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Physical representations of the bitcoin cryptocurrency are seen in this illustration taken October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has eight to 10 filings of possible exchange-traded products for bitcoin in front of it for consideration, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said Thursday. Bitcoin has rallied this week on speculation that SEC approval is imminent for a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) - seen as a driver of demand because it would allow investors to obtain direct exposure to the cryptocurrency via an exchange-listed product. To date, the SEC has approved only ETFs tied to bitcoin futures contracts. Anticipation around spot ETFs has been rising after the SEC opted not to appeal a court ruling it had been wrong to reject an application from Grayscale Investments to convert its existing bitcoin trust into a spot bitcoin ETF.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Gary Gensler, Bitcoin, I'm, Gensler, Jan, Douglas Gillison, Megan Davies, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, BlackRock, Fidelity, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ What it will take to make homes affordable again for millions of Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Tim Mullaney | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

"At the current 8% mortgage rate, mortgage payment[s] are 38% of median income," Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi said. The National Association of Realtors measures affordability through its 34-year old Housing Affordability Index, or HAI. And even if home prices do the decline, that trend won't be sustainable unless America builds millions of more homes. And spreads will likely remain extra-wide until short-term interest rates drop below the rates on longer-term treasuries, Duncan said. "Mortgage rates will not go back to 3% – we'll be lucky if we get back to 5," Yun said.

Persons: —, John Burns, maven Mohamed El, Lawrence Yun, Yun, Mark Zandi, That's, Doug Duncan, Fannie, Duncan, Daryl Fairweather, They've, Fairweather, they've, Freddie Mac, –, Zandi, it's Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, National Association of Realtors, John Burns Real Estate Consulting, NAR, Redfin, Allianz, America, Federal Reserve, realtors, Builders, Fed Locations: Florida, Austin , Texas, Boise , Idaho, Fannie Mae, America, New York, California, Phoenix, Tampa, Louisville, Indianapolis, Chicago

☆ Wall Street warning: Ray Dalio, Jamie Dimon, Larry Fink issue grim outlooks for the global economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ray Dalio, Jamie Dimon, David Solomon, Larry Fink, and Steve Schwarzman all shared their views. They tackled topics such as inflation, recession, the Israel-Hamas war, and commercial real estate. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio all shared their views. They touched on everything from the Israel-Hamas conflict and pressures on commercial real estate to inflation, interest rates, fiscal and monetary policies, and the risk of recession. David SolomonThe Goldman Sachs chief recalled the boom in mergers and acquisitions coming out of the pandemic, as massive amounts of fiscal stimulus and rock-bottom interest rates fueled "extreme confidence."

Persons: Ray Dalio, Jamie Dimon, David Solomon, Larry Fink, Steve Schwarzman, —, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, Dalio, Dimon, Fayez Nureldine, David Solomon The Goldman Sachs, that's, Solomon, Fink, aren't, he's, we'll, Schwarzman Organizations: Service, Future Investment Initiative, Tuesday, JPMorgan, BlackRock, Bridgewater Associates, Getty Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Riyadh, AFP

When 2023 began, a single bitcoin could be had for less than $17,000 after losing more than 75% of its value. Now, bitcoin is getting another boost on the prospects of creating a much larger pool of investors. IShares Bitcoin Trust appeared to be temporarily removed Tuesday, but was back online as of Wednesday. Still, the most recent surge bitcoin goes beyond single developments or participants, Kaiko research analyst Riyad Carey notes — crediting “more of a broad market rally" around spot bitcoin ETF prospects. Despite the recent excitement around bitcoin, crypto is still a risky bet.

Persons: Bitcoin, hasn't, Edward Moya, IShares Bitcoin, iShares, Moya, Riyad Carey, “, —, “ We’re, it’s, ”, it's, ” Moya, bitcoin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Industry, Columbia, Securities and Exchange Commission, Grayscale's, SEC, Depository Trust, Clearing Corporation, Associated Press Locations: Silicon, bitcoin, cryptocurrencies

☆ Asian stocks bounce on China spending plans; inflation jolts Aussie
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.9% and the Hang Seng (.HSI) 2%. China's top parliament approved a 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion) bond issue, state media reported adding the funds would be spent rebuilding disaster zones and improving infrastructure. Investors pulled forward European rate cut expectations a little and the euro was nursing losses at $1.0594. The annual pace of inflation in Australia slowed in the third quarter, but at 5.4% was above forecasts of 5.3%. Oil fell in commodity trade on Tuesday, thanks to the weak economic data from Europe, and was nursing losses on Wednesday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, hawkish, Bonds, Steven Leung, UOB Kay Hian, Leung, Glenn Yin, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Japan's Nikkei, Treasury, Central, Central Huijin, Investors, 25bp, ANZ, Brent, AETOS Capital Group, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: China, SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Tokyo, U.S, Hong Kong, Central, Australia, Europe, Melbourne, United States, Russia, Israel, Gaza, BlackRock

☆ Bitcoin leaps to 2023 high on ETF bets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bitcoin rose more than 6% to $35,198, its highest since May 2022. It had surged 10% on Monday in its best session for almost a year and its price has doubled in 2023. Crypto-linked shares such as Coinbase Global (COIN.O) or bitcoin owner MicroStrategy (MSTR.O) rose in after-hours trade. An exchange-traded fund (ETF) owning bitcoin on behalf of fund investors is seen as a driver of demand because it would allow anyone reluctant to trade crypto markets a means of buying exposure to bitcoin through the stockmarket. So the ETF would make a large audience and increase liquidity," said Steen Jakobsen, CIO at Saxo.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, MicroStrategy, Steen Jakobsen, Kyle Rodda, Capital.com, Javier Milei, Tom Westbrook, Rae Wee, Brigid Riley, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, BTC, Investment, BlacRock's, Reuters, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Saxo, BlackRock, SEC, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Asia, SINGAPORE, BlackRock, U.S, Singapore, Tokyo

Physical representations of the bitcoin cryptocurrency are seen in this illustration taken October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsOct 24 (Reuters) - The ProShares Short Bitcoin Strategy ETF , which allows traders to bet on a fall in bitcoin futures, hit a record low on Tuesday as the cryptocurrency surged on growing optimism that the launch of an exchange-traded fund tracking bitcoin is imminent. Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, hit an 18-month high on Tuesday, extending Monday's 10% surge, on speculation over the likely approval of a spot bitcoin ETF that was fueled by BlackRock's iShares ETF listing on the website of clearing house DTCC. Meanwhile, other bitcoin-linked ETFs, like the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF that tracks bitcoin futures, and Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI.O), gained more than 9% each. The Valkyrie Bitcoin and Ether Strategy ETF (BTF.O) was up 9.4%, leading gains among recently launched funds that track Ether futures.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Bitcoin, Lucas Kiely, " Kiely, Bansari Mayur, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock's, BTC, Strategy, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Davos in the Desert: Jamie Dimon and other bankers visit Saudi Arabia as Israel-Hamas war rages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Dubbed “Davos in the Desert,” the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) will welcome about 6,000 participants from more than 90 countries over the next three days. Since the Hamas assault on October 7, Israel has widened its offensive against the Palestinian militant group and other regional enemies. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, denied any personal involvement in Khashoggi’s murder but later confirmed it was carried out by Saudi officials. Bin Salman chairs the Public Investment Fund. “Very few people” had canceled plans to attend the conference, according to Richard Attias, the CEO of the FII Institute, the event’s organizer.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, Defense Lloyd Austin, Larry Fink, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, Noel Quinn, Ray Dalio, Stephen Schwarzman, Harvey Schwartz, Blackstone, Carlyle, “ We’re, it’s, ”, Fraser, Fink, “, Karen E, WeWork, Slack, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia’s, Mohammad bin Salman, Bin Salman, bin Salman, Masayoshi, Richard Attias, Young, — Winston Lo, Michelle Toh Organizations: London CNN, “, Future Investment Initiative, Defense, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank, HSBC, Citigroup, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Columbia University’s Center, Global Energy, CNN, Reliance Retail, Softbank’s Vision, Future Investment, FII Institute, Young of Columbia University Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, “ Davos, Gaza, Lebanon, Riyadh, Ukraine, Europe, United States, Washington, Russia, Saudi, Istanbul, Kingdom, Hong Kong

☆ BlackRock bitcoin ETF added to eligibility file, says clearing house DTCC
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The BlackRock logo is pictured outside their headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., May 25, 2021. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Potential ETFs added to DTCC file as 'standard practice'-DTCCBlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF added in August-DTCCMove is not indicative of regulatory approval-DTCCBitcoin holds gains made on ETF approval speculationSINGAPORE, Oct 25 (Reuters) - BlackRock's (BLK.N) proposed bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) was added to a clearing-house eligibility file in August, but the move is not indicative of any regulatory approval, clearing house DTCC said. Speculation that BlackRock or a number of other pending bitcoin ETF applicants would succeed has sent bitcoin on its biggest two-day rally for seven months. The clearing house said the list was its eligibility file, which includes active and potential ETFs and that Blackrock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF was added in August as "standard practice...in preparation for the launch of a new ETF". Bitcoin touched an 18-month high of $35,198 on Tuesday and was last at $33,802 in Asia trade on Wednesday.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Bitcoin, DTCC, Rae Wee, Tom Westbrook, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, Traders, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, SINGAPORE, Asia, Singapore

☆ UniCredit 'rebalancing' Amundi relationship in fee income drive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It's rebalancing a little bit, and will rebalance going forward," UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel told analysts when presenting the bank's third quarter results. Sources told Reuters in May that UniCredit had been trimming the proportion of Amundi funds in its total AUM, paying penalties for failing to meet contractual minimums. Orcel said UniCredit will maintain its current "open architecture" approach to asset management, which involves partnering with all major players, including Amundi, to offer "best in class" products. Since taking over at UniCredit in 2021, the former investment banker, has been working to boost revenue from asset management in an effort to increase net fee income as a proportion of UniCredit's overall revenue. As he sought to review the 10-year Amundi distribution deal, Orcel signed an agreement with Azimut (AZMT.MI) in late 2022 giving the Italian asset manager access to UniCredit's clients.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, UniCredit, Amundi, It's, Andrea Orcel, Orcel, Valentina Za, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, BlackRock, Thomson Locations: UniCredit, Italian

☆ Grayscale launches crypto indices in partnership with FTSE Russell
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 24 (Reuters) - U.S. digital currency asset manager Grayscale Investments on Tuesday introduced five crypto sector indices along with FTSE Russell, less than two months after winning a court backing to create an exchange-traded fund based on spot bitcoin. Earlier this month, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters the SEC was not planning to appeal the court ruling, fueling hopes that the filings could be approved soon. The FTSE-Grayscale indices would track the performance of crypto assets in five categories - currencies, smart contract platforms, financials, consumer and culture and utilities and services. "Investors have increasingly expressed interest in diversifying beyond crypto's largest assets - Bitcoin and Ethereum - and many look to Grayscale to better understand this robust, evolving asset class," CEO Michael Sonnenshein said. All the five indices will be reassessed quarterly, Grayscale said.

Persons: Michael Sonnenshein, Niket, Arun Koyyur Organizations: FTSE Russell, Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, BlackRock, Reuters, Investors, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ BlackRock to pay $2.5 mln fine to settle SEC disclosure charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Companies Need To Integrate Climate Reporting Across Functions To Comply With California S New Law | Henry Engler | October | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A trader works as a screen displays the trading information for BlackRock on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 14, 2022. From 2015 to 2019, one of BlackRock's trusts made investments in Aviron Group LLC, a firm that developed advertising plans for films, the SEC said. BlackRock inaccurately described the firm to investors, regulators said. In 2019, the asset manager identified the inaccuracies and accurately described the investments from them, the SEC said. Representatives for BlackRock, which consented to the SEC's findings, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, BlackRock, Katharine Jackson, Costas Pitas, Chris Prentice, Jasper Ward, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: BlackRock, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S . Securities, Exchanges, Aviron, SEC, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Washington

☆ Coinbase shares rise 7% as Grayscale ETF ruling takes effect
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, slammed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He also said the cryptocurrency exchange is looking to invest more outside of the U.S.Shares of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase rose about 7% Tuesday afternoon as optimism about a long-awaited bitcoin spot ETF approval buoyed the stock. It could be a turning point for the company, which has been sparring with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Manhattan federal court. Grayscale saw a victory formalized in federal appeals court Monday, when a judge's mandate that the SEC review the company's Bitcoin ETF proposal took effect. The company is one of the largest crypto custodians and has been tapped by a host of prospective ETFs, including BlackRock's proposed Bitcoin ETF, in that capacity.

Persons: Brian Armstrong, BlackRock's Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, U.S, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC Locations: Manhattan

☆ CAB Payments: One of London's biggest IPOs this year has crashed 82%
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Three months ago, CAB Payments stumbled when it went public on the London Stock Exchange, its shares falling nearly 10% on their first day of trading on a market that has been starved recently of new listings. The mood went from bad to worse Tuesday, however, when the fintech firm’s shares crashed nearly 74% after it issued a stark warning on revenues. The stock has now lost 82% of its value since listing. In a statement on Tuesday, CAB Payments said that it expects revenue this year would likely come in 17% below its previous guidance but still 20% up on 2022. CAB Payments’ stock was trading at almost 59 pence (72 cents) by 09.01 a.m.

Persons: Merlin Midco Organizations: London CNN —, London Stock Exchange, Payments, Central, West African, Reuters, CAB, Helios Investment Partners, BlackRock Locations: Nigerian, Nigeria, Africa

☆ Bitcoin is surging again
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

BlackRock applied in June to register a bitcoin spot ETF, which is pending approval. A BlackRock bitcoin ETF would give the cryptocurrency a new sense of legitimacy. “However, it may appear as part of BlackRock’s preparations to launch the ETF soon.”Other companies have also applied for approval to launch similar bitcoin ETFs, including Greyscale Investments. As investors look to diversify their portfolios in uncertain times, some turn to bitcoin, ironically as a kind of digital safe haven. Sometimes dubbed “digital gold,” bitcoin has become a way for investors to branch out beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

Persons: New York CNN —, bitcoin, ”, Samer Organizations: New, New York CNN, BlackRock, Depository Trust, Clearing Corp, Nasdaq, Reuters, Greyscale Investments, US Securities and Exchange Commission, Greyscale’s, DC, of Appeals, SEC, “ Locations: New York, BlackRock, bitcoin

A Saudi man's reflection is seen in mirror glass at the Future Investment Initiative conference, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2022. Geopolitical tensions heightened by the Middle East conflict pose the biggest threat to the world economy, World Bank President Ajay Banga said. The conflict could upset the stability of the Middle East just as regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia pours hundreds of billions of dollars into a vast economic transformation plan. Saudi Arabia is putting U.S.-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war rages between Israel and Hamas. The last year has seen Saudi Arabia spend billions on companies, from sports to gaming to aviation.

Persons: Ahmed Yosri, Ajay Banga, Banga, Laurence Fink, Fink, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, JPMorgan's, Jamie Dimon, Jane Fraser, Ray Dalio, Dalio, Noel Quinn, Bill Winters, Barack Obama, Yasser al, Salomon, Hess, Stephen Schwarzman, Schwarzman, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden's, Richard Attias, Rosario, Amanda Cooper, Alun John, Michael Georgy, Anousha, John O'Donnell, Susan Fenton Organizations: Future Investment Initiative, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Arabia's, Hamas, BlackRock, Bridgewater Associates, HSBC, Former U.S, U.S, Saudi Telecom Corp, Telefonica, Investment Fund, Chevron, Blackstone Group, Investment Initiative, Saudi, FII, Reuters, Jorgelina, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, Israel, Davos, Swiss, Gaza, Europe, Asia, London

☆ How options traders are setting up for the major tech earnings this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michael Khouw | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

Big Tech earnings This week is less about reading between the lines/through results, and contextualizing management comments, but rather it's about the market itself. AI - AI - AI! The options market is implying an earnings related move of 4.7%. Our options market sentiment score for GOOG/GOOGL is 80th percentile - which one may think of like a score/grade, so a B- in terms of options sentiment. Call open interest is 15% higher than put open interest, our options market sentiment score is 83% so B/B- territory.

Persons: ChatGPT, Bing, it's, AMZN, Mark Zuckerberg's, Zuckerberg, one's Organizations: Cambridge, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, BlackRock, Goldman, Equity, Big Tech, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Inc, Investors, YouTube, Amazon, Google, Gaming, Activision, Logistics, Federal Express, CNBC, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Visa, Mastercard, Merck, Co Locations: financials, Wells Fargo

☆ Chinese firms backed by global banks found using leopards and pangolins parts, says environmental group
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Three top Chinese pharmaceutical companies, which are backed by top global banks, are using endangered animal parts in their medicines, according to an investigation by an environmental protection group. Among them are three publicly listed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) giants: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Tianjin Pharmaceutical and Jilin Aodong Medicine. The EIA said it had found at least nine “products stated to contain leopard and/ or pangolin” that were manufactured by the firms. CNN has reached out to Tong Ren Tang, Tianjin Pharmaceutical and Jilin Aodong for comment. Tong Ren Tang, founded in 1669, is one of China’s most storied brands.

Persons: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash, Tong Ren Tang, ”, “ It’s, ” Basker, pangolins, Sakchai Lalit Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Medicine, EIA, CNN, TCM, Fortune, BlackRock, Citigroup, HSBC, Citi, IUCN SSC Pangolin Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, Bangkok

A bitcoin is seen in an illustration picture taken at La Maison du Bitcoin in Paris, France, June 23, 2017. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 23 (Reuters) - Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, hit a three-month high on Monday, rising 4.73% to $31,420 amid investor enthusiasm about the possibility of a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The rise in bitcoin sent shares of cryptocurrency and blockchain-related companies such as Coinbase Global (COIN.O) and Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA.O) up 6.5% and 11.9% respectively. Bitcoin is up more than 18% from the year's low of $26,533 on Oct. 11. Bitcoin briefly soared on Oct. 16 following an erroneous news report about asset manager BlackRock's high-profile application for a spot bitcoin ETF, which would track the underlying price of the token.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, bitcoin, Bitcoin, Zach Pandl, Treasuries, BlackRock's, Matteo Greco, Fineqia, Hannah Lang, Kanjyik Ghosh, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: La Maison du, REUTERS, Marathon Digital Holdings, Hamas, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, BTC, Thomson Locations: La, Paris, France, cryptocurrency, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ Debunking claims that a 'cartel' of asset managers controls major U.S. corporations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

If you look up the top institutional investors in these firms, you will find major asset managers close to the top of the list. 2, and State Street is No. State Street, Vanguard and BlackRock are the top shareholders in Lockheed, in that order. Pfizer's top shareholders: Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street. That's because BlackRock makes money by collecting fees from its investors, not by reaping profits from the companies it invests in.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Daniel Sotiroff Organizations: Apple, Lockheed, Pfizer, Vanguard, BlackRock, Morningstar Research Services, State Locations: BlackRock

☆ BlackRock warns of US earnings stagnation, remains bullish on AI, Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( David Randall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The S&P 500 is down nearly 8% from its July highs as a selloff in Treasuries has pushed yields near 16-year highs, sapping investor enthusiasm for equities. While the firm is underweight broad equities for the next 6 to 12 months, it remains bullish on mega-cap technology companies, as well as healthcare and Japanese stocks, it noted. Overall, stock valuations look elevated, especially given the higher yields available in the bond market, the firm noted. The bearish call from BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, comes as investors closely watch earnings for signs that the U.S. economy remains resilient in the face of rising interest rates. Companies in the S&P 500 are expected to post earnings growth of 1.3% in the third quarter compared with the same time last year, according to LSEG IBES.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, LSEG, David Randall, Hugh Lawson Organizations: BlackRock, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, BlackRock Investment, Companies, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Apple, Nvidia, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, BlackRock, Treasuries

☆ Say goodbye to retirement? A 'soft saving' trend is emerging among young people
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Quek Jie Ann | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

But a "soft saving" trend is emerging among younger workers, challenging the traditional way of thinking. Soft saving refers to putting less money into the future, and using more of it for the present. "Soft saving is the soft life's answer to finances," said the report. In addition, Americans are "re-focused" on post-pandemic travel, a possible reason why there is a decrease in personal saving rates, said Fidelity's Viktorin. ""Soft saving is the soft life's answer to finances."

Persons: Gen, Athima, —, Ryan Viktorin, Gen Z's —, Liz Koehler, Koehler, Viktorin, Andy Reed, X, Boomers, Z's, Z, Gen Z, Fidelity's Organizations: Intuit, Fidelity Investments, BlackRock's, Wealth Advisory, CNBC, U.S . Bureau, Trading Economics, Blackrock, Vanguard, Transamerican Center, Retirement Studies, Retirement

☆ After a robust third quarter, US economic growth will likely slow. That's good for the prospect of rate cuts next year.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The central bank also doesn’t have any incentive to restrict the economy through elevated interest rates if inflation is already under control. The US central bank has raised interest rates 11 times since March 2022 to their highest level in 22 years. The US Commerce Department reports new home sales in September. The US Commerce Department reports third-quarter gross domestic product along with September figures on new durable-goods orders. The US Labor Department reports the number of new applications for jobless benefits in the week ended October 21.

Persons: Jerome Powell, ” Gregory Daco, ” Diane Swonk, Donald Trump, Colin Kaepernick’s, Bud Light’s, Elliott Gotkine, ”, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, “, Satya Nadella, ” Sundar Pichai, , Sherwin, Williams, Clark, General, Hess, Rowe Price Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, DC CNN, The Commerce Department, Federal Reserve, Treasury, KPMG, BlackRock, America, Nike, Yale School of Management, Microsoft, ” Disney, Sonnenfeld, Tottenham Hotspur, Whirlpool, Verizon, General Electric, Barclays, 3M, General Motors, Spotify, Quest Diagnostics, Mobile, Boeing, General Dynamics, Old Dominion, Hilton, Meta, IBM, US Commerce Department, Mastercard, Merck, Comcast, UPS, Myers Squibb, Northrop Grumman, Valero, The Hershey Company, Amazon, Intel, European Central Bank, US Labor Department, National Association of Realtors, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Colgate, Palmolive, Phillips, University of Michigan Locations: Washington, EY, Israel, United States, United Kingdom, London, Gaza, Kimberly, Haliburton, Old, Bristol, AbbVie

☆ Three Listed Chinese Firms Used Endangered Animal Parts as Ingredients Report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

In a report published Monday, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency urged global investors in the three firms - Beijing Tong Ren Tang group, Tianjin Pharmaceutical group and Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group - to divest their stakes. The group said it focused on the pharmaceutical companies because they are publicly listed, and display products that include leopard or pangolin parts on their websites. Beijing Tong Ren Tang and Tianjin Pharmaceutical group did not respond to several emails and calls from Reuters asking for comment. Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group could not be reached for comment. The environmental group said Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup and BlackRock did not respond to its queries.

Persons: Andrew Silver, Selena Li SHANGHAI, Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash Basker, Wells, China's, Selena Li, Miyoung Kim, Miral Organizations: Reuters, UBS, HSBC, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical, TCM, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup, Co, HSBC Global Asset Management Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, BlackRock, Citigroup ， Deutsche Bank, Medical Products Administration, Protection Locations: HONG KONG, London, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, BlackRock, Shanghai, Hong Kong

In a report published Monday, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency urged global investors in the three firms - Beijing Tong Ren Tang group (600085.SS), Tianjin Pharmaceutical group (600329.SS) and Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group (000623.SZ) - to divest their stakes. The group said it focused on the pharmaceutical companies because they are publicly listed, and display products that include leopard or pangolin parts on their websites. Beijing Tong Ren Tang and Tianjin Pharmaceutical group did not respond to several emails and calls from Reuters asking for comment. Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group could not be reached for comment. The environmental group said Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup and BlackRock did not respond to its queries.

Persons: pangolin, Seun, Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash Basker, Wells, China's, Andrew Silver, Selena Li, Miyoung Kim Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, UBS, HSBC, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical, TCM, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup, BlackRock, & Co, HSBC Global Asset Management Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, Citigroup ， Deutsche Bank, Reuters, Medical Products Administration, Protection, Thomson Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Rights SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, London, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong

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