Gold Climbs as Fed Official Signaled Possiblity of More Stimulus

Gold futures gained for the first time in a week as a Federal Reserve official signaled the possibility of more monetary stimulus, boosting bullion’s appeal as a hedge against possible inflation.

The world's biggest sovereign wealth fund is getting roughed up

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the biggest in the world, is getting chewed. The $840 billion fund lost more than 5% on its investments in the past month, the fund's CEO, Yngve Slyngstad, said, according to Bloomberg's Saleha Mohsin.

Norway Fund Said Among Bidders for BlackRock Singapore Tower

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is among bidders for BlackRock Inc.’s Asia Square Tower 1, an office building in Singapore’s central business district, according to people familiar with the matter.

Syriza plans programme to ease 'negative' impact of Greek bailout

Athens (AFP) - Greece's ruling radical left Syriza party is preparing a "parallel" programme to help ease the "negative consequences" of the tough austerity reforms that were required to obtain its latest international bailout, the government said Tuesday.

Same Crisis Has Nomura and Barclays Making Opposite Dollar Calls

As the rout in global stocks and commodities altered bets on the trajectory of the currency market, two of the most influential banks adjusted their dollar forecasts -- in opposite directions.

China share slide: Pension fund to invest in stock market

China plans to let its main state pension fund invest in the stock market for the first time, the country's official news agency, Xinhua, has reported.

China's economy is in trouble. How bad is it?

There is almost no way that China's economy is growing as well as the government says it is.

U.K. Wealth Fund to Target Private Equity, Infrastructure Investment

London Mayor Boris Johnson’s fledgling British sovereign-wealth fund plans to combine local public pension funds and invest billions of pounds in private equity and infrastructure projects.

Oman’s Daily Oil Output Tops 1 Million Barrels for First Time

Oman, the biggest oil producer in the Middle East outside OPEC, said its crude and condensate production in July exceeded 1 million barrels a day for the first time.

For Currency Traders, All Eyes on Inflation Before Fed Liftoff

Do we have liftoff? That’s the question currency traders will be asking next week as they weigh Wednesday’s U.S. inflation data and minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting for clues about the timing of the central bank’s first interest-rate increase in almost a decade.

China tries to dampen fears of more big devaluations

BEIJING (AP) — China tried Thursday to ease fears of more big declines for the yuan as companies from global automakers to Chinese clothing exporters faced a new era of uncertain exchange rates.

Treasuries Decline for 2nd Day Before $16 Billion Bond Auction

Treasuries headed for their first two-day decline in a week as investors prepared to bid for $16 billion of 30-year bonds, after demand tumbled at a 10-year note sale Wednesday.

WARREN BUFFETT: Stocks are going 'a lot higher'

Warren Buffett will not let a little bit of volatility scare him out of the stock market. "Stocks are going to be higher," Buffett told CNBC's Becky Quick on Monday.

Investors are running away from U.S. stocks

They're abandoning the United States and flocking to Europe and Japan in search of better places for their money to grow.

Stock exchanges must improve trading model - Norway wealth fund

OSLO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Global stock exchanges are failing to meet the needs of large institutional traders and are increasingly losing out to private equity when companies seek to raise cash, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund said in a report published on Friday.

Super Thursday: Bank of England votes 8-1 to hold interest rates

Fears that the Bank of England is poised to start raising interest rates have receded, after news that just one of the nine members of its policy committee voted to increase borrowing costs from their record low of 0.5% this month.

Russia Seen Turning to Crisis Playbook to Prevent Ruble Rout

Russia’s central bank may pick up where it left off earlier this year to avert another run on the ruble.

China and Asia are on shaky ground

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Headwinds for the world's second-biggest economy intensified at the start of the third quarter, with manufacturing conditions in China deteriorating to their worst in two years in July and triggering fresh slides in global commodity prices.

Lagarde Says China Economy Strong Enough to Weather Stock Plunge

China’s economy should prove resilient enough to withstand the stock-market rout that has prompted unprecedented efforts by the Chinese government to stem the decline, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.

Fed's 'nearly balanced' language no bar to Sept rate rise

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve will not need to see balanced risks to the economy to proceed with an interest rate hike in September, according to former Fed officials and a review of central bank statements through recent turns in policy.

China's making it easier for foreign investors to buy its debt

Central banks, financial institutions and sovereign-wealth funds looking to invest in China’s massive and expanding bond market have just been given some good news – the PBOC welcomes your investment.

Chinese stock markets slide as investors panic (again)

Chinese shares suffered their worst fall in eight years on Monday as stock market turmoil returned to haunt the world’s second largest economy and analysts predicted more misery ahead for investors.

World’s Worst Currency Drop Sparks Race to Cut Brazil Forecasts

The Brazilian real’s 5 percent tumble this week, the most among major currencies worldwide, has forecasters reviewing their exchange-rate targets after the government said it won’t meet fiscal goals.

Hedge Funds Are Holding First-Ever Gold Net-Short Position

Hedge funds are holding the first ever bet on a decline in gold prices since the U.S. government started collecting the data in 2006.

India’s 10-Year Bond Yield Drops to Two-Week Low as Oil Retreats

Indian sovereign bonds advanced, pushing the 10-year yield to a two-week low, as falling oil prices eased concern that inflation will quicken.

Dollar picks up on rate hike speculation

Tokyo (AFP) - The dollar climbed Tuesday to a five-week high against the yen and held its euro gains on growing expectations the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year.

Chancellor's economic strategy is 'risky', says Item Club

Chancellor George Osborne's economic plans are 'risky', and could contribute to a slowdown in UK growth, the EY Item Club has warned.

China Opens Interbank Bond Market Wider to Foreign Buyers

China issued new rules making it easier for big international investors to access its $5.7 trillion interbank bond market, a step forward toward opening its capital market as it seeks to promote the yuan as a reserve currency.

Yellen stands by Fed transparency as lawmakers turn up heat

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on Wednesday resisted calls for more congressional oversight, as members of a House of Representatives panel criticized the central bank’s policies and pressed it to be more accountable.

Schaeuble Says Some in German Government Would Prefer Greek Exit

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is split on whether Greece’s continued euro membership is the best way forward for the country, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday.

FOREX-Dollar rallies as Greek deal renews focus on Fed rate hike

NEW YORK, July 13 (Reuters) - The dollar rallied against the euro, yen, and Swiss franc on Monday after a debt deal between Greece and its international lenders renewed focus on the possibility that the U.S. Federal Reserve might hike interest rates in September.

Osborne Boost Triggers £1bn Housebuilder Sale

The owners of Britain's biggest provider of retirement homes are inviting sovereign wealth funds to table £1bn-plus takeover bids just as the Government relaxes planning rules to trigger a housebuilding boom.

Iranian Oil Looms for European Refiners as Nuclear Talks Stall

European refiners from Spain to Greece are ready to resume purchases of crude from Iran as talks on a nuclear deal that could allow the country’s return to oil markets remained deadlocked.

Chinese investors despair as gains wiped out in tumbling stock market

“Ah, of course I have lost money,” exclaims Cindy Wang, putting her hand to her face. She has lost around half her investments.

Russia Signs Agreement To Get $10B Investment From Saudi Arabia Amid Western Sanctions

Saudi Arabia signed a commitment to invest up to $10 billion in Russia within four to five years, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), told Sputnik News, a state-run news agency, on Monday.

Italian, Spanish, Portuguese yields jump after Greeks vote 'No'

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - Italian, Spanish and Portuguese bond yields rose just over 10 basis points on Monday after an overwhelming Greek vote against EU-prescribed austerity measures that could set Athens on a path out of the euro zone.

UK exporters feeling the heat from eurozone crisis

The CBI has issued a call on eurozone leaders to quickly resolve the Greek debt crisis, whatever the outcome of Sunday’s referendum, after the British business group’s latest poll highlighted mounting pressure on exporters.

Losses across the board for major hedge funds

Hedge fund titans might be crying at their Hamptons barbecues this Fourth of July, after the drubbing most of them took in June.

US manufacturing growth slows in June, survey shows

US manufacturing growth eased in June despite jobs growth, but there was better news for the construction sector, according to two surveys.

Hollande Says Greek Deal Possible as Merkel Sees No Progress

French President Francois Hollande held out the prospect of a deal for Greece even as German Chancellor Angela Merkel said negotiations looked to be going backward.

Rising interest rates pose new risk for banks: BIS

LONDON (Reuters) - Rising interest rates after years of loose monetary policy will pose a fresh risk to banks' ability to absorb losses using capital buffers, the Bank for International Settlements said in its annual report on Sunday.

Qatar's F1 Bid "Is Like Buying The Restaurant If It Won't Give You A Table."

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is bidding for a controlling stake in Formula One auto racing after getting the red light to host a race according to a senior sports manager who has likened the move to a guest buying a restaurant when it refuses to give him a table.

US economy shrank at annual pace of 0.2% in first quarter

The US economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.2% in the first quarter of the year after being hit by bad weather, spending cuts among energy firms and the strong dollar.

The bond market is bracing for the worst and loading up on cash

The Federal Reserve has signalled that, barring some unexpected economic shock, interest rates will most likely rise this year. And that's causing unease for fixed income investors.

U.S. investors to keep eye on Greece as crisis worsens

U.S. investors are expected to keep an eye on the Greek debt drama next week amid reports that Greece’s coffers are so depleted that its banks may not have enough money to open for business on Monday.

Exclusive: Qatar's secretive sovereign fund to restructure, say sources

DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar Investment Authority, one of the world's most aggressive sovereign wealth funds, will set asset allocation targets for the first time and restructure internal decision-making, sources say, in response to a drop in oil prices that has crimped available funds as competition for assets grows.

Markets on inflation watch after Fed

Now that the Fed has spoken, traders are looking to Thursday's CPI inflation data for clues as to its next move.

London, Paris, Tokyo Property Lure More Taiwan Funds, CBRE Says

Taiwanese life insurers seeking higher returns may purchase more properties in London, Paris and Tokyo to increase their total real estate assets by $9 billion in four years, according to CBRE Group Inc.

Swiss Find Goldilocks Formula in House Market Case Study

When it comes to the housing market, the Swiss might be achieving what Goldilocks wanted in a porridge: getting it just right. Unable to raise interest rates for fear of pushing up the franc, authorities tackled a residential property boom with regulatory measures aimed at reining in exuberance.

Greece's latest attempt to reach deal with creditors collapses

Last-ditch talks aimed at breaking the impasse between Athens and its international creditors have collapsed in acrimony with European Union officials dismissing Greece’s latest reform package as incomplete in a step that pushes the country closer to leaving the eurozone.

Academics attack George Osborne budget surplus proposal

George Osborne’s plan to enshrine permanent budget surpluses in law is a political gimmick that ignores “basic economics”, a group of academic economists has warned.

Bonds Selloff Extends in Australia to Japan Amid Signs of Growth

Australian and Japanese government bonds dropped, sending benchmark yields in both countries to the highest this year, on signs of economic improvement.

Asian Stocks Drop Seventh Day on Fed Concern; China Shares Fall

Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark heading for its longest losing streak since September, as investors weighed the outlook for U.S. interest rates and Chinese shares retreated from a seven-year high.

China Entry to MSCI Poses Risks for Investors Seeking Diversity

The inclusion of China’s mainland stocks in MSCI Inc.’s developing-nation index would further boost the dominance of Asia in the widely followed benchmark and create a risk of lopsided exposure for investors.

Britain prepares to review bank tax to stop potential exodus - report

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is prepared to review a tax on banks to head off the threat that large multinational banks like HSBC could leave London's financial centre and shift their operations overseas, the Sunday Times reported, citing industry sources.

Tsipras to Address Lawmakers After Stakes Raised in Showdown

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is preparing to address lawmakers after raising the stakes in his country’s showdown with creditors by rejecting demands for more austerity and opting for a deferral of IMF payments.

China is hoarding cheap oil in a fleet of supertankers

As Middle East oil producers drive prices lower and make life difficult for the U.S. fracking industry, one clear winner is emerging: China The world's second-largest economy become the top oil importer in April. The key reason? China is taking advantage of cheap oil to boost its strategic reserves.

Treasuries Remain Lower as U.S. Job Gains in May Meet Forecast

Treasuries remained lower after a private report showed the U.S. jobs gains in May met economist forecasts, amid speculation the Federal Reserve is more data-dependent than ever in its quest to raise interest rates.

Abu Dhabi fund ADIA manages more of its billions in-house

DUBAI, June 2 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), one of the world's biggest sovereign wealth funds, managed more of its money in-house last year as it strengthened its capabilities and added staff in some areas, ADIA said on Tuesday.

ROUBINI: A market 'time bomb' is raising the risk of a dramatic collapse

Nouriel Roubini, one of the few prominent economists credited with predicting the 2008 financial crisis, thinks more trouble could be just around the corner.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund accused of 'pretend divestment'

The world’s richest sovereign wealth fund has sunk more money into coal just three months after a high-profile pledge to dump fossil fuels as part of its commitment to responsible investing, according to financial analysis by three environmental groups.

EU referendum uncertainty could hit UK investment, consultants warn

The government’s plan to hold an EU referendum will dent foreign investment in the UK and threatens its position as Europe’s top destination for overseas investors, according to a new report.

Funds feel heat of coal and tar divestment drive

LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) - For Rivka Micklewaite and fellow students, securing a pledge this week from Oxford University to avoid direct investments in companies producing coal or tar sands is just the beginning.

US stocks mostly unchanged on lower oil, higher inflation

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks were mostly unchanged in late afternoon trading Friday as energy companies fell along with the price of oil. Investors are weighing the latest batch of corporate earnings results and a report showing a slight increase in inflation last month.

UK retail sales boosted by April's warm weather

UK retail sales rose by 1.2% in April, the strongest increase since November, as the warm weather encouraged shoppers to stock up on summer clothes.

Sovereign, public pension funds investing more in real estate and infrastructure: report

SOVEREIGN wealth funds and public pension funds have been moving aggressively into real estate and infrastructure to offset low returns in traditional markets, raising the risk of asset bubbles, said the Global Public Investor 2015 (GPI 2015) report.

Why Is Oil Price So Stubbornly High, Asks Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs has a problem with the oil rally. In a morning note, the oil bear tried to explain why we are seeing a recent rally even though its fundamentals are bad.

UK inflation negative for first time since 1960; BoE says temporary

Britain's annual rate of consumer price inflation fell below zero for the first time in more than half a century, official figures showed on Tuesday, though Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said the dip was likely to be brief.

Bond-Market Crash Has Wall Street Divided on What’s Next

Maybe, just maybe, this whole bond rout is ending. The global selloff that’s set investors on edge finally slowed last week, and some analysts are saying the worst is over.

Treasuries Recovery Shows Reflation Trade Failing to Take Hold

The great inflation revival is on hold. Treasury bears who spent the first four months of 2015 ratcheting up expectations for rising consumer costs have changed their minds.

Asian Currencies Complete Weekly Gain on Fed, China Support

Asian currencies had a weekly gain, led by Malaysia’s ringgit, on speculation the U.S. will delay raising interest rates and China may take more measures to boost growth.

Obama: Why struggling Americans aren't getting ahead

Americans are becoming increasingly segregated by class, and that's making it harder for many to get ahead, in President Obama's view.

ECB President Draghi: European Stimulus Will Continue

WASHINGTON — European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said the ECB's economic stimulus program is working but needs more time to bring European inflation back to healthier levels and restore consumer and business confidence.

Hedge Funds’ Latest Salvo Is Ignored by Argentina’s Bondholders

Argentina’s hedge-fund foes are at it again. This week, Aurelius Capital Management and Elliott Management asked a New York judge to block payments on $1.4 billion of bonds Argentina issued locally in April.

Hedge Funds Got Windfall From Runaway China Stock Rally in April

China’s runaway stock rally delivered a windfall for hedge funds focused on the world’s second-largest economy in April.

Indian Stocks Gain for Second Day as Metalmakers Rally on China

India’s benchmark stock-index advanced for a second day, led by metal producers and automakers, after China’s cut in interest rates spurred gains in Asian equities.

Russia Wealth Fund to Team With China for $25 Billion of Lending

Russia’s sovereign wealth fund will join China Construction Bank Corp. to deliver as much as $25 billion in loans as western sanctions push President Vladimir Putin to look to Asia for financing.

So, Mr David Cameron, how can we help? European Union seeks to avert Brexit

European leaders lost no time on Friday in offering David Cameron talks on EU reform, bidding to ease uncertainty about Britain's future in the bloc ahead of the in-or-out referendum the prime minister will call now he has been re-elected.