music, podcasts, radio and more with a rich, clear sound, says the brand. 4.2-star average rating from 1,447 reviews on AmazonSonos says that this portable speaker offers the crisp listening experience expected of a Sonos speaker, but in a more durable design, according to the brand. 4.7-star average rating from 972 reviews on Best BuyWhether you're streaming a show, watching a movie or playing video games, this soundbar delivers high-quality, crisp sound.

The Nintendo Switch Black Friday Bundle, which pairs the console with a Mario Kart game and three-month online membership, all for the same price as the Nintendo Switch alone. Here, what you need to know about it — and why, exactly, this bundle is such a big deal. Nintendo Switch BundleIf you want to introduce a loved one to the magic of the Nintendo Switch gaming — or just give it a try for yourself — then this bundle is a good place to start. The dock also allows for tabletop gaming, Nintendo says, which can be great when gaming with an audience. It also includes a three-month Nintendo switch online membership, which gives you access to online play, cloud saves and classic games — making it a great value whether you choose to gift it or keep it.

☆ ECB set to raise deposit rate 50 bps as euro zone enters recession -economists
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Jonathan Cable | Leigh Thomas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It will lift its deposit rate by another 50 bps on Dec. 15, taking it to 2.00%, and do the same to the refinancing rate, putting it at 2.50%, according to the median forecasts in the Nov. 15-21 Reuters poll. That deposit rate view was held by a majority of 45 of 62 respondents, while 14 said it would add another 75 bps as it has done at its previous two meetings. When asked about the risks to their deposit rate forecasts, 18 of 22 economists said it would end higher, either earlier of later than they expect. However, collectively economists gave a 70% probability their deposit rate peak forecasts were accurate. GDP was predicted to fall 0.4% this quarter and in the first quarter of next year, meeting the technical definition of recession.

☆ German home prices to fall 3.5% next year as buyers feel the pinch
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Jonathan Cable | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - German house prices will fall 3.5% next year as the cost of living crisis and rising borrowing costs hits consumers, but the chances of an outright crash are low, according to a Reuters poll of property market experts. Average house prices in Germany will fall 3.5% in 2023 the Nov. 8-18 poll of 12 market watchers predicted, a sharp turnaround from the 0.5% increase predicted in an August poll. In 2024 they will fall 0.5% but then rise 1.0% in 2025. Still, the median response when asked how much prices would fall from peak to trough was 10.0%, with the steepest drop given as 17.5%. (For other stories from the Reuters quarterly housing market polls:)Reporting by Jonathan Cable; Polling by Sujith Pai and Aditi Verma; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Fed terminal rate to reach just under 5%, said bond strategists
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With scant evidence of sustained cooling in inflation, global central banks are unlikely to deviate yet from their current tightening paths. If any, the bias was for them to take interest rates higher or keep them at elevated levels for longer. He also said the "ultimate level" of the central bank's benchmark policy rate was likely to be higher than previously estimated. The median forecast from over 30 bond strategists who answered an additional question in the Nov. 4-9 poll put the terminal fed funds rate at 4.75%-5.00%, with one forecast as high as 5.50%-5.75%. A strong 74% majority, 23 of 31, expected the terminal rate to be reached by end-Q1 2023.

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