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☆ Earnings Exchange: HAL, DHI & JNJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEarnings Exchange: HAL, DHI & JNJBoris Schlossberg, BK Asset Management managing director of FX strategy, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss a few stocks ahead of earnings, including Halliburton, D.R. Horton and Johnson & Johnson.

But retailers in popular Asian destinations are desperate to take advantage of the return of a first wave of Chinese tourists as the country reopens borders after three long years of COVID-19 curbs. And robust demand for destinations like Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand has boosted prospects for the battered travel industry, Ctrip booking data shows. Still, destinations elsewhere show that the return of Chinese tourists remains at a very early stage. Fresh COVID testing requirements for Chinese tourists in some locations may be acting as a barrier, while some countries also require visas that take time to process. Retailers in South Korea are also not seeing a huge influx in Chinese tourists yet, citing the suspension of short-term visas for travellers between both countries.

☆ Thai AirAsia readies personnel as China travel resumes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A flight attendant participates in an annual aviation safety & emergency course as China reopens its borders, at Asia Aviation Academy in Bangkok, Thailand January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee ThirasupaBANGKOK, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Budget carrier Thai AirAsia (AAV.BK) is preparing its pilots and cabin crew for the return of Chinese tourists, previously its largest customer group, as the airline resumes routes across China. The airline plans to restart flights to eight Chinese cities including Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Wuhan, for which cabin crew are undergoing refresher training courses. "In the flight, we should have at least one cabin crew who can speak Mandarin to communicate with passengers," said cabin crew member, Sakuna Puangpipat. Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/4] A Bank of America logo is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 30, 2019. The chief financial officers of the two biggest U.S. banks said they would hire selectively despite waning economic growth. JPMorgan's (JPM.N) Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Barnum said the bank is still hiring and "in growth mode" in a call with journalists to discuss the bank's fourth-quarter earnings. Bank of America (BAC.N) also continues to hire, particularly in wealth management, while also remaining disciplined on its expenses, Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick told reporters on Friday. The banking giants stood by their hiring plans even as other lenders cut staffing in investment banking and mortgages.

☆ BNY Mellon to cut 3% of workforce this year - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Manya Saini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Bank of New York Mellon Corp (BK.N) is planning to cut around 3% of its workforce this year, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday, joining a number of Wall Street firms in trimming headcount to cope with turbulent markets. The layoffs, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, translate to about 1,500 jobs of the bank's total reported headcount of 51,700 as of end-2022. Shares in BNY Mellon were up 2.4% in afternoon trading. BNY Mellon reported a 38% drop in fourth-quarter profit to $509 million. Chief Executive Robin Vince in a post-earnings call with analysts acknowledged that the company was facing inflationary headwinds, and added that the bank's expense growth was high.

☆ ExxonMobil sells Esso Thailand stake for $603 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - ExxonMobil (XOM.N) has agreed to sell its two-thirds stake in Esso Thailand (ESSO.BK) to Thai energy firm Bangchak Corporation (BCP.BK), the companies said in separate statements, in a deal that values the shares at 20.1 billion baht ($603 million). ExxonMobil said it would "continue to supply the Thailand market with branded finished lubricants and chemical products through a new company to be formed." Bangchak said it would initially acquire ExxonMobil's 65.99% of Esso Thailand and then launch a tender offer for remaining shares, held mainly by institutional funds. Bangchak said it would purchase 2,283,750,000 shares of Esso Thailand (ESSO.BK) at an indicative price of 8.84 baht per share. "This investment is a step towards greater energy security, balancing our long-term strategy," said Bangchak chief executive Chaiwat Kovavisarach.

"We had such a hard time, and I would rather have more Chinese people come than the government restricting their entry so I can do business." "Tour bus operators who have had their vehicles idly parked for over three years are now gearing up for (bus) inspections," said Thai Tour Bus Association President Wasuchet Sophonsatien. Thailand, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Australia, Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan were the most-searched destinations. Yue Hua Entertainment Korea, which manages Tempest, did not respond to a request for comment. "The pandemic outbreak on the mainland is still vigorous and needs time to recover, while domestic consumption remains weak on the mainland."

☆ There'll be more 'panic' in the markets if China shared more Covid data, says asset management firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | 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 EmailThere'll be more 'panic' in the markets if China shared more Covid data, says asset management firmKathy Lien of BK Asset Management says China has provided "very limited data" on Covid numbers and investors are turning a blind eye to that.

☆ Has inflation finally peaked?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But for investors, consumers and the Federal Reserve, inflation remains a major economic concern, just as it was in 2022. The hope is that inflation pressures will cool even more dramatically as the year progresses. We believe inflation peaked in June,” said Nancy Tengler, CEO and chief investment officer with Laffer Tengler Investments, in a report. Inflation impact on the Fed and housingWhat’s more, lower levels of inflation should allow the Fed to keep slowing its pace of interest rate hikes. But if inflation pressures continue to abate – and the Fed acknowledges that by pulling back on rate hikes – then the housing market may rebound.

☆ Chinese billionaire Jack Ma spotted in Bangkok - Thai media reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Alibaba Group (9988.HK) founder Jack Ma was spotted socialising in Bangkok this week, having stayed out of the public eye since regulators in China launched a clampdown on his business empire in late 2021, social media posts and local media reports showed. Several local media also reported that Ma was at the restaurant with Supakit Chearavanont, Chairman of the Board of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF.BK), Thailand's largest agribusiness group. Media also reported that Ma attended a boxing match at Bangkok's Rajadamnern Stadium where he posed with clenched fists for a photograph with Thai boxing champion Sombat "Buakaw" Banchamek. The Jack Ma Foundation did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Ma will give up control of the Chinese fintech giant Ant Group in an overhaul that seeks to draw a line under a regulatory crackdown that was triggered soon after its $73 billion IPO was scupper two years ago.

☆ Markets rally on signs inflation is abating, as investors look to next week's consumer price data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Later in the day, markets were also buoyed by the ISM's nonmanufacturing purchasing managers' index, which said the services industry contracted last month. The next big test will be December's consumer price index report, to be released Thursday. Meanwhile, the fourth-quarter earnings season kicks off next Friday, when the banks – including Club holding Wells Fargo (WFC) – are set to report. On Thursday, the December ADP employment report was released, showing an additional 235,000 jobs, well above the 153,000 expected by analysts. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Three-Stock Lunch: COST, DAL & FCX
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThree-Stock Lunch: COST, DAL & FCXBK Asset Management's Boris Schlossberg joins 'Power Lunch' to look at three stocks: Costco, Delta Airlines and Freeport-MacMoRan.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Rivian, Target, Microsoft, Etsy & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Monday: UBS downgrades Microsoft to neutral from buy UBS said in its downgrade of the stock that it's concerned about Microsoft Office risks. Wells Fargo downgrades Target to equal weight from overweight Wells said in its downgrade of the stock that it sees too much 2023 uncertainty. " UBS downgrades JB Hunt to neutral from buy UBS said in its downgrade of the shipping company that it sees volume and pricing risk. UBS downgrades Honeywell to sell from buy UBS said in its downgrade of the stock that the multiple is "inflated." UBS reiterates Amazon as buy UBS lowered its price target on the e-commerce giant to $125 per share from $165 but says it's standing by the stock.

☆ Suspect in Idaho killings had made 'creepy' comments to brewery staff, customers, owner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Deon J. Hampton | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The suspect in the killings of four University of Idaho students last month had been known to some employees at a Pennsylvania brewery to make "creepy" and inappropriate comments, the business owner said. The brewery sometimes had "unusual characters," Serulneck said, but he remembered Kohberger from some interactions he had with female patrons and staff. “Staff put in there, ‘Hey, this guy makes creepy comments, keep an eye on him. Serulneck said Kohberger would ask the female staff or customers who they were at the brewery with, where they lived and what their work schedule was. Kohberger had not returned to the brewery since Serulneck approached him months ago about the complaints from his staff, the owner said.

One of Asia's most popular travel destinations, Thailand is seeing a much-needed tourism boom, with 1.75 million visitors in November, quadruple the number received for the whole of last year when flights and foreign arrivals were limited by the pandemic. Russian arrivals in November represented about 60% of the number who visited in the same month in 2019. A top destination for Russians is Phuket, where they account for about a quarter of the island's visitors, helped by direct flights to there and Bangkok, according to Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "In the evening you'll see Russian families strolling in the park along with locals," he said, adding some were staying until March. ($1 = 34.6200 baht)Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Orathai Siring; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Thai power price hike to hurt business, competitiveness - business group
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's decision to hike electricity prices by 20% in early 2023 will push up inflation and undermine the country's competitiveness as the economy recovers gradually from the pandemic, a leading joint business group said on Friday. The business group urged the government to delay the price hike as manufacturers would be forced to increase the price of goods, said the group, which includes representatives from industry, banking and commerce. Surong Bulakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said higher power prices could increase inflation to 3.5% next year, from 3% currently forecast, with interest rates on the rise. On Monday, the central bank said it would continue to raise rates for a while to help the economy and curb inflation. ($1 = 34.70 baht)Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Weed’s next frontier is in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Thomas Shum | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Dec 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Asia is beginning to warm up to the use of cannabis. Thailand legalised marijuana cultivation at home in 2022, while South Korea, Japan and Malaysia are paving the way for pharmaceutical applications. South Korea was the first country in East Asia to legalise pharmaceutical cannabis, and Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan are all considering similar moves. If American experience is any guide, regulated pharmaceutical use will inevitably trickle into the recreation market, boosting aggregate demand. Cannabis in Asia will burn slowly, but where there is smoke there may eventually be fire.

☆ Earnings Exchange: FDX & NKE
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEarnings Exchange: FDX & NKEBoris Schlossberg, BK Asset Management, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss a few stocks ahead of earnings, including: FedEx and Nike.

☆ China's yuan could get a boost as Covid measures ease, says BK Asset Management
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

watch nowThe Chinese yuan significantly strengthened in the past few days as China announced further easing of its Covid control measures. However, it quickly recovered to 6.96 within about a month as Chinese health authorities continued to announce further easing measures. "That will renew the demand for the Chinese yuan and drive the yuan even higher than it is right now." Beijing has been rolling back the restrictions "pretty quickly," and the surge in demand for the yuan comes with a sooner-than-expected easing measures, Lien said. Woman holds Chinese Yuan banknotes in this illustration taken May 30, 2022.

Dec 8 (Reuters) - General Electric Co's (GE.N) healthcare division is aiming to have a medium-term organic revenue growth in the mid-single-digits, the unit's Chief Executive Officer Peter Arduini said at an investor day conference on Thursday. China, which accounts for about 15% of total GE Healthcare sales, would also help drive growth as there is a pent-up demand in the market, Arduini said. GE Healthcare also expects medium-term adjusted core earnings margin to be close to 20%. Zodl highlighted challenges such as macroeconomic factors, supply chain challenges, restructuring action undertaken in 2022 along with planned investment in research and development which may weigh on its core earnings margin. The healthcare company had revenue of around $18 billion last year, with about half of it from recurring sources, GE Healthcare said in a presentation.

☆ Three-Stock Lunch: Tyson, Wynn Resorts and Microsoft
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThree-Stock Lunch: Tyson, Wynn Resorts and MicrosoftBoris Schlossberg, BK Asset Management managing director, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss his investing take on three stocks: Tyson, Wynn Resorts and Microsoft.

☆ 31 stocks that mutual funds are heavily betting on, driving their best-performing year since 2007 according to Goldman Sachs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mutual funds are set to have their best year of outperformance relative to benchmarks since 2007. The report indicates that 56% of large-cap mutual funds outperformed their benchmarks compared to a 36% outperformance rate seen since 2007. Meanwhile, 66% of large-cap value funds outperformed the benchmark Russell 1000 Value index. Below are 31 of the 50 stocks listed in Goldman Sachs' Mutual Fund Overweight Positions basket. The list is based on the investment bank's analysis of 548 large-cap core, growth, and value mutual funds with $2.5 trillion in equity assets.

☆ Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ to buy two Asia units of Home Credit for $620 mln
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Makiko Yamazaki | Hadeel Al Sayegh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (8306.T) said on Thursday it would buy the Philippines and Indonesian units of Dutch consumer finance company Home Credit BV (HC) for about 596 million euros ($621 million). The acquisitions will be made through main Mitsubishi UFJ banking arm MUFG Bank, Thai unit Bank of Ayudhya PCL (BAY) (BAY.BK), and Indonesian unit Adira Dinamika Multi Finance (ADMF), with the deal to be completed within 2023, the company said. PPF, which had been looking at selling or taking on partners in some markets for the HC business, said in a statement it was the right time to pass the baton. A Mitsubishi UFJ executive said in a briefing that the lender would explore further acquisition opportunities in Southeast Asia. MUFG Bank will hold 25% of HC Philippines, and ADMF will hold 10% of HC Indonesia shares.

☆ Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ to buy two Asia units of Home Credit for $596 mln
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Makiko Yamazaki | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (8306.T) said on Thursday it would buy the Philippines and Indonesian units of Dutch consumer finance company Home Credit Group BV for about 596 million euros ($621 million). The acquisitions will be made through Japanese unit MUFG Bank, Thai unit Bank of Ayudhya PCL (BAY) (BAY.BK), and Indonesian unit Adira Dinamika Multi Finance (ADMF), with the deal to be completed within 2023, the company said. Home Credit (HC) is controlled by the Czech Republic's biggest investment group, PPF, which was founded by late billionaire Petr Kellner. read moreAfter the completion of the deal, Bank of Ayudhya will hold 75% of the shares of HC Philippines and 75% of the shares of HC Indonesia. MUFG Bank will hold 25% of HC Philippines, and ADMF will hold 10% of HC Indonesia shares.

☆ Bank regulators tell Citigroup to take urgent action to fix resolution plan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Hannah Lang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The regulators gave Citi a January 2023 deadline to submit its plan to address the shortcomings, while giving the all clear to seven other large banks that submitted resolution plans. The problems related to earlier concerns the Fed had identified with Citi’s data quality and data management in an October 2020 enforcement action against the bank. Eric Compton, a banking analyst at Morningstar, said regulators often highlight data management issues at banks because they can be interrelated, potentially having wide-ranging impact. “Citi is not the first bank to have its resolution plan dinged," he said. Those problems related to the banks' abilities to produce data in stressed conditions to implement their resolution plans.

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