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☆ From banking giants to lending up-and-comers — here are the world's top 200 fintech companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Statista identified 40 firms as top digital payments companies. While digital payments is often the area that draws most investor buzz, lending generates more money in financial services. Statista identified 25 fintech companies that fall into the category of top alternate lending firms. They include American small business lending firm Biz2Credit, Irish e-commerce lending company Wayflyer, and Latvian loan refinancing startup Mintos. Digital business solutions

Persons: Monzo, there's, Statista, Afterpay, It's, Binance, eToro, Equity crowdfunding, hasn't, Peter Hazlehurst Organizations: JPMorgan —, Orange, Digital, U.S, SEC, European, Education, Equity, Republic, Tech, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, CNBC, Solaris Locations: fintech, Europe, Nigeria, Orange, Africa, Terra, U.S, Cayman Islands, American, Latvian, U.K

"China is not trying to supplant the IMF," said Matthew Mingey, a senior analyst with Rhodium Group. "When China has allowed these swap lines to be tapped, in many cases it's to unlock an IMF bailout or ensure an IMF programme stays on track." In turn, China is a major customer for Argentina's soy, corn and poultry exports. "China has every incentive to tightly manage Argentine drawings under the swap lines as the risks are very high." The swap line that the People's Bank of China (PBOC) signed in 2009 with Buenos Aires was the first agreed with a Latin American country.

Persons: Matthew Mingey, Buenos, Mark Sobel, Sobel, Sergio Massa, Martin Castellano, Alejandro Werner, Werner, Mingey, Jorgelina, Rosario, Karin Strohecker, Jorge Otaola, Joe Cash, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: International Monetary Fund, IMF, U.S . Treasury, Reuters, World Bank, TAG, People's Bank of China, Buenos Aires, Economy, Institute of International Finance, Relations, Georgetown Americas Institute, Western Hemisphere Department, Thomson Locations: China, Argentina, Beijing, Washington, Latin America, Buenos Aires, U.S, Buenos, American, United States, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Ukraine

☆ Stocks fall, Treasuries gain after Fitch downgrades US rating
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Xie Yu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/file photoHONG KONG, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Asian stocks traded lower while U.S. Treasury yields declined on Wednesday, after ratings agency Fitch unexpectedly downgraded the United States' top-tier sovereign credit rating. Asian stocks were also weighed by declines on Wall Street overnight. Fitch cut the United States by one notch to AA+ from AAA, citing fiscal deterioration, a decision announced after the Wall Street close on Tuesday. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields declined by about 2 basis points to 4.025% in Tokyo. The United States publishes fresh data on jobless claims and unemployment later this week.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Fitch, Hong Kong's, HSI, Manishi Raychaudhuri, counterintuitively, Steven Ricchiuto, Brent, Xie Yu, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Treasury, United, Japan's Nikkei, AAA, Asia, BNP Paribas, Standard, U.S ., Mizuho Securities, West Texas, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, United States, Asia, ., U.S, China

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File PhotoAug 3 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. Services PMI data from Australia, Japan, India and China are due on Thursday, with China's unofficial Caixin report coming under the closest scrutiny. The U.S. yield curve has been steepening for more than a week, led by selling at the long end. The yen ended the day little changed, and dollar/yen volatility is comfortably lower than it was before Friday's BOJ move.

Persons: Issei Kato, Jamie McGeever, Friday's, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, AAA, PMI, Nasdaq, Treasury, Bank of, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Australia, India, China, U.S

☆ Bank of England set to raise rates for 14th time in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( David Milliken | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A pedestrian carrying an umbrella walks near the Bank of England in the City of London, Britain, July 30, 2023. Market expectations for peak Bank Rate reached 6.5% on July 11 after data showed record wage growth before falling back to 5.75% after a sharp decline in consumer price inflation. Investors see a two-in-three chance of the BoE raising Bank Rate to 5.25% on Thursday but for most economists polled by Reuters the BoE's decision is finely balanced. However, some BoE critics argue it risks causing an unnecessary downturn, and that higher rates are a poor tool to tackle inflation caused by higher food and energy prices. "The main winners are banks, whose profits have flourished thanks to higher rates," said Fran Boait, co-executive director of campaign group Positive Money.

Persons: Hollie Adams, Bailey, BoE, Rishi Sunak, James Smith, Smith, Andrew Bailey, Dave Ramsden, Swati Dhingra, Silvana Tenreyro, Megan Greene, Fran Boait, ING's Smith, David Milliken, William Schomberg, Giles Elgood Organizations: Bank of England, City of, REUTERS, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Mortgage, Investors, Reuters, ING, Kroll Institute, Monetary, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, Germany

☆ Morgan Stanley: These are the 5 key themes shaping the housing market for years to come, and the 5 stock-market industries filled with opportunities and pitfalls investors need to watch for
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Mark Reeth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Morgan Stanley economists see a stronger housing market cycle and interest rates being cut in 2024. Luckily, Morgan Stanley strategists think the housing market is finally reaching a turning point. That will mark the end of the current craziness and the beginning of a new housing market cycle. As for the US industries and stocks connected to the housing market, Wilson noted that tomorrow's market will bring about different winners and losers. Higher interest rates mean higher mortgage rates, and higher mortgage rates mean lower demand for mortgages.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Mike Wilson, Wilson, homebuyers, there's, isn't, Morgan Stanley Wilson Organizations: Housing Locations: homeownership, rentership

A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for investors holding other currencies. PVM analyst Tamas Varga noted that for months, predictions have been made that global oil demand will grow in the second half of 2023 versus the first half, in tandem with supply cuts to reduce global oil inventories. The latest figures from the U.S.- the world's biggest fuel consumer - showed fuel demand rose the highest level since August 2019. A Reuters poll also estimated U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have declined last week. In a conference on Monday, BP (BP.L) chief Bernard Looney presaged oil demand growth continuing into next year and OPEC+ being increasingly disciplined.

Persons: Johan Sverdrup, Carina Johansen, NTB, Brent, Dennis Kissler, Tamas Varga, group's, Bernard Looney, Arathy somasekhar, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, Christian Schmollinger, Sonali Paul, David Evans, Nick Macfie, Jan Harvey Organizations: Reuters Connect, HOUSTON, Brent, . West Texas, BOK, Reuters, Thomson Locations: North, ., U.S, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Houston, London, Singapore

Three of the six central banks overseeing the 10 most heavily traded currencies that met in July hiked rates, while the other three kept their benchmarks unchanged, Reuters data showed. "Chile announced a larger-than-expected rate cut, and is the first emerging market to jump on the easing bandwagon in the current cycle," said Charu Chanana, market strategist at Saxo. Twelve out of 18 central banks in the Reuters sample of developing economies had interest rate setting meetings in July. However, nine central banks opted to keep policy unchanged, with rate hikes coming from Turkey and Russia - two countries whose monetary policy circles are determined by domestic dynamics rather than global trends. On the rate cutting side, emerging market central banks have seen three cuts reducing interest rates by 160 bps in total.

Persons: Christian Keller, Costa, Charu, Karin Strohecker, Vincent Flasseur, David Evans Organizations: LONDON, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of Canada, European Central Bank, Fed, ECB, Barclays, Saxo, Thomson Locations: Chile, Turkey, Russia, Latin America, Costa Rica, Uruguay

European stocks (.STOXX) fell 0.2%, stepping back from a 2% gain in July, its second month of gains. UK stocks (.FTSE) edged up 0.1%, however, with HSBC (HSBA.L) climbing 2.6% after announcing a $2 billion share buyback and raising its key profitability target. Oil prices traded near a three-month high hit on Monday amid signs of tightening global supply. Also buoying prices were producers cutting output and demand in the United States, the world's biggest fuel consumer, remaining resilient. The U.S. dollar index - which measures the currency against six major peers - rose as high as 102.07 for the first time since July 10.

Persons: Sandrine Perret, Hong, HSI, Alec Jin, Tom Wilson, Kevin Buckland, Ankur Banerjee, Lincoln, Bernadette Baum Organizations: HSBC, LONDON, . Federal, Fed, Brent, Energy, BP, Bank of, Japan's Nikkei, Reserve Bank of Australia, U.S, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Unigestion, United States, London, Asia, Tokyo

☆ Asia stocks near 16-month peak on economic optimism, Aussie eases before RBA
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Aussie dollar, meanwhile, eased slightly heading into a central bank policy decision, with traders laying about 30% odds on a quarter-point rate hike. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares (.MIAP00000PUS) rose 0.25%, heading back toward the high reached Monday, which was its strongest level since April of last year. The dollar added as much as 0.37% to reach a three-week high of 142.80 yen . Japan's benchmark 10-year yield hovered around 0.6%, far from the new de facto cap at 1%. The Aussie weakened 0.34% to $0.66955, putting it around the middle of its trading range of the past week.

Persons: Tony Sycamore, cryptocurrency bitcoin, Kevin Buckland, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of, Japan's Nikkei, IG, Caterpillar, U.S, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Asia, United States, Beijing, Sydney

☆ Morning Bid: Testing the 'Goldilocks' view of the global economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Kevin Buckland. The 'Goldilocks' view that equity investors are taking of the global economy continued into August, as a benchmark of Asian stocks hovered around Monday's 16-month highs. Signs of a peak for European consumer inflation to start the week echoed the narrative in the U.S., where optimism for a soft landing continues to grow. And the Bank of England decision on Thursday could mar the peak rates story for the world's major central banks. The PMI parade continues through the day, with numbers from the euro zone and many of its members, including Germany, as well as from the UK and the U.S.

Persons: Kevin Buckland, Muralikumar Organizations: United, Bank of, PMI, BP, Diageo, Caterpillar, PMIs, U.S ., Italy U.S, ISM, Uniper, Daimler, Deutsche Post U.S, Uber, Pfizer, Merck, Starbucks, AMD, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, Bank of England, Beijing, Germany, Europe, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, Tokyo

☆ Gold subdued on dollar strength as markets await economic data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A technician cleans impurities from melted gold bars at Primera Gold's laboratory in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, May 12, 2023. Gold prices edged lower on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar climbed, while investors looked forward to key economic data this week for signs on how long the interest rates could keep rising to quell sticky inflation. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,961.49 per ounce by 0343 GMT, while U.S. gold futures dropped 0.5% to $1,961.10 per ounce. Gold prices ended July 2.3% higher, the biggest monthly rise in four months on expectations that an end to the rate-hiking cycle by global central banks was nearing. This is why the central banks are sticking with the data-dependent mantra," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Nicholas Frappell, Austan Goolsbee, Tim Waterer, Waterer Organizations: Primera Gold's, U.S, ABC Refinery, Chicago Federal, KCM Trade Locations: Bukavu, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chicago

Aug 2 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. A double dose of the U.S. Treasuries and dollar 'pain trade' looks set to put Asian markets on the defensive on Wednesday, with investors also bracing for South Korean inflation figures and an expected interest rate hike from the Bank of Thailand. Several indicators, from big Wall Street banks' client surveys to futures market positioning data, show investors are not positioned for that. The yen has fallen nearly 4% since the BOJ tweaked its seven-year 'yield curve control' policy on Friday. Annual inflation in South Korea, meanwhile, is expected to have slowed to 2.40% in July from 2.70% the month before.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, Tuesday's, Deepa Babington Organizations: Bank of Thailand, Bank of, Apple, South, South Korea CPI, PMI, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore

[1/3] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 26, 2023. European shares gained modestly after euro zone inflation fell further in July seeing that most measures of underlying price growth also eased. "Data out this week should remain superficially consistent with the 'soft landing' narrative," Citi market strategists wrote in a note. Japanese 10-year yields surged to a nine-year high up to 0.6% on Monday, and toward the new cap of 1.0%. U.S. crude rose 1.63% to $81.89 per barrel and Brent was at $85.56, up 0.67% on the day.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Florian Ielpo, Paul Christopher, Christopher, Austan Goolsbee, Sterling, Brent, Lawrence Delevingne, Nell Mackenzie, Nick Macfie, Will Dunham, Deepa Babington Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Apple Inc, Caterpillar Inc, Starbucks Corp, Devices, Markets, European Central Bank, Lombard, U.S, Citi, Intel, Lam Research, Wells Fargo Investment, Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, Bank of England, Bank of, Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Treasury, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Wells Fargo, Boston, London

☆ Gold heads for monthly gain on hopes for an end to rate-hike cycle
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bars of gold are seen at the Krastsvetmet company, one of the world's largest producers of precious metals in Moscow, Russia on January 31, 2023. Gold prices were bound for their biggest monthly gain in four on Monday as expectations grew that major global central banks may be nearing the end of current monetary policy tightening cycles. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,954.79 per ounce by 0431 GMT, while U.S. gold futures slipped 0.4% to $1,953.80 per ounce. Gold prices were set to end the month about 1.8% higher, the most since March, as expectations that U.S. interest rates could be nearing their peak put the dollar on track for its second straight monthly decline. Other precious metals also looked set to post monthly rises, with spot silver leading at 6.5%, but down 0.5% on the day at $24.22 an ounce.

Persons: Matt Simpson, Simpson, Baden Moore Organizations: Federal Reserve, Central Bank, National Australia Bank Locations: Moscow, Russia, China

☆ Swiss National Bank posts $15 billion loss during second quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ZURICH, July 31 (Reuters) - The Swiss National Bank (SNBN.S) on Monday posted a second quarter loss of 13.20 billion Swiss francs ($15.14 billion) as interest rate hikes by other central banks dented the value of its massive bond holdings. The SNB lost 8.08 billion francs on its foreign currency positions of 742 billion francs as bond prices fell as investors feared more interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and others. The Swiss central bank also lost 3.14 billion francs on its gold holdings in the three months to the end of June, as lower prices cut the value of the 1,040 tonnes of the precious metal it holds. The second quarter loss contrasts with a 26.9 billion franc profit in the first three months of 2023, reducing the SNB's half year profit to 13.7 billion francs. The SNB also made a 1.88 billion franc loss from its Swiss franc positions during the second quarter, largely reflecting the resumption of interest payments on sight deposits as part of its more restrictive monetary policy.

Persons: John Revill, Rachel More, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Swiss National Bank, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Credit Suisse, UBS, Swiss, Thomson Locations: ZURICH, Swiss

Yet a sharp drawdown in the excess savings created by COVID-19 could be a curve ball that slams into bullish sentiment. U.S. excess savings have fallen to around $500 billion from around $2.1 trillion in August 2021, the San Francisco Federal Reserve estimates. In Europe, Deutsche Bank reckons excess savings in Sweden, struggling to contain a property slump, have dwindled. Reuters GraphicsRUNNING OUTDefinitions for excess savings differ, but economists generally agree that this means savings that went beyond trend levels during the pandemic. Cardano chief economist Shweta Singh said U.S. pandemic excess savings are likely to be depleted by year-end.

Persons: Rachel Adams, Janus Henderson, Oliver Blackbourn, Shweta Singh, Guy Miller, Jamie Dimon, Ben, Eren Osman, Arbuthnot Latham, Janus Henderson's Blackbourn, U.S . Russell, Russell, Goldman Sachs, Blackbourn, Zurich's Miller, Simon Bell, Guilluame Paillat, Paillat, Naomi Rovnick, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Oxford, REUTERS, San Francisco Federal, Deutsche Bank, Reuters, Insurance Group, Ryanair, JPMorgan, Unilever, U.S ., London's, Bank of, Aviva, Thomson Locations: Britain, London, China, Europe, U.S, Sweden, United States, downturns, Australia

☆ Bank of Japan needs to move sooner to a new normal as current policy is 'very harmful', says strategist
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japan needs to transition sooner to a "new normal" as the country's current ultra low interest rate policy regime has been "inappropriate" and "very harmful" for the economy, according to a strategist. Central banks around the world have raised rates aggressively to rein in inflation, but Japan has kept its benchmark rate at -0.1% since 2016. On Friday, the Bank of Japan kept its ultra low interest rates unchanged but shocked financial markets by loosening its yield curve control — or YCC. "And when you have zero interest rates, it creates all sorts of distortions and dislocations that I think are very harmful." Moving away from negative interest rates would have far-reaching effects on the Japanese economy, from corporate investment to household savings.

Persons: Kevin Hebner, CNBC's, they've, Hebner, It's, Japan hasn't, hasn't Organizations: Bank of Japan Locations: Japan

☆ Some at Bank of Japan baulked at ex-chief Kuroda's 'bazooka' stimulus, 2013 meeting minutes show
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda speaks during a news conference after attending the Monetary Policy Meeting at BOJ headquarters in Tokyo, Japan January 18, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. TOKYO, July 31 (Reuters) - Some Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers baulked at former chief Haruhiko Kuroda's idea of deploying a "bazooka" massive stimulus a decade ago, unconvinced central banks had the power to jolt public perceptions, accounts of the meeting released on Monday showed. Former banker Koji Ishida said he would propose reviewing the stimulus programme if no tangible results were seen one year into its launch, the minutes showed. Since then, the BOJ has capped long-term borrowing costs at about zero and has pledged to maintain ultra-low interest rates until its 2% inflation target is sustainably met and accompanied by wage growth. After serving two, five-year terms, Kuroda stepped down from the top BOJ post in March.

Persons: Haruhiko Kuroda, baulked, Haruhiko, Shinzo Abe, Kuroda, Masaaki Shirakawa, Hiroshi Nakaso, Takahide Kiuchi, Takehiro Sato, Sato, Koji Ishida, Leika Kihara, Jamie Freed Organizations: Bank of Japan, Kyodo ., Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Kyodo . TOKYO

☆ Oil to drift lower as slower growth offsets OPEC+ cuts: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Rahul Paswan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A survey of 37 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude would average $81.95 a barrel in 2023, down from June's $83.03 consensus and current levels of around $85. Sluggish growth in top crude importer China has also weighed on oil prices so far in 2023. Global oil demand was expected to increase by about 1-2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023, led by China. "China's economic outlook may continue to disappoint but upside in oil demand is still possible with jet demand recovery from international flights later this year," said Ajay Parmar, associate director of global oil markets research at HSBC. Some of the analysts expected supplies to tighten and support oil prices in the latter part of this year after Saudi Arabia and Russia deepened output cuts in July.

Persons: Brent, Kpler, Ajay Parmar, John Paisie, Rahul Paswan, Brijesh Patel, Barbara Lewis Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, ECB, HSBC, Stratas Advisors, Thomson Locations: June's, Central, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Bengaluru

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - A reappraisal of the dollar could be the next big "pain trade". Dollar jumps as US 2-year yield premium builds vs G7Net short dollar contracts from CFTCBofA chart on fund managers dollar viewSMILEFor the dollar at least, it starts to look less of a one-way rate bet. For those who favour intra-G7 interest rate differentials for guidance, the picture is not much better for dollar bears. But if "soft landings", disinflation and buoyant markets continue to rule the roost, it may be hard work for the outsize "anti-dollar" bet. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: There's, BoE, What's, it's, Mike Dolan, Alison Williams Organizations: Federal Reserve, Dow Jones, Treasury, Bank of England, gilts, ECB, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Twitter, Thomson Locations: U.S, Japan

☆ Southeast Asia moves closer to economic unity with new regional payments system
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A new regional cross-border payment system recently implemented by Southeast Asian nations could deepen financial integration among participants, bringing the ASEAN bloc closer to its goal of economic cohesion. A unified cross-border digital payment system will "foster a sense of regionalism and ASEAN-centrality in managing international affairs," he added. How it worksBy connecting QR code payment systems, funds can be sent from one digital wallet to another. For instance, Malaysian tourists in Singapore can make a payment with Malaysian ringgit funds in their Malaysian digital wallet when making a transaction. Or, a Malaysian worker in Singapore can send Singapore dollar funds in a Singaporean digital wallet to a recipient's wallet in Malaysia.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Nico Han Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Analysts, U.S, ., Southeast, Risk Intelligence, Malaysian, Singapore, Bank of International Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, The Philippines, Southeast Asia, Malaysian, Switzerland

☆ Bitcoin is in the depths of the summer doldrums despite a wave of positive regulatory developments. Here's what to expect in August.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In the latest week, bitcoin closed lower by 1.9%. Coin Metrics measures a week in crypto, which trades 24 hours a day, from the 4:00 p.m. "August is a quiet month for traditional market investors and crypto is no different," said Greg Cipolaro, global head of research at NYDIG, the crypto subsidiary of Stone Ridge Asset Management. "Historically, mean returns have waned as we go into the summer months and that may play out again in August." But even with the latest downdraft, bitcoin is still up about 77% for the year, and investors are upbeat.

Persons: it's, Greg Cipolaro, Ric Edelman, Edelman, Bitcoin, —, Gina Francolla Organizations: bitcoin, Management, Digital Assets, Financial Professionals, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Binance, Innovation, Technology, Century, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Nasdaq Locations: NYDIG, Stone, Congress, BlackRock

Bolstered by supply cuts from the OPEC+ alliance announced earlier this month, both oil benchmarks gained nearly 5% for the week - a fifth straight week of gains. The benchmarks are on track to gain over 13% for the month. In an interview on Friday, Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) chief Darren Woods said he expected record oil demand this year and next. On the supply side, U.S. oil rigs fell by one to 529 this week, their lowest since March 2022, energy services firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O) said on Friday. Saudi Arabia is expected to extend the voluntary oil output cut for another month to include September, five analysts said, to provide additional support for the oil market.

Persons: Brent, Phil Flynn, Jerome Powell's, Tamas Varga, Darren Woods, Baker Hughes, Stephanie Kelly, Natalie Grover, Laura Sanicola, Andrew Hayley, Deepa Babington, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: drillers, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, U.S, West Texas, Price Futures, Federal, Exxon Mobil, Thomson Locations: France, Spain, China, OPEC, United States, U.S, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, New York, London, Washington, Beijing

The move brings the BOJ more into line with other major central banks, which have been aggressively hiking rates to reduce inflation. The MSCI All Country stock index (.MIWD00000PUS), which tracks shares in nearly 50 countries, rose 0.79% to 705.65 points. U.S. Treasury yields weakened after hitting two-week highs for most maturities the previous session, with yields on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes down at 3.967% while two-year yields fell to 4.8952%. The yen whipsawed in its most volatile trading session in months following the BOJ's move while the dollar fell against a basket of its major peers. The dollar index fell 0.157%, with the euro up 0.51% to $1.1029.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, It's, Garrett Melson, We're, Melson, Brent, Chibuike Oguh Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Treasury, of, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Commerce, Investment, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, ECB, U.S, West Texas, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Boston, New York

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