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☆ Prospects of a Trump win and huge tariffs spark worst sell-off for emerging market stocks in 10 months
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The slump comes as investors price in higher odds of a Trump win in the upcoming US election. Emerging market stocks are headed for their worst monthly decline since January, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index falling for a fourth day on Thursday for a 3.1% decline this month. A select few EM stocks have taken the biggest hits, with Samsung, Alibaba, Tencent, and Meituan accounting for more than half of the index's fall. "There has been a significant change in investor sentiment, and investors' risk budgets have likely been changing as a function of that." Investors are also expressing disappointment in China's stimulus measures, which initially fueled a rally in EM stocks last month.

Persons: Trump, —, It's, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Harris Organizations: Trump, Service, Samsung, Citi Locations: China

But during that time, Netanyahu was soliciting input from Trump, the Republican nominee. Trump claimed during a rally in Georgia that Netanyahu had called him at least twice in recent days. Trump’s allies also privately played up the Netanyahu-Trump phone calls as demonstrating that Netanyahu is seriously eyeing the possibility of a Trump victory. Still, the Biden administration is publicly signaling it hopes to advance efforts to bring the hostages home and to end a war that is threatening to tarnish Biden’s foreign policy legacy. Both Qatar and Egypt have reengaged with the group, which has not publicly named a new leader.

Persons: Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, Netanyahu –, Biden, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, Trump, “ Bibi, ” Trump, “ We’re, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, “, Bibi, ”, Harris, stoke, Trump’s, Netanyahu didn’t, Biden demurred, ’, ” Biden, ” Blinken, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Sinwar, Khalil al, Khaled Mashal, Mousa Abu Marzook, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Trump, Republican, Democrat, White House, Netanyahu, East, Arab, CIA, Qatari Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Qatar, Doha, Washington , DC, Georgia, American, Washington, Michigan, Egypt

☆ The art market is in a correction as big spenders fade
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The number of wealthy collectors surveyed who plan to purchase art in the next year fell to 43% from over half in 2023. The median spending on art by wealthy collectors remains stable at around $50,000 a year, according to the survey. Higher interest rates also raised the opportunity cost of buying art, since wealthy collectors could earn an easy 5% or more from cash and Treasuries. Just as in the classic-car market, the art market is going through a generational shift that's created a mismatch between supply and demand. According to the survey, the high end of the art market, or works priced at $10 million or more, was the strongest before 2022.

Persons: Andy Warhol, Jean, Michel Basquiat, Wiktor, Robert Frank, Phillips, Bonhams, Paul Donovan, Xers, they're, Donovan, Gen Xers, Gen Organizations: Art Basel, UBS Survey, UBS Global Wealth Management, Art Basel Miami Beach, Dealers, UBS Locations: London, United Kingdom, Christie's, Sotheby's, New York, East, Ukraine, Europe, China

☆ As North Korea, Iran and China support Russia’s war, is a ‘new axis’ emerging?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The remains of an unidentified missile, which Ukrainian authorities claimed to be made in North Korea, is seen at a site of a Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine on January 2. China, Russia and Iran have also held four joint naval drills since 2019, and China is by far Iran’s largest energy buyer. Beijing also carefully manages its relationship with North Korea – which is almost wholly economically and diplomatically dependent on China. “Russia, North Korea, Iran is the type of grouping that China least wants to openly associate itself with,” said Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. An Iranian military boat patrols ahead of the start of a joint naval drill of Iran, Russia and China in the Indian Ocean in May.

Persons: They’ve, Lloyd Austin, George W, Bush’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, there’s, what’s, Bashar al, Assad, Israel –, Xi Jinping, Putin, Alex Gabuev, Sofiia Gatilova, Xi, Loup, “, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Sydney Seiler Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Korean, Moscow’s, US, North, West, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, China’s, National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Iranian Army, AP, UN, National Defense Strategy, NATO, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Tehran, China, Iran, North Korea, Washington, Europe, Pacific, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, Iraq, South Korea, Pyongyang, Syria, Beijing, Moscow, Berlin, Kharkiv, Kazan, Israel, Jean, South, Taiwan, “ Russia, ”, Iranian, Asia, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Asia, Sydney

☆ Oil prices edge higher, on track for 3% weekly gain
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices edged higher on Thursday, recouping some of the more than 1% losses from the previous session after U.S. crude inventories rose much more than estimated. Brent was on track for a 3.2% gain in the week, while WTI was set to rise 2.9%. Last week oil fell more than 7% on worries about Chinese demand and easing concerns about potential disruptions of Middle East oil supplies. Smaller-than-expected rate cuts will temper the reduction in borrowing costs, which in turn could affect economic activity and oil demand. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday and Hezbollah said it fired precision guided missiles for the first time at Israeli targets, keeping markets nervous about supply.

Persons: recouping, Brent, WTI Organizations: Brightoil Petroleum, Holdings, Brent, U.S, West Texas, U.S . Energy, Administration, Reserve Locations: Waidiao, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China, Israel, East, U.S, Washington, Iran

☆ Amazon Prime wants to help you save on gas
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Erika Tulfo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Prime members can now add “fuel discounts” to their ever-growing list of benefits. Members can avail themselves of the discount by linking their Amazon account to Earnify, a loyalty program app by BP. Amazon’s newest savings benefit could alleviate some of that potential grief for its over 184 million Prime subscribers. How Amazon is retaining its leadFuel and energy probably isn’t the first sector to come to mind when you think of Amazon, but analysts say that the recent inclusion of gas savings doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. “Other retailers are still playing catch up to Amazon, and Amazon wants to retain its lead,” Saunders said.

Persons: ”, Neil Saunders, Saunders, Wayfair’s, ” Saunders Organizations: CNN, Amoco, BP, GlobalData, Walmart, that’s, Target

☆ The world’s best bars for 2024 announced
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A two-level speakeasy in Mexico City’s hip Colonia Juarez neighborhood has been proclaimed the world’s best bar. Handshake Speakeasy clinched the title last night in Madrid, where a splashy awards ceremony was held by the World’s 50 Best association. The World’s 50 Best voters are a mix of industry professionals, including bartenders and food and drink writers. Named after a classic Japanese hairstyle, it was ranked the Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa this year. I also know it’s impossible to have everyone deserving of a place, mentioned on this list, so just keep doing the great things you are doing!”The world’s 50 best bars for 2024

Persons: Speakeasy, Hong Kong’s, ”, Barcelona’s, Singapore’s, Mimi Kakushi, Iain McPherson, Edinburgh’s, . McPherson, “ Congrats Organizations: CNN, El, Pony, Travelers, Mexico City, ., Scotland Locations: Mexico, Colonia Juarez, Madrid, Hong Kong’s Italian, Asia, London, Athens, Tokyo, Sydney, Lima, Shinjuku, Singapore, Rosewood, Connaught, Mayfair, Dubai, East, Africa, New York City, Buenos Aires

☆ Oil falls more than 1% on higher US crude stocks as market watches Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures dropped $1.08, or 1.42%, to close at $74.96 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures shed 97 cents, or 1.35%, to settle at $70.77 a barrel. "The large crude oil inventory build this week is offsetting the drop last week. Also pressuring oil prices, the dollar index rose on Wednesday to its highest since late July. The impact of the crude stocks build on prices was countered somewhat by persistent concerns over potential oil supply risk from conflict in the Middle East.

Persons: paring, Andrew Lipow, Antony Blinken's, Blinken, Yeap Jun Rong Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Energy Information Administration, Lipow Oil Associates, ING Locations: East, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Middle, U.S, Milton, Lebanese

☆ Israel’s war could set Gaza back 69 years, UN warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Isaac Yee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The impact of Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip could erase “over 69 years of progress” in the enclave, the United Nations has warned in a new report, saying that measurement for indicators such as life expectancy, education, income and standard of living are projected to drop to a level estimated for 1955. Israel launched a war on Hamas in Gaza on October 7 last year after the group attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. The Israeli offensive has killed more than 42,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry there, displaced most of its people and flattened large swathes of the enclave. The UN report, which looks at estimates for the Palestinian territories as a whole, says that over 4 million people in them were affected by poverty in 2024, including 2.6 million newly impoverished people. This brings the poverty rate to 74.3% across the Palestinian territories, according to the report.

Persons: ”, Achim Steiner, State Anthony Blinken, Mahmoud Abbas, Israel Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Programme, UNDP, State, State Department, Israel, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Palestinian, Israel

☆ Coca-Cola tops earnings estimates, as higher prices offset sluggish demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Coca-Cola on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts' expectations, thanks to a boost from higher prices that offset sluggish demand. Unit case volume fell 1% in the quarter, driven by weakening demand in some international markets. Consumer companies, including Coke, have reported in recent months that customers are more price sensitive, leading to sluggish demand for its products as prices remain high. Pepsi said volume for its North American beverage business fell 3% in its third quarter, fueled by weakening demand for energy drinks. Coke is projecting a low-single-digit headwind for comparable revenue and a mid-single-digit headwind for earnings per share.

Persons: Coke, Quincey Organizations: LSEG, Consumer, PepsiCo, Quaker Foods, Pepsi, CPI Locations: U.S, North America, Chico, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Pacific, China, Turkey, Latin America, Argentina

☆ Russia says it has no intention of abandoning Iran as it faces Israel's wrath
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Alexander Shcherbak | Afp | Getty ImagesThe Kremlin said it has no intention of abandoning Iran as it faces a widely-expected direct attack from Israel. He did not directly answer whether Iran had asked Russia for support against Israel. Peskov told CNBC that Russia "maintains a dialogue with all parties involved in the conflict in the Middle East." Russia and Iran's 'strategic' dealTo see just how Russia could look to support Iran, all eyes are now on the BRICS summit that's taking place in Kazan, southwestern Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) during their meeting, October 11, 2024, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian, Magtymguly, Alexander Shcherbak, Dmitry Peskov, Sergei Ilnitsky, Peskov, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ozcelik Organizations: Sputnik, Afp, Getty, Ukraine, CNBC, Kremlin, Google, Israel, Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS, Reuters, United, United Arab Emirates, Iran's, National Security Council, Middle, International Security, Royal United Services Institute, U.S, Global, UN Security Council Locations: Russian, Ashgabat, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Republic, Russia, Tehran, Moscow, Reuters Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab, Ukraine, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, what's, Turkmenistan

☆ Gold's record rally pauses due to stronger dollar, higher yields
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices surged to a record high on Wednesday as the conflicts in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. election spurred demand for safe-haven assets. Gold prices fell over 1% after hitting a record high on Wednesday, as a stronger dollar and a rise in U.S. Treasury yields countered support from safe-haven demand linked to the Nov. 5 U.S. election and Middle East war. Spot gold was down 1% to $2,721.12 per ounce as of 12:25 p.m. EDT (1410 GMT) after hitting a record high of $2,758.37 earlier in the session. However, gold could see the $2,800/oz level by the week's end on safe-haven demand, Haberkorn added. The dollar index rose 0.3% to near a three-month high, making gold less appealing for other currency holders, while U.S. bond yields climbed to a three-month high.

Persons: Bob Haberkorn, Haberkorn, Ole Hansen, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Organizations: Treasury, Saxo Bank, U.S, Republican, Reuters Locations: U.S

Here are six takeaways from Harris’ CNN town hall:Yes, Harris thinks Trump is a fascistHarris was asked Wednesday night if she considers Trump a fascist. “My administration will not be a continuation of the Biden administration,” Harris said. “There was a lot that was done (during the Biden administration), but there’s more to do,” Harris said. The vice president touted her work cracking down on hate crimes and called for new laws to deter future attacks. On Wednesday night, the vice president reprised that appeal – both in what she said and how she said it.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Republicans –, Trump, Hitler’s, Harris, “ He’s, ” Harris, ’, “, ”, Mark Milley, John Kelly, Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney, Donald Trump’s, Biden, ‘, ’ Harris, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, –, haven’t, Cooper, Harris hadn’t, Yahya Sinwar –, Hitler, Covid, Vladimir Putin, Harris ’, feverishly, “ Dick Cheney, “ doesn’t, what’s, jabbing, hasn’t, fracking, she’s, ” Cooper Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, Trump, Joint Chiefs of Staff, White House, Marine, —, Wyoming, Hamas, Democrats, Israel, Capitol, Trump GOP, GOP, wobbly Republicans Locations: Hitler’s Nazi, Pennsylvania, United States, Mexico, Israel, Gaza, America

☆ Nobody knows what Netanyahu’s endgame is
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The Israeli military has already withdrawn from the area twice after saying, both times, that it had crushed Hamas there. A drone fired over the weekend slipped through Israeli air defenses and struck Netanyahu’s beach house some 50 miles from the Lebanese border. Netanyahu’s reluctance to strike a ceasefire deal, even now after securing several military victories, has angered many in Israel. “Ending the Gaza war and the Lebanon war is not an option for his political partners in the coalition. Mahmoud sleem/Anadolu/Getty Images“Netanyahu knows that there is no bigger picture of victory afterwards, because both Sinwar and Nasrallah are dead.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, “, ’, ”, Bushinsky, Sinwar, …, ’ Netanyahu, Itamar Ben, Bezalel Smotrich, Gayil Talshir, we’ve, Talshir, Jack Gue3z, Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris’s, what’s, ” Talshir, Mahmoud sleem, “ Netanyahu, Nasrallah, Donald, Trump, he’ll Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israel, Hamas, CNN, Finance, Hebrew University, Getty, State Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Northern Gaza, Lebanese, Caesarea, Gaza . Aviv, Tel Aviv, AFP, Anadolu, Saudi, reemerge

CNN —Armed assailants launched a deadly “terror” attack on Turkey’s state-run aerospace company near the capital Ankara on Wednesday, government officials said. At least five people were killed and 22 injured in the “terrorist attack” on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters in the outskirts of Ankara, said Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The attack occurred while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in the Russian city of Kazan to attend the annual BRICS summit. Turkish Aerospace IndustriesTurkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “An attack on a major Turkish defense contractor, a public company, but also the crown jewel of Turkey’s defense industry, is going to be a huge trauma,” she said.

Persons: ”, Ali Yerlikaya, –, Cevdet Yılma, Yasar Guler, Guler, “, ” Yerlikaya, Mehmet Demiroglu, TUSAS, Ragip, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vladimir Putin, Erdogan, Mark Rutte, Mansur Yavas, Yilmaz Tunc, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, “ It’s, ” Aydıntaşbaş, Tal Rifa’at, Farhad Shami, Mazloum Abdî, Serdar Ozsoy, Kamiran Hassan, Asos, Ebubekir Şahin, Netblocks, Putin, ” Putin, Turkey “ Organizations: CNN, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkish, Turkish Defense, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, European Union, Social, Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party, Reuters, Anadolu, Turkey’s Ministry of Industry, Technology, TUSAS, Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, European Council, Foreign Relations, Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, ISIS –, of Communications Center, ” Broadcasters, Television Supreme, Facebook, YouTube, US State Department Locations: Ankara, Turkey, United States, Syria, Iraq, Ragip Soylu, Russian, Kazan, Turkish Aerospace Industries Turkey, Turkish, Kurdish, Kobani, Tal, Aleppo, Mawat, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq’s Kurdistan, Turkey’s

Consistent with U.S. policy, Harris has also declined to say whether she would use military force to defend Taiwan. Instead she emphasizes the importance of military communications with China and supporting Taiwan’s ability to defend itself. Tariff talkThough Trump talks far more about China on the campaign trail than Harris does, neither of them have said much about how they would manage ties with Beijing. Biden has maintained and in some cases expanded tariffs on Chinese imports that Trump introduced as president, citing national security concerns. If she wins, Harris is expected to continue Biden’s targeted tariffs and restrictions on key Chinese tech sectors.

Persons: Trump, Xi, Harris, Biden, Wu Xinbo, ” Organizations: Washington, Wall Street, United States ’, Beijing, Trump, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Center for American Studies, Fudan University, “, Asia Society Policy Institute Locations: Taiwan, China, Ukraine, Washington, Asia, Shanghai, U.S

TEL AVIV — Israeli officials are weighing an Egyptian proposal for a small-scale cease-fire deal with Hamas aimed at trying to build momentum for a larger agreement, an Israeli official told NBC News. Israel’s security cabinet has discussed the Egyptian proposal for a two-week truce in Gaza, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Egyptian proposal calls for the release of just six Israeli hostages in exchange, the official said. The Egyptian proposal was first reported by Axios. So the idea is to get the momentum going with a smaller deal,” the Israeli official said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Yahya Sinwar, Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, Axios, It’s, —, Raf Sanchez, Chantal Da Silva Organizations: TEL AVIV —, NBC News, U.S Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut, U.S, Tel Aviv, London

☆ Gold hovers near record high on safe-haven demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices rose on Tuesday and hovered near a record high hit in the previous session amid uncertainties around the U.S. election, ongoing Middle East tensions, and expectations of central banks' interest rate cuts. Gold prices rose on Tuesday and hovered near a record high hit in the previous session amid uncertainties around the U.S. election, ongoing Middle East tensions, and expectations of central banks' interest rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,729.91 per ounce by 0303 GMT. Gold hit its all-time high of $2,740.37 on Monday and has gained about 32% so far this year. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields rose to a 12-week high in the last session, while the U.S. dollar clung to a two-and-half-month high on Tuesday.

Persons: Yeap Jun Rong, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris Organizations: U.S, Fed, Citi Research Locations: tailwinds, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza

☆ Russia pushes 'new world order' agenda as it hosts beefed-up BRICS summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the BRICS Business Forum in Moscow, Russia October 18, 2024. Alexander Zemlianichenko | Via ReutersRussia is rolling out the red carpet to its geopolitical allies as it hosts the latest BRICS summit on Tuesday, pushing its agenda to create a "new world order" that challenges the West. Delegates listen on during the plenary session as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his remarks via video-link during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023. "The countries in our association are essentially the drivers of global economic growth. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (L) during their meeting, October 11, 2024, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexander Zemlianichenko, what's, Alet Pretorius, Putin, Michel Temer, Xi Jinping, Jacob Zuma, Narendra Modi, Wu Hong, Callum Fraser, Fraser, Russia's, Dmitry Peskov, Masoud Pezeshkian, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mahmoud Abbas, Antonio Guterres, It's, Masoud Organizations: Reuters, United Arab Emirates, America, U.S ., Afp, Getty, Tass, India's, CNBC, Royal United Services Institute, Global, Kremlin Locations: Moscow, Russia, Reuters Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Asia, Africa, U.S . Russian, U.S, West, Ukraine, Sandton, Johannesburg, South, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, U.N

☆ Economists see UK cutting interest rates more substantially as inflation pressures ease
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Mike Kemp | In Pictures | Getty ImagesLONDON — The U.K. is likely to see interest rates drop at a faster pace than previously expected, according to economists who flagged key data releases that indicated inflationary pressures are finally easing. However, economists at Goldman Sachs in a Monday note forecast rate cuts "notably below market pricing." As a result, they see consecutive 25 basis point cuts taking the Bank Rate to 3% as early as September 2025, and to 2.75% in November next year. "Recent data have cemented expectations of another cut in interest rates in November. "That said, uncertainty around the economic outlook is high, and interest rate expectations will be sensitive to what the government announces in the Budget," Muir added.

Persons: Mike Kemp, Goldman Sachs, BOE, Price, —, James Smith, Smith, David Muir, Muir, Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves Organizations: of England, Labour, Bank of England's, BOE policymakers, Bank of England, ING . Services, Reuters, International Energy Agency, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Moody's, Finance Locations: City of London, London, United Kingdom

☆ IMF: Global battle against inflation ‘largely won’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“It looks like the global battle against inflation has largely been won, even if price pressures persist in some countries,” the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook. The rosy outlook on consumer prices comes just weeks before the US election, with inflation a key issue for voters. While upside risks to inflation are receding around the world, threats to economic growth are multiplying, according to the IMF. The IMF sees the global economy expanding 3.2% this year, as it forecast in July. “Economic growth must come instead from ambitious domestic reforms that boost technology and innovation, improve competition and resource allocation, further economic integration and stimulate productive private investment,” it argued.

Persons: Downside Organizations: London CNN —, International Monetary Fund, IMF, US Consumer Locations: East, Europe, China, India

☆ The IMF just raised its growth forecast for the US economy this year — but expects a slowdown in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The International Monetary Fund raised its growth forecast for the US economy to 2.8% this year. AdvertisementThe International Monetary Fund raised its growth forecast for the US, projecting the world's largest economy would expand by 2.8% this year instead of the 2.6% it predicted in July. However, they predicted GDP growth would slow to 2.2% in 2025 as the US government curbs its spending and the labor market cools, sapping consumption. The IMF projected global growth of 3.2% in both 2024 and 2025, virtually unchanged from its previous prediction. They underscored their latest forecast for global growth over the next five years of 3.1% was "mediocre" compared with the pre-pandemic average.

Persons: — Organizations: Monetary Fund, IMF, Service, UN Locations: China, East, Central Asia, Africa, Asia

☆ Washington’s Arab allies engage with Iran as US efforts to stem Middle East violence falter
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Abu Dhabi, UAE CNN —Growing unease over the United States’ inability to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East is prompting some of Washington’s closest Arab allies to significantly increase engagement with its primary regional adversary: Iran. Arab nations that had spent decades brawling with Iran for regional influence are now opting to engage with it again. Despite seeing an opportunity to weaken Iran’s regional influence, Arab nations are now signaling neutrality. “The Gulf (Arab) monarchies’ priority is not to be directly involved in a proper regional conflagration. Still, regional states rely heavily on their military relationship with the US.

Persons: State Anthony Blinken, Yahya Sinwar, Israel, Blinken’s, Hassan Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh, Prince Mohamed bin Salman, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hitler, ”, Abbas Araghchi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah Al, ” Araghchi, Crown Prince Sabah, Cinzia Bianco, ” Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh, ” Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al, Hamad Al, ” Hasan Alhasan, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ” Anwar Gargash, Joe Biden’s, Abu, ” Bianco, Jake Sullivan Organizations: UAE CNN, State, Saudi Arabia’s, Iranian, Saudi, Bahraini, Crown, CNN, European Council, Foreign Relations, ” Kuwaiti Crown, Kuwait News Agency, Reuters, Middle, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Israeli, United Arab Emirates, US, US National, Atlantic Festival Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, United States, Washington’s, Iran, Republic, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Tehran, Riyadh, Tehran’s, Amman, Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, Cairo, Doha, Muscat, Manama, Crown Prince, Crown Prince Sabah Al, Sabah, Kuwait City, Islamic Republic, ” Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Washington, Yemen, China, Washington ,

☆ 2 of the world's biggest oil producers are looking for new ways to power their economies
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Oil prices ended down 7% last week and are lower this year-to-date, despite Middle East tensions. Oil prices have been depressed this year because China — the world's largest oil importer — is in a prolonged economic downturn. Last year, they each accounted for 11% of the world's oil supply. This means that Saudi Arabia is looking to corner a larger market share instead of targeting higher profit margins by restricting output. Advertisement"But the problem is when oil prices spike, it sends oil companies searching for temporarily profitable oil," he added, referring to the US shale boom as the most recent example.

Persons: —, Abishur Prakash, Prakash, Anton Siluanov, Matthew Huber, we're, Huber Organizations: Service, —, Financial Times, International Energy Agency, Brent, US West Texas, Syracuse University, Saudi, Trump, OPEC Locations: Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Toronto, Israel, Iran, Europe, OPEC

☆ Pam Kaur: HSBC names first female chief financial officer, unveils a major overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

A new leadership structure, which includes the appointment of Pam Kaur as the lender’s first female chief financial officer, would “unleash our full potential and drive success into the future,” CEO Georges Elhedery said in a memo to staff. The overhaul sees Elhedery tackle one of HSBC’s most intractable problems. HSBC (HSBC) did not say what the projected cost savings might be or indicate how many jobs would be affected, but more details could emerge when the bank reports third-quarter results on October 29. Kaur, 60, takes over as CFO having served as HSBC’s chief risk and compliance officer. She joined the bank in April 2013 as group head of internal audit.

Persons: London —, Pam Kaur, Georges Elhedery, Elhedery, ”, Ben Toms, Kaur, Colin Bell, Stephen Moss Organizations: London — HSBC, HSBC, RBC Capital Markets Locations: Hong Kong, London, United Kingdom, United States, France, Canada, Asia, Europe, East

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