Bloomberg Oil fell for a fourth day, heading for the longest run of losses since March, on the threat to demand from the delta coronavirus variant. West Texas Intermediate futures declined 0.5% after losing almost 3% over the previous three sessions. US gasoline consumption fell for a third week, according to a survey by Descartes Labs, while data from China …

NEW DELHI / WAM India has launched a series of competitions to popularise Expo 2020 Dubai as its preparations gather steam for participation in the world exposition in just over six weeks. “The main purpose of these competitions is to amplify the core message of the Dubai World Expo: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” according to an overview of the …

Bloomberg Wall Street has been predicting that the pandemic-fuelled boom in Americans fixing up their homes would fizzle as the economy reopened. But it hasn’t so far and could be entering a new phase that prolongs growth. Home Depot Inc and Lowe’s Cos have benefited from homeowners taking on do-it-yourself projects in droves, with the retail giants combining to add …

Bloomberg Walmart Inc is looking to hire a cryptocurrency expert to develop a blockchain strategy, joining a growing number of major corporations exploring the viability of digital currencies such as Bitcoin. The position will be responsible for “developing the digital currency strategy and product roadmap” and identifying “crypto-related investment and partnerships,” according to a job posting on the retail giant’s …

Bloomberg What’s left of Venezuela’s manufacturing sector has survived government expropriations, frequent blackouts, a currency collapse and equipment shortages. But now there’s another threat: competition from imported versions of the companies’ own products. Shops across Venezuela stock Mexican-made Oreo cookies right next to the locally produced version. Kraft Heinz Co’s mayonnaise is being imported from Brazil and the US, even …

Bloomberg UK retailers reported their slowest sales growth in five months during July as consumers shifted toward spending on entertainment and social gatherings and away from in-store shopping. The volume of goods sold in shops and online grew 6.4% in July compared to last year, the British Retail Consortium and KPMG said. A separate survey from Barclaycard showed more money …

Bloomberg The recent flood of US regional bank deals may be drying up. After announcing $76 billion in mergers and acquisitions so far this year — the most since 2008 — US lenders are now running out of potential partners, according to executives and investment bankers. Fewer buyers exist following takeovers by Citizens Financial Group Inc, PNC Financial Services Group …

Bloomberg Goldman Sachs Group Inc’s asset-management division hired Maria Vassalou, who most recently ran her own firm and spent years at Perella Weinberg Partners, to help manage funds at a $200 billion unit. Vassalou is the deputy chief investment officer at Goldman’s multi-asset solutions group, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing personnel …

Bloomberg The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it will continue to review its bond-buying program based on economic conditions and the health situation as the nation faces lockdowns to combat the delta variant of coronavirus. “The board would be prepared to act in response to further bad news on the health front should that lead to a more significant …

Bloomberg The National Bank of Ethiopia asked all commercial banks to temporarily suspend providing loans backed by collateral, such as land and buildings. The NBE’s directive follows findings that the money is being used on the black market, State Minister for Finance, Eyob Tekalign, said on Shefer FM radio. The security authorities and the central bank are taking action as …