WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund's executive board will intensify its probe of Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva this week by separately interviewing her and investigators who said she pressured World Bank staff to alter data to favor China, people with knowledge of the meetings said.
Regional natural gas markets in the United
States are seeing prices for this winter surge along with global
record highs - suggesting that the energy bills causing
headaches in Europe and Asia will hit the world's top gas
producer before long.
Hopson Development
plans to acquire around 51% of China Evergrande's property
services unit for more than HK$40 billion ($5
billion), China's Global Times newspaper said on Monday, citing
unnamed media reports.
Indian shares rose on Monday,
as pharma stocks led a broad-based advance and the country's top
energy generator NTPC rose on reports of an initial public
offering for three of its units.
Japanese shares reversed early
gains on Monday as caution ahead of the formation of a new
government and lingering worries over the China Evergrande debt
crisis outweighed positive sentiment stemming from a strong Wall
Street finish last week.
Asian shares dipped on Monday as
concerns about China's property sector and inflation worries
offset upbeat U.S. data and positive news on new drugs to fight
the coronavirus.
The dollar found support just
below last week's peaks on Monday as renewed concerns about
China's property sector and looming U.S. labour data put
investors in a cautious mood.
The greenback scaled a 14-month high on the euro and a
19-month top on the yen last week as markets reckoned U.S.
interest rates could rise ahead of global peers.
Shares in embattled developer China Evergrande
were halted in Hong Kong without any immediate rea
The following table shows rates for Asian
currencies against the dollar at 0212 GMT.
Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move
Japan yen 110.960 111.05 +0.08
Sing dlr 1.357 1.3563 -0.08
Taiwan dlr 27.839 27.882 +0.15
Baht 33.690 33.62 -0.21
Peso 50.730 50.73 0.00
Rupiah 14300.000 14305 +0.03
Rupee 74.115 74.115 0.00
Ringgit 4.174 4.178
(Reuters) -European stocks slumped to their lowest in two months on Friday, as warnings from companies and factory activity data highlighted the economic headwinds from supply-chain constraints and elevated prices.
BofA Global Reseach has cut its outlook for European stocks, predicting a decline of nearly 10% by year-end given a shift in the macro backdrop towards "anti-goldilocks", where slowing growth is accompanied by higher discount rates.
European stock futures sank over 1% on
Friday following Wall Street's losses overnight, while factory
data from Asia underscored worries about slowing economic growth
and rising inflation.
(Reuters) -European stocks ended flat on Thursday as declines in travel and leisure limited gains in miners, while ending the month with falls of over 3% on worries about a slowing global economy and higher inflation.
European stocks rose on Thursday,
extending gains after a bruising sell-off earlier this week as
lingering worries about slowing global economic growth and
higher inflation put the main markets on course for a monthly
drop.
(Reuters) -European stocks rose on Wednesday after one of the worst market routs this year as AstraZeneca lifted healthcare stocks on a deal to buy a rare disease drugmaker, while chip equipment producer ASM gained on an upbeat earnings forecast.
European stocks steadied on Wednesday
after one of the worst market routs this year, with investors
turning to defensive healthcare stocks amid lingering concerns
about growth and inflation.
The dollar eased from last
week's peaks on Monday as encouraging trial results for a
COVID-19 pill supported risk appetite, but investors remained
cautious ahead of central bank meetings in Australia and New
Zealand as well as U.S. labour data this week.
The euro crept back above $1.16, and was up 0.1%
at $1.1606, a recovery from last week's 14-month low of $1.1563.
The yen has also bounced from a 19-month low and was
similarly up 0.1% in Asia trade at 110.92 per dollar.
Sterling, the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar
all edged higher in early trade, extending late-week gains.
"Whether it follows through or not, I don't know," said
Westpac analyst Imre Speizer on the phone from Christchurch.
"I'd say there could still be more downside and that would
prop up the U.S. dollar and Aussie and kiwi would fall a little
bit further," he said, with sentiment in the driver's set.
In the week ahead, the Reserve Bank of Australia meets on
Tuesday and is expected to keep policy steady. Across the
Tasman, a 25 basis point hike from the Reserve Bank of New
Zealand on Wednesday is priced in.
And on Friday, U.S. labour data is expected to show
continued improvement in the job market, with a forecast for
460,000 jobs to have been added in September - enough to keep
the Federal Reserve on course to begin tapering before year's
end.
Sterling rose 0.25% to $1.3568, a third consecutive
session in the green after a sharp drawdown last week when
traders shrugged off hawkish central bank rhetoric to focus on a
sour outlook and the risk of both higher rates and inflation.
"Investors are judging the UK by its whole suite of
fundamentals factors and movements in sterling suggest that many
are not liking what they are seeing," said Rabobank strategist
Jane Foley, as the currency erases early 2021 gains.
"The UK no longer has an advantage on the vaccine
front...and, while PM (Boris) Johnson likes to view Brexit as
'done', many businesses and commentators are only just starting
to evaluate its impact."
The Australian dollar was up 0.1% to $0.7273 and
kiwi was marginally firmer at $0.6952.
Economists polled by Reuters expect the cash rate on hold in
Australia until at least 2024, as the RBA has been insisting it
will be.
Swaps markets show a 97% probability of a rate hike in New
Zealand on Wednesday and a 96% chance of another one in
November.
Traders likewise think that it will take a lot to derail the
Fed from its tapering track, but steadying Treasury yields along
the curve points to some risk to the timing.
"The question is whether there is a number that alters the
Fed's view on tapering its bond purchases in November, and what
a really weak or hot number means amid the backdrop of rising
stagflation fears," said Pepperstone's head of research, Chris
Weston.
"If U.S. treasuries find further buyers this week into
Friday's U.S. non-farm payrolls, the dollar may go on sale this
week."
========================================================
Currency bid prices at 0043 GMT
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Euro/Dollar $1.1606 $1.1594 +0.11% -5.00% +1.1614 +1.1590
Dollar/Yen 110.9000 111.0300 -0.09% +7.40% +111.0150 +110.9300
Euro/Yen <EURJPY=EB 128.71 128.75 -0.03% +1.41% +128.8600 +128.6800
S>
Dollar/Swiss 0.9296 0.9307 -0.15% +5.04% +0.9301 +0.9293
Sterling/Dollar 1.3566 1.3543 +0.20% -0.67% +1.3577 +1.3543
Dollar/Canadian 1.2637 1.2643 -0.06% -0.77% +1.2643 +1.2614
Aussie/Dollar 0.7270 0.7268 +0.03% -5.49% +0.7283 +0.7250
NZ 0.6934 0.6943 -0.09% -3.41% +0.6952 +0.6935
Dollar/Dollar
All spots
Tokyo spots
Europe spots
Volatilities
Tokyo Forex market info from BOJ
(Reporting by Tom Westbrook.
Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
President Tayyip Erdogan said on
Sunday Turkey had ordered agricultural cooperatives to open
about 1,000 new markets across the country to provide "suitable"
prices for consumer goods in the face of nearly 20% annual
inflation.
Bitcoin rose
on Friday to its highest level since around mid-September,
bolstered in part by seasonal factors as well as supportive
comments overall from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome
Powell on Thursday.
Global shares bounced in
volatile trading on Friday with debate over the timing of future
interest rate rises on both sides of the Atlantic intensified by
euro zone inflation jumping to a 13-year high.
The dollar fell for a second straight session on Friday, tracking declines
in U.S. Treasury yields, as investors booked profits after recent sharp gains, though the decline was viewed
as temporary.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields were last at 1.484%, down nearly six basis points.
For the week, the dollar index posted its largest percentage gain since late August, as investors looked
to the Federal Reserve's reduction of asset purchases in November and a possible rate hike late next year.
Cautious market sentiment due to COVID-19 concerns, wobbles in China's growth and a Washington gridlock
ahead of a looming deadline to lift the U.S. government's borrowing limit has lent support to the dollar,
seen as a safe-haven asset.
"The more hawkish stance appears to have been the key factor driving the dollar higher in late
September," said Marc Chandler, chief market strategist, at Bannockburn Global Forex.
"However, more immediately, fiscal policy is the focus, though investors appear to be looking through
it, as many find it inconceivable that the U.S. would default on its debt," he added.
In afternoon trading, the dollar index slid 0.3% to 94.046, having gained 0.8% this week, the
largest weekly rise since late August.
Friday's batch of U.S. data was mixed, adding to dollar weakness ahead of the weekend.
U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in August, posting a 0.8% rise, but consumption was
weaker than initially thought in July, dipping 0.1% instead of gaining 0.3%.
Inflation remained elevated, but not by much. Core inflation as measured by the personal consumption
expenditures (PCE) price index, excluding the volatile food and energy components, was up 0.3% in August,
unchanged from previous month.
In manufacturing, data was more upbeat. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of
national factory activity increased to a reading of 61.1 last month from 59.9 in August.
In other currencies, the euro rose 0.1% to $1.1595, falling about 1.1% for the week, its
biggest percentage fall since mid-June.
The yen bounced back against the dollar from a 19-month low overnight, with the greenback last
down 0.2% at 111.105 yen.
Commodity currencies rallied against the U.S. dollar on Friday as well.
The Australian dollar gained 0.6% to US$0.7270 and slumped 3.6% in the third quarter - the
worst performance of any G10 currency against the dollar - as prices for Australia's top export, iron ore,
fell sharply.
Sterling was also an underperformer last quarter, dropping 2.5%, and posting its worst week in more than
a month, amid growing supply chain problems.
Sterling was last up 0.6% though at $1.3552, just above a 9-month low at $1.3516.
In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin rallied to a nearly two-week high of just under $48,000. It was last up
9.4% at $47,902. Analysts cited seasonal factors, with the fourth quarter typically viewed as a
bullish period for digital assets.
Smaller coins ether and XRP, which tend to move in tandem with bitcoin, were up
nearly 10% at $3,294 and 8.2% at $1.0299, respectively.
========================================================
Currency bid prices at 3:17PM (1917 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index 94.0370 94.3120 -0.29% 4.508% +94.3950 +93.9850
Euro/Dollar $1.1596 $1.1578 +0.16% -5.09% +$1.1607 +$1.1564
Dollar/Yen 111.0950 111.2800 -0.16% +7.53% +111.4850 +110.9050
Euro/Yen 128.82 128.82 +0.00% +1.50% +129.0400 +128.5600
Dollar/Swiss 0.9305 0.9317 -0.11% +5.19% +0.9337 +0.9283
Sterling/Dollar $1.3555 $1.3477 +0.59% -0.78% +$1.3575 +$1.3434
Dollar/Canadian 1.2633 1.2685 -0.41% -0.79% +1.2738 +1.2628
Aussie/Dollar $0.7271 $0.7227 +0.62% -5.48% +$0.7276 +$0.7193
Euro/Swiss 1.0791 1.0784 +0.06% -0.15% +1.0808 +1.0773
Euro/Sterling 0.8554 0.8593 -0.45% -4.29% +0.8623 +0.8545
NZ $0.6946 $0.6897 +0.72% -3.26% +$0.6951 +$0.6879
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway 8.6125 8.7400 -1.41% +0.35% +8.7820 +8.6160
Euro/Norway 9.9891 10.1205 -1.30% -4.57% +10.1728 +9.9867
Dollar/Sweden 8.7412 8.7585 -0.08% +6.66% +8.7878 +8.7392
Euro/Sweden 10.1379 10.1460 -0.08% +0.61% +10.1755 +10.1374
(Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Additional reporting by Ritvik Carvalho in London; Editing by Nick
Macfie, Chizu Nomiyama and David Evans)
Global shares bounced in
volatile trading Friday with debate over the timing of future
interest rate rises on both sides of the Atlantic intensified by
euro zone inflation jumping to a 13-year high.
The dollar fell for a second straight session on Friday, tracking
declines in U.S. Treasury yields, as investors pared back their positions after recent sharp gains, though
the decline was viewed as temporary.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields were last at 1.484%, down four basis points.
For the week, the dollar index was on track for its largest percentage gain since late August, as
investors looked to the Federal Reserve's reduction of asset purchases in November and a possible rate hike
late next year.
"The Fed in no uncertain terms has turned hawkish at the September meeting. They have also raised the
inflation forecast, which is actually above consensus expectations, which tells you that they are probably
more nervous about inflation than they let on," said Mazen Issa, senior FX strategist, at TD Securities in
New York.
"We expect Treasury yields to rise further and within that we expect real yields to do the heavy lifting
and that's notable for the dollar. It will certainly be a U.S.-led real rates back-up, which should be
dollar-positive."
Cautious market sentiment due to COVID-19 concerns, wobbles in China's growth and a Washington gridlock
ahead of a looming deadline to lift the U.S. government's borrowing limit has lent support to the dollar,
seen as a safe-haven asset.
In mid-morning trading, the dollar index slipped 0.3% to 94.047, having gained 0.8% this week,
the largest weekly rise since late August.
Friday's batch of U.S. data was mixed, adding to weakness in the dollar ahead of the weekend.
U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in August, posting a 0.8% rise, but consumption was
weaker than initially thought in July, dipping 0.1% instead of gaining 0.3%.
Inflation remained elevated, but not by much. Core inflation as measured by the personal consumption
expenditures (PCE) price index, excluding the volatile food and energy components, was up 0.3% in August,
unchanged from previous month.
In manufacturing, data was more upbeat. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of
national factory activity increased to a reading of 61.1 last month from 59.9 in August.
In other currencies, the euro was flat at $1.1587, falling about 1.1% for the week, on pace
for its biggest percentage fall since June.
The yen bounced back against the dollar from a 19-month low overnight, with the greenback last
down 0.3% at 110.98 yen.
Commodity currencies rallied against the dollar on Friday.
The Australian dollar gained 0.5% to US$0.7266 and slumped 3.6% in the third quarter - the
worst performance of any G10 currency against the dollar - as prices for Australia's top export, iron ore,
fell sharply.
Sterling was also an underperformer last quarter, dropping 2.5%, and looks set to log its worst week in
more than a month, amid growing supply chain problems.
Sterling was last up 0.6% at $1.3560, just above a 9-month low at $1.3516.
========================================================
Currency bid prices at 11:14AM (1514 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index 94.0670 94.3120 -0.24% 4.541% +94.3950 +93.9850
Euro/Dollar $1.1595 $1.1578 +0.15% -5.09% +$1.1607 +$1.1564
Dollar/Yen 111.0800 111.2800 -0.18% +7.51% +111.4850 +110.9050
Euro/Yen 128.76 128.82 -0.05% +1.45% +129.0400 +128.5600
Dollar/Swiss 0.9302 0.9317 -0.16% +5.14% +0.9337 +0.9283
Sterling/Dollar $1.3549 $1.3477 +0.54% -0.83% +$1.3570 +$1.3434
Dollar/Canadian 1.2665 1.2685 -0.11% -0.49% +1.2738 +1.2645
Aussie/Dollar $0.7260 $0.7227 +0.46% -5.62% +$0.7274 +$0.7193
Euro/Swiss 1.0784 1.0784 +0.00% -0.21% +1.0808 +1.0773
Euro/Sterling 0.8557 0.8593 -0.42% -4.25% +0.8623 +0.8547
NZ $0.6933 $0.6897 +0.48% -3.50% +$0.6944 +$0.6879
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway 8.6285 8.7400 -1.24% +0.52% +8.7820 +8.6285
Euro/Norway 10.0062 10.1205 -1.13% -4.40% +10.1728 +10.0077
Dollar/Sweden 8.7635 8.7585 +0.14% +6.92% +8.7878 +8.7392
Euro/Sweden 10.1603 10.1460 +0.14% +0.85% +10.1755 +10.1403
========================================================
Currency bid prices at 11:14AM (1514 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index 94.0670 94.3120 -0.24% 4.541% +94.3950 +93.9850
Euro/Dollar $1.1595 $1.1578 +0.15% -5.09% +$1.1607 +$1.1564
Dollar/Yen 111.0800 111.2800 -0.18% +7.51% +111.4850 +110.9050
Euro/Yen 128.76 128.82 -0.05% +1.45% +129.0400 +128.5600
Dollar/Swiss 0.9302 0.9317 -0.16% +5.14% +0.9337 +0.9283
Sterling/Dollar $1.3549 $1.3477 +0.54% -0.83% +$1.3570 +$1.3434
Dollar/Canadian 1.2665 1.2685 -0.11% -0.49% +1.2738 +1.2645
Aussie/Dollar $0.7260 $0.7227 +0.46% -5.62% +$0.7274 +$0.7193
Euro/Swiss 1.0784 1.0784 +0.00% -0.21% +1.0808 +1.0773
Euro/Sterling 0.8557 0.8593 -0.42% -4.25% +0.8623 +0.8547
NZ $0.6933 $0.6897 +0.48% -3.50% +$0.6944 +$0.6879
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway 8.6285 8.7400 -1.24% +0.52% +8.7820 +8.6285
Euro/Norway 10.0062 10.1205 -1.13% -4.40% +10.1728 +10.0077
Dollar/Sweden 8.7635 8.7585 +0.14% +6.92% +8.7878 +8.7392
Euro/Sweden 10.1603 10.1460 +0.14% +0.85% +10.1755 +10.1403
(Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss in New York and Ritvik Carvalho in London; Additional reporting by
Tom Westbrook in Singapore and Anushka Trivedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Nick Macfie, Chizu Nomiyama and
David Evans)
The Afghan central bank
ran down most of its U.S. dollar cash reserves in the weeks
before the Taliban took control of the country, according to an
assessment prepared for Afghanistan's international donors,
exacerbating the current economic crisis.
Global money managers have pumped
a combined $13.3 billion into Chinese equities funds over the
past five weeks, data shows, despite the concerns over property
giant China Evergrande's future and rising regulatory pressure
from Beijing.
Global shares remained
under pressure on Friday with debate over the timing of future
interest rate rises on both sides of the Atlantic intensified by
euro zone inflation jumping to a 13-year high.