DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Dollar broadly up, threatens 150 yen as benchmark Treasury yield climbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The benchmark 10-year yield , which was last at 4.9813%, has climbed some 35 basis points this week, driven by rising expectations that the Federal Reserve is likely to keep interest rates higher for longer and mounting U.S. fiscal concerns. "The move up has been driven by the Fed leaving the market as a price insensitive buyer. The dollar/yen pair tends to closely track changes in long-term Treasury yields, particularly in the 10-year maturity. In the broader currency market, the U.S. dollar edged higher, supported by elevated Treasury yields. The New Zealand dollar edged 0.35% lower to $0.5829, after having slid to an over 11-month low of $0.5816 on Thursday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Brian Jacobsen, Sterling, Jerome Powell, Ray Attrill, he's, Carol Kong, Rae Wee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Fed, Annex Wealth Management, U.S, National Australia Bank, New Zealand, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, U.S, Asia, China, lockstep

Much of the easing policies have lowered the buying costs, but done little to create new demand, realtor Centaline China CEO Andy Lee said. "The overall size of the pie is still the same," Lee said, referring to the market demand, adding some of the September purchase was delayed from the previous two months due to market expectations of stimulus policies. Nomura also said it is too early to call the bottom for the property sector. The moderate recovery in top-tier cities could continue to drain housing demand in low-tier cities," it said. S&P Global Ratings this week revised down its forecast for China's property sales to drop by 10%-15% this year from 2022, compared to its earlier forecast of a mid-single digit percentage drop.

Persons: Daniel Song, Andy Lee, Lee, Nomura, Doris Dong, Clare Jim, Gao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: China Evergrande, HK, Demand, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, BEIJING, Beijing, Shenzhen, China, Shanghai, Guangzhou

Still, some traders interpreted his comments as an endorsement of keeping rates around current levels through most of next year. Yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury, which move inversely to bond prices, rose briefly to 5% late on Thursday, a closely watched level not seen since 2007. "That gives people the go ahead to take rates above 5%.”Whiteley said that he sees 10-year yields moving as high as 5.5% before peaking. An extended climb in Treasury yields risks exacerbating the pressures that have dogged a broad array of assets in recent months. Still, even if the Fed cuts rates over the next few years, yields could stay above 5% if inflation and growth remain high, he said.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Brendan McDermid, Stocks, ”, Greg Whiteley, ” Whiteley, Gennadiy Goldberg, Goldberg, Powell, Sameer Samana, Alan Rechtschaffen, Rechtschaffen, Robert Tipp, Davide Barbuscia, David Randall, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Ira Iosebashvili, Megan Davies Organizations: Economic, of New, REUTERS, Treasury, Federal Reserve, New York Economic, Fed, TD Securities, Wells, Investment Institute, UBS Global Wealth Management, Tipp, Thomson Locations: of New York, New York City, U.S, DoubleLine

ON TRACK FOR GOVT GDP TARGETThe recovery momentum suggests the government's full year 2023 growth target of around 5.0% is likely to be achieved. The key issue is what growth target the government will set and how much fiscal easing will take place." The statistics bureau said China would be able to hit the 2023 growth target if the fourth quarter growth tops 4.4%. Moody's Analytics has also raised its 2023 growth projection to 5% from 4.9%. The faltering property sector has hit some of the biggest developers in the country.

Persons: Matt Simpson, Zhiwei Zhang, Tingshu Wang, Frederic Neumann, Louise Loo, Ellen Zhang, Joe Cash, Kevin Yao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Gross, National Bureau, Statistics, Reuters, Index, New, REUTERS, Nomura, JPMorgan, Analysts, Country Garden Holdings, HK, Global Research, HSBC, Oxford Economics, Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Brisbane, U.S, Beijing, China, New Zealand, Asia

Official data showed China's economy grew 1.3% in the third quarter, accelerating from 0.5% in the previous quarter and topping market forecasts for an increase of 1%. China's yuan hit a one-week high of 7.2905 per dollar, though it then retreated to 7.312. The China-sensitive Australian dollar , was last up 0.24% at $0.6381, while the New Zealand dollar was 0.18% higher at $0.5907. Reuters GraphicsThe euro was steady at $1.0571, while sterling was up 0.1% at $1.2194 after data showed British inflation failed to fall as expected in September. Israel's shekel was pinned to the weaker side of 4 to the dollar, around its lowest since 2015.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joe Biden, I'm, Erik Nelson, Wells, Nelson, we're, It's, it's, Imre Speizer, Israel's shekel, Tom Westbrook, Harry Robertson, Shri Navaratnam, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Israel, Wednesday, New Zealand, Westpac, Reuters, Treasury, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, LONDON, Gaza, China, Wells Fargo, Israel, Iran, U.S, Japan, Tokyo, Singapore, London

☆ China's Q3 GDP growth, Sept activity show economic recovery gaining momentum
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

On a quarter-by-quarter basis, GDP grew 1.3% in the third quarter, accelerating from a revised 0.5% in the second quarter and above the forecast for growth of 1.0%. "It seems that all of that stimulus is finally beginning to take effect, with a broad beat from growth, retail sales, industrial production and unemployment," said Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at City Index in Brisbane. The economy faltered in the second quarter after a brief post-COVID recovery, dragged by a property downturn and huge debt due to a decades-long infrastructure binge. The recovery momentum suggests the government's full year 2023 growth target of around 5.0% is likely to be achieved. Growth of retail sales, a gauge of consumption, also beat expectations, rising 5.5% last month, and accelerating from a 4.6% increase in August.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Matt Simpson, Zhiwei Zhang, Ellen Zhang, Joe Cash, Kevin Yao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Gross, National Bureau, Statistics, Index, Analysts, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING, Brisbane

☆ Asia frets on Middle East risks, looming China data
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"A major spike in volatility and a downgrade of the global economic growth outlook is possible." The threat to the global economy comes just as China is set to release data likely showing annual economic growth slowed sharply in the third quarter to around 4.4%. Figures for retail sales and industrial output for September will also offer insight into whether activity is finally responding to Beijing's recent stimulus measures. Bonds took that badly, with two-year yields surging as much as 14 basis points on Tuesday to a 16-year peak of 5.24%. Oil prices swung higher once more, driven by data showing a fall in crude stocks and amid concerns over the Middle East.

Persons: Issei Kato, Bonds, Joe Biden's, Stocks, scurrying, Brent, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, CBA, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Biden, Netflix, JPMorgan, Atlanta Fed, Federal Reserve, ., Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Gaza, China, SYDNEY, Iran, Israel, Asia, Pacific

☆ Asian shares pare losses on China data, Mid East risk lifts oil
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Global bond markets also still nursed heavy losses as strong U.S. retail data argued for a punishingly long stretch of high rates. The outlook for the world economy did take a small turn for the better as China reported annual economic growth of 4.9% in the third quarter, beating forecasts for 4.4%. Retail sales and industrial output for September also surprised on the upside, suggesting activity had been gaining momentum. "A major spike in volatility and a downgrade of the global economic growth outlook is possible." Oil prices swung higher once more, driven by concerns over the Middle East and data showing a fall in crude stocks.

Persons: Issei Kato, Bonds, pare, Joe Biden's, Stocks, scurrying, Jerome Powell, Brent, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, SYDNEY, CBA, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Tech, Nvidia, Biden, Netflix, JPMorgan, Atlanta Fed, Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, ., Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Asia, Pacific

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG/LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Bond yields rose on Tuesday and stocks steadied as markets continued to retrace last week's moves to safe-haven assets, focusing on corporate earnings prospects and the resilience of the U.S. economy rather than tensions in the Middle East. Benchmark 10-year bond yields in the U.S. and Germany (Bunds) rose around 5 basis points (bps) on Tuesday having risen 5-8 bps Monday - bond yields move inversely to prices. Israel's shekel remained on the weak side of the 4 per dollar level it softened to for the first time since 2015 on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday arrived in Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping even as the war in Ukraine raged on. If investors do not receive the coupon payment, all of Country Garden's offshore debts will be deemed in default.

Persons: DAX, Kai Pfaffenbach, Banks, BNY, Goldman Sachs, We're, Jorge Garayo, Joe Biden, Israel, Israel's shekel, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, BoE, Gold, Brent, Selena Li, Alun John, Shri Navaratnam, Ed Osmond, Alex Richardson Organizations: Deutsche, REUTERS, Bank of America, Treasury, Bund, Societe Generale, U.S, Israel, Hamas, Iran's, Tuesday, HK, Bank of England, Swiss, Venezuela, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, HONG KONG, U.S, Iran, Gaza, Beijing, Ukraine, Friday's, Washington, Israel, Hong Kong, London

☆ Dollar mixed vs major peers; pounds slips, yen briefly jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Central banks are not trying to hit the CPI targets in the near term," said Colin Asher, senior economist at Mizuho. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six peers, fell 0.1% to 106.13, after dropping 0.4% on Monday. Fed officials will enter into a blackout period on Oct. 21 before the central bank's Oct. 31–Nov. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker said on Monday the central bank should not create new pressure on the economy by increasing the cost of borrowing. Australia's central bank considered raising rates at its recent policy meeting but judged there was not enough new information to warrant a move, minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's Oct. 3 policy meeting showed.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Colin Asher, Asher, Masato Kanda, Valentin Marinov, Marinov, Jerome Powell, Patrick Harker, Sterling, Samuel Indyk, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam, Kim Coghill, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Bank of Japan, Mizuho, CPI, Swiss, CIB, Federal, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Bank of England, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of Australia's, Thomson Locations: Australia's, London, Singapore

[1/2] Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 16, 2023. "And if you look at the month-by-month statistics, Chinese investments are still increasing," he told Reuters. "So I see that in the next two or three years, Chinese investments will still increase drastically in Thailand." But a large proportion of the 228 Chinese investments proposals this year have come in the electronics sector, according to the BOI. Chinese investments will likely continue for the next two years, Jareeporn said.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Tingshu Wang, General Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Srettha, Xiaomi Corp's, Alain Lam, Narit, Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Jareeporn, Chayut, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Thailand's, Beijing Capital International Airport, Forum, REUTERS, Rights, of Investment, Investment, Reuters, Thai, Initiative, HK, Toyota, Isuzu Motors, WHA, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BANGKOK, Thailand, Singapore, Southeast Asia's, Thailand's, Thai

☆ Asia stocks rise on earnings hopes; keep wary eye on Mideast tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Selena Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man looks at an electric board displaying the Nikkei stock average outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan June 14, 2023. Overnight the S&P 500 (.SPX) had climbed 1%, while oil prices and the U.S. dollar had fallen. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields are about 15 basis points off 16-year highs, though they crept higher in Asia trade Tuesday to 4.7331%. The euro traded at $1.0549 and the yen hovered just short of the 150-per-dollar mark at 149.53. If investors don't receive the coupon payment, all of Country Garden's offshore debts will be deemed in default.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Kerry Craig, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Johnson, Craig, Joe Biden, Israel, Israel's shekel, Bitcoin, Selena Li, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, Tokyo's Nikkei, U.S ., Morgan Asset Management, Bank of America, Johnson, Netflix, Federal Reserve, Israel, Hamas, Iran's, HK, Brent, BlackRock, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, U.S, Asia, Pacific, Gaza, Iran, Zealand, Brent

☆ Dollar drifts as investors eye Powell speech, yen wobbles near intervention zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The yen was pinned close to the key 150 per dollar level, keeping traders on edge for any signs of intervention by the Japanese authorities. The yen last fetched 149.62 per dollar, having slipped to 150.17 on Oct. 3, the weakest in a year, before getting some relief in a brief rally. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six rivals, eased 0.038% to 106.20, after dropping 0.36% on Monday. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker said on Monday the central bank should not create new pressures in the economy by increasing the cost of borrowing. Christopher Wong, currency strategist at OCBC, said the dollar is likely caught in a range for now.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Powell, Masato Kanda, Israel's shekel, Charu, Jerome Powell, Patrick Harker, Harker, Christopher Wong, Wong, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Swiss, Palestinian, Hamas, Saxo, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Reserve Bank of Australia's, News Zealand, Thomson Locations: Rights SINGAPORE, East, Singapore, Australia's

☆ China central bank ramps up liquidity support via policy loans, rate unchanged
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paramilitary police officers stand guard in front of the headquarters of the People's Bank of China, the central bank (PBOC), in Beijing, China September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - China's central bank ramped up liquidity support to the banking system as it rolled over medium-term policy loans on Monday, but kept the interest rate unchanged as expected. It held the rate on the one-year policy loans at 2.50%, unchanged from the previous operation. With 500 billion yuan worth of MLF loans maturing, the PBOC is injecting fresh liquidity into the banking system. Market watchers polled by Reuters last week predicted no change to the MLF rate.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, PBOC, Stone Zhou, Xing Zhaopeng, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: People's Bank of China, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Global Markets, UOB, ANZ, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, U.S, UOB China, Liaoning, Chongqing, United States

The logo of Atos is pictured at the Eurosatory international defence and security exhibition in Villepinte, near Paris, France June 13, 2022. Mustier, credited with restoring UniCredit's capital strength, will be tasked to revive investors' trust after a governance crisis and a series of setbacks pummelled Atos' shares, now trading at near record lows. Atos shares jumped by more than 20% in early Paris trading but reversed course in the morning. The planned sale of Atos's loss-making legacy IT operations, dubbed Tech Foundations, to Kretinsky is opposed by some minority shareholders and several French politicians. Atos on Monday reiterated the plan to sell Tech Foundations to Kretinsky under the terms announced in August, although it signalled some of the financial terms could change.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Bertrand Meunier, Kretinsky, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Daniel Kretinksy, Atos, Mustier, pummelled Atos, Kretinsky's, Mathieu Rosemain, Pierre John Felcenloben, Christian Schmollinger, Navaratnam, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Tech Foundations, Tech, Atos, Kretinsky, Thomson Locations: Villepinte, Paris, France, Czech, Kretinsky, Eviden, French, Atos

Donald Tusk, leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO), speaks after the exit poll results are announced in Warsaw, Poland, October 15, 2023. A late Ipsos exit poll published early on Monday gave PiS 36.6% of the vote, which would translate into 198 lawmakers in the 460-seat lower house of parliament. RECORD TURNOUTThe late exit poll had been delayed, and some commentators linked this to a record turnout of nearly 73%, the highest since the fall of communism in 1989. Tusk, 66, was jubilant following the announcement of the first exit poll results on Sunday. This is the end of the PiS government," he told party members.

Persons: Donald Tusk, Kacper, Tusk, Donald Tusk's, Cezary Tomczyk, Andrzej Duda, Duda, Mateusz Morawiecki, Joachim Brudzinski, Brudzinski, Wladysław Kosiniak, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Lidia Kelly, Alan Charlish, Shri Navaratnam, Gareth Jones Organizations: Civic Coalition, REUTERS, EU WARSAW, European Union, Law, Justice, European, EU, TVN, Polish Peasants's Party, Local, Democracy, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, Brussels, Europe, Wrocław, Gdansk, Melbourne

"There's increasing evidence that the cyclical upturn in the global electronics sector is driving a bottoming-out of global trade and China's trade data is the latest sign," said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit. Reuters GraphicsSouth Korean exports to China, a leading indicator of China's imports, fell at their slowest pace in 11 months in September. Semiconductors make up the bulk of their trade, signalling improving appetite among Chinese manufacturers for components to re-export in finished goods. However, Lv Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs, said at a press conference on Friday that China's trade still faces a complex and severe external environment. Overall, though, total merchandise imports fell at a slower pace, down 6.3%, reflecting a gradual recovery in domestic demand.

Persons: Smart, David Kirton, Xu Tianchen, it's, Julian Evans, Pritchard, Zou Lan, Premier Li Qiang, Li, Robert Carnell, Kevin Yao, Albee Zhang, Shri Navaratnam, Kim Coghill Organizations: Trade, REUTERS, Economist Intelligence Unit, Reuters Graphics South, Semiconductors, Administration of Customs, ASEAN, Federal Reserve, China Economics, Capital Economics, People's Bank of, Premier, Bloomberg, ING, Thomson Locations: Qianhai, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, BEIJING, United States, Europe, Stocks, People's Bank of China, Beijing, Asia, Pacific

"There's increasing evidence that the cyclical upturn in the global electronics sector is driving a bottoming-out of global trade and China's trade data is the latest sign," said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit. Reuters GraphicsSouth Korean exports to China, a leading indicator of China's imports, fell at their slowest in 11 months in September. Global trade activities, represented by the Baltic Dry Index, also reported notable growth in September. However, Lv Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs, said at a press conference earlier on Friday that China's trade still faces a complex and severe external environment. China's crude oil imports in September grew nearly 14% from a year earlier, while copper imports fell 5.8% year-on-year.

Persons: Smart, David Kirton, Xu Tianchen, it's, Robert Carnell, Albee Zhang, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Trade, REUTERS, Economist Intelligence Unit, Reuters Graphics South, Semiconductors, Global, Administration of Customs, ASEAN, Federal Reserve, Bloomberg, ING, Thomson Locations: Qianhai, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, BEIJING, United States, Europe, Stocks, Beijing, Asia, Pacific

☆ BOJ's Noguchi says wage growth momentum is biggest focus for Japan economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan board member Asahi Noguchi said on Thursday that the biggest focus for the Japanese economy now was to ensure that momentum for wage growth stayed in place, with a 3% rise in nominal pay to back efforts to meet the 2% inflation target. "His emphasis on wage growth probably meant the BOJ will retain its easy policy until wage hikes are firmly in place following the labour talks next March." "The biggest focus now is whether this (wage growth) momentum will be maintained or not from now on as well." Noguchi said household inflation expectations are steadily rising, but if wage growth lags behind price hikes, consumers would have no choice but to reduce their spending, as seen lately. "The BOJ's mission for the time being is to realise it (positive growth in real wages) through patient monetary easing," Noguchi said.

Persons: Asahi Noguchi, Noguchi, Yoshimasa Maruyama, Tetsushi, Chang, Ran Kim Organizations: Bank of Japan, Nikko Securities, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Niigata, Tokyo

☆ Oil falls further on US stock build, easing supply concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Trixie Sher Li Yap | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell for a third day on Wednesday, dragged down by a larger-than-expected crude and gasoline stockbuild in the U.S. and easing supply concerns. U.S. crude oil stockpiles swelled by about 12.9 million barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Wednesday. "Crude oil extended losses on signs the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the oil market will be limited," ANZ analysts said in a client note. Expectations by the U.S. EIA of global oil inventories falling further in the second half of 2023, however, limited price weakness. The lower inventories, which are forecast to keep global oil supply below consumption, are likely to boost oil prices, the EIA said in a monthly report.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, JP Morgan, Trixie Yap, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, ING, U.S . Energy Information Administration, ANZ, EIA, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Rights SINGAPORE, U.S, ., California, Israel

☆ Asian shares rally as markets wager on Fed pivot; US inflation in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) gained 0.7% to the highest level in three weeks. Tokyo's Nikkei (.N225) rallied 1.3% for a third straight day, climbing away from its five-month low hit last week. U.S. Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Wednesday said higher market interest rates may help the Fed slow inflation, and let it "watch and see" if its own policy rate needs to rise again or not. With the long-awaited pivot for the Fed in sight, traders are bracing for the all-important U.S. consumer inflation report later in the day. Stakes are higher because a producer price inflation report came in hotter than expected on Wednesday.

Persons: HSI, Christopher Waller, Waller, Philip Jefferson, Lorie Logan, Alan Ruskin, payrolls, Brent, Stella Qiu, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: SYDNEY, Federal Reserve, Tokyo's Nikkei, Central Huijin Investment, Federal, U.S, Fed, Dallas Fed, Markets, FedTool, Deutsche Bank AG, Saudi, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine

Oil rigs are seen at Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 11 (Reuters) - Oil edged higher on Wednesday as investors grappled with the prospect of supply disruptions due to the Middle East turmoil. Brent crude rose 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $87.91 a barrel by 0312 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $86.14 a barrel. Israel produces very little crude oil, but markets are worried that the conflict could escalate and hurt Middle East supply, worsening an expected deficit for the rest of the year.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Brent, WTI, Warren Patterson, Ewa Manthey, Washington, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, ING, Israel, U.S, U.S . Federal, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Brent, Gaza, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, U.S ., U.S, Venezuela, Caracas

☆ New Zealand's economy poses challenge for election victor
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party, speaks at the New Zealand National Party’s election campaign launch in Auckland, New Zealand, September 3, 2023. That will stiffen the challenge for the nation's two major parties, the centre-left Labour Party and the centre-right National Party, to deliver its agenda where rising prices and government debt have been hot-button election issues. At the same time government borrowing costs are increasing and the country’s ballooning current account deficit poses a risk to the country’s credit rating. Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac New Zealand said tough fiscal choices face an incoming government. ($1 = 1.6551 New Zealand dollars)Reporting by Lucy Craymer Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, won’t, Kelly Eckhold, ”, Lucy Craymer, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: National Party, New Zealand National, REUTERS, Rights, Labour Party, Bank, Bank of New, National, Statistics New Zealand, Reserve Bank of New, Labour, NZ, Westpac New Zealand, Zealand, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand, Zealanders, Reserve Bank of New Zealand

☆ New Zealand's Economy Poses Challenge for Election Victor
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

That will stiffen the challenge for the nation's two major parties, the centre-left Labour Party and the centre-right National Party, to deliver its agenda where rising prices and government debt have been hot-button election issues. “The Reserve Bank will need the government to do its bit if it is to cap the cash rate at the 5.5% it currently suggests,” analysts at Bank of New Zealand said in a note. DEBT, AND MORE DEBTThe biggest challenge for many New Zealanders is mortgage rates. At the same time government borrowing costs are increasing and the country’s ballooning current account deficit poses a risk to the country’s credit rating. Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac New Zealand said tough fiscal choices face an incoming government.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, won’t, Kelly Eckhold, ”, Lucy Craymer, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Reuters, Labour Party, National Party, Bank, Bank of New, National, Statistics New Zealand, Reserve Bank of New, Labour, NZ, Westpac New Zealand, Zealand Locations: Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand, Zealanders, Reserve Bank of New Zealand

TAIPEI, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Taiwan seeks "peaceful coexistence" with China with free and unrestricted interaction but the island will be democratic for generations to come, President Tsai Ing-wen said in her last national day speech on Tuesday. Speaking in front of the presidential office, Tsai said the strength of international support for Taiwan had reached an "unprecedented height". There was no immediate response from China's Taiwan Affairs Office. Beijing says Taiwan's government must accept that both China and Taiwan belong to "one China", which Tsai has refused to do. The Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name, though the government tends to stylise it as the Republic of China, Taiwan, to distinguish it from the government in Beijing.

Persons: Tsai Ing, heightening, Tsai, Scott Morrison, China's, Mao Zedong's, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Taiwan, China's Taiwan Affairs Office Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, United States, Taipei, Asia, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, The Republic of China, Lincoln

Search resuls for: "Shri Navaratnam"

25 mentions found