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BENGALURU, Feb 24 (Reuters) - G20 financial leaders must condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Reuters in an interview on Friday, adding that Europe was working on new sanctions against Moscow. Speaking on the first day of the G20 financial leaders meeting near Bengaluru, Le Maire said, "Sanctions will be more and more efficient, more and more effective". Le Maire said that India's purchase of discounted Russian oil has reduced Moscow's oil revenues. On the G20 communique, Le Maire said, "The purpose is to stick to the wordings of 2022 in Bali. Russia, which is a member of the G20, refers to its actions in Ukraine as a "special military operation", and avoids calling it an invasion or war.

☆ Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica's sales rise on solid European growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Luxury eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica (ESLX.PA) on Thursday reported a rise in fourth-quarter revenues, citing sound growth amid a challenging environment, but its performance in China declined because of COVID-19 restrictions. The maker of Oakley and Ray-Ban sunglasses posted a 9.4% rise in revenues to 6.11 billion euros ($6.49 billion) in the final quarter of the year at current exchange rates. The French-Italian eyewear group said Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) was its best performing region in the quarter due to solid sales growth in France, Italy, Spain, the UK and Scandinavia. Sales in the region grew 6.2% at constant exchange rates to 2.09 billion euros. ($1 = 0.9416 euros)Reporting by Jagoda Darlak; editing by Shri Navaratnam and Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dollar, sterling underpinned by upbeat PMI surveys; kiwi jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar rose against most major currencies after the upbeat data save for sterling , which jumped 0.6% on Tuesday. The euro , however, failed to benefit from the data as it slid 0.36% in the previous session. Against the Japanese yen , the dollar rose to a two-month high of 135.23 in the previous session, and slipped marginally to 134.91 in early Asia trade on Wednesday. The two-year yields jumped to an over three-month high of 4.738% in the previous session, and last stood at 4.6933%. The kiwi rose 0.39% to $0.6238, after earlier jumping roughly 0.5% to an intra-day high of $0.6248 immediately after the RBNZ's cash rate decision.

☆ NZ cenbank hikes 50bps, flags more to come as inflation 'too high'; kiwi gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The RBNZ continues to expect the cash rate to peak at 5.5% in 2023, according to the monetary policy statement (MPS) accompanying the rate decision. That would mark the most aggressive policy tightening streak since the official cash rate was introduced in 1999. "While there are early signs of price pressure easing, core consumer price inflation remains too high, employment is still beyond its maximum sustainable level, and near-term inflation expectations remain elevated," the central bank said in a statement. The New Zealand dollar rose as high as $0.6246 after the decision, reflecting the hawkish tone of the statement, having traded as low as $0.6206 earlier. New Zealand's annual inflation is currently running near three-decade highs of 7.2%, well above the central bank's medium term target of 1%-3%.

☆ Asian shares slip, dollar rally on hold as Fed cues eyed
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) slipped 0.7% to 529.97, hovering around six-week lows of 529.30 touched last week. European stock futures indicated stocks were set to decline, with Eurostoxx 50 futures down 0.14%, German DAX futures 0.07% lower and FTSE futures down 0.13%. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was up 2.3 basis points to 3.852%., after touching a three-month high of 3.929% on Friday. Investor focus is firmly on the release on Wednesday of the minutes of the Fed's latest meeting earlier this month when it raised interest rates by 25 basis points. The yen weakened 0.11% to 134.38 per dollar, while sterling was last trading at $1.2026, down 0.10%.

☆ Asian shares stutter, dollar rally pauses as Fed cues eyed
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) eased 0.34% to 531.85, hovering around six-week lows of 529.30 it touched last week. China's shares (.SSEC) were set to start flat while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) opened 0.1% lower. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was up 3.5 basis points to 3.863%, after touching a three-month high of 3.929% on Friday. Investor focus is firmly on the release on Wednesday of the minutes of the Fed's latest meeting when it raised interest rates by 25 basis points. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six other rivals, was last at 104.01, just below a six-week high of 104.67 it touched on Friday.

☆ Dollar rally loses steam as traders wait on Fed, data
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The dollar was parked below recent peaks on Tuesday, as a three-week rally faded and traders waited on economic data to figure on whether it's warranted to push the dollar up any further. Strong U.S. labour data and sticky inflation have raised U.S. rate expectations and supported the dollar's rally so far this month - Tuesday's European and U.S. manufacturing data and Friday's core PCE price index will guide the next steps. "I suspect that further significant dollar strength will require the Fed Funds futures market to start pricing in a 50 basis point rate hike in March," he said. The New Zealand dollar held at $0.6259 ahead of a central bank meeting on Wednesday. Overnight the Swedish crown jumped as inflation turned sticky and central bank minutes showed policymakers prepared to keep hiking.

☆ China says certain countries must stop 'fuelling the fire' in Ukraine conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Ukrainian servicemen ride a self-propelled howitzer outside the town of Siversk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Yevhen TitovBEIJING, Feb 21 (Reuters) - China is "deeply worried" that the Ukraine conflict could spiral out of control, China's foreign minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday, and called on certain countries to stop "fuelling the fire". The United States has warned of consequences if China provides military support to Russia, which Beijing says it is not doing. "We urge certain countries to immediately stop fuelling the fire," Qin said during a speech, referring to the Ukraine conflict and in comments that appeared to be directed at the United States. Chinese-Russian trade has soared since the invasion of Ukraine, and Russia has sold Asian powers including China greater volumes of oil.

☆ Shares steady, dollar dips as US holiday lifts rates gloom
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

With U.S. markets shut for the Presidents' Day holiday, non-U.S. assets got some respite from the relentless pressure of last week. "Until recently, the market debate was all about soft-landing or hard-landing, recession or no recession. PEAK-A-BOOMoney markets show investors expect U.S. rates to peak at around 5.3% by July, with a quarter-point rate cut possibly materialising by December. The dollar nudged lower against a basket of major currencies, but was noticeably down against so-called commodity currencies, including the Australian dollar , which rose 0.5% and the Canadian dollar , which gained 0.1%. China's offshore yuan rose 0.1% to around 6.865 to the dollar after Beijing kept interest rates steady as expected, having poured liquidity into the banking system in recent days.

☆ Dollar edges down from six-week peak, Swedish crown jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the dollar against six other major currencies, slipped 0.2% to 103.81. Hawkish comments from Fed officials have also underpinned the U.S. dollar, as they signalled interest rates would need to rise to quash inflation. The euro fell 1.1% against the Swedish crown to 11.05 crowns while the dollar was down 1% to 10.3405. The euro was little changed against the dollar at $1.0690, just above Friday's six-week low of $1.06125. The Australian dollar rose 0.6% to $0.6918 ahead of minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest policy meeting on Tuesday.

☆ Shares gain as U.S. holiday interrupts interest-rate reality check
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, February 17, 2023. But, with U.S. markets shut for the Presidents' Day holiday, non-U.S. assets got some respite from last week's relentless pressure. The MSCI All-World index (.MIWD00000PUS) rose 0.1%, helped by modest gains in Europe, where the STOXX 600 (.STOXX) also rose 0.1%, skirting Friday's one-week lows. They said the failure of the S&P 500 to break resistance at 4,200 could unleash a retreat to 3,800 by March 8. In addition, the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the core personal consumption expenditures index (PCE), lands on Friday.

☆ Dollar edges lower from six-week peak, Swedish crown jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the dollar against six other major currencies, slipped 0.1% to 103.91. Hawkish comments from Fed officials have also underpinned the U.S. dollar, as they signalled interest rates would need to rise to quash inflation. The euro fell 1.1% against the Swedish crown to 11.059 crowns while the dollar was down 0.8% to 10.3604. The euro was little changed against the dollar at $1.0687, just above Friday's six-week low of $1.06125. "Euro rates are probably likely to stay at higher levels, whereas we think dollar rates will more easily turn lower," Turner added, which he said could support the euro in the first half of the year.

It hit a six-week high of 104.67 on Friday. Hawkish comments from Fed officials have also underpinned the U.S. dollar, as they signalled interest rates would need to go higher in order to successfully quash inflation. The RBNZ is expected to scale down its tightening campaign only slightly, with a half-point interest rate increase to 4.75%. "With inflation so high ... not staying the course could mean even higher interest rates are required down the track," said analysts at ANZ. The offshore yuan was last marginally higher at 6.8643 per dollar, while the onshore yuan last bought 6.8580 per dollar.

☆ Shares edge up as U.S. holiday interrupts interest-rate reality check
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, February 17, 2023. But, with U.S. markets shut for the Presidents' Day holiday, non-U.S. assets got some respite from last week's relentless pressure. They said the failure of the S&P 500 to break resistance at 4,200 could unleash a retreat to 3,800 by March 8. In addition, the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the core personal consumption expenditures index (PCE), lands on Friday. Additional reporting by Wayne Cole in Sydney; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Christian Schmollinger and Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dollar steady as robust U.S. data keep Fed hawks in control
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hawkish comments from Fed officials have also underpinned the U.S. dollar, as they signalled interest rates would need to go higher in order to successfully quash inflation. The kiwi fell 0.07% to $0.6238, with eyes on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) interest rate decision on Wednesday. The RBNZ is expected to scale down its tightening campaign only slightly, with a half-point interest rate hike to 4.75%. "With inflation so high ... not staying the course could mean even higher interest rates are required down the track," said analysts at ANZ. The offshore yuan was last marginally lower at 6.8741 per dollar, while the onshore yuan last bought 6.8657 per dollar.

☆ Asia shares creep higher, wary on Fed and BOJ outlooks
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

All of which made for a cautious start and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) nudged up 0.7%, after sliding 2.2% last week. The bounce was led by Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) which firmed 1.1% as Beijing kept interest rates steady as expected, having already poured liquidity into the banking system in recent days. CORE PCE A RISKMinutes of the Fed's latest meeting due on Wednesday should add colour on the deliberations, though they have been superseded somewhat by barnstorming numbers on January payrolls and retail sales. The Fed's favoured inflation indicator, the core PCE index, is seen rising 0.4%, the biggest gain in five months, while the annual pace may have slowed just a fraction to 4.3%. There are also at least five Fed presidents speaking this week, to provide running commentary.

☆ Asia shares hesitant ahead of updates on Fed, BOJ policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

All of which made for a cautious start and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) nudged up 0.3%, after sliding 2.2% last week. Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) firmed 0.9% as Beijing kept interest rates steady as expected, having already poured liquidity into the banking system in recent days. CORE PCE A RISKMinutes of the Fed's last meeting due on Wednesday should add colour on the deliberations, though they have been superseded somewhat by barnstorming numbers on January payrolls and retail sales. The Fed's favoured inflation indicator, the core PCE index, is seen rising 0.4%, the biggest gain in five months, while the annual pace may have slowed just a fraction to 4.3%. There are also at least five Fed presidents speaking this week, to provide running commentary.

☆ Dollar buoyant as robust U.S. data keep Fed hawks in control
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"For the week ahead, the dollar can track higher given the recent run of economic data which supports the narrative of higher-for-longer interest rates," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA). Hawkish comments from Fed officials have also underpinned the U.S. dollar, as they signalled that interest rates will need to go higher in order to successfully quash inflation. The kiwi slipped 0.17% to $0.6232, with eyes on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) interest rate decision on Wednesday. The RBNZ is expected to scale down its tightening campaign only slightly, with a half-point interest rate hike to 4.75%. "With inflation so high ... not staying the course could mean even higher interest rates are required down the track," said analysts at ANZ.

☆ Asia shares muted by unease over Fed, Bank of Japan policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

All of which made for a cautious start and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was largely flat, after sliding 2.2% last week. Markets have steadily lifted the expected peak for Fed funds to 5.28%, while sharply scaling back rate cuts for later this year and next. There are also at least five Fed presidents speaking this week, to provide running commentary. Investors are anxiously awaiting Friday's testimony from the newly nominated head of the Bank of Japan, and his thinking on the future of yield curve control (YCC) and super-easy policy. Oil prices were trying to steady after shedding around 4% last week amid signs of ample supply and concerns over future demand.

☆ Starbucks CEO declines to appear at U.S. Senate hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) Chief Executive Howard Schultz declined an invitation from 11 senators to testify on March 9 on the coffee company's compliance with federal labor law, according to a letter seen by Reuters late Tuesday. Last week, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs a committee on labor issues, and 10 other members of the committee asked Schultz to answer by Feb. 14 whether he would take part. Schultz, who re-joined Starbucks as interim CEO in April 2022, will "fully transition" out of the role next month, said Starbucks acting executive vice president and general counsel Zabrina Jenkins in the letter. Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China to resume issuing short-term visas for South Koreans starting Feb 18
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL, Feb 15 (Reuters) - China plans to resume issuing short-term visas for travellers from South Korea on Saturday, the Chinese embassy in Seoul said on Wednesday, after South Korea lifted similar visa curbs last week citing an improved COVID situation in its neighbour. China halted issuing short-term visas to South Koreans last month, a retaliatory move after South Korea had imposed a number of COVID restrictions on travellers from China following Beijing's abrupt ending of its "zero-COVID" policy. Seoul had planned to impose visa curbs until end-February but restarted issuing visas last week, saying the number of infections among Chinese arrivals had dropped significantly. Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dollar eases as inflation in focus, BOJ governor nomination awaited
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six major rivals, eased 0.019% to 103.17, having slipped 0.34% overnight. NEW BOJ GOVInvestors are also awaiting the formal nomination for the next Bank of Japan governor. Sources told Reuters that Japan's government was likely to appoint academic Kazuo Ueda as the next BOJ governor. Ueda, a former BOJ policy board member and an academic at Kyoritsu Women's University, is considered an expert on monetary policy but had not even been seen as a dark horse candidate for the top job. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.23% to 132.12 per dollar, having slipped 0.7% in the previous session.

[1/4] Emergency personnel respond to a shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, U.S., February 13, 2023. Few official details about the gun violence were immediately available, but Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the university police, said shots were fired in two locations - at an academic building called Berkey Hall and the Michigan State University (MSU) Union building. He also said the university was not aware of any threats made to the campus before Monday's bloodshed. Four classmates were killed and six students and a teacher were wounded in that attack, the deadliest U.S. school shooting that year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said on Twitter that she was being briefed on the East Lansing shooting.

The Detroit News reported one confirmed fatality on campus, inside Berkey Hall, citing Michigan State University (MSU) spokesperson Emily Guerrant, but Reuters could not independently verify that information. "There are multiple reported injuries," MSU said on its official police and public safety Twitter feed. Several campus building had been cleared and secured nearly two hours after the gunfire was first reported on campus, MSU police said. MSU is a major public institution of higher education whose flagship East Lansing campus accounts for 50,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said on Twitter that she was being briefed on the East Lansing shooting.

But the increase was much smaller than forecast, suggesting the global economic slowdown may be taking a toll on the country's export-reliant recovery. The world's third-largest economy expanded an annualised 0.6% in the final quarter of last year, government data showed, rebounding from a revised 1.0% contraction in July-September. The increase in gross domestic product (GDP) was much smaller than a median market forecast for a 2.0% rise. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's gross domestic product (GDP), rose 0.5% in the fourth quarter, matching a median market forecast. With inflation exceeding the Bank of Japan's 2% target, the outlook for the economy and wages will be key to how soon the central bank could phase out its massive stimulus programme.

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