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☆ UK Libor trader Hayes loses appeal against rate-rigging conviction
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Thomas Hayes, a former trader at banks including UBS Group AG and Citigroup, on Aug 3, 2015. Tom Hayes, the first trader jailed worldwide for interest rate rigging, lost his appeal against his conviction in a London court on Wednesday. Hayes, a former star Citigroup and UBS trader, was convicted in 2015 of conspiracy to defraud by manipulating Libor, a benchmark rate once used to price trillions of financial products globally. His appeal against his conviction was heard alongside that of Carlo Palombo, a former Barclays trader convicted in 2019 of skewing Libor's euro equivalent, Euribor. Hayes and Palombo were given 14 days to apply for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Persons: Thomas Hayes, Tom Hayes, Hayes, Libor, Carlo Palombo, Palombo's, David Bean, Palombo Organizations: UBS Group AG, Citigroup, UBS, Prosecutors, London, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Supreme Locations: London, U.S

LONDON (AP) — A British financial trader, who has been described as the ringleader in the manipulation of a key interest rate before and after the global financial crisis, lost his appeal Wednesday to have his conviction quashed. At a three-day hearing in London earlier this month, the men’s lawyers argued that their convictions were “unsafe” and should be quashed. An appeal to the Supreme Court has to be made within 14 days. The scandal emerged in 2012 when some banks were accused of submitting fake numbers on purpose to have the LIBOR set at a rate that better suited them. LIBOR has been phased out in recent years, partly because it was seen by many as worsening the 2008 financial crisis.

Persons: —, Tom Hayes, Hayes, Carlo Palombo, Palombo, dishonestly, “, LIBOR Organizations: Citigroup, Switzerland's UBS, London Inter, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, of Justice, Supreme, U.S Locations: British, U.S, London, France, Germany

☆ EU committee backs law to relocate euro clearing from London to bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - An influential committee of European Union lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favour of a draft law aimed at shifting clearing of euro-denominated derivatives from a post-Brexit London to the bloc. Long a Brexit battleground between London and Brussels, the EU wants better oversight of clearing in euro denominated interest rate swaps bought by EU-based market participants, the bulk of which are cleared by the London Stock Exchange Group in the United Kingdom. EU securities regulator ESMA would also have to become the direct supervisor of clearers based in the EU. LSEG CEO David Schwimmer has said he is "optimistic" that clearing in London for EU customers would continue after that date. EU banks have warned that being cut off from global clearing pools in London would put them at a competitive disadvantage to international rivals.

Persons: Long, Danuta Huebner, David Schwimmer, Huw Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: European Union, EU, London Stock Exchange Group, Deutsche Boerse, European, Thomson Locations: London, Brussels, United Kingdom, EU, Frankfurt, Madrid

☆ Frankfurt builds up clearing volumes as EU seeks to pull business from London
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Deutsche Boerse's (DB1Gn.DE) derivatives arm said on Tuesday that it has been building up volume in its Euribor futures contract in Frankfurt as the European Union vies with London for the multi-billion-euro market post Brexit. The EU wants to significantly relocate the clearing of Euribor futures and euro-denominated interest rate swaps (IRS) out of London, which is now largely cut off from the bloc's financial market and rules since its 2020 exit from the EU. The market had previously been dominated by U.S. rival ICE (ICE.N), with its operations based in London. It is likely that in the initial phase there will be no mandatory minimum clearing volume set for an account, but this could change if not enough clearing shifts. London Stock Exchange Group's (LSEG.L) LCH dominates clearing of euro IRS, a market in which Eurex is also slowly building up clearing volume, and which is being targeted by the Madrid Exchange too.

Persons: Matthias Graulich, it's, Graulich, David Schwimmer, Huw Jones, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Deutsche, European, EU, U.S, ICE, Reuters, London, Exchange, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, London, EU, Madrid, Brussels

☆ Morning Bid: Markets cheer as Powell finds his balance
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell answers a question at a press conference following a closed two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on interest rate policy at the Federal Reserve in Washington, U.S., November 1, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Acquire Licensing RightsNov 2 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole. It's been a day for relief rallies in Asia as investors became increasingly confident the next move in U.S. interest rates will be down, not up. While Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell maintained the option of another hike, he sounded less than committed to the idea. The dovish mood proved infectious as investors pared back rate risks across much of the developed world.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Kevin Lamarque, Wayne Cole, It's, presser, Powell, EURIBOR, Edouard Fernandez, Isabel Schnabel, Philip Lane, Sam Holmes Organizations: Federal, Committee, Federal Reserve, REUTERS, Treasury, The Bank of, U.S, Bank of England, Norges Bank, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Wayne, Asia, The Bank of England, China

Trillions of euros of financial products, from mortgages to car loans, remain pegged to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate as Euribor is officially known. The move to revamp Euribor aims to reduce the burden on institutions that do provide input by using a standardised approach. Having the broadest possible geographical spread of banks in Euribor's panel is seen as the best way to have a full picture of euro-denominated lending costs. Schirmann highlighted that countries with active bank-to-bank lending markets such as Finland, Ireland and Greece currently had no banks on Euribor's panel. Cutting the need for banks to provide bespoke so called "Level 3" estimates should also "significantly diminish" the time and costs involved for banks.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Libor, Jean, Louis Schirmann, Schirmann, EMMI, Marc Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Money Markets, Reuters, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Locations: Euribor's Brussels, Euribor's, Finland, Ireland, Greece

☆ Portugal approves 30% cut in mortgage rates for struggling borrowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sergio Goncalves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LISBON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Portugal's government said on Thursday that banks must discount the benchmark six-month Euribor rate by 30% when calculating mortgage interest rates if asked to do so by borrowers struggling to deal with rising interest rates and avoid default. Around 90% of Portugal's stock of 1.4 million mortgages have variable rates indexed to euro interbank offered rates (Euribor) , one of the highest levels in the euro zone. But interbank rates have soared as the European Central Bank hiked interest rates from record lows. "As a result of this measure, the implied interest rate on mortgages cannot exceed 70% of the six-month Euribor rate in the next two years," Finance Minister Fernando Medina told a news briefing. Those with mortgages indexed to three- and 12-month Euribor rates will also receive a discount equal to the nominal amount resulting from the cut in the six-month rate, he added.

Persons: Fernando Medina, Banks, Medina, Mario Centeno, Association of Portuguese Banks APB, Sergio Goncalves, Andrei Khalip, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: European Central Bank, Finance, Bank of Portugal, Association of Portuguese, Thomson Locations: LISBON

☆ ECB market rate bets: still some unfinished business for the hawks
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Stefano Rebaudo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Having firmly scaled-back rate expectations amid last month's market turmoil, investors no longer expect borrowing costs to stay higher for longer and are cautious about pricing in a deposit rate above 4%. The November 2023 ECB euro short-term rate (ESTR) forward rose to 3.65% on Wednesday, implying expectations for a deposit rate of around 3.75%. Citi meanwhile argued that the June ESTR or money market contract was less appealing from a hedging standpoint while markets were pricing a peak of 3.75%. bundfuturevolBut Bund futures volumes declined after March 15 as markets once more revised their rate expectations upwards. This means that the smaller the gap between the current benchmark rate and the expected rate, the lower the volatility, and vice versa.

NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - Societe Generale SA (SOGN.PA) agreed to pay $105 million to settle U.S. investor litigation accusing the French bank of violating antitrust law by conspiring with rivals to rig Euribor, a key European interest rate benchmark. A preliminary settlement was filed late Friday with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, and requires a judge's approval. Societe Generale denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle, court papers show. The case is Sullivan et al v. Barclays Plc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, Editing by Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - Societe Generale SA (SOGN.PA) agreed to pay $105 million to settle U.S. investor litigation accusing the French bank of violating antitrust law by conspiring with rivals to rig Euribor, a key European interest rate benchmark. A preliminary settlement was filed late Friday with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, and requires a judge's approval. If approved, the accord would mean investors have obtained $651.5 million of settlements with seven banks. Societe Generale denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle, court papers show. The case is Sullivan et al v. Barclays Plc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.

☆ Asian markets take breather from banking turmoil, capping tumultuous week
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.9% on Friday, erasing earlier losses this week. S&P 500 futures eased 0.1% and Nasdaq futures were flat after major U.S. stock indices rallied hard on easing fear of a global banking crisis. This is a theme other central banks are likely to echo," said James Rossiter, head of global macro strategy at TD Securities. Yields were, however, headed for the steepest weekly decline since February 2020 when markets were thrown into chaos by COVID-19 fear. "The past week has provided an unwelcome reminder of the inherent fragility of banking systems," said analysts at Capital Economics in a note to client.

☆ Morning Bid: EU inflation risks loom large for markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

March 2 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole. Asian markets had thought to bask in the glow from Wednesday's radiant PMI data from China, and the region in general. Markets are now leaning toward a peak of 5.50%-5.75%, compared with 5.0% just a month ago. That leaves a lot riding on what EU (HICP) inflation figures for February show later on Thursday. Median forecasts are for an annual figure of 8.2%, but risks are on the upside following the surprises from France, Spain and Germany.

☆ INEOS Quattro to raise 750 mln euros from loans, pay dividend
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Chiara Elisei | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Chemicals company INEOS Quattro is planning to raise 750 million euros ($794 million) from the sale of two loans, according to a lead manager memo seen by Reuters on Friday. The seven-year financing - which comprises a euro loan and a minimum $400 million loan - will fund a dividend payment and the rest will be used for general corporate purposes, the memo said. INEOS Quattro is owned by global chemical company INEOS, which is among the bidders for Manchester United. INEOS wants to fund an offer without external financing, but could consider bringing in a minority equity partner, Reuters reported earlier this week, citing a source. JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank are leading the new loan sale for INEOS Quattro, according to the memo.

☆ Morning bid: Markets go all in for disinflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SYDNEY, Feb 2 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole. The very first question in the new conference invited him to scold markets, and he notes conditions had tightened a lot last year. A pdf search of the conference shows disinflation or disinflationary was used 13 times, compared to twice at his December event. Key developments that could influence markets on Thursday:- BoE rate decision is at 1200 GMT and the ECB at 1315 GMT. BoE Gov Bailey speaks to reporters at 1230 GMT and ECB President Lagarde at 1345 GMT.

☆ Analysis: Frankfurt 'STIRs' up euro clearing battle with London
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Frankfurt expands derivatives clearing on Monday in an early test of how well European Union ambitions to lure trillions of euros of business from London could work in practice. Clarus Graphic on Swaps Clearing'TAKE YEARS'ESMA will calibrate how much of each of the three specified derivatives contracts banks must clear in the bloc. The other two are euro credit default swaps (CDS), also cleared by ICE in London and Chicago, and euro interest rate swaps (IRS), dominated by London Stock Exchange Group's LCH in London. Brussels is allowing EU banks to continue clearing in London until June 2025, though industry officials say an extension is inevitable given the time it could take for enough clearing to shift given banks' hostility. ICE said that by the third quarter of last year, ICE in Chicago cleared 88% of euro CDS instruments, with 8% at ICE in London, and 4% at LCH.

SummarySummary Companies Top EU court dismisses HSBC challenge over cartel participationUpholds annulment of Euribor cartel fineHSBC separately challenging reduced Euribor fineBRUSSELS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - HSBC (HSBA.L) on Thursday failed to overturn a court ruling that it had participated in a cartel to rig benchmark Euribor rates in 2007, but Europe's top court confirmed that a 33.6 million euro ($36 million) fine had been scrapped. The European Court of Justice, Europe's highest court, rejected HSBC's attempt to clear its name by challenging a 2019 lower court decision that it had colluded with others to try to manipulate key Euribor (euro interbank offered rate) rates. The European Commission, the bloc's executive body, ruled in 2016 that HSBC and six other banks had tried to distort Euribor, a benchmark for rates on financial products, fining the lender 33.6 million euros. Three years later, a lower tribunal scrapped the fine because of insufficient reasoning, but dismissed the bank's attempt to shake off the ruling that it had taken part in a cartel. The European Commission subsequently imposed a slightly lower fine of 31.7 million euros in 2021, which HSBC is separately challenging.

☆ HSBC wins appeal against $36 mln Euribor cartel fine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BRUSSELS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - HSBC (HSBA.L) has won an appeal against a decision by European antitrust regulators to fine Europe's second-largest bank 33.6 million euros ($36 million) over its role in a cartel to manipulate benchmark Euribor interest rates in 2007. HSBC, penalised alongside JPMorgan (JPM.N) and Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA), challenged the decision and in 2019, a lower tribunal scrapped the fine because of insufficient reasoning. The European Commission subsequently re-imposed a slightly lower fine of 31.7 million euros in 2021. HSBC, JPMorgan and Credit Agricole opted against settling with European regulators and, following a full investigation, JPMorgan was fined 337.2 million euros and Credit Agricole was ordered to pay 114.7 million euros. EU, U.S. and British regulators have fined banks billions of euros for manipulating benchmark interest rates and the foreign exchange market.

☆ Enel signs state-backed credit line worth 12 bln euros
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Francesca Landini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Enel (ENEI.MI) and a pool of banks signed a 12 billion euro ($12.74 billion) credit facility to fund margin calls linked to the group's derivative trades, Italy's biggest utility said. The financing is 70% guaranteed by the Italian export credit agency SACE and has a term of about 18 months, Enel said on Friday. As anticipated by Reuters, the credit line is part of the Italian government's efforts to shield the country's utilities against volatility on energy markets. Other Italian utilities are expected to apply for the SACE guarantee scheme. Italy's second-biggest utility A2A (A2.MI) told Reuters on Tuesday it would tap the credit facility backed by the credit export agency in January.

☆ ECB to begin great cash mop-up as banks repay billions in loans
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Francesco Canepa | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

While this early TLTRO reimbursement is voluntary, the ECB has given banks an incentive to get rid of those loans by taking away a rate subsidy last month. Analysts expect banks to repay around half a trillion euros worth of TLTRO loans at this week's window - the first of several - which would make this the biggest drop in excess liquidity since records began in 2000. MONEY MARKETSThe other area of focus for the ECB will be money markets, in which banks lend to each other for a short time. But Marco Brancolini, a strategist at Nomura, said he did not see "much of an impact" even if banks repaid 600 billion euros. Banks had until Nov. 16 to notify the ECB about their intention to repay TLTRO loans, but the reimbursement will only take place on Nov. 23.

☆ $ TO THE POWER OF 0.228
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Who knew a statistical difference of 0.228 ppt could add $3 trillion to the value of S&P 500 and Nasdaq stocks, and heaven knows how much to Treasuries as yields boasted their biggest daily drop in more than a decade. It's not often you see the long bond up 3 points in price. Even Euribor rallied as much as 19 ticks as the market lowered the likely peak for ECB rates, a trend echoed across futures markets. The dollar has recouped a little of its losses today in Asia, but surprisingly little given the scale of the retreat. If so, it would be a huge relief to the EM countries having to run down reserves to protect their currencies.

☆ Morning Bid: $ to the power of 0.228
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It's not often you see the long bond up 3 points in price. Even Euribor rallied as much as 19 ticks as the market lowered the likely peak for ECB rates, a trend echoed across futures markets. The dollar has recouped a little of its losses today in Asia, but surprisingly little given the scale of the retreat. If so, it would be a huge relief to the EM countries having to run down reserves to protect their currencies. Come to that, it would also be a major positive for commodities priced in USD.

☆ Morning Bid: Closer to fine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom Westbrook. Having jumped the gun a few times, markets are again pricing in a pivot in monetary policy and might be getting closer to the mark. Bonds are rejoicing at this week's step-down in hiking speed at the Bank of Canada and hints the European Central Bank is getting closer to satisfied with its progress. Ten-year Italian BTPs are eyeing their best week in a decade, with yields down 73 basis points since last Friday's close. Markets now price a peak in the Fed funds rate around 4.8%, after flirting with 5% a week ago.

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