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☆ Putin has spent years championing de-dollarization — but a new reality is setting in
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Russia faces sweeping sanctions over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has been locked out of the US dollar-dominated global financial system, including the widely used SWIFT financial messaging system, making payments and transactions challenging. The Kazan Declaration, issued Wednesday, did not mention global dollar dominance — but it highlighted alternatives. AdvertisementChina — even though it's in a prolonged slowdown — is expected to be the top contributor, accounting for about one-fifth of global growth over the five years. AdvertisementHowever, BRICS economies have a smaller global presence in global financial flows, limiting the impact of de-dollarization, the ING analysts added. Other issues include what countries would use the alternative currencies for and if the West would sanction such alternative systems, he said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, —, he's, Alexander Kolyandr, Tom Keatinge Organizations: Service, ING, United, United Arab Emirates, Bloomberg, International Monetary, Center for, Centre for Finance, Security, Royal United Services Institute Locations: BRICS, Russian, Kazan, Russia, Ukraine, cryptocurrencies, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab, USA

☆ German finance minister warns of retaliation if U.S. kicks off trade war
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Friday warned that if the U.S. kicked off a trade war with the European Union, there could be retaliation. Trade is one of the main pillars of the German economy, suggesting heightened tensions, uncertainty and tariffs would hit the country harder than others. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China, and the EU and China, have been rising throughout the year. Both the U.S. and EU have implemented higher tariffs and on some goods imported from China, citing unfair trade practices. China in turn has also announced higher temporary tariffs on some imports from the EU.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Janet Yellen, Lindner, CNBC's Karen Tso, Donald Trump, it's, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Trump Organizations: IMF, World Bank, German, European Union, International Monetary, Washington , D.C, Free Democratic Party, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party, U.S, EU, Reuters Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, Washington ,, China, EU, Germany

Mārtiņš Kazāks, Bank of Latviawatch nowOn a 50-basis-point rate cut: "Well, everything should be on the table, you know, given what the data tells us. Klaas Knot, Netherlands central bankwatch now"Are we risking a structural undershoot of our inflation target? Joachim Nagel, German central bankwatch nowOn rate cuts: "This discussion about 25 or maybe something different is not helpful. On rate cuts: "The direction is clear. Gediminas Šimkus, Bank of Lithuaniawatch nowOn rate cuts: "We are clearly moving ... towards the direction of easing monetary policy.

Persons: Karen Tso, Pierre Wunsch, I'm, we've, Mario Centeno, Klaas, It's, Robert Holzmann, Joachim Nagel, disinflation, Volcker, Olli Rehn, it's, Gediminas Šimkus, Boris Vujčić Organizations: European Central Bank, International Monetary, Bank of Latvia, National Bank of Belgium, Bank of Portugal, Austrian National Bank, Bank of France, Bank of Finland, Bank of Lithuania, Croatian National Bank Locations: Washington ,, Kazāks, Netherlands, German, Galhau, Europe

☆ Britain announces major change to fiscal rules to free up billions in spending
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves on Thursday confirmed she intends to change the country's fiscal rules in the October budget, a move designed to free up billions of pounds for investment. Writing in The Financial Times on Thursday, Reeves said her "investment rule" will "get debt falling as a proportion of our economy." A Treasury spokesperson declined to comment when asked whether the fiscal rule change would target PSNFL in the U.K.'s measure of debt. The Institute for Fiscal Studies, an influential think tank, said on Sept. 30 that a change in the fiscal rules to target PSNFL would offer as much as £50 billion ($64.8 billion) of additional headroom for the government. Reeves confirmed the change to Britain's fiscal rules during a trip to the International Monetary Fund's annual meetings in Washington.

Persons: Rachel Reeves, Labour government's, Reeves, Keir Starmer Organizations: Britain's, Finance, Labour, Financial, Treasury, Fiscal Studies, International Monetary Locations: Washington

☆ Trump 2.0 could go 'nuclear' on China trade, while economists say Harris would remain tough
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

According to Prasad and other experts, Harris' approach to China would likely be similar to that of Biden. Trump's biggest diversion from Biden-era trade policy would likely be tariffs levied on China. The Trump administration reached a "phase one trade deal" with China in 2019, but few terms were honored and subsequent phases never materialized. Tech warwatch nowThe Biden administration also announced rules limiting U.S. investment in Chinese firms developing sensitive technologies, citing national security concerns. She said channels for the two countries to discuss policy issues decreased significantly during the Trump administration, whereas the Biden administration emphasized its diplomatic engagement efforts.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Bill Pugliano, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Eswar Prasad, Kamala Harris, Biden, Prasad, Harris, Biden —, Stephen Weymouth, Economist Stephen Roach, William Reinsch, Scholl, Reinsch, JD Vance, Arthur Dong, Chris Miller, Miller, Rorry Daniels Organizations: Van, Getty, House, CNBC, U.S, Cornell University, Trump, International Monetary, Georgetown University, Economist, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Beijing, Georgetown, Tech, Asia Society Policy Institute Locations: Grand Rapids , Michigan, China, Beijing, Ohio, Washington, U.S, Japan, Netherlands

☆ India 'clearly has a problem' finding new drivers for economic growth, JPMorgan's Jahangir Aziz says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tim Graham | Getty ImagesIndia "clearly has a problem" figuring out new drivers for its economic growth even as its economy expands at a fast pace, JPMorgan's Jahangir Aziz said, following the country's union budget. "If you look at India over the last two years post the pandemic, recorded growth has been strong. But if you look at the drivers of growth, it's essentially these two: Public infrastructure and services export," Aziz, chief emerging markets economist at JPM, told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Tuesday. According to estimates by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's services exports will likely hit $30.3 billion in June, compared with $27.8 billion in the same month last year. According to the International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic Outlook, the country's growth is predicted to decline to 6.5% in 2025.

Persons: Tim Graham, JPMorgan's Jahangir Aziz, Aziz, CNBC's, V Anantha Nageswaran, Raghuram Rajan Organizations: Getty, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Services, Reserve Bank, India's, International Monetary, University of Chicago Booth School, Reserve Bank of India Locations: Tardeo South Mumbai, India

☆ IMF's China GDP growth forecast upgrade is 'very sensible,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIMF's China GDP growth forecast upgrade is 'very sensible,' economist saysSi Tao Xu, chief economist at Deloitte China, discusses the International Monetary Fund's decision to raise its forecast for China's growth this year to 5% from 4.6%.

Persons: Si Tao Xu Organizations: Deloitte China, Monetary Locations: China

☆ Here's what 12 European Central Bank members said about interest rates this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The ECB opted to hold rates steady in April and next meets to vote on monetary policy on June 6. Christine Lagarde, president of the ECBThe ECB's figurehead delivered a firm message that reflected her statements in recent press conferences: markets should expect an interest rate cut soon, barring major surprises. watch nowGabriel Makhlouf, governor of the Central Bank of IrelandMakhlouf said the most recent data sets had shifted his view on rates. "We don't follow the Fed... and now the ECB will be the central bank to be followed," Šimkus said. One could have cut rates way back in March or even April," he continued, adding that he hoped a majority of Governing Council members would back a June cut.

Persons: Kirill Kudryavtsev, Christine Lagarde, Lagarde, CNBC's Sara Eisen, Galhau, Villeroy, Karen Tso, Joachim Nagel, Germany's, Nagel, Robert Holzmann, Mario Centeno, Centeno, Gabriel Makhlouf, Central Bank of Ireland Makhlouf, we've, Makhlouf, Pierre Wunsch, Wunsch, Boris Vujčić, Jerome Powell, Vujčić, Gediminas Šimkus, Bank of Lithuania Šimkus, Šimkus, Edward Scicluna, Central Bank of Malta Scicluna, Kazāks, Bank of Latvia Kazāks, Olli Rehn, Rehn Organizations: Afp, Getty, International, European Central Bank, CNBC, ECB, Bank of France, Council, Austrian Central Bank One, Bank of Portugal, Central Bank of Ireland, National Bank of, Croatian National Bank, Federal, U.S, Bank of Lithuania, Central Bank of, Governing, Bank of Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, New York, ECB's, National Bank of Belgium, U.S, Europe, Central Bank of Malta, Bank of Latvia, Bank of Finland

☆ European markets head for lower open with eyes on Israel and Iran; rate repricing remains in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European stock markets are set to open sharply lower Friday, rounding off a week in which escalating tensions in the Middle East and repricing of interest rate expectations have been in focus. After a strong start to 2024, the index is heading for its first monthly loss of the year in April. In the latest back-and-forth between the countries, Israel launched a limited direct military attack on Iranian soil early Friday morning. Investors are monitoring a slew of commentary on the path of interest rates emerging from the International Monetary Fund's Spring Meetings in New York. But markets have become significantly less confident there will be a June cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve or Bank of England, after two hotter-than-expected inflation prints.

Persons: François Villeroy de Galhau, Christine Lagarde Organizations: International, European Central Bank, CNBC, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England Locations: Israel, New York

☆ Risk of a global recession is minimal, IMF economist says — would take 'a lot to derail'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"When we do the risk assessment around that baseline, the chances that we would have something like a global recession is fairly minimal. The Washington DC-based institute this week nudged its global growth outlook slightly higher to 3.2% in 2024 and projects the same rate in 2025. One of the International Monetary Fund's top economists signals little risk of a global recession, despite the ongoing rumblings of geopolitical uncertainty. That has all combined with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which had its biggest wider impact on energy prices in Europe in 2022. And that's one of the big risks that we do see, the implications that could have for oil prices could be substantial.

Persons: Gourinchas, Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas, Karen Tso, Gita Gopinath, we're Organizations: U.S, IMF, Washington DC, International Monetary, Palestinian, Hamas, CNBC Locations: Europe, New York, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Gaza, Red, Yemeni, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, Israel, Iran

☆ A spillover of Middle East tensions is a big geopolitical risk, says IMF's Gita Gopinath
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailA spillover of Middle East tensions is a big geopolitical risk, says IMF's Gita GopinathSpeaking to CNBC's Karen Tso at the International Monetary Fund's Spring Meetings, Gita Gopinath, first deputy managing director of the IMF, discusses the major geopolitical risks facing markets and the world.

Persons: Gopinath, Karen Tso, Gita Gopinath Organizations: International

☆ China faces 'fork in the road,' IMF Managing Director Georgieva says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Kristalina Georgieva, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), speaks during the China Development Forum 2024 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on March 24, 2024 in Beijing, China. China needs to "reinvent itself" with economic policies to speed resolution of its property market crisis and boost domestic consumption and productivity, the International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Sunday. Georgieva said an analysis by the IMF showed a more consumer-centered policy mix could add $3.5 trillion to China's economy over the next 15 years. "A key feature of high quality growth will need to be higher reliance on domestic consumption," Georgieva, a Bulgarian economist, said. But the IMF remarks were significant in coming at the outset of a two-day meeting where Beijing is looking to push the message China is open for business.

Persons: Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, Xi Jinping Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Monetary Fund's, China Development, IMF Locations: China, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Bulgarian

☆ China faces ‘fork in the road,’ IMF chief says, urging Beijing to embark on pro-market reforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Kristalina Georgieva, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), speaks during the China Development Forum 2024 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on March 24, 2024 in Beijing, China. China has two choices right now: return to its old economic policies, or choose reforms to spur growth, according to the International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. "China is poised to face a fork in the road — rely on the policies that have worked in the past, or update its policies for a new era of high-quality growth," Georgieva said Sunday at the China Development Forum in Beijing. "With a comprehensive package of pro-market reforms, China could grow considerably faster than a status quo scenario," she said, according to prepared remarks by the IMF. The measures coincide with other moves Beijing has made in recent weeks to boost confidence among foreign investors and businesses as it pursues a growth target of about 5% this year.

Persons: Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, Li Qiang Organizations: International Monetary Fund, International Monetary Fund's, China Development Forum, IMF, World Bank Locations: China, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Bulgarian

☆ China vows to treat foreign firms equally as it seeks more international investment
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Guo Tingting, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, attends the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 25, 2024. "China will fully guarantee national treatment for foreign companies, so that more foreign companies can invest in China with confidence and peace of mind," Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said at the China Development Forum in Beijing. China pledged on Monday to treat foreign companies the same way as domestic peers in a bid to attract more foreign investment, cooperation and expertise, as Asia's largest economy moves to upgrade and strengthen its industrial chains. In response, China has stepped up efforts to address concerns of foreign investors, pledging to protect the rights of foreign companies and promising to further enlarge entry into its markets. Over 100 overseas executives and investors have attended the annual China Development Forum since the weekend, including companies with deep supply chains in China such as Apple and Siemens .

Persons: Guo Tingting, Guo, Li Qiang, Stephen von Schuckmann, CGTN, We're, Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong, Jin, Kristalina Georgieva Organizations: Commerce, China Development Forum, Trade Organization, WTO, Sunday, ZF Group, Apple, Siemens, Industry, Information Technology, Monetary Fund's Locations: Beijing, China, consultancies, United States

☆ IMF expects new housing demand in China to drop by around 50% in the next decade
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Demand for new housing in China is set to drop by around 50% over the next decade, making it harder for Beijing to quickly bolster the country's overall growth. China's real estate sector and related industries have accounted for about a quarter of the country's gross domestic product. Zhang said China's housing demand would remain large, and policy support would gradually kick in. "Therefore, a significant decline in housing demand is very unlikely to happen," he said. The IMF report compared housing demand and new starts from the 2012 to 2021 period with estimates for 2024 to 2033.

Persons: Zhengxin Zhang, Zhang, Evergrande, Sonali Jain, Chandra, Nir Klein Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, International Monetary Fund's, IMF, U.S ., People's Bank of China Locations: Huai'an, China, BEIJING, Beijing, Evergrande, Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific

☆ Why China's economy is doing better than people think
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewAlthough China looks dead-set on another year of economic distress, its prospects are brighter than they seem, a former advisor to the People's Bank of China wrote. For this reason, it helps that China's economy faces two-pronged deflation, with both consumer and producer price indices in the red, Yongding wrote. That means Beijing can inject considerable fiscal stimulus without concerns about inflation. According to Yongding, China's infrastructure is still behind in critical sectors, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

Persons: —, Yu Yongding, Yongding Organizations: Service, People's Bank of China, Business, Project Syndicate, Monetary Locations: China, Beijing

☆ Powell says Fed to move 'carefully' on interest rates with risks 'more balanced'
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Having come so far so quickly, the (Federal Open Market Committee) is moving forward carefully, as the risks of under- and over-tightening are becoming more balanced." But his remarks also reflected increased confidence that the current 5.25%-5.50% policy rate may well be adequate to complete the job. The Fed meets on Dec. 12-13 and is expected to leave its benchmark rate unchanged for the third meeting in a row. "The pace at which the economy is creating new jobs remains strong, and has been slowing toward a more sustainable level ... Shortly before Powell delivered his remarks, a key reading on the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector showed activity there remained subdued and factory employment declined.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Kevin Lamarque, Powell, Helene Gayle, Lisa Cook, Howard Schneider, Paul Simao Organizations: Monetary Fund's, REUTERS, Rights, Federal Reserve, Spelman College, Fed, Spelman, Institute, Supply Management's, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Atlanta

☆ Oil extends gains on expectations of further OPEC+ supply cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummaryCompanies Brent, WTI prices rise nearly 1%OPEC+ set to consider whether to make more supply cuts -sourcesUS adds oil, gas rigs, first time in three weeks -Baker HughesSINGAPORE, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Oil futures edged higher on Monday, extending gains on expectations of OPEC+ deepening supply cuts to shore up prices, which have fallen for four weeks on easing concern of Middle East supply disruption amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both contracts settled 4% higher on Friday after three OPEC+ sources told Reuters that the producer group, made up of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies including Russia, is set to consider whether to make additional oil supply cuts when it meets on Nov. 26. Oil prices have dropped by almost 20% since late September while prompt inter-month spreads for Brent and WTI slipped into contango last week. In a contango market, prompt prices are lower than those in future months, signalling sufficient supply. Investors are also eyeing disruption in Russian crude oil trade after Washington imposed sanctions on three ships that have sent Sokol crude to India.

Persons: Brent, Baker Hughes, WTI, OPEC's, Jorge Leon, Leon, Tony Sycamore, Biden, Sycamore, Sokol, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, Christopher Cushing Organizations: West Texas, Reuters, Organization of, Petroleum, Rystad Energy, Monetary, . Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Thomson Locations: Baker Hughes SINGAPORE, East, Israel, Russia, Brent, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, OPEC, Washington, India, Moscow, U.S, Gaza

☆ Argentina investors on edge as Milei decides who to put in economic hot seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Jorgelina Do Rosario | Thomson Reuters | Jorgelina Do Rosario Is Emerging Markets Correspondent At Reuters Based In London | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Who is appointed...as central bank president and economy minister, and the details of an urgent economic stabilization plan without a majority in Congress, will be the key for asset prices in the days ahead." The Economy Ministry is always a hot seat, with Argentina a nine-time debt defaulter caught in a decades-long boom-and-bust cycle. Milei will take office on Dec. 10 after beating ruling Peronist coalition Economy Minister Sergio Massa. "Milei said that he is going to reorganize the central bank instead of imploding it or shutting it down. The new economy minister will have to negotiate a new programme with the IMF "relatively quickly" to avoid entering arrears with the fund, Morgan Stanley said on Monday.

Persons: Milei, Macri, Javier Milei, Milei's, embolden Milei, Armando Armenta, defaulter, Sergio Massa, Hans Humes, Humes, Carlos Rodriguez, Roque Fernandez, Dario Epstein, Emilio Ocampo, Mauricio Macri, Juan Manuel Pazos, Pazos, Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley ´, Massa, Jorgelina, Adam Jourdan, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Monetary, Ministry, Peronist, Economy, Greylock Capital Management, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, South, AllianceBernstein, New York, Argentina, Argentine, Buenos Aires, Washington, refinance, Santiago del Estero, Formosa, Rosario

☆ Explainer: What you need to know about Argentina's presidential election run-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Maximilian Heath | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Argentina will vote in a run-off presidential election on Sunday, with Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa taking on libertarian outsider Javier Milei to determine the future of the region's second largest economy. It has one of the largest reserves of electric vehicle battery lithium, and huge shale gas and oil potential. Massa, the current government's wheeler-dealer 51-year-old economy chief, represents the ruling Union por la Patria (UP) coalition. The registry for the 2023 election is 35.4 million people and Argentines abroad can vote. In the runoff, the candidate who obtains the greatest number of total votes wins and would govern for a four-year term.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, Alberto Fernandez, Juan Peron, Evita, Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Massa, Milei, Patricia Bullrich, Juan Schiaretti, Pollsters, Maximilian Heath, Adam Jourdan, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Peronist Economy, Peronist, CARE, Monetary, WHO, La Libertad Avanza, U.S, la Patria, Pellegrini, Argentine Ministry of, REUTERS, Massa, WHAT'S, Investors, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, China, Latin America, Brazilian, Peronism, Buenos Aires, Milei, Peronist

☆ IMF approves $35 bln credit line for Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Employees work at a stall in an outdoor market dedicated to the sale of fruits and vegetables, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund's executive board has approved a two-year, $35 billion flexible credit line for Mexico, it said in a statement on Thursday, noting the Latin American country's economy is undergoing a broad-based expansion. This is Mexico's tenth flexible credit line arrangement since 2009, and the country has reduced amounts of the lines granted in recent years, the IMF said. In 2017, the IMF granted Mexico a credit line worth around $88 billion, which by 2021 was reduced to $50 billion. Authorities will reassess the external risk outlook and their implications on access under the agreement in November 2024, the IMF added.

Persons: Jose Luis Gonzalez, Gita Gopinath, Gopinath, Kylie Madry, Valentine Hilaire, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Monetary Fund's, IMF, Thomson Locations: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, MEXICO

☆ IMF board approves $178 mln loan to Malawi
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malawian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Sosten Gwengwe speaks at the State Department in Washington, DC, U.S., September 28, 2022. Kevin Wolf/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBLANTYRE, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund's executive board has approved a loan of about $178 million for Malawi, with an immediate disbursement of about $35 million, the IMF said in a statement on Wednesday. "The decision is a big breather for us and our economy," Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda said in a telephone interview with Reuters. The IMF programme will unlock more financial support from development partners, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera said in a televised national address late on Wednesday. The World Bank could give Malawi $60 million for trade finance, a $217 million package linked to fiscal reforms and $250 million for agriculture, Chakwera said.

Persons: Sosten Gwengwe, Kevin Wolf, Banda, Lazarus Chakwera, Chakwera, Frank Phiri, Anait Miridzhanian, David Gregorio, Sandra Maler Organizations: Finance, Economic Affairs, State Department, Rights, Monetary Fund's, Malawian, Simplex, Reuters, IMF, Bank, Thomson Locations: Washington , DC, Rights BLANTYRE, Malawi

☆ Morning Bid: 'Not confident' Powell drags markets lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Since the Fed left rates unchanged last week, markets had increasingly grown confident that the peak in U.S. rates was in sight. But up stepped Powell to squash any hopes of an impending rate cut. "[The Fed] is committed to achieving a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive to bring inflation down to 2% over time," Powell said. That led stocks lower, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) skidding 1% to their lowest in a week. The rise in yields boosted the dollar, which is headed for its best week against the yen in three months.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Kevin Lamarque, Ankur Banerjee, Powell, Christine Lagarde, Walt Disney, policymaker Joachim Nagel, SNB's Thomas Moser, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Monetary Fund's, REUTERS, Ankur, European bourses, Treasury, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China's, U.S . Treasury, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Asia, Pacific, Japan, European, U.S, Commercial Bank of China's U.S, Norway, Sweden

The funds available for deals are growing as investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth and insurance firms look for meaty returns hard to find in today's equity markets, especially in the beaten-down real estate sector. Australian real estate specialist Qualitas (QAL.AX), whose backers include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has nearly doubled funds under management to A$8 billion ($5.07 billion) since mid-2022, with roughly half the increase since this June. U.S.-based PGIM Real Estate expects to deploy a further $1 billion in the country over the next few years, said its head of Australian real estate Steve Bulloch. Lenders are expanding into residential and commercial construction as banks slow lending or exit, a March report from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said. JUICY RETURNSInvestors can expect returns from 9% to 11% with the added security of loans pledged against real assets like condos or warehouses, often with a 30% to 40% equity buffer, said Paul Notaras, executive director at Barings Real Estate Australia.

Persons: Stella Qiu, meaty, Steve Bulloch, JUICY, Paul Notaras, Notaras, Qualitas, Andrew Schwartz, Bonds, We've, Schwartz, Lewis Jackson, Rae Wee, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ Group, International Monetary, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australia, prudential, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Parramatta, Sydney, SYDNEY, Australian, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Qualitas, Singapore

World Bank project documents will make it clear that LGBTQ Ugandans should not face discrimination and that staff will not be arrested for including them, Victoria Kwakwa, the bank's head for eastern and southern Africa, told Reuters. She declined to give a timeline for assessing the measures' efficacy and moving to a decision on whether to resume new funding for Uganda. When the World Bank suspended new funding, Ugandan officials accused the development finance institution of hypocrisy, saying it was lending to countries in the Middle East and Asia that have the same or harsher laws targeting LGBTQ people. The World Bank's portfolio of projects in the East African country was $5.2 billion at the end of 2022. Reporting by Rachel Savage and Jorgelina do Rosario, Editing by Andrew CawthorneOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ashley Karungi, Victoria Kwakwa, Kwakwa, Rachel Savage, Jorgelina, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Bank, Reuters, Rights, World Bank, International Monetary, Uganda, Government, Thomson Locations: Kulambiro suburb, Kampala, Uganda, MARRAKECH, Morocco, Africa, Marrakech, East, Asia, Rosario

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