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☆ U.S. VP Harris highlights $4.2 bln private sector investment in Central America
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Ted Hesson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstWASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Private companies have committed to invest $4.2 billion in northern Central America as part of an effort by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to reduce migration by targeting economic development, the White House said on Monday. In her remarks on Monday, Harris said migrants come to the United States to flee harm or because they cannot meet basic economic needs. Before a meeting with U.S. officials and private sector representatives, Harris announced a new phase of the effort called Central America Forward, which will focus on broader economic development, corruption and labor rights. Arrivals from northern Central America have steadily declined following a sharp rise in 2021 after Biden took office. Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mica Rosenberg, Chizu Nomiyama and Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. VP Harris touts $4.2b private sector investment in Central America
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Ted Hesson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Private companies have committed to invest $4.2 billion in northern Central America as part of an effort by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to reduce migration, the White House said on Monday. Harris focused her efforts on addressing the factors that led migrants to leave the three countries, known as the northern triangle, including a lack of economic opportunity. Corruption and governance concerns in the three nations have limited the effectiveness of the Harris push, leading to the cancellation or suspension of projects likely worth millions of dollars. Arrivals from northern Central America have steadily declined since mid-2021. Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mica Rosenberg and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UBS fourth-quarter profit rises 23%; beats estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Switzerland's UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) on Tuesday reported a 23% increase in fourth-quarter profit, beating analyst estimates, helped by a fall in costs despite a drop in financial markets. The Swiss bank reported net profit attributable to shareholders of $1.7 billion, versus the $1.3 billion average of 21 analyst estimates in a UBS-conducted poll. "We are starting 2023 from a position of strength," Chief Executive Ralph Hamers said in a statement. Full-year net profit reached $7.6 billion, compared with the consensus estimate of $7.3 billion. UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher has said his bank has not actively sought to benefit from Credit Suisse's troubles.

☆ UBS sounds cautious note for year ahead after booking quarterly profit rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at an office building in Zurich, Switzerland, Oct. 25, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd WiegmannZURICH, Jan 31 (Reuters) - UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) predicted an "uncertain" year ahead plagued by accelerating inflation and higher interest rates on Tuesday after the Swiss bank beat estimates in its latest quarter. In doing so, UBS cautioned that inflation, rising interest rates and war in Ukraine were clouding the future, dampening clients' mood. Full-year net profit reached $7.6 billion, compared with the consensus estimate of $7.3 billion. UBS said it attracted $23.3 billion in net new fee generating assets in wealth management, with strong performance in Switzerland.

☆ Ireland toasts record Oscar success with 14 nominations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniDUBLIN, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Ireland celebrated a record 14 Oscar nominations on Tuesday, scooping five of the 20 acting spots up for grabs and for the first time earning a nod for a feature film made in the native Irish language. "Congratulations to all the Irish Oscar nominations. Ireland was also well represented in the craft categories, including best visual effects and editing while former winner Martin McDonagh added to his growing Oscar CV with best director and best original screenplay nods for "Banshees." "There was perhaps a notion out there that to make a film in the Irish language was a dead end creatively or commercially. "There's no reason that Irish language filmmakers should limit their ambitions, they should be making films for the world."

[1/4] People stand in front of the Blockchain Hub Davos 2023 at the Promenade road during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023, in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd WiegmannDAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 19 (Reuters) - In the snow and ice on the main drag in Davos, the impact of the crypto winter is plain for WEF attendees to see. Executives in Davos said they are now all about blockchain technology, proper controls and regulation, and the promise of disruption that it holds for financial services and beyond. Colm Kelleher, chairman of Swiss bank UBS (UBSG.S), told a WEF panel that blockchain technology will help reduce costs for banks. "We kind of dodged a bullet," Kelleher said, noting that the collapse in the value of crypto currencies had not caused systemic problems.

☆ Davos 2023: UBS head says regulators' 'eyes off the ball' on non-banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher said traditional finance firms were "systemically safe" after years of increased regulation, but guardians of global financial markets had further to go to eradicate the risks posed by the non-banking sector. "Regulators have - with respect - taken their eyes off the ball in terms of the non-banking sector," the chairman of Switzerland's largest bank said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, referring to a category of loosely supervised finance firms. They're systemically safe, we can argue," he added. "We are looking for the regulatory framework that will allow us to accommodate that for our clients." Reporting by Stefania Spezzati and Sinead Cruise; Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Morning Bid: Let it go
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Anshuman DagaThe land of rising yields is the No. 1 focus of investors on Monday, as Japan's central bank may again let its bond-market peg go higher. Global inflation data due this week could underscore investors' expectations that the worst of the global price squeeze is over. A final read of euro zone inflation for December, as well as readings from Britain, Canada and Japan are due. Core inflation in all four regions is mostly rising and above target but the worst may have passed.

☆ UBS has no desire to buy Credit Suisse, chairman tells newspaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Jan 14 (Reuters) - UBS (UBSG.S) has no interest in buying fellow Swiss lender Credit Suisse (CSGN.S), the bank's Chairman Colm Kelleher said in a interview published on Saturday. "We have no desire to buy Credit Suisse," Kelleher told the Neue Zuercher Zeitung. "There are always scenarios, but none that are convincing," he said when asked if there were any situations where a UBS takeover of Credit Suisse made sense. The former chairmen of Credit Suisse and UBS supported a merger between the two banks, and held talks in the first half of 2020, Swiss media reported two years ago. The discussions eventually lapsed, the media reports said, and both Urs Rohner and Axel Weber have since left their roles at Credit Suisse and UBS respectively.

☆ 'The Banshees of Inisherin' won best comedy at the Golden Globes — here's how to watch the critically acclaimed film starring Colin Farrell
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Jordan Williams | Freelance Writer | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"The Banshees of Inisherin" hit HBO Max and digital retailers on December 13. How to watch 'The Banshees of Inisherin'You can watch "The Banshees of Inisherin" at home on HBO Max. A subscription to HBO Max starts at $10 a month for ad-supported viewing or $15 a month for ad-free playback. You can watch "The Banshees if Inisherin" for free if you sign up for an HBO Max trial. The movie holds a "97% Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is the highest score yet for director Martin McDonaghThe movie won best picture (musical or comedy), best screenplay, and best actor (musical or comedy) at the 2023 Golden Globes.

Airlines are drawing up plans to expand their services but ordinary Chinese and travel agencies suggest that a return to anything like normal will take some time. But an immediate surge in international travel is not widely expected. According to VariFlight data, international flights to and from China are at 8% of pre-pandemic levels. Weighing on many people's travel plans is the wave of COVID-19 infections now sweeping China, Liu said. One of the fastest bouncebacks is expected to be in international business travel.

REUTERS/Thomas PeterBEIJING, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Searches on Chinese travel sites surged and social media platforms were flooded with delight and relief on Wednesday as the public cheered the biggest loosening of some of the world's strictest COVID policies. CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM, EXHAUSTIONThe news was also welcomed by foreign business groups, many of which had become increasingly outspoken about the damage the zero-COVID policy was having on China's economy and the operations of their companies. "Timely implementation will help stabilise China’s economy and get life back to normal," the European Chamber of Commerce in China said of the 10 measures announced on Wednesday. It also urged China to roll out mRNA vaccines for domestic use as part of a vaccination drive with the elderly a priority. Reporting by Sophie Yu and Martin Pollard, Writing by Brenda Goh; Editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mauna Loa Eruption Threatens a Famous Climate Record
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Elena Shao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

420 410 400 The Keeling Curve 390 Measurements of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere from the Mauna Loa Observatory, in parts per million CO2. In the meantime, officials are contemplating flying in a generator via helicopter to the Mauna Loa observatory, which is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Mauna Loa Observatory Lava flow Eruption began at Moku‘āweoweo caldera Mauna Loa Honolulu Hawai‘i Hawaiian Islands Area of detail Honolulu Hawai‘i Hawaiian Islands Area of detail ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I Mauna Loa Observatory Lava flow Eruption began at Moku‘āweoweo caldera Mauna Loa Source: Copernicus Notes: Image captured by satellite on Nov. 28, 2022. But none hold quite the same symbolism as Mauna Loa, which is home to the first and most frequently cited data. Even now, when scientists want to test new carbon dioxide monitoring equipment, “they go to Mauna Loa,” Dr. Sweeney said.

☆ Morning Bid: Powell clears the decks
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan. Intended or not, investors clearly read Wednesday's keynote speech by the Federal Reserve chair as a green light for a yearend relief rally in beaten down assets. On the face of it, Fed chief Jerome Powell merely confirmed what most had already assumed - that the Fed would downshift the size of its interest rate rises to half a point next month. The upshot is that markets have dragged their implied peak Fed rate next year back below 5% and continue to price up to half a point of cuts by the end of 2023. Core PCE inflation numbers are due later and another barrage of Fed speakers to hold Powell's take up to the light.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried took plenty of blame for FTX's downfall, but denied fraudulent behavior
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

And while I've got you here, it's time to start thinking about gifts with the holidays season in full swing. Do you know what's an informative, funny gift that has a long shelf life and, most important of all, is free? FTX Cryptocurrency exchange CEO Sam Bankman-Fried at a hearing on Capitol Hill on May 12, 2022. But the main attraction at The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday was Sam Bankman-Fried. And frankly conflict of interest risk," SBF said.

☆ UBS not seeking to benefit from crisis at Credit Suisse- chair
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ZURICH, Nov 30 (Reuters) - UBS (UBSG.S) is not actively benefiting from the crisis at rival Credit Suisse (CSGN.S), UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher told a Financial Times banking conference. He also said rich clients at UBS, the world's biggest wealth manager, were holding more cash than at any time since the financial crisis of 2008. Reporting by Noele Illien and Oliver Hirt, Editing by Michael ShieldsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Why Hong Kong’s Makeover Will Founder
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Nathaniel Taplin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hong Kong, newly reopened to the world, is still plastered with posters celebrating the 25th anniversary of the territory’s handover to China: “A New Era. Opportunity.” The first of those aims has been achieved, at very high cost. The outlook for the other two, particularly the last, remains poor. The city recently held a week of events—including a bankers summit drawing in the likes of Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer David Solomon and UBS Group Chairman Colm Kelleher . The events were designed to celebrate the end of its self-imposed isolation and repair reputational damage from years of heavy-handed Covid-19 policies and the government’s decision to crush the political opposition following the antigovernment protests of 2019.

If approved, its gas could restart an idled liquefaction train with a 500 million cubic feet per day (cf/d) capacity at Trinidad's flagship Atlantic LNG project. The facility is a venture mainly including Shell (SHEL.L), BP and state-owned National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC). YEARS OF WORK AHEADTrinidad is Latin America's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, with installed capacity to process 4.2 billion cf/d into LNG, petrochemicals and power. Even if Washington granted Trinidad's request, it could take years of investment and development to bring Venezuelan gas to Trinidad and boost LNG to Europe. That project follows an amended production sharing contract for the Manatee gas field in Trinidad, which extends to Venezuela's Loran field.

☆ Morning Bid: Downbeat on the downshift
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan. The recent burst of stock market optimism around the world still seems to be on shaky ground. Despite expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will signal a much-vaunted 'downshift' in its rate rise campaign from next month - following a fourth straight 75 basis point rise on Wednesday - the incoming economic numbers won't play ball. The other slightly peculiar source of global market optimism this week has been unverified speculation over the past 48 hours that China will ease its draconian zero COVID rules in March. In Europe, markets awaited the Bank of England's latest interest rate decision on Thursday - with the bank's biggest rate rise in 33 years forecast.

☆ ‘The worst is behind us’: Hong Kong kicks off its finance summit with top global bankers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN Business —Hong Kong leader John Lee sought to drum up confidence in the city’s future as a global financial hub on Wednesday, as he welcomed some of Wall Street’s top executives to its biggest international event in years. “We were, we are and we will remain one of the world’s leading financial centers,” Lee vowed. China’s latest five-year plan includes goals to reinforce the city’s role as an international trade, financial, shipping and aviation center, Lee said. “The worst is behind us.”Solomon, Gorman and Kelleher, who took to the stage for a panel shortly after Lee’s remarks, did not comment directly on the city’s reopening. Mainland China, however, still has a mandate in place for most inbound travelers to self-isolate for at least seven days, under its stringent “zero-Covid policy.”

[1/4] James Gorman, Chairman and Chief Executive of Morgan Stanley, speaks during the Global Financial Leaders Investment Summit in Hong Kong, China November 2, 2022. "It’s a painful transition, but not an unexpected transition," said Gorman, also the bank's chairman, at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit. It was Hong Kong's biggest corporate event since it shut its borders in 2020 and introduced restrictions to combat COVID-19. Inflation and "very quick" monetary tightening after over a decade of relatively accommodative policies are making the world more volatile and uncertain, said Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon (GS.N). If central banks find a way to tame inflation meaningfully and in a balanced way, it will "increase the chance of a soft landing" for their economies, Solomon said.

☆ ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ Review: From Friends to Enemies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Wounded but funny, quiet but resonant and resistant to anything like a Hollywood formula, “The Banshees of Inisherin” is a strangely profound little comedy. The guns of the Irish Civil War can be heard in the distance, creating puzzlement among the residents of Inisherin. A kind of micro-spoof of the war is about to upend his peaceful little life. Pádraic’s best friend, Colm (played with a balance of lightness and foreboding by the gifted character actor Brendan Gleeson ), has decided to spurn him, irrevocably and without warning. “I just don’t like you no more,” Colm says, and demands that Pádraic never speak to him again.

☆ A Minute With: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson on 'Banshees of Inisherin'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Fourteen years after "In Bruges", filmmaker Martin McDonagh has brought Irish actors Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson back together for male friendship and break-up comedy-drama "The Banshees of Inisherin". Set and filmed on an island off the west coast of Ireland, "The Banshees of Inisherin" tells the story of great friends Padraic (Farrell) and Colm (Gleeson). Reuters spoke to Farrell, Gleeson and McDonagh about the film. McDonagh: "To show Ireland and the west coast, especially as a character, was very important, to make it really beautiful, too, was very important. I hope maybe people will go to the west coast after this."

☆ What Cramer is watching Thursday — September to forget and dueling Apple notes
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Credit Suisse lowers price target on Club holding Constellation Brands (STZ) to $277 per share from $292, without any real reason. Citi cautious on Alibaba (BABA), cuts price target $146 per share from $159. Credit Suisse cuts Paychex (PAYX) price target to $138 per share 150, even though they raised the estimates. Starts with a buy and a $65 per share price target. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

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