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☆ A US vet wanted to retire in Bangkok. Less than 2 years later, he realized city life wasn't for him and built a home with his fiancée by the sea.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Joe Green and Gift Prakaew gave up Bangkok city life to live in a seaside town in Central Thailand. Joe Green/Thai Girl Gift and Foreigner JoeThe allure of the countrysideThe couple ended up buying a plot of land for $40,000. Joe Green/Thai Girl Gift and Foreigner JoeThe couple's bedroom faces a mountain, and the sea is a five-minute walk away, he said. Joe Green/Thai Girl Gift and Foreigner JoeThe couple worked with a builder and an architect to build their home. Joe Green/Thai Girl Gift and Foreigner JoeOn the other hand, the cost of living in Thailand is "reasonable," he added.

Persons: Joe Green, Prakaew, Green, —, Manhattan — Green, Joe, Prachuap Khiri Khan, weren't, I'm, It's, they'll Organizations: Service, US Department of Defense, Hoboken , New Jersey —, Manhattan —, YouTube, roosters Locations: Bangkok, Central Thailand, Europe, United States, Hoboken , New Jersey, Manhattan, New York City, Asia, Thailand, Australian

☆ New US rules on Chinese batteries could push up price of electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —The US government has announced new regulations that aim to keep Chinese batteries out of cars sold in the United States, a move that could push up the price of electric vehicles for American drivers. China is the world’s leader in EV battery production, dominating almost “every stage of the EV battery supply chain,” according to a 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Tesla is a longtime customer of China’s CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker. Doubling downThe new measures add to existing efforts by Washington to redirect auto manufacturing to the United States. “Financial incentives play an important role in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles,” researchers at George Washington University found in a 2022 study.

Persons: Biden, ” John Podesta, “, John Bozzella, ”, Tesla, China’s CATL, CATL, Jeff Kowalsky Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, EV, International Energy Agency, US Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Energy, Treasury, Officials, IEA, “, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, Ford, Getty, George Washington University, ” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Hong Kong, United States, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, America, Michigan, Washington, North America, Dearborn , Michigan, AFP, Europe, Beijing

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Many Western arms companies failed to ramp up production in 2022 despite a strong increase in demand for weapons and military equipment, a watchdog group said Monday, adding that labor shortages, soaring costs and supply chain disruptions had been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Many arms companies faced obstacles in adjusting to production for high-intensity warfare,” said Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, director of the independent institute's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program. SIPRI said the revenues of the 42 U.S. companies on the list — accounting for 51% of total arms sales — fell by 7.9% to $302 billion in 2022. Of those, 32 recorded a fall in year-on-year arms revenue, most of them citing ongoing supply chain issues and labor shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. ”However, despite the year-on-year drop, the total Top 100 arms revenue was still 14% higher in 2022 than in 2015 — the first year for which SIPRI included Chinese companies in its ranking.

Persons: ”, Lucie Béraud, SIPRI, Nan Tian, Lockheed Martin, ” SIPRI, Sudreau Organizations: STOCKHOLM, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Lockheed, Raytheon Technologies, ” Companies Locations: Ukraine, Stockholm, U.S, Asia, Israel, South Korea

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 27, 2023. Market participants now await policy comments from Powell at two separate discussions scheduled for 11 a.m. After recent conflicting remarks from other policymakers, investors are concerned that Powell could push back against the rate cut narrative. Other officials, including Fed Governors Lisa Cook and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee are also scheduled to speak during the day. Reporting by Shristi Achar A and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Powell, Jerome Powell's, Dow Jones, underscoring, Sophie Lund, Yates, Hargreaves Lansdown, Lisa Cook, Austan Goolsbee, Alibaba, Morgan Stanley, danuglipron, Paula Oyibo, Shristi Achar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Federal, Chicago Fed, P Global, ISM, Dow e, Pfizer, Marvell Technology, Automation, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

The documents showed that the government also labeled as part of its climate change efforts items as disparate as Navy security operations and distributing fortified milk among the rural poor. Of this, Pemex spent 5.6 billion pesos on climate change and 1.3 billion pesos on the energy transition in the same period, the public accounts show. "Mexico started really strong," said Maria Jose de Villafranca, the lead researcher for Mexico at Climate Action Tracker. The government did not make officials available to discuss its climate change plans. Mexico has not released information about its strategy, which has been criticized by climate change experts as non-compliant with the Paris Agreement.

Persons: Gustavo Graf, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador's, Pemex, Victor Gomez, Gomez, Maria Jose de Villafranca, There's, Jason DeVito, Stefanie Eschenbacher, Simon Jessop, Dave Graham, Claudia Parsons Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Reuters, United, CFE, United Nations, Navy, Federated Hermes, Thomson Locations: El Bosque, Mexico, MEXICO, DUBAI, United States, Paris, United Nations, Dubai, CFE, Mexico City

All eyes are now on the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index- the Fed's preferred inflation gauge- for October, due at 8:30 a.m. ET, which is expected to show inflation eased in the previous month. The PCE index is expected to rise 0.1% on a monthly basis in October, moderating from a 0.4% increase in September. Data cloud company Snowflake (SNOW.N) added 8.2% after it forecast fourth-quarter product revenue above Street estimates on artificial intelligence driven demand. Reporting by Shristi Achar A and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Caitlin Ochs, Russ Mould, AJ Bell, Jefferies, Shristi Achar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Wall, Federal Reserve, Dow e, Ford Motor, Inc, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Chicago, Bengaluru

☆ Euro zone inflation dents euro, dollar rises from three-month low
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A New Zealand dollar coin sits atop a United States one dollar bill in this photo illustration taken on March 11, 2016. Consumer price growth in the 20 nations that share the euro currency dropped to 2.4% in November from 2.9% in October, well below expectations for a fall to 2.7%. The euro dropped as much as 0.5% against the dollar to $1.0910. The Japanese currency has firmed almost 3% against the dollar in November and is on course for its strongest month this year. Sterling was last at $1.2646, down 0.39% on the day, while the Australian dollar fell 0.1% to $0.6610.

Persons: David Gray, Matthew Landon, disinflation, Landon, ECB policymaker Fabio Panetta, Mohamad Al, Jerome Powell, Christopher Waller, Christopher Wong, Toyoaki Nakamura, Sterling, It's, Samuel Indyk, Ankur Banerjee, Vidya Ranganathan, Kim Coghill, Miral Fahmy, Susan Fenton Organizations: New Zealand, REUTERS, European Central Bank, Morgan Private Bank, ECB, ECB policymaker, Danske Bank, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: States, Europe, U.S, London, Singapore

☆ Gold holds ground ahead of US inflation test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Harshit Verma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An employee casts ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. Spot gold was flat at $2,044.30 per ounce by 0728 GMT, trading in a range of about $6. It hit its highest since May 5 on Wednesday, and was poised for its second straight monthly gain. U.S. gold futures for December delivery fell 0.1% to $2,045.40 per ounce. Reporting by Harshit Verma in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich, Mrigank Dhaniwala and Sonia CheemaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alexander Manzyuk, Yeap Jun Rong, Jerome Powell, Harshit Verma, Rashmi Aich, Mrigank Dhaniwala, Sonia Cheema Organizations: REUTERS, PCE, U.S, Fed, Traders, Thomson Locations: Novosibirsk, Siberian, Russia, U.S, Bengaluru

While the Dow rose to 35,725.11 points, crossing its intraday high of 35,679.13 points hit in August, all three main indexes were on course for their strongest November since 2020. The S&P 500 (.SPX) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) were also poised for their biggest monthly percentage gain since July 2022, on signs of cooling price pressures. The personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index - the Fed's preferred inflation gauge - showed inflation remained unchanged in October on a monthly basis, against economists' projections of a 0.1% increase. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.2% on a monthly basis, in line with estimates. But most megacap stocks edged lower, with Tesla (TSLA.O) down 1.4% and leading declines, keeping the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.SPX) under pressure.

Persons: Caitlin Ochs, Salesforce, Dow Jones, Dow, Anthony Saglimbene, Mary Daly, John Williams, Jefferies, Shristi Achar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Companies, Dow, Nasdaq, Reserve, U.S, Treasury, Fed, San Francisco Fed, Bank of New York, Dow Jones, Inc, NYSE, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Troy , Michigan, Bengaluru

☆ Dollar drifts near three-month low, focus on inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The index is down 3.7% in November on growing expectations the Fed will cut interest rates in the first half of 2024. The dollar clawed back some of its losses on Wednesday after data showed the U.S. economy grew faster in the third quarter than initially reported. "Markets will continue to play to focus on what FOMC officials say about the prospect of the upcoming rate-hike cycle." Two of the best-performers are at the polar opposite ends of the "carry" spectrum — the New Zealand dollar and Japanese yen . On Thursday, yen strengthened 0.09% to 147.11 per dollar, remaining close to two and half month high of 146.675 per dollar it touched on Wednesday.

Persons: Carol Kong, Jerome Powell, Christopher Waller, Christopher Wong, Goldman Sachs, Sterling Organizations: Federal, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand, Bank of Japan Locations: U.S

☆ Gold holds ground ahead of U.S. inflation test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | 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 consolidated in a tight range on Thursday, hovering close to a near seven-month high, as investors awaited a key inflation print to gauge whether interest rate cuts in the U.S. would come sooner than expected. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $2,041.76 per ounce by 0543 GMT, after hitting its highest since May 5 on Wednesday, and was poised for its second straight monthly gain. U.S. gold futures for December delivery fell 0.2% to $2,042.40 per ounce. Spot silver fell 0.2% to $24.95 per ounce.

Persons: Bullion, Yeap Jun Rong, Jerome Powell Organizations: Primera Gold's, U.S, Federal, Traders Locations: Bukavu, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, U.S

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., November 17, 2023. Wall Street indexes ended marginally higher on Tuesday after Fed Governor Christopher Waller, deemed a hawk, hinted at lower interest rates in the months ahead if inflation continued to ease. Other similar positive comments sent Treasury yields tumbling, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year note last at an over two-month low of 4.2840%. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman on Tuesday alluded to the possibility of another rate hike. Reporting by Shristi Achar A and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Christopher Waller, Governor Bowman, Charalampos Pissouros, Michelle Bowman, Thomas Barkin, Shristi Achar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, General Motors, Dow, Nasdaq, Treasury, Federal Reserve, XM, Nvidia, Richmond Fed, Dow e, CrowdStrike Holdings, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ With geopolitical tensions mounting, Bernstein expects 3 defense stocks to soar 20%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The rising geopolitical threats in APAC has been a driver of military spending for the Western nations. In addition, APAC countries have become more important for their own military expenditures, which present some opportunities for Western defense contractors through either exports or partnerships," they added. Quoting research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute , Bernstein said that global defense spending reached a record high of $2.2 trillion last year. Why is defense spending on the rise? For instance, South Korea's defense spending is high given its longstanding tensions with neighbor North Korea.

Persons: AllianceBernstein, Bernstein, Northrop Grumman, CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Asia, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Boeing Co, Dassault Aviation, U.S Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S, APAC, Stockholm, China, North Korea, North America, Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Soviet, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 20, 2023. Multiple Fed policy voting members are scheduled to speak during the day, including Board Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman. Murphy & Sylvest's Nolte said investors were "digesting very, very strong gains for the month of November," referring to the declines. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 1.92-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. Reporting by Shristi Achar A and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Paul Nolte, Sylvest, Governors Christopher Waller, Michelle Bowman, Murphy, Sylvest's Nolte, advancers, Shristi Achar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, billings Boeing, RBC, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Murphy, Governors, Reuters, Dow Jones, Micron Technology, RBC Capital Markets, PDD Holdings, NYSE, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, billings, Bengaluru

☆ Treasury yields inch higher as investors consider economic outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yields and prices have an inverted relationship, and one basis point equals 0.01%. The 2-year Treasury yield was up by about 3 basis points at 4.885%. The 10-year Treasury yield was 2 basis points higher at 4.4%. U.S. Treasury yields were slightly higher on Tuesday, as investors awaited the release of economic data that could provide hints about the economic outlook. Recent data has suggested that higher rates are having the desired effect and inflation is easing, although it remains above the Fed's 2% target range.

Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Fed

☆ Futures subdued ahead of comments from Fed officials; Zscaler falls
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 20, 2023. The rebound in equities in November has brought the S&P 500 (.SPX) within a very close range of its 2023 intra-day high. Multiple policy voting members are scheduled to speak during the day, including Board Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman. ET, Dow e-minis were up 14 points, or 0.04%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 1.75 points, or 0.04%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 16.25 points, or 0.1%. Boeing added 1.7% after RBC Capital Markets upgraded the aerospace company to "outperform" from "sector perform" and set a street-high price target.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Governors Christopher Waller, Michelle Bowman, Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Lansdown, Jefferies, Shristi Achar, Shinjini Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Governors, Dow e, Hargreaves, Conference, Boeing, RBC Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, United States, Bengaluru

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 27, 2023. The rebound in equities in November has brought the S&P 500 (.SPX) close to its highest intra-day level this year. "We are headed for a mixed session today...maybe something like profit taking at the beginning and then just a leveling off."U.S. The S&P 500 retail sector (.SPXRT), housing Amazon, rose 0.5%. The S&P index recorded 7 new 52-week highs and no new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 34 new highs and 18 new lows.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Elliott, Peter Cardillo, Jerome Powell, advancers, Shristi Achar, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Spartan Capital Securities, Walmart, Reuters, Fed, Dow Jones, Crown, Elliott Investment Management, GE HealthCare, UBS, NYSE, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Wall St futures edge lower as investor await data, policy cues
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 27, 2023. Wall Street ended the Thanksgiving week on a positive note, with the major indexes notching up their fourth consecutive week of gains on growing optimism that the Federal Reserve was likely done hiking interest rates. ET, Dow e-minis were down 48 points, or 0.14%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 7 points, or 0.15%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 23.75 points, or 0.15%. The personal consumption expenditure index data for October - the Fed's preferred inflation gauge - is slated to be released on Thursday. Reporting by Shristi Achar A and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Axel Rudolph, Shristi Achar, Shashwat Chauhan, Saumyadeb Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Dow e, IG Group, Walmart, Crown, Elliott Investment Management, Reuters, GE HealthCare, UBS, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

Earlier Sunday, the Irish prime minister lauded the release of Emily Hand, an Israeli-Irish girl whose story has captivated both nations. Our prayers have been answered,” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. The girl was initially believed to have been killed in the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel by Hamas and other militants. Emily Hand was not ‘lost,’ she was kidnapped by a terror organization worse than ISIS,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen tweeted. He alleged that Varadkar was “trying to legitimize and normalize terror,” and summoned the Irish ambassador to Israel for a reprimand.

Persons: —, Emily Hand, Leo Varadkar, Emily, Varadkar's, Mr, Eli Cohen, Varadkar, ”, Paschal Donohoe, Israel, ___ Sylvia Hui Organizations: JERUSALEM, Twitter, ISIS, Israeli Foreign Ministry, Union Locations: Irish, Israeli, Israel, Gaza, Belgium, Spain, Palestinian, London

☆ Kenyan Parliamentary Committee Call for Reforms to Electoral Body
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The bipartisan committee formed to study opposition grievances wants the electoral commission reconstituted and an audit of the last presidential election. As a result, the committee was formed in August with the backing of a parliamentary resolution and was mandated to study the grievances and propose necessary policy reforms to the government. In its report, the committee recommended the "restructuring and reconstitution" of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the country's electoral body. "The committee recommended the appointment of a panel of experts who would evaluate the 2022 electoral process and a mechanism for evaluating future elections." The government, the committee said in the report, should also review its tax policy, rationalise public expenditure and expand the reach of social protection.

Persons: Humphrey Malalo, William Ruto, Raila Odinga, Hussein Mohamed, Ruto, Elias Biryabarema, Giles Elgood Organizations: Kenyan, Reuters, Sunday, Independent, Commission, Kenya State House Locations: Humphrey Malalo NAIROBI, Kenya

☆ Kenyan parliamentary committee call for reforms to electoral body
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Humphrey Malalo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Baz Ratner, William Ruto, Raila Odinga, Hussein Mohamed, Ruto, Humphrey Malalo, Elias Biryabarema, Giles Elgood Organizations: Kenyatta International Convention, REUTERS, Rights, Kenyan, Reuters, Sunday, Independent, Commission, Kenya State House, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Rights NAIROBI

☆ Wall Street is set to wrap up a strong month next week as stocks gun for new highs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Wall Street is set to wrap up a strong month next week as stocks gun for new highs heading into year end. The Nasdaq Composite is on pace to close out the month with a double-digit advance, up 10%. In contrast to September and October, which are typically weak periods for stocks, the seasonal patterns are now in favor of equities. This week, LPL Financial's Adam Turnquist pointed out that more than half, or 55%, of S & P 500 stocks closed above their 200-day moving average. It's set to show a rise of 0.2%, down from the 0.7% rise in the prior month, according to FactSet consensus estimates.

Persons: Stephen Suttmeier, Sam Stovall, That's, CFRA's Stovall, What's, LPL, Adam Turnquist, Turnquist, Wolfe, Rob Ginsberg, Ginsberg, Morningstar's Dave Sekera, Sekera, Morningstar's Sekera, Salesforce, Gartner Organizations: Nasdaq, Bank, Treasury, Costco Wholesale, Kroger, New, Dallas Fed, Richmond Fed, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NetApp, Intuit, PCE Deflator, Chicago PMI, PMI, Manufacturing, Dominion Energy, Cboe, Cardinal Health Locations: Chicago

☆ A lower-cost bet on a year-end rally in Amazon using options
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Jeff Kilburg | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

I'm going to look at a low cost way to bet on a year-end continuation in the comeback in the shares. That $100 million expenditure is on top of the $1 billion per year Amazon (AMZN) is already paying to broadcast 15 or 16 Thursday Night Football games annually until 2033. Amazon revenue for the 12 months ending September 30, 2023 was not too shabby at $554 billion, a 10 percent increase year-over-year. AMZN mountain 2020-12-31 Amazon since 2020 It is also imperative to remember that Amazon has a vast business with multiple categories from e-commerce to cloud computing. DISCLOSURES: (Long the 1x2 vertical spread and AMZN stock) THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY .

Persons: AMZN Organizations: NFL, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Football, New York Yankees, Seattle Storm, League, English Premier League, behemoth, Amazon, Amazon's AWS, Microsoft, Google Locations: Italy, Germany, India

☆ Germany financial sector facing dark clouds, Bundesbank warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Deutsche Bundesbank FollowFRANKFURT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Germany's financial firms may be well capitalised now but face challenges ranging from rising interest expenditure and weak loan demand to unrealised losses, Bundesbank Vice President Claudia Buch said on Wednesday. "Almost two-thirds of savings banks and credit cooperatives now have unrealised losses throughout their banking book, which comprises loans as well as securities," Buch said in a statement. Buch warned that interest rate expenditure was likely to rise in the future, which will compress margins and weigh on earnings. Banks will struggle to offset higher costs via rising loan volumes since corporate demand is weak amid a recessionary environment. "Even in adverse scenarios, financial institutions should have sufficient levels of capital and liquidity to be able to absorb shocks on their own," Buch added.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Claudia Buch, Buch, Banks, Balazs Koranyi, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, FRANKFURT

Enel, hitherto the world's biggest listed renewables developer, plans 35.8 billion euros ($39 billion) of gross capital expenditure in its plan to 2026, of which nearly 19 billion euros will help to modernise and make its networks more resilient. Shares in the state-controlled power group were down 0.4% at 1530 GMT paring a 1% initial loss on the Milan bourse and underperforming a nearly flat blue-chip index. Rising indebtedness was one of the reasons why the Italian government, which is the single biggest shareholder in Enel, decided to oust the group's previous CEO, Francesco Starace. New CEO Flavio Cattaneo pledged to spend only the cash generated by the business, without increasing the debt pile. The group will devote some 3 billion euros to actively manage its customer portfolio through bundled offers, which will include different commodities and services.

Persons: Antonio Parrinello, Enel, Francesco Starace, Flavio Cattaneo, Cattaneo, Stefano De Angelis, Starace, Francesca Landini, Giancarlo Navach, Keith Weir, Giulia Segreti, Elaine Hardcastle, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Milan bourse, Thomson Locations: Catania, Italy, MILAN, Milan, Enel

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