London / AFP Comments by Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen that an interest rate increase will likely be appropriate “relatively soon” gave a further shot in the arm to the dollar on Thursday. In testimony prepared for delivery to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, Yellen said a rate hike would be appropriate as long as there is further …

  DUBAI / Reuters Abu Dhabi’s banks were mixed in early trade on Thursday after soaring on Wednesday amid renewed speculation the government would merge more banks. Saudi banking shares were weak. Union National Bank lost 1.1 percent after jumping 12.3 percent on Wednesday. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank was flat after it gained 5.8 percent. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank pulled …

  Bloomberg Indonesia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged after six cuts this year, seeking to calm financial markets in the wake of Donald Trump’s upset victory in the US presidential election. Governor Agus Martowardojo and his board held the seven-day reverse repurchase rate at 4.75 percent on Thursday, in line with the forecasts of all but three …