April, 2019

• 2 April

  The world better get used to negative rates

  Today, around $10 trillion of bonds are trading at negative yields, mainly in Europe and Japan. In the next recession, US interest rates, too, may enter negative territory: Short-term rates are currently running around 2.5 percent, and cuts of between 3 percent and 5 percent are commonly needed to restart economic activity. In markets where rates are even lower or ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  The automobile industry is overdue some mega-mergers

  

  Love is in the air again among the world’s automotive manufacturers. The alliance of Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. aims to restart merger talks in 12 months before moving on to a takeover of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, the Financial Times reported last week. Peugeot-owner PSA Group is also looking to build a partnership with Fiat ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Thai impasse may send a wave of baht across Asia

  

  More than a week after Thailand’s first election in eight years, there’s still little clarity about the nation’s political future. The more frustrating that stalemate becomes, the bigger the incentive for Bangkok businesses to venture overseas. The March 24 polls, it seems, have solved nothing. If holding elections under a new constitution was supposed to lift politics from the streets ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Missing unicorns cast doubt on a Shanghai dream

  

  Where are the unicorns? China’s first batch of candidates for its version of the tech-focused Nasdaq is an uninspiring bunch. Nine companies have been vetted for listing on Shanghai’s Science and Technology Innovation Board, out of 19 that filed applications. They’re also tiny, planning to raise just $1.6 billion combined. That’s a fraction of the $5.4 billion Xiaomi Corp. took ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  US stocks extend losses; Treasuries resume rally

  

  Bloomberg US equities extended losses and European shares climbed as investors reassessed the strong rally that started the week. Treasuries resumed their charge higher, while the pound weakened after Britain’s parliament once again failed to reach a consensus on Brexit. The Dow was dragged down by Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc after lower pharmacy reimbrusements hurt earnings at the drugstore chain. ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Bitcoin surges as cryptocurrency market returns to life

  

  Bloomberg An abrupt surge in Bitcoin sent the world’s most popular cryptocurrency to the highest level since November, jolting the $160 billion market for digital assets after three months of calm. Traders struggled to pinpoint reasons for the rally, though some noted a flood fresh interest after Bitcoin breached the $4,200 level. The cryptocurrency briefly topped $5,000 and the value ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Bank of England asks shadow lenders on risk of downturn

  

  Bloomberg The Bank of England (BOE) has been meeting with direct lenders to gauge the industry’s resilience to slowing growth, according to two people familiar with the matter. At least two of the biggest UK private credit funds met separately with members of the central bank’s financial stability unit in the past month, said the people, who asked not to ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Goldman sees ‘big finish’ for Brexit, pound opportunity

  

  Bloomberg Britain’s pound presents the biggest opportunity within developed-market currencies with a probable break-the-Brexit logjam moment coming soon, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. “We’re coming to a big finish here,” Zach Pandl, Goldman’s co-head of global foreign exchange and emerging market strategy, said on Bloomberg Television after the UK Parliament again rejected all alternatives to Prime Minister Theresa May’s ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Denmark warns money launderers threaten banks

  Bloomberg Denmark’s financial watchdog is warning that smaller banks need to be on high alert for signs of money laundering as larger lenders tighten their surveillance systems. Jesper Berg, director general of the Financial Supervisory Authority in Copenhagen, said Denmark is concentrating on “building the lines of defense and having them stronger,” in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Denmark’s biggest ...

  Read More »
• 2 April

  Browder to appeal Swedbank decision

  

  Bloomberg The Hermitage Capital Management co-founder who’s become an activist in the fight against money laundering says Sweden’s decision not to pursue his case against Swedbank AB because of a statute of limitations won’t stop him seeking other avenues. Bill Browder, whose criminal complaints against Danske Bank A/S were followed by investigations in multiple jurisdictions, says the Swedish decision was ...

  Read More »