Institutions shift to exchange-traded funds as futures grow costly

NEW YORK, July 29 (Reuters) - Institutional investors, like endowments and sovereign wealth funds, are trading some of their stock futures contracts for exchange-traded funds, an action they say saves them money and effort while providing comparable returns.

Global Holdings of Indian Bonds Jump to a Record as Limits Eased

Global holdings of Indian bonds surged to a record after the nation eased investment rules for foreigners buying government notes last week.

Ireland to give green light for hedge funds to lend

(Reuters) - Ireland, one of the biggest hubs for funds in Europe, will allow hedge funds based in the country to lend to companies under new rules drawn up by the central bank, the bank said.

Lloyds Banking Nears Libor Settlement With Regulators

Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY) said it’s nearing a settlement with regulators on fines following the manipulation of key benchmark interest rates such as Libor.

China's bad loan ratio rises, adding to bank sector worries

(Reuters) - Chinese banks' bad loan ratio rose to 1.08 percent at the end of June from 1.04 percent in March, the banking regulator said on Friday, adding to concerns a slow economy and cooling property market could weigh on banks and brew up financial risks.

World’s Biggest Wealth Fund Among Reach Energy Investors

Malaysia’s Reach Energy Bhd. has attracted investors including Norway’s $890 billion sovereign wealth fund in an initial public offering to fund its acquisitions of oil and gas fields.

IMF predicts Britain's GDP growth rate will surge to 3.2% by year end

The International Monetary Fund has raised its forecast for Britain's economic growth rate for the second time this year.

Hedge Fund Dromeus Turns Greek Tragedy to Triumph With 160% Gain

Dromeus Capital Management SA is turning Greek tragedy into triumph.

Argentina asks U.S. judge to put debt payment order on hold

(Reuters) - Argentina asked a U.S. judge on Monday to put on hold an order requiring it to pay bondholders who did not participate in debt restructurings following the country's 2002 default, while it seeks a "global resolution."

Reforming Egypt's black market - high hurdles, big rewards

(Reuters) - The economist behind a plan to unlock at least $380 billion worth of assets from Egypt's black market says President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi must first restore another asset that has depreciated over the years: the trust of a wary public.

Dollar Rallies Most in 8 Weeks on Fed, Ukraine Turmoil

A dollar gauge rallied the most in eight weeks as the Federal Reserve acknowledged surprise in the improvement in the U.S. labor market and amid heightened geopolitical turmoil.

UK first-time home-buyers reach highest level since 2007

(Reuters) - The number of first-time homebuyers in Britain hit its highest level since the start of the financial crisis in the first half of 2014, helped by the recovering economy and policies such as Help to Buy, a survey showed on Saturday.

EU Banks Seen Bowing to U.S. on Russia Bans as Fines Rise

European banks, contending with escalating U.S. fines for sanctions violations, will likely bow to fresh bans imposed by the U.S. on financing Russian companies as the risks of dealing with the nation mount.

Rising employment fails again to boost wages

Unemployment fell last month as Britain's economy added jobs at an unprecedented pace, according to official figures. But the recovery failed to lift wages by more than a fraction, leaving workers suffering another real-terms cut in living standards.

BRICS aim to set up infrastructure fund, Russian investment fund says

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian Direct Investment Fund together with sovereign wealth funds from its peers among the BRICS developing nations aim to form a joint fund to invest in infrastructure projects, the RDIF said on Tuesday.

U.S. CBO forecasts 2039 public debt at 106 percent of GDP

(Reuters) - U.S. public debt remains on an unsustainable path and will reach 106 percent of economic output in 25 years versus about 74 percent currently, the Congressional Budget Office said on Tuesday, marking a slight increase from projections made last September.

No plan to set up sovereign wealth fund for now: Mayaram

New Delhi, July 12: India is not looking to set up any sovereign wealth fund (SWF) for now, the Finance Secretary, Arvind Mayaram has said.

GIC Said to Have Backed Out of Lone Star’s Tokyo Property Sale

GIC Pte, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, backed out of buying a Tokyo property from Lone Star Funds, according to people familiar with the transaction.

S&P raises Ukraine's outlook as IMF bailout boosts economy

(Reuters) - Standard & Poor's revised its outlook on Ukraine to stable from negative, saying that the International Monetary Fund program adopted in April has helped improve the economic situation in the country.

Yemen government curbs travel, recruitment in austerity drive

DUBAI, July 10 (Reuters) - Yemen's president has ordered a raft of austerity steps, including a review of state-owned companies' viability and curbs on foreign travel by government officials, to ease pressure on the impoverished state's crumbling public finances.

Bank of England expected to keep interest rates on hold

Interest rates are expected to remain on hold on Thursday as policymakers weigh up the mounting arguments for a first change in more than five years.

Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund Adds Stocks in Europe to South Africa

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds, said internal money managers allocated more assets to European and South African equities last year.

Temasek Invests in Health-Care, Consumer Firms to Tap New Growth

Temasek Holdings Pte is increasing investments in consumer, technology and health-care companies as Singapore’s state-investment firm becomes less reliant on financial assets.

Euro stragglers may be tempted to borrow their troubles away

If, faced with a turbulent decade for family finances, you could fix the interest rate on your massive mortgage debt at 3.5-4 percent for the next 10 years, you might well be tempted to grab it with both hands.

Labour row clouds French job-creation summit

Paris (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande on Monday kicks off a summit with business leaders aimed at creating half a million vitally-needed jobs in return for lower taxes, but a labour row threatens to mar the event.

Bombay Stock Exchange resumes trading

India's main stock market, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), has resumed trading after being disrupted due to a network problem.

More Americans are stuck in part-time work

In the new landscape of the American labor market, jobs are easier to come by but hours remain in short supply.

A capital markets union could be next thing in EU's in-tray

LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union may seek to tighten its grip over financial markets to help find funds to boost economic growth, a move that could stoke anti-EU sentiment in Britain, the EU's largest financial centre.

Arabtec assurances revive Dubai stock market

Dubai's stock market bounced back almost 8% after weeks of volatility surrounding construction giant Arabtec.

Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund Adds Stocks in Europe to South Africa

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds, said internal money managers allocated more assets to European and South African equities last year.

Argentina faces vulture funds in countdown to default

Buenos Aires (AFP) - Argentina risks technical default by the end of Monday in its combat with so-called vulture funds over a US court ruling that it must settle unpaid debts to bondholders.