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☆ StanChart lowers income target as China weighs, launches $1 billion buyback
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Standard Chartered on Friday rewarded shareholders with dividends and a fresh $1 billion buyback as profit rose 18%, but set out modest growth forecasts that will concern investors amid worries about global banks' exposure to China. The bank reported 2023 statutory pre-tax profit rose to $5.09 billion, in line with forecasts, and announced a jump in dividends alongside the buyback. The lender booked 13% income growth in 2023 in constant currency terms. A fresh $150 million writedown of its stake in Bohai Bank, following a $700 million hit earlier this year, reduced its value to $700 million from $1.5 billion at the start of the year. That brought total provisions for its China real estate exposure to $1.2 billion in the last 3 years.

Persons: StanChart Organizations: Bohai Bank, HSBC, Wednesday, British Locations: China, Asia, Bohai, Bohai Bank

☆ Middle East Crisis U.S. Vetoes U.N. Resolution Calling for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

But the donations have become the focus of a legal battle after an Israeli credit card company balked at transferring the funds. The campaign portrayed the family as victims of harassment by the Israeli left and emphasized its financial plight since Mr. Levi’s accounts were frozen. Then the nonprofit group that organized it took it down. The campaign to support Mr. Chasdai has raised 114,000 shekels, roughly $31,000, through a separate crowdfunding platform. But the sweeping nature of the U.S. sanctions means that financial institutions would be reluctant to participate in efforts to direct money to Mr. Levi or others, experts said.

Persons: Biden, Yinon Levi, Levi, Levi’s, David Chai Chasdai, Levi —, Britain —, Sapir Levi, Reut Gez, “, Gez, Chasdai, ”, Eliav Lieblich Organizations: West Bank, Cal, Mr, U.S . State Department, ABC News, State Department, Britain, Mount, Mount Hebron Regional Council, Democratic Bloc, Tel Aviv University, “, U.S . Treasury Locations: U.S, Tel Aviv, Israel, Palestinian, Huwara, Israeli, Hebron, Mount Hebron

This black market for foreign currencies is among the signs of the economic woes plaguing Algeria. In the oil-rich North African nation, business owners are rumored to be dumping their assets and scrounging up euros on the black market so their wealth isn't stuck. The government estimates roughly $7 billion worth of foreign currency trades hands on the country's black market. Traders are intimately aware that the gap between the official and black market exchange rate can narrow or widen by the day. The growing chasm between the official and black market rates meant fewer euros are getting into the country, he said.

Persons: isn't, Belamane, Nourdine Sadaoui, Hicham Safar, “, ”, Abdelmajid Tebboune, Karim Allam Organizations: Associated Press, Traders, “, Bank of Locations: ALGIERS, Algeria, Algiers, Mecca, Europe's, Lebanon, Nigeria, Bank of Algeria, Ukraine, Europe, Russian

To earn interest on Cash App Savings, you must be at least age 18, have a Cash App personal account, and own a Cash App Card. How Cash App Savings worksYou'll need at least $1 to open Cash App Savings. Cash App Savings FAQsDoes Cash App Savings have interest? Yes, Cash App Savings now pays up to 4.50% APY if you're at least 18 and have a Cash App Card. Money in Cash App Savings is safe if you have a Cash App Card.

Persons: you'll, Cash, There's Organizations: Savings, Cash, FDIC, Wells Fargo Bank, Wells, Milli Bank, First National Bank of, Western Alliance Bank, Western Alliance, Yield, . Western Alliance, BrioDirect, Webster Bank, BrioDirect Savings, Banking, Flagstar Bank Locations: Wells Fargo, First National Bank of Omaha

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Las Vegas will be flooded with so many pre- Super Bowl events that Shaquille O'Neal lowered the prices to his popular carnival-themed “ Shaq's Fun House. “Las Vegas isn't ready for the show we're about to bring,” Big Boi said. The stars of the CBS show “The Neighborhood” will host the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration at the Palms Casino Resort on Wednesday night. MALUMA & SIRIUSXMColombian superstar Maluma will take his vibrant Latin music vibes into Las Vegas with the help of SiriusXM. ___More on the Super Bowl: https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl

Persons: Shaquille O'Neal, O'Neal, We're, ”, He'll, Lil Wayne, Diplo, DJ Diesel, Rob Gronkowski, Michael Rubin, Beyoncé, Jay, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Kendall Jenner, Rubin, Travis Scott, Meek, Lil Baby, Fabolous, Ludacris, Laroi, Mike, OutKast, Big Boi, Kevin Hart, Deon Cole, D.L, Desi Banks, Aida Rodriguez, Cedric, Tichina Arnold, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Robin Thicke, Tully Banta, Cain, Bryan Scott, Arnold, “, Nate Burleson, —, DJ Afrojack, Gronkowski, BILLY IDOL, Billy Idol, Idol, he's stoked, Maluma, He's, Don Juan ”, “ COCO LOCO ”, David Guetta, Jack Harlow, Wynn, Zach Bryan, Tiësto, LIV, Savage, Guy Fieri, Leigh Steinberg Organizations: ANGELES, NBA, Fun, Wynn, Sports Illustrated's, Hamptons, Cosmopolitan, MADDEN, EA Sports, Madden, of, Madden NFL, Theatre, CBS, NFL, Super, Sunday, Location's, Touchdown Club, SIRIUSXM, Virgin Hotels, Pandora, Las, GQ, Nomad Library Locations: Las Vegas, Sin City, Encore, Atlanta, Hughley, Palms, British, Allegiant, Vegas, Fontainebleau

☆ Iraq Bans 8 Local Banks From US Dollar Transactions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Timour AzhariBAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq has banned eight local commercial banks from engaging in U.S. dollar transactions, taking action to reduce fraud, money laundering and other illegal uses of U.S. currency days after a visit by a top U.S. Treasury official. The banks are banned from accessing the Iraqi central bank's daily dollar auction, a main source of hard currency in the import-dependent country that has become a focal point of a U.S. crackdown on currency smuggling to neighbouring Iran. A central bank document verified by an official at the bank listed the banned banks. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesThey are: Ahsur International Bank for Investment; Investment Bank of Iraq; Union Bank of Iraq; Kurdistan International Islamic Bank for Investment and Development; Al Huda Bank; Al Janoob Islamic Bank for Investment and Finance; Arabia Islamic Bank and Hammurabi Commercial Bank. Banks banned from dollar transactions are allowed to continue operating and are allowed to engage in transactions in other currencies, the central bank says.

Persons: Timour Azhari, Al Huda, Ashur, Hammurabi, ”, Banks, Brian Nelson, Mohammed Shia, Giles Elgood Organizations: Treasury, Ahsur, Bank for Investment, Investment Bank of Iraq, Union Bank of, Kurdistan International Islamic Bank for Investment, Development, Al, Al Huda Bank, Islamic Bank for Investment, Finance, Arabia Islamic Bank, Hammurabi Commercial Bank, Central Bank of, U.S . Treasury, Huda Bank, Reuters, Iraqi Locations: Timour, Timour Azhari BAGHDAD, Iraq, U.S, Iran, United States, Israel, Gaza, Union Bank of Iraq, Kurdistan, Central Bank of Iraq, Washington, Baghdad

☆ Carrying a credit card balance is costing you $1,140 per year — and is about to get much worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

However, credit card balances are especially worrisome because they are going to keep getting worse. That means the average American could be spending $1,140 every year on credit card interest and fees alone. Americans have been accruing a lot of credit card debt at a terrible timeAccording to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans had nearly $1.1 trillion in credit card debt in the third quarter of this year. Credit card interest rates, which had already been at their highest level since the mid-1990s, started soaring even higher. But with credit card debt going through the roof, the blissful spending could come to a screeching halt.

Persons: couldn't, —, Gary Coronado, LendingTree, Ted Rossman, Biden Organizations: Service, SoFi Bank, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank of New, Federal Reserve Board, Fed, New York, New York Fed, Consumer Financial, CNN, Household Economics Locations: WalletHub, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, delinquencies

☆ Tel Aviv bourse says no unusual trading ahead of Oct 7 Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange said on Tuesday that a report by U.S. researchers suggesting there were investors in Israel who may have profited from prior knowledge of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack was inaccurate and its publication irresponsible. "There was nothing unusual in short positions in the stock exchange in the two months before the attack." "The ISA's examinations found, inter-alia, that the average short balances for shares traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange declined during the period preceding October 7th," the regulator said in a statement. Their report said "short interest in the MSCI Israel Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) suddenly, and significantly, spiked" on Oct. 2, based on data from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He also said the short position in Leumi was taken by an unidentified Israeli bank known to the TASE.

Persons: Robert Jackson Jr, Joshua Mitts, Yaniv Pagot, Pagot, Mitts, Steven Scheer, Mark Potter, Leslie Adler Organizations: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, U.S, New York University, Columbia University, Hamas, Reuters, Israel Securities Authority, Tel, Aviv Stock Exchange, ISA, Leumi, MSCI Israel, Fund, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Thomson Locations: Israel, Leumi, Israel's, agorot, MSCI

☆ Cramer on Monday's market action: Some investors are headed for a 'nasty hangover'
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

"I saw a hammered market, a market where the buyers have gotten drunk as a proverbial skunk, buying the worst of the worst," he said. But as the mini banking crisis receded, the market broadened out and investors "collectively got a nice buzz going," Cramer said. They looked towards other sectors with strong potential, buying shares of artificial intelligence companies, cybersecurity outfits and weight loss drug manufacturers, he said. But some overindulged, he said, and now the "hammered investors have taken over." "For those who're slamming them down now and buying stocks under the influence?

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Cramer, Estee Lauder Organizations: Wall, Moderna, Pfizer Locations: China

☆ ‘A year of volatility’: Morgan Stanley names its top stocks as India prepares to head to the polls
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The investment case for India is hard to argue with, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley — but they warn that upcoming elections with "potential binary outcomes sets the market up for volatility." "Government policy remains supportive, and the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) executes a calibrated exit from its current hold stance. For Morgan Stanley, the downside, or bear case, to its forecast would see India's elections result in a change in government. Focus list of overweight-rated stocks Looking ahead to India in 2024, Morgan Stanley is overweight on companies in the financials, consumer discretionary, industrials and technology sectors. From the financial services sector, Morgan Stanley is overweight on ICICI Bank and insurer SBI Life Insurance .

Persons: Morgan Stanley —, Ridham Desai, Narendra Modi, Morgan Stanley, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, International Monetary Fund, Maruti Suzuki, Hindustan Aeronautics, Infosys, ICICI Bank, SBI Life Insurance Locations: India, U.S, Government, F2026E

☆ Citi bankers leave for Jefferies as municipal banking department in turmoil -Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

General view of Jefferies Financial Group offices in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - A team of bankers focused on healthcare at Citigroup (C.N) has left for rival Jefferies Financial (JEF.N) after the firm's executives mulled closing the municipal banking department altogether, Bloomberg News reported on Monday. The group of about 10 bankers departing for Jefferies included managing directors Brian Carlstead, Ben Klemz and Katherine Meyers, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. CEO Jane Fraser has been weighing whether to shutter the bank's municipal-bond trading and origination business. Citi's municipal offering business has been under scrutiny from Texas attorney general, who in January halted the bank's ability to underwrite most municipal bond offerings in Texas, saying Citi has discriminated against the firearms sector.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Brian Carlstead, Ben Klemz, Katherine Meyers, Jane Fraser, Pritam Biswas Organizations: Jefferies Financial, REUTERS, Citigroup, Jefferies, Bloomberg, Citi, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Texas, Bengaluru

☆ Somalia joins east Africa trade bloc as it eyes new opportunities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Abdi Sheikh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MOGADISHU, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The East African Community trade bloc admitted Somalia as its eighth member on Friday, a move Somali authorities and businesses hope will boost the country's war-ravaged economy. "Somalia officially joins the East African Community, reinforcing ties and opening new doors for progress and partnership," Daud Aweis, Somalia's minister for information, culture and tourism said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. In turn the bloc's large population and existing customs union and common market are a draw for investors that Somalia can now tap into. Somali businesses said the country's vibrant private sector, which has overcome long odds to stay afloat, would bring a fresh injection of risk-tolerant entrepreneurs into the trade bloc and boost exchanges across the large Somali Diaspora. "It will be simpler for the large Somali Diaspora living across East Africa to access financial services and products," said Shuayb Haji Nur Mohamed, managing director of Salaam Somali Bank, one of Somalia's major banks.

Persons: Daud Aweis, al, Shuayb Haji Nur Mohamed, Hereward Holland, Elias Biryabarema, William Maclean Organizations: East African Community, EAC, Democratic, East African, Salaam Somali Bank, Thomson Locations: MOGADISHU, Somalia, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Al Qaeda, Shabaab, Mogadishu, al Shabaab, Somali, East Africa

☆ India set to miss divestment targets by more than half this year - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nikunj Ohri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The government may fall short of its divestment goal by 300 billion rupees ($3.60 billion) in 2023/24, two government sources told Reuters. New Delhi had targeted 510 billion rupees from divestment proceeds for the current fiscal year that ends March, 2024. So far this year, the government has received 80 billion rupees through stake sales, according to government data. The government expects to surpass its 430 billion rupees dividend target and has so far received 203 billion rupees from state-run firms. "As long as the government is meeting its fiscal targets and there isn't a shortfall, missing divestment targets is fine," said Rahul Bajoria, an economist at Barclays Investment Bank.

Persons: Niharika Kulkarni, Narendra Modi's, Subhash Chandra Garg, Rahul Bajoria, Nikunj Ohri, Sam Holmes Organizations: IDBI, REUTERS, Reuters, IDBI Bank, NMDC Steel, Reserve Bank of India, NMDC, Barclays Investment Bank, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, DELHI, New Delhi, Chhattisgarh

☆ Euro bounces as investors cling to sliver of positive euro zone data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The euro rose on Thursday for the first time this week, after data suggested the downturn in the euro zone economy may be starting to ease, although holidays in the United States and Japan kept trading activity muted. The euro rose broadly, gaining the most against the Swedish crown , after the Swedish central bank left rates unchanged, while also gaining on the yen and the Swiss franc. The survey showed the euro zone economy is on track to contract again in the fourth quarter. Its PMI rose to 43.8 from 43.1, beating the poll expectation for 43.4 but was still below breakeven. Sterling was last up 0.5% on the day at $1.2558, having risen to a high of $1.2575 after the PMI data.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, There's, Michael Brown, Brown, Geert Wilders, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Jeff Ng, Changpeng Zhao, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Swiss, PMI, European Central Bank, Fed, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Markets, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, United States, Japan, Germany, Swedish, EU, Wednesday's, Netherlands, Asia, Singapore

☆ Holiday thins trading after data slows dollar's decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vidya Ranganathan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With markets shut in Japan and the United States for the Thanksgiving holiday, currencies barely moved and cash U.S. Treasuries weren't traded in Asia. By 0530 GMT, however, the euro was 0.15% higher at $1.0902 and the dollar index was a tad weaker at 103.71. Adding to investors' confusion, data showed orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods fell more than expected in October, signalling an economy cooling considerably after hot third-quarter growth. The dollar's rebound comes after a three-week long spell of weakness driven by evidence of a slowing economy and disinflation, leading markets to price out any additional Fed rate hikes. The forward-looking flash November purchasing manager indexes (PMIs) are also due out globally on Thursday and should help investors assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts will begin.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, Treasuries weren't, Jeff Ng, Treasuries, policymaker Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Federal, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Fed, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Governing, PMI, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rights SINGAPORE, Japan, United States, Asia, Britain, U.S

☆ Holiday thins trading after data nudges dollar higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

With markets shut in Japan and the United States for the Thanksgiving holiday, currencies barely moved and cash U.S. Treasuries weren't traded in Asia. The dollar index rose overnight, bouncing from a 2-1/2 month low, after economic data showed the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week. The weakness in the dollar has buoyed the yen , along with expectations the Bank of Japan may shift away from its ultra-loose monetary policy next year. The dollar index was just 0.03% lower at 103.84, with the euro unchanged at $1.0887. The forward-looking flash November purchasing manager indexes, or PMIs, are also due out globally on Thursday and should help investors assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts will begin.

Persons: Treasuries weren't, Jeff Ng, Treasuries, policymaker Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao Organizations: U.S ., Federal Reserve, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Fed, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Governing, PMI Locations: Japan, United States, Asia, Britain, U.S

☆ Thailand needs targeted cash transfers rather than broad-based stimulus, says CIMB Thai Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | 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 EmailThailand needs targeted cash transfers rather than broad-based stimulus, says CIMB Thai BankAmonthep Chawla, executive vice president and head of research office at CIMB Thai Bank, names sectors in the country that are "recovering quite well," such as electronics and food.

Persons: Amonthep Chawla Organizations: Thailand, CIMB Thai Bank

They said some battery operators are already supplying back-up power to grids at a price competitive with gas power plants, meaning gas will be used less. British independent Carlton Power dropped plans for an 800 million pound ($997 million) gas power plant in Manchester, northern England, in 2016. MODELS UNDER SCRUTINYDevelopers can no longer use financial modelling that assumes gas power plants are used constantly throughout their 20-year-plus lifetime, analysts said. Many countries world-wide, but especially in Europe, provide payments for standby power plants through capacity markets. In Europe, 40 million electric vehicles are expected by 2030, capable of displacing around one third of the region's gas power capacity, according to Kaluza.

Persons: Andrew Boyers, Carlton Power, Keith Clarke, Clarke, Carlton, Nigel Scott, Banks, Simon Virley, Helen Sanders, Sanders, Carlton's Clarke, Sarah McFarlane, Susanna Twidale, Simon Webb, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Global Energy Monitor, Power Ventures, Carlton, Carlton Power, Reuters, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Investors, Electricity, KPMG, Union, Octopus Energy, Thomson Locations: Finedon, Britain, Europe, United States, New Jersey, Manchester, England, London

CNN —After more than three years of going missing from world soccer, North Korean striker Han Kwang Song has reappeared, playing for his country in two recent World Cup qualifiers and scoring in the 6-1 win over Myanmar on Tuesday. Attempting to qualify for the World Cup for a third time, North Korea lost 1-0. The North Korea football federation, the Asian Football Confederation and world soccer governing body FIFA didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment on Han’s return to international football. The return of the North Korean wunderkind has surprised soccer pundits and fans, who worried about his safety and promising career being cut short. The Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home.

Persons: Han Kwang, Han, Duhail, –, Korean wunderkind, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, Han’s, Nicholas Pennington, Kwang, Choe, Pölten, Alberto Mier, Qatar’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, Tullio M Organizations: CNN, North, Myanmar, North Korean, Qatar, Al, Asian Football Confederation, FIFA, Korean, Serie, CNN Sport, Syria, Cagliari, Austria’s SKN, Italy’s, UN, Juventus, United Nations Security Council, Qatar Stars, Qatar Stars League, UNSC, Qatar Airways, Perugia, Getty, Tokyo, Beijing Winter Games, International Olympic Committee Locations: North Korean, Syria, Saudi Arabian, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Rome, Qatar, Korean, Pyongyang, Myanmar, Austria’s SKN St, Arezzo, Qatari, Korea, Ahli, Doha, Puglia, Beijing, Asia

The deadline to submit takeover bids ends on Tuesday, and the sources told Reuters Jindal had decided against bidding after evaluating the airline's financial statements. "The EoI was largely to check the valuation of the airline and get access to the company's data," said one of the sources. Jindal Power and Go First's resolution professional did not reply to emails seeking comment. The Central Bank of India (CBI.NS), Bank of Baroda (BOB.NS), IDBI Bank (IDBI.NS) and Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) are among the top creditors to the airline. Both bankers said the liquidation of the airline was now the most likely option as there were no serious bidders.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, India's, Reuters Jindal, Jindal, Banks, Siddhi Nayak, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, India's Jindal Power Ltd, Reuters, Jindal Power, Bankers, Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank, Deutsche Bank, Siddhi, Thomson Locations: Shivaji, Mumbai, India, Rights MUMBAI, Bank, BOB.NS, Delhi

☆ India cancels bid process to hire valuer for IDBI Bank sale
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of IDBI Bank is seen on the facade of its headquarters in Mumbai, India, April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Niharika Kulkarni/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - The Indian government has cancelled the bidding process to hire an asset valuer for its planned IDBI Bank (IDBI.NS) share sale, according to a statement. The government will invite fresh bids to select a valuer for its stake in the lender, said a statement from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management on Tuesday. India is looking to offload its 30.48% stake in IDBI Bank, while Life Insurance Corp (LIC) (LIFI.NS) of India will sell a 30.24% shareholding. Presently, the Indian government and LIC collectively own about 95% of IDBI Bank.

Persons: Niharika Kulkarni, LIC, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Nikunj Ohri, Matthew Lewis Organizations: IDBI, REUTERS, Bank, Department of Investment, Public Asset Management, Life Insurance, IDBI Bank, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, IDBI Bank, New Delhi, Bengaluru

☆ Goldman leads new funding for Fnality blockchain payments firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Goldman Sachs company logo is on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, U.S., July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Fnality, a blockchain-based wholesale payments firm, said on Tuesday it has raised 77.7 million pounds ($95.09 million) in a second round of funding backed by Goldman Sachs and other blue chip financial firms as it awaits Bank of England approval to start operations. UK-based Fnality seeks to bridge the gap between mainstream and digital finance to cut the time and cost of settling, managing collateral and making payments for financial market transactions. Fnality said the round was led by Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas, with participation from settlement houses DTCC and Euroclear, as well as Nomura and WisdomTree. Finality raised 55 million pounds in its first whip round in June 2019.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Brendan McDermid, Fnality, Mathew McDermott, Goldman's, Huw Jones, Susan Fenton Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, of, BNP, Nomura, Banco Santander, BNY Mellon, Barclays, CIBC, Commerzbank, ING, Lloyds Banking Group, Nasdaq Ventures, Street, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, UBS, Sterling, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, DTCC

☆ Indian shares rise as falling oil prices boost energy stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Bharath Rajeswaran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Indian shares rose on Wednesday, led by energy stocks, as crude prices fell, while a drop in high weightage financials after a recent rise capped gains. The NSE Nifty 50 index (.NSEI) was up 0.23% at 19,451.10 as of 10:07 a.m. IST, while the S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) rose 0.14% to 65,027.13. "Moderation in U.S. bond yields, positive earnings and a drop in crude oil prices are positive for the markets," said analysts at Centrum Institutional Research. Ten of the 13 major sectors rose, with energy (.NIFTYENR) and oil & gas (.NIFYOILGAS) rising 0.5% and 1%, respectively. ICICI Bank (ICBK.NS), SBI Life Insurance (SBIL.NS), Bajaj Finance (BJFN.NS), Kotak Mahindra Bank (KTKM.NS) were among the top Nifty 50 losers, shedding between 0.3% and 0.8%.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Powell, Brent, Bharath Rajeswaran, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Sohini Goswami, Nivedita Organizations: Bombay Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, NSE, BSE, Centrum Institutional Research, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, ICICI Bank, SBI Life Insurance, Bajaj Finance, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Wall, U.S, Treasury, Nasdaq, Apollo Tyres, Prestige Estate, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, China, Bengaluru

☆ Tencent, Alibaba and more: These firms are primed for buybacks and present opportunities, says Jefferies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Announcements of big buyback programs in the region have been rising since 2021, "with a long runway ahead" given the trend's nascence, the firm's analysts wrote in an Oct. 25 research note. Here are some names from Jefferies' screen of companies that are set to "initiate or continue significant buybacks." Other Asian stocks that made Jefferies' list included Singapore's transport operator ComfortDelGro and Indonesian mining player United Tractors. Australian stocks featured on Jefferies list included gaming content and tech firm Aristocrat Leisure and steel manufacturer BlueScope Steel . Financial companies Jefferies' screen also included financial companies in Asia Pacific that are potentially buying back their shares.

Persons: Jefferies, Baidu, PE Reilly, Thailand's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Jefferies, MSCI, Companies, PE, China United Network Communications, Yunnan Baiyao Group, Energy, Vipshop Holdings, Foxconn Technology, South Korea, Kia, Samsung, LG Corp, United Tractors, BlueScope Steel, Financial, Thai Bank, Chartered Locations: Asia, MSCI Asia, Japan, China, Pacific, Yunnan, South Korea, Australia, South, Asia Pacific, Thai, Philippines

☆ Standard Chartered profit slumps on China real estate and banking losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pedestrians walk past the British multinational banking and financial services company Standard Chartered branch in Hong Kong. Standard Chartered on Friday reported first-half pre-tax profit rose 19%, above market expectations, as the emerging markets-focused lender benefited from rising interest rates. Standard Chartered on Thursday said pre-tax profit dropped 33% in the third quarter of the year, far beyond analyst estimates, after taking a nearly $1 billion hit from exposure to China's banking and troubled real estate sectors. The U.K.-headquartered bank, which earns most of its revenue in Asia, booked July-September statutory pretax profit of $633 million. Its Chinese real estate exposure totaled $2.7 billion, down $200 million from the previous quarter.

Persons: StanChart Organizations: Chartered, Hong Kong ., HK, China Bohai Bank Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, China Bohai, China

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