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☆ European stocks set to inch higher as investors assess interest rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European markets are set to inch cautiously higher on Monday, coming off a losing week as hawkish comments from major central banks signaled further monetary policy tightening in 2023. The European Central Bank hiked its key interest rate from 1.5% to 2% on Thursday and said it would look to shrink its balance sheet by around 15 billion euros ($15.9 billion) every month from March 2023 to the end of the second quarter. The ECB said rate hikes would need to continue "significantly at a steady pace." The moves led the Stoxx 600 to two consecutive sessions of sharp losses, taking the European blue chip index to a near-five week low. Stateside, U.S. stock futures inched fractionally higher in early premarket trade on Monday, after Wall Street's major averages posted their second consecutive week of losses for the first time since September.

☆ ECB sets core capital threshold for Italy's Intesa at 8.88% from 8.81%
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MILAN, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank has set the minimum threshold for Intesa Sanpaolo's (ISP.MI) core capital at 8.88% for next year, fractionally higher than the current 8.81% requirement, Italy's biggest bank said on Thursday. Intesa's best-quality capital ratio stood at 12.4% at the end of September applying in full regulations which are still being phased in. Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Gianluca SemeraroOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Asia-Pacific stocks climb as Hong Kong scraps Covid restrictions for incoming travelers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Pedestrians cross a road in front of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. Asia-Pacific shares opened in positive territory as investors look ahead to a highly anticipated Federal Reserve meeting and U.S. CPI data reading. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up 0.67% after Chief Executive John Lee announced further easing of Covid restrictions. The Nikkei 225 in Japan added 0.40% to close at 27,954.85, while the Topix inched up 0.43% to 1,965.68. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan climbed 0.29%.

CORN AND WHEATMoney managers’ net long in CBOT corn futures and options is now the smallest since the early days of the recent rally in September 2020. Managed money net position in CBOT corn futures and optionsThat was the largest weekly net reduction in corn since August 2019. Most-active CBOT wheat futures lost nearly 7% in the week ended Dec. 6, reaching their lowest level since October 2021. Money managers increased their net short by more than 9,000 to 63,382 futures and options contracts, the most bearish since May 2019. March Minneapolis wheat also notched four-month lows on Dec. 6, and money managers pushed their net short position past 3,000 futures and options contracts.

☆ Stocks, oil struggle to pull out of four-day slide
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Germany's 10-year bond yield , seen as the benchmark borrowing cost for the bloc, circled around 1.795% for most of the morning having hit a two-month low of 1.788% on Wednesday. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was up fractionally at 3.453%, while yield on the 30-year Treasury bond inched up to 3.445%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed more than 3% while China's tech giants Alibaba and Meituan (3690.HK) jumped 6% each. Among the main commodities, oil found its footing after a four-day drop that had taken it into the red for the year. Additional reporting by Harry Robertson; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ India may be set to become third largest economy by 2030, overtaking Japan and Germany
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Beautiful and colorful aerial view of Mumbai skyline during twilight seen from Currey Road, on February 16, 2022 in Mumbai, India. India is set to overtake Japan and Germany to become the world's third-largest economy, according to S&P Global and Morgan Stanley. "These drivers will make [India] the world's third-largest economy and stock market before the end of the decade." India posted a year-on-year growth of 6.3% for the July to September quarter, fractionally higher than a Reuters poll forecast of 6.2%. The country posted a record 20.1% year-on-year growth in the three months to June 2021, according to Refinitiv data.

☆ European markets set for muted open as investors track data, Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON — European markets are set for a muted open on Wednesday as investors await euro zone economic data and the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest meeting minutes. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed Tuesday's session up 0.8% at its highest level in three months, while markets in Asia-Pacific advanced on Wednesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. U.S. stock futures were fractionally lower in early premarket trade on Wednesday as investors look ahead to the publication of minutes from Fed's November meeting, seeking clues on the direction of monetary policy. Global markets have taken some heart from recent, lower-than-expected consumer and wholesale inflation prints in the United States, prompting bets that the Fed would have to slow its aggressive interest rate hikes. European investors will be assessing Wednesday's flash November PMI (purchasing managers' index) readings from the euro zone for indications on the health of economic activity across the 19-member bloc.

☆ The only thing Elon Musk understands about Twitter is how to kill it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Biologists, anthropologists, and information theorists do think that social networks, like Musk's bird app, show at least some signs of being flocks. "Elon's tweet is basically espousing the invisible hand of social behavior," Bak-Coleman says. In this construction, a social network might have become a collective superintelligence, had capitalists left it to its — our? Under Musk, Twitter has entered the dance-off phase. I'll be sad if the Twitter superintelligence starts singing a Kubrickian cover of "Daisy" and implodes into a pile of melting isolinear chips.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets set to inch higher ahead of China's lending rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man looks at his smartphone as he walks past the People's Bank of China building on May 20, 2022 in Beijing. Shares in the Asia-Pacific were set to rise on Monday as analysts expect China's central bank to keep its benchmark lending rates, or loan prime rates, on hold, according to a Reuters poll. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 27,930 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,970. That compared against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,899.77. Over the weekend, Malaysia's election produced a hung parliament, and parties are trying to win support from other blocs to form the government.

☆ Philadelphia Fed factory activity index drops unexpectedly
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 17 (Reuters) - A gauge of manufacturing activity in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region fell unexpectedly this month to its lowest level - outside of the coronavirus pandemic - since 2011 as firms reported continued softness in new orders and a weak outlook. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's monthly manufacturing index fell to negative 19.4 in November from negative 8.7 in October. The new orders index was negative for a sixth straight month, weakening fractionally from October with a current reading of negative 16.2. The six-month outlook index, which has also been consistently negative starting in June, came in at negative 7.1, up from negative 14.9 in October. The gauge of employment showed continued growth in hiring but at its weakest pace since June 2020.

☆ Shares and pound splutter as UK dishes out budget gruel
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/3] Pound and Dollar banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken June 13, 2017. Pound and UK Gilt recover from 'mini budget' turmoilOvernight in Asia, grim signals from Micron Technology about excess inventories and sluggish demand sent chipmaker stocks sprawling. Mainland Chinese shares also wobbled, with blue chips there (.CSI300) falling 0.5% having ripped 10% higher this month. Traders will also scrutinise speeches from Fed officials on Thursday for hints about rate hikes. Crude oil steadied in Europe after settling more than a dollar lower overnight, following the resumption of Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and as rising COVID-19 cases in China weighed on sentiment.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as second day of G-20 underway
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Shares in the Asia-Pacific were mixed on Wednesday as world leaders gather in Bali, Indonesia for a second day of the Group of 20 summit. Investors will be closely watching for more details after Polish authorities said a Russian-made missile killed two citizens and an investigation is underway. The Nikkei 225 and the Topix in Japan were about flat. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was slightly below the flatline. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the benchmark interest rate to be raised by 50 basis points to 5.25%.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets little changed ahead of China activity data release
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man walks past the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Shares in the Asia-Pacific were little changed on Tuesday ahead of a slew of economic data from China, and following the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was slightly lower. Japan's economy unexpectedly contracted in the third quarter, official data showed. China is set to report industrial production and retail sales data.

That was funds’ fifth consecutive week selling CBOT wheat, meaning they sold even as Russia pulled out of the Ukraine export deal at the end of October. Wheat futures have shed more than 1% in the last four sessions, ending at $8.18-1/2 per bushel on Monday. Money managers’ gross CBOT wheat longs are the lightest for the date since 2008, and their shorts are largely average. Through Nov. 8, money managers cut their net long in CBOT corn futures and options to 237,662 contracts from 271,960 a week earlier. Managed money net position in Chicago wheat futures and optionsKaren Braun is a market analyst for Reuters.

Over the five reports from August to January, the trade’s January corn yield misses are typically second-largest after August. Corn yield in 2018 and 2020 were unexpectedly revised sharply lower in January, though the seasons were very different. There is a very slight tendency for higher corn and soy yields in November to result in higher yields again in January, and vice versa, but the bias is probably too weak for reliability without additional statistics. U.S. corn and soybean yields - November to JanuaryThe November-January decade trend for soybean yields is evenly split five apiece, and both great and unsuccessful growing seasons sit on either side. Chinese corn, soybean and wheat imports and consumption were also unchanged despite demand concerns driven by mixed messaging on Beijing’s post-pandemic strategy.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rise as U.S. awaits midterm election results; China inflation data ahead
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific stocks are set to rise as investors await the results of the United States midterm elections and a slew of economic data is expected, including China's inflation data. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was marginally higher while the Topix was fractionally lower. The Kospi in South Korea gained 0.36% and the Kosdaq gained 0.27%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.39% in the first hour of trade.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets mixed ahead of RBA decision, private survey on China's factory activity
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Office employees walk in front of the Reserve Bank of Australia in Sydney on September 4, 2018. Shares in the Asia-Pacific set to inch higher on Tuesday ahead of Australia's central bank decision and the results of a private survey on Chinese factory activity. The Fed's meeting also begins on Tuesday stateside. The Nikkei 225 in Japan gained 0.15% while the Topix also rose 0.23%.The Kospi in South Korea also rose 0.28%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was fractionally lower as analysts expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates by 25 basis points, according a Reuters poll.

☆ Dollar, bond yields rise ahead of pivotal rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Combined with news that Italy's economy grew far more strongly than expected in the third quarter, euro zone bond yields moved higher EUR/GVD although the euro succumbed to another bout of U.S. dollar strength. /FRX"A lot of data is coming out this week and lot of central banks are meeting," said Societe Generale strategist Kit Juckes. Palm oil futures rose nearly 5%. In the oil markets, Brent crude futures fell 1% to $94.65 a barrel, while spot gold was fractionally lower at $1,637 an ounce in the precious metals markets. Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook in Singapore; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Stocks splutter, euro falls ahead of euro zone inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

,Euro zone October inflation numbers due shortly are seen hitting a fresh record of 10.2% year on year, in what will make for more uncomfortable reading for the European Central Bank, which is targeting 2% price growth. Combined with news that Italy's economy grew far more strongly than expected in the third quarter, euro zone bond yields moved higher EUR/GVD although the euro succumbed to another bout of U.S. dollar strength. /FRX"A lot of data is coming out this week and lot of central banks are meeting," said Societe Generale strategist Kit Juckes. We are now waiting for euro zone GDP and CPI. S&P 500 futures fell 0.2%, while Germany's 10-year government bond yield, the benchmark for the euro area, was up 5.5 basis points (bps) to 2.143%.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets inch up after Wall Street gains overnight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A pedestrian looks at Japanese companies' share prices of the Tokyo Stock Exchange displayed on an electronic board in Tokyo on April 30, 2021. Shares in the Asia-Pacific inched higher on Wednesday following a second day of gains in major U.S. indexes. The Japanese yen remained above 149 against the U.S. dollar. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was fractionally higher. China was due to release home prices data Wednesday, but the release has been delayed.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed ahead of U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man looks at an electronic quotation board displaying stock prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on August 2, 2022. Shares in the Asia-Pacific were mixed on Thursday as investors await inflation data from the U.S. due later stateside. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was fractionally lower and the Topix was down 0.28%. Japan's yen strengthened in Asia's morning after touching 146.98 per dollar. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was just above the flatline.

☆ Invest in homes in Argentina, England, and more for as little as $100 via these fractional-ownership startups
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Two startups that allow Americans to buy shares of overseas properties break down the process. Now Americans are showing more interest in Europe and other — relatively — cheaper spots abroad to buy pieds-à-terre and investment properties. Take Housie and Flyway, new startups that embrace a growing trend in real-estate investing: fractional ownership. HousieRight now, for a minimum of $100, users can buy shares of properties and receive dividends quarterly depending on how well the property does on the short-term market. Still in the preliminary stages, Flyway has sold some shares but the homes have yet to be rented out.

A sign advertising E15, a gasoline with 15 percent of ethanol, is seen at a gas station in Clive, Iowa, United States, May 17, 2015. The government and labor unions reached a deal last Thursday that averted a railway shutdown, possibly supporting a rebound in ethanol output for the current week. But a near-term recovery may be capped by sagging U.S. gasoline demand and poor corn crop prospects. Some analysts have questioned these figures, based on recent traffic trends that might suggest better fuel demand, though high prices have pained consumers for much of this year. A subpar U.S. corn crop could also disrupt the ethanol industry, especially if harvest results are worse than expected.

We're buying 25 shares of Microsoft (MSFT) at roughly $240 each. In addition to the oversold Oscillator, we're putting some cash to work Thursday as a counter to the poor sentiment in the market. But at a minimum, we think these indicators suggest there's a lot of negativity already priced into the market. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.

Excluding Russia's 91 million-tonne crop projection, USDA shows 2022-23 world wheat output dropping nearly 2% on the year, placing more weight on Russia's crop success and its ability to access world markets. China is routinely excluded from world wheat analyses because of its small part in global trade compared with its massive stockpiles, which will account for a record 54% of global wheat supply by mid-next year according to USDA figures. That major exporter ledger does not include India or Brazil, who have been increasingly relevant in global trade and could potentially expand that footprint. But adding them in does not change the previous conclusion: 2022-23 world wheat stocks-to-use is still set for a 15-year low. Wheat stocks-to-use in major exportersKaren Braun is a market analyst for Reuters.

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