Bloomberg Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker Jim Donovan is the front-runner to be President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for undersecretary of domestic finance, according to a person familiar with the decision. He’d be the fourth appointee with close ties to the investment bank tapped to serve in the administration. If chosen and confirmed, he would be responsible for coordinating policies ...
Read More »Will OPEC deliver its output cut deal?
Bloomberg The promise of production cuts from OPEC and its partners sent oil rallying in 2016. Now traders want proof they’re delivering on those vows. It won’t come easy. The challenge: Building a coherent picture from the morass of data that emerges at each step along the process, from the wellheads where the oil is produced, to the tankers ...
Read More »January cold blast to boost gas prices
Bloomberg Colder-than-normal weather in Europe may this month bring snow to the region’s pistes and increase energy demand and prices. High pressure will keep temperatures below normal levels, particularly in eastern Europe, according to seven forecasters surveyed by Bloomberg News. Europe’s popular ski resorts in the Alps will have “significant†snowfall after a drought in December, according to Tyler ...
Read More »Statoil boosts exploration amid cheapest drilling in years
Bloomberg Statoil ASA, one of many international oil companies to slash spending during crude’s collapse, is increasing exploration for the first time since 2013 as cost cuts and lower fees from squeezed suppliers allow it to get more work done for less. Statoil plans about 30 exploration wells as an operator or partner in 2017, up from 23 last ...
Read More »Canada rules out arctic oil drilling extensions for Exxon, BP
Bloomberg The Canadian government says it won’t grant extensions to exploration licenses for Exxon Mobil Corp., BP Plc and other oil firms as it prepares for consultations over the impact of an Arctic drilling moratorium. The companies hold leases that expire over the next six years, totaling C$1.9 billion ($1.4 billion) in bids. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. ...
Read More »India’s strategic sales plan puts jobs at stake
Bloomberg India’s plans to sell the government’s stake in several poorly performing companies have prompted trade union threats of a nationwide strike, laying out a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the lead up to crucial state elections. With thousands of jobs potentially at risk, the government’s decision to offload a number of companies to the private sector ...
Read More »Baidu joins BAIC as China pushes for homegrown driverless cars
Bloomberg Baidu Inc. and state-owned Beijing Automotive Group Co.’s collaboration on telematics and autonomous driving is almost ready for its coming-out moment, as industry and government join hands for a self-driving vehicle push within China. A BAIC-built model equipped with Baidu tech will debut in April at the Shanghai auto show, BAIC Chairman Xu Heyi said in interview Friday ...
Read More »China to boost scrutiny of foreign currency purchases
Bloomberg China plans to step up its monitoring of how citizens use their annual quota for changing yuan into foreign currencies, according to four people familiar with the matter. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange was required extra documentation for people seeking to sell yuan, while keeping each person’s annual $50,000 allowance unchanged, said the people, who asked not ...
Read More »Lobster prices soar as catch drops and China imports climb
AP Lobster lovers are used to adjusting to high prices, but this winter, they’re shelling out even more for the cherished crustaceans because of a lack of catch off of New England and Canada and heavy exports to China. Winter is typically a slow season for U.S. lobster fishermen and an active one off Atlantic Canada. But catch is ...
Read More »Serendipitous jobs, trade data help Canada shake off doldrums
Bloomberg Canada is turning the page on the oil crash. From trade numbers to jobs to the stock market, evidence is beginning to mount the commodity producing nation is emerging from a lingering slump, after struggling through a cocktail of hurt that included collapsing oil prices, slow global growth and an aging population. Data showed the country recorded its ...
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