The Swiss National Bank (SNB) reported a loss of 142.4 billion francs ($143 billion) for the first nine months as turmoil in global currency markets took a toll on the value of its foreign-exchange portfolio. The central bank’s foreign-currency positions resulted in a loss of 141 billion francs, and it also saw a valuation loss on its gold holdings and …

US financial institutions reported nearly $1.2 billion on likely ransomware-related payments last year, most commonly in response to breaches originating with Russian criminal groups, according to the Treasury Department. The payments more than doubled from 2020, underscoring the pernicious damage that ransomware continues to wreak on the private sector. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, said its analysis “indicates …

The naira slumped to a record low against the dollar on the widely used illegal market as Nigerians rushed to buy greenbacks a week after the central bank said it would redesign higher-value notes. Currency traders in the unauthorised parallel market offered as much as 830 naira per dollar in Lagos, said Umar Salisu, a bureau de change operator who …

European natural gas advanced again with traders focusing on weather forecasts, while outages at key facilities highlight the risk of potential winter shortages. Benchmark futures jumped as much as 10%, extending their rebound from losses earlier in the week, with temperatures dropping closer to seasonal levels after an unusually mild October. Some forecasts also point to colder-than-normal conditions in northwest …

Adani Enterprises Ltd., the flagship firm for billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, posted an almost 117% rise in quarterly profit, giving it more firepower to boost investments in numerous new businesses it’s nurturing. The Ahmedabad-based company reported a net income of 4.6 billion rupees ($55.5 million) for the quarter ended Septmeber 30, it said in a filing on Thursday, compared to …

President Emmanuel Macron wants to streamline rules to build new nuclear reactors faster as maintenance issues beset France’s aging atomic facilities and the energy crisis spurs the country to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. His government is seeking parliament’s approval for legislation that would reduce overall construction time by more than two years by speeding up the decision …

Barclays Plc has asked UK courts to shutter nearly 100 businesses in recent months as it seeks to recover money loaned under a government Covid-19 program that’s been blighted by fraud. The bank has sought winding-up petitions, which liquidate companies to pay debts, against at least 97 businesses since September, according to official records. The requests relate to loans of …

Credit Suisse Group AG’s long-term rating was downgraded by S&P Global Ratings to just one level above junk status, underscoring the bank’s challenges after it laid out a radical restructuring plan last week. The Swiss bank’s long-term rating was cut to BBB- from BBB, with a stable outlook. That’s just one notch above the BB “speculative grade.” The US ratings …

American Express Co. is joining the small but growing number of companies choosing to post salary ranges with job listings across the US, even where doing so isn’t required by law. The credit-card giant has pay included in postings for positions in New York City, ahead of a requirement that goes into effect for all companies with four or more …

Johnson & Johnson (J&J), one of the world’s biggest makers of medical devices, said it will purchase Abiomed Inc. for about $17.3 billion, building on its portfolio of technology to assist heart function. J&J will pay $380 a share in cash, according to a statement. That represents a premium of about 50% over Abiomed’s closing price, and is close to …