A decline in new Covid infections, along with improving economic data and stimulus hopes, could boost stocks that flourish in a resurging economy in the week ahead. In the past week, expectations for a strong economic rebound helped boost interest rates. While the broader stock market was choppy, sectors that do well in a rebound – […] Read more
Fitch Ratings raised its forecast this week for China’s economic growth next year, based on increased domestic demand and expectations for coronavirus vaccine deployment. Fitch now expects China’s gross domestic product to expand 8% in 2021, up from the 7.7% rate forecast in September. “This would be well above our estimate of China’s long-term growth […] Read more
There’s further economic pain ahead for European countries as France and Germany announce new nationwide lockdowns and other governments consider doing the same. The latest measures to address the second wave of Covid-19 infections in Europe could lead to higher unemployment, the permanent closure of many businesses and even more national debt. “Scarring will occur […] Read more
The forthcoming U.S. election matters not only for the American people and the country’s economy; the outcome of the vote in November will also have a significant impact across the Atlantic. Europe’s financial markets and economic prospects will be affected by whoever enters (or remains) in the White House after the vote, according to economists […] Read more
The South African rand will see a significant appreciation against the U.S. dollar by the end of the year, as much of the macroeconomic risk facing the country is already priced in, according to Absa CIB Head of Currency Strategy Mike Keenan. The currency plummeted in late March as the coronavirus began to spread throughout the world, sending riskier markets […] Read more
British financial technology firm Revolut said its losses more than tripled in 2019, despite a surge in revenues and customer numbers. The London-based start-up, which offers banking and trading services through an app, posted a total loss of £106.5 million ($139.6 million) for the year ending December 31, up from £32.9 million in 2018. That […] Read more
Huawei could be banned from participating in India’s 5G network rollout, just months after it was given the green light to participate in the country’s trials for the technology. It comes after the Indian government said it would block 59 Chinese apps such as TikTok and WeChat, claiming they were a threat to national security. As […] Read more
A lawsuit filed in a New York court against Credit Libanais and two smaller banks is alleging that all three banks, separately, have issued bad checks and misrepresented their situation. At the time of the lawsuit, the plaintiffs had $5.4 million on deposit at Credit Libanais, $7.5 million at BLC Bank, and $5.8 million at […] Read more
Dubai property developer Nakheel has cut salaries by as much as half as the pandemic hits Dubai property developers and mall owners. The salary cuts took effect from April 1 and varied according to employee grades the developer said in a statement to Arab News. Earlier Reuters reported the job cuts and the departure of […] Read more
U.S. rate-setters could set negative interest rates in the future, despite their own current doubts about the risks of this unconventional measure. When central bankers implement negative interest rates, it means that banks, for instance, are paying to store cash. The idea behind it is to boost bank lending, push capital out to businesses, and […] Read more
