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Britain's biggest mortgage lender on Wednesday reported a pre-tax profit of 1.9 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) for the three months to September 30, in line with the 1.8 billion expected by analysts in forecasts compiled by the bank. The bank's quarterly profit was up on 576 million pounds the prior year, which was restated due to accounting changes. Analysts welcomed the steady set of results, noting a bad loan charge of just 187 million pounds - versus 668 million in the same quarter a year earlier - was much lower than expected. However, Lloyds said it increased its deposits by 500 million pounds during the third quarter, reversing a trend of outflows seen by many banks this year. Deposits remained down 5 billion pounds year to date at 470 billion pounds.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Zoe Gillespie, Banks, Iain Withers, Lawrence White, Jason Neely Organizations: Lloyds Bank, REUTERS, Lloyds Banking Group, savers, Lloyds, Barclays, RBC Brewin, Thomson

☆ UniCredit beats third-quarter profit estimates, keeps 2023 outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Italian international banking group UniCredit stands on the facade of the group headquarters, located in the Porta Nuova district, as seen from the viewpoint of Palazzo Lombardia on September 29, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Italy's UniCredit on Tuesday beat third-quarter profit forecasts as higher rates boosted income, but kept its full-year profit goal, saying it needed time to decide how to best use this year's "exceptional" growth inearnings. Shares rose more than 2% in early trading. Income from the gap in lending and deposit rates, on which Italy in August slapped a surprise one-off tax, rose 45% year-on-year. After spooking investors in Italian banks with the extraordinary levy, Italy backtracked, giving lenders the option to set aside money as reserves instead of paying it.

Persons: Italy's UniCredit Organizations: Italy Locations: Porta Nuova, Lombardia, Milan, Italy

That is more than double the 2.1% recorded in the second quarter and a testament to the strength of consumers. But he warned that stronger than expected economic data, particularly as regards the labor market, could leave the door open to even more pressure to raise rates or keep them higher for longer. "Additional evidence of persistently above-trend growth, or that tightness in the labor market is no longer easing, could put further progress on inflation at risk and could warrant further tightening of monetary policy." Complicating matters is that the post-pandemic economy has not gone according to script where higher interest rates almost always blunt economic activity and cause a marked slowdown in the labor market. “The labor market is still adjusting, if it ever does, there’s a question whether retail will ever recover completely,” he says.

Persons: ” Sam Bullard, Wells, Jerome Powell, Powell, ”, George Calhoun, Calhoun, Bill Adams, –, speakership Organizations: Federal, Economic, of New, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of, Comerica, “ Locations: U.S, of New York, Washington, Israel

☆ Banks’ wealth-management heyday may have passed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

For wealth managers, that will make revenue growth much harder to come by, shifting the focus to controlling expenses. LOSING ITS SPARKLEIn Wall Street parlance, wealth management is a capital-light business. Little wonder Morgan Stanley boss James Gorman focused on wealth management after taking charge in 2010. The good news for UBS and Morgan Stanley is that they are better placed than most to handle these pressures. The bank’s wealth-management business generated a 35% ROTE, while the division that houses investment banking and trading managed just 8%.

Persons: UBS –, Morgan Stanley’s, Morgan Stanley, James Gorman, Sergio Ermotti, Goldman Sachs, Italy’s, Iqbal Khan, Morgan Stanley’s Andy Saperstein, Peter Thal Larsen, Sharon Lam, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Wealth, UBS, Credit Suisse, HSBC, HK, Lloyds Banking Group, Revenue, Treasury, Big, Thomson Locations: Swiss, United States, Americas, Switzerland, Britain’s St, James’s

☆ Australian Voice referendum: Australians vote No in referendum that promised change but couldn't deliver
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“It is as Australians together that we must take our country beyond this debate without forgetting why we had it in the first place. “This is a referendum we should never had had because it was built on a lie that Aboriginal people do not have a voice,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Yes campaigner Marilyn Trad told CNN that volunteers making calls to prospective voters had to break the news to some – this week – that there was indeed a referendum. The result means no constitutional change, but the referendum will have lasting consequences for the entire nation, according to experts. “So that power, to change, to modernize, to update the constitution has been put in the hands of the Australian people.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, ”, Warren Mundine, –, Martin Ollman, MC Hammer, John Farnham, “, Marilyn Trad, Kevin Argus, Argus, Mick Tsikas, Australia’s, Pat Dodson, ” “ We’ve, ” Maree Teesson, Teesson, Paula Gerber Organizations: Australia CNN —, Nations, Australian Electoral Commission, CNN, Sky News, SBS, Torres Straight Islanders, Torres Strait, ”, First Nations, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Constitutional, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, House, National Press Club, Aboriginal, Matilda Center for Research, Mental Health, University of Sydney, Law, Monash University Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Canberra, Old

☆ Aussie lender ANZ loses case over troubled 2015 share placement worth $1.6 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The landmark case reaffirms the importance of the continuous disclosure rules to maintain market integrity," the ASIC said in a statement on Friday. "The decision also confirms that a significant take-up of shares by underwriters in a capital raising may be considered price sensitive information requiring market disclosure." The maximum penalty under the court decision is A$1 million, ANZ said. The bank is reviewing the court judgement, it said, while the securities regulator said it would now make submissions on appropriate penalties. ($1 = 1.5838 Australian dollars)Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Steven Saphore, Sameer Manekar, Rashmi Organizations: New Zealand Banking Group, ANZ, REUTERS, Australia's ANZ, underwriters, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Citigroup Inc, Deutsche Bank AG, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, Thomson Locations: Australia, Sydney, Bengaluru

☆ Taylor Swift, 'Barbenheimer' and Beyoncé all likely fueled a US growth surge last quarter, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

He said Taylor Swift, "Barbenheimer", and Beyoncé had all helped drive growth. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe economy likely surged over the third quarter – and you can thank Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and the "Barbenheimer" craze for that, according to ING. "We can't argue against [the latest payroll numbers] given the strength we will likely see in third-quarter GDP," he said. AdvertisementAdvertisement"We wouldn't be surprised to see a 4% annualized expansion with Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Barbenheimer helping to give growth a kick higher," Knightley added. Eras and Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour" are expected to add a combined $5.4 billion to the US's third-quarter GDP, according to an estimate from Bloomberg Economics.

Persons: James Knightley, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, —, September's, Knightley, Oppenheimer Organizations: ING, Service, Gross, Product, Federal Reserve, Bloomberg Economics Locations: Philadelphia

☆ UK's embattled Metro Bank expected to struggle to raise capital with 'no easy solutions'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.K.'s embattled Metro Bank has launched talks to sell a third of its mortgage book in an urgent attempt to shore up its balance sheet. LONDON — The U.K.'s Metro Bank will likely struggle to raise fresh capital to shore up its balance sheet, according to analysts, who outlined bleak prospects for the beleaguered bank. The turmoil came amid reports that the embattled bank was seeking to raise up to £250 million ($305 million) in equity funding and £350 million of debt. Metro Bank confirmed in a statement early Thursday that it was considering "how best to enhance its capital resources." Metro Bank did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the reports; nor did any of the rival banks cited.

Persons: Fitch Organizations: Metro Bank, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Sky News, Investment, Bank of, Barclays Bank Locations: Wednesday's

LONDON (AP) — Shares in the troubled British lender Metro Bank bounced back by a third on Friday on reports that it has been sounding out bigger rivals to buy a chunk of its assets. Sky News reported that advisers to the bank have contacted Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest Group among others. But it stressed that “no decision has been made on whether to proceed with any of these options." Gary Greenwood, an equity research analyst for Shore Capital Markets, suggested that the business could struggle to find backers for a potential fundraising exercise. Political Cartoons View All 1202 Images“Metro Bank has been struggling for a number of years to establish itself as a profitable and self-sustaining bank," he said.

Persons: Gary Greenwood Organizations: Metro Bank, Sky News, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, London Stock Exchange, Shore Capital Markets, Bank Locations: Britain

☆ The superyacht version of a 'French palace' is being put up for sale for $23 million by the Barclay family
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UK's billionaire Barclay family is looking to sell the "Lady Beatrice," a 197-foot-long superyacht. The Barclay family, which owns The Telegraph media group, has put up the "Lady Beatrice" for sale for 22 million euros, or $23.2 million, according to a listing by its broker, Edmiston. One writer on autoevolution, a car and transportation site, was so impressed that they called the superyacht "the floating version of a French palace." The Barclay family is known to be very private. AdvertisementAdvertisementEdmiston and the Barclay family did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider outside regular business hours.

Persons: Barclay, Beatrice, —, Beatrice Cecelia Taylor, Frederick, David Barclay, David, Sunday Times Rich, Forbes, Hiroko, Frederick's Organizations: The Telegraph, The Times, Service, Telegraph, Lloyds Banking Group, Sunday Times, Bloomberg

☆ Maybank discusses the 'interesting' areas in Southeast Asian markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | 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 EmailMaybank discusses the 'interesting' areas in Southeast Asian marketsAnand Pathmakanthan of Maybank Investment Banking Group says ASEAN will "remain very interesting" for small- and mid-cap stock pickers and names the sectors that will be least affected by external headwinds.

Persons: Maybank, Anand Pathmakanthan Organizations: Maybank Investment Banking Group, ASEAN

☆ Britain to ease capital rules for retail banks to boost competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Britain's finance ministry, which is seeking to boost competition in the banking sector, on Thursday proposed legislation to ease rules that require banks to "ring-fence" their retail arms with a cushion of capital. The draft legislation proposes to increase the threshold at which ring-fencing applies to banks from 25 billion pounds ($30.31 billion) to 35 billion pounds. Britain introduced the ring-fencing rule in January 2019 following the costly taxpayer bail-outs of banks during the global financial crisis over a decade ago. "It will improve outcomes for banks and their customers, increase competition and improve the competitiveness of the UK banking sector," Griffith said. Another change would allow ring-fenced banks to set up entities outside Britain to compete with international and domestic banking groups.

Persons: Keith Skeoch, Andrew Griffith, Griffith, Banks, Huw Jones, William Schomberg Organizations: Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Britain

☆ UK business confidence slips in September: Lloyds Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Lloyds Banking Group PLC FollowLONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - British business confidence declined in September as optimism about the economic outlook faded, a survey showed on Friday, adding to signs of a slowdown in the economy. The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer, which surveys around 1,200 companies across the economy, fell to 36% from August's 18-month high of 41%. Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said the BoE's decision - taken after the survey was conducted - could underpin business confidence in the coming months. While Lloyds said its gauge of pricing expectations inched higher in September, hiring intentions cooled. The proportion of companies planning to raise salaries also fell, although remained around the average for the year.

Persons: Hann, Ju Ho, Andy Bruce Organizations: Lloyds Banking Group, Lloyds Bank, P Global PMI, Lloyds, Bank of England, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, National Statistics, Thomson

Jefferies analysts wrote in a note the Federal Reserve putting the brakes on interest rate hikes has given acquirers more certainty around their funding costs, helping dealmaking. Cisco's deal valued Splunk at 7 times projected 12-month revenue, according to Jefferies. "We note that the typical security company with 20% growth trades at about 7 times (sales)," BTIG analysts wrote in a note last week. Private software companies may also be more receptive to takeovers. "A tidal wave of software M&A (is) on the horizon," Wedbush analysts wrote in a note last week.

Persons: Chuck Robbins, David Chen, Morgan Stanley, Chen, Jefferies, Keith Skirbe, Houlihan Lokey's, Milana Vinn, Anirban Sen, Anna Driver Organizations: Cisco Systems, Cisco, Crowdstrike Holdings, Microsoft, Adobe, Oracle, Francisco Partners, TPG Inc, Federal Reserve, IBM, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: New York

☆ UBS and China's ICBC to explore banking, asset and wealth management collaboration
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Swiss banking group UBS (UBSG.S) said on Tuesday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the world's largest lender by assets, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) (601398.SS), , to explore strategic collaborations in China and overseas markets. The banks will explore cooperation in asset management, wealth management, and investment and corporate banking, according to a UBS statement. The deal includes product development and distribution, client coverage, global market trading, investment and financing, research, asset custody and exchange of expertise. UBS acquired its smaller cross-town rival Credit Suisse in June, through which it now holds a 20% stake in ICBC Credit Suisse Asset Management Company, a fund joint venture previously partially owned by Credit Suisse. Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Selena Li, Kevin Liffey Organizations: UBS, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China, Credit Suisse, ICBC, Asset Management Company, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Swiss, China

☆ Exclusive: JPMorgan shuffles bosses as Rivas to retire as head of North American investment banking -memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Nupur Anand | Thomson Reuters | Nupur Anand Is A U.S. Banking Correspondent At Reuters In New York. She Focuses On Jpmorgan Chase | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 26 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N) reorganized the leadership in its investment bank, promoting a new head in North America to succeed Fernando Rivas, who plans to retire, according to a memo seen by Reuters. He will be replaced by Jay Horine, who is currently the global industry co-head for energy, power and renewables, metals and mining (EPRM), according to the memo. Horine will also continue to be the global industry co-head of EPRM. The bank also appointed several global heads for industry groups reporting to Jim Casey and Vis Raghavan, who jointly lead global investment banking, effective immediately. Chandarana was previously chief data and analytics officer for the corporate and investment bank.

Persons: JP Morgan Chase, Mike Segar, JPMorgan Chase, Fernando Rivas, Rivas, JPMorgan's, Jay Horine, Horine, Jim Casey, Vis Raghavan, Samik Chandarana, Chandarana, Nupur Anand, Lananh Nguyen, David Gregorio, Mark Porter Organizations: JP, Co, REUTERS, JPMorgan, Reuters, Bank, Thomson Locations: New York, North America

☆ Boards Still Lack Cybersecurity Expertise
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( James Rundle | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Newsletter Sign-up WSJ Pro Cybersecurity Cybersecurity news, analysis and insights from WSJ's global team of reporters and editors. This includes people who sit on the boards of cyber companies or have an affiliation with a cybersecurity-related professional organization. Heath, a former security chief at United Airlines and tech provider DocuSign, sits on the boards of cyber companies Wiz and Gen Digital. Board work demands wide business experience that many security chiefs lack, said Myrna Soto, founder and chief executive of consulting firm Apogee Executive Advisors. Solving this problem will take effort from boards and cybersecurity professionals, said NightDragon’s DeWalt.

Persons: ”, Dave DeWalt, Emily Heath, Heath, “, Myrna Soto, Patrick T, Soto, NightDragon’s DeWalt, James Rundle Organizations: Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Gen Digital, Wall Street, U.S . Securities, Exchange, Apogee, Fallon, Bloomberg, Directors, Spirit Airlines, Popular, TriNet Locations: U.S, NightDragon, cybersecurity, Heath

Sept 22 (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank AG (DBKGn.DE) has hired Ainslee Withey, a Barclays (BARC.L) technology banker, as a managing director in its technology investment banking group for internet dealmaking, according to people familiar with the matter. Withey, who spent 15 years at Barclays and focused on internet investment banking, will be based in San Francisco and report to Deutsche's co-head of technology, media and telecoms (TMT) investment banking, Ajay Shah, the sources said, adding that she will start her new role in December. Deutsche declined to comment, while Barclays did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Withey started her investment banking career at Lehman Brothers in 2005 and joined Barclays three years later. In July, Deutsche hired 50 senior bankers in the origination and advisory business of its global investment bank.

Persons: Ainslee Withey, Deutsche's, Ajay Shah, Withey, Milana Vinn, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Deutsche Bank AG, Barclays, Deutsche, Lehman Brothers, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, Americas, New York

☆ Two key Fed officials express support for keeping interest rates high
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Two Federal Reserve policymakers expressed support Friday for keeping interest rates elevated as the battle against too-high inflation continues. In separate speeches, Governor Michelle Bowman and Boston Fed President Susan Collins said there's still the possibility that the Fed will have to raise rates further if economic data doesn't cooperate. The commentary comes two days after the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee decided not to raise rates following its two-day meeting. While choosing not to raise rates, officials indicated they still see one more increase coming this year, then potentially two cuts in 2024, assuming moves of 0.25 percentage point at a time. "There are some promising signs that inflation is moderating and the economy rebalancing," Collins said.

Persons: Susan Collins, Michelle Bowman, there's, Bowman's, Bowman, Collins, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, National Association of Business Economics, Federal, Boston Fed, Market Locations: Washington , DC, Vail , Colorado, Maine

People enter a building before the annual shareholder meeting of Germany’s largest business bank, Deutsche Bank, in Frankfurt, Germany, May 23, 2019. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 22 (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank AG (DBKGn.DE) has hired Ainslee Withey, a Barclays (BARC.L) technology banker, as a managing director in its technology investment banking group for internet dealmaking, according to people familiar with the matter. Withey, who spent 15 years at Barclays and focused on internet investment banking, will be based in San Francisco and report to Deutsche's co-head of technology, media and telecoms (TMT) investment banking, Ajay Shah, the sources said, adding that she will start her new role in December. Withey started her investment banking career at Lehman Brothers in 2005 and joined Barclays three years later. In July, Deutsche hired 50 senior bankers in the origination and advisory business of its global investment bank.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Ainslee Withey, Deutsche's, Ajay Shah, Withey, Milana Vinn, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Deutsche Bank, REUTERS, Deutsche Bank AG, Barclays, Deutsche, Lehman Brothers, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, San Francisco, Americas, New York

☆ Looking for value stocks? Citi lists over 10 European names — for risk-takers and the cautious
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

European value stocks are doing better than growth stocks right now, according to Citi analysts. Citi defined "quality" value stocks as those in the top fifth and fourth quintiles for three characteristics: value, low risk and quality. Citi said investors "have not been particularly risk-averse," as risky value stocks are up 8.6%, while quality value stocks are down 0.3% in the year to date. Nevertheless, the bank noted that investors appear to have been more cautious since the start of August, as quality value stocks are up 4.6%, while risky value stocks are down 0.6%. 'Risky value' stocks For this screen, Citi looked for stocks that scored in the seventh or above decile for value and those in the fifth or below decile for "value low risk" and quality.

Persons: TotalEnergies, Moller Maersk, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Citi, HSBC Holdings, Zurich Insurance Group, ABN AMRO, Imperial Brands, Nokia, BNP, BMW, Bayer, Life, WPP PLC Locations: European, China, Dutch, Danish

☆ Swiss National Bank to expand liquidity provision to banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Noele Illien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The Swiss National Bank will provide funds secured against mortgages to all commercial banks, expanding liquidity provision to the sector, Vice Chairman Martin Schlegel said on Thursday. To take advantage of the support, which had previously only been available to systemically important banks, lenders must be able to transfer the mortgages to the central bank. The greater the number of banks that take the preparatory steps necessary to use the new possibility of obtaining liquidity, the greater will be the central bank's room for manoeuvre in time of need, Schlegel said. Earlier this month, Switzerland's central bank was criticised for being too restrictive in a report by a group of experts, including bankers and academics, formed in the wake of Credit Suisse's collapse. Schlegel said, by expanding the ways the country's banks can tap liquidity, the central bank was not lowering its standards.

Persons: Martin Schlegel, Schlegel, Noele, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Swiss National Bank, Thomson Locations: ZURICH

☆ China is showing 'early signs' of economic stabilization, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | 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 EmailChina is showing 'early signs' of economic stabilization, economist saysBetty Wang of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, says, however, that it's still too early to tell if the economy will secure a full recovery by the end of the year.

Persons: Betty Wang, it's Organizations: New Zealand Banking Group Locations: Australia

☆ Tencent investors Naspers and Prosus announce abrupt departure of CEO Bob van Dijk
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Arabile Gumede | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bob van Dijk Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe immediate and mutually agreed departure of Naspers and Prosus CEO Bob van Dijk underscores a complicated few years for a firm seen riding on the coattails of its holdings in Chinese tech giant, Tencent . The South African Reserve Bank gave Naspers the greenlight to begin buying back more of its shares from Prosus. 'Getting rid' of the cross holdingPrior to the current structure, Naspers (headquartered in South Africa) owned a third of Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings. Van Dijk oversaw the decision to split off its holding of Tencent and other tech holdings into Prosus in 2019. But that crossholding offered little value to investors with van Dijk telling Reuters at the time: "They [shareholders] said we don't like this cross holding, it creates complexity.

Persons: Bob van Dijk, Naspers, Koos, Van Dijk, Prosus, crossholding, van Dijk, We've, we're, Erwin Tu, Tu, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Bob van Dijk Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Getty, South, Naspers, South African Reserve Bank, Tencent Holdings, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Euronext, Reuters, Citi, SoftBank Group Locations: Dutch, Prosus, South Africa, Johannesburg, Naspers

☆ Twenty years after euro "No" vote, Swedes fret over weak crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Simon Johnson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Think Sweden, where a nosedive in the local crown currency over the past 18 months is proving a blessing for used-car dealers and other exporters. Companies like KP Energy, which imports solar panels to sell to trade buyers, cite the damaging effects of higher purchase costs and rising interest rates, which hit household spending. "It impacts us a huge amount when the crown weakens against the euro and when the demand picture changes," its CEO Filip Wiqvist said. A Demoskop poll this week showed 42% would vote "No" to joining the euro, while 34% would support it. Believing the crown is around 20% undervalued, the Riksbank has hedged its own foreign currency exposure in anticipation of future strengthening.

Persons: Joachim Agren, Registradores, Espania, Filip Wiqvist, Wiqvist, Jan Soderstrom, Annika Winsth, SEB, Robert Bergqvist, Martin Floden, Floden, Catherine Evans Organizations: STOCKHOLM, BCA, Reuters, Companies, KP Energy, European Union, Technologies, KPMG, European, NATO, Thomson Locations: Stockholm, Sweden, Swedish, Spain, EU, Ukraine, Turkey

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