Search

Oxford Street, once considered the crown jewel of Britain's retail sector, suffered a decline in visitors during the pandemic. However, there has been a steady recovery, with the number of visitors bouncing back strongly last year, particularly in the eastern section. The recovery is attributed to improved retail and leisure offerings, as well as the opening of new stores and the introduction of the Elizabeth Line. While footfall remains below pre-Covid levels, investors are showing interest in the area, and retailers are optimistic about the future of Oxford Street. [Extracted from the article]

Treasury yields rose and stocks dipped as traders awaited the release of the jobs report to gain insight into the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts. The Nasdaq 100 experienced a five-day losing streak, with Apple Inc. falling after a downgrade. Ten-year Treasuries saw yields rise to 4% after data showed increased hiring in December. Traders will also be looking at European inflation data to determine if central banks can lower interest rates. Wagers on a March rate cut in the US have decreased, and economists predict an increase in nonfarm payrolls and a slight rise in the unemployment rate for December. [Extracted from the article]

The death of Alexey Navalny, a prominent opponent of President Vladimir Putin, is seen as a clear message about the dangers of challenging Putin's repressive regime. Navalny's rise to international prominence in pro-democracy protests in Russia made it clear that he posed a serious political challenge to Putin. His death, which occurred shortly before the presidential election in which Putin is seeking a fifth term, has led to accusations against the Kremlin and Putin himself. Navalny's death is the latest in a series of incidents involving critics of the Kremlin, and it remains to be seen if there will be concrete penalties against the Russian government. [Extracted from the article]

Despite pledging to scale back operations in Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, Mondelez International Inc., the company that makes Oreos, has actually seen its presence in Russia grow. Market data and company documents show that Mondelez's Russian business has increased its imports of chocolate, biscuits, and candies. The company has also conducted market research in Russia and granted its Russian business more autonomy. While some argue that companies should leave Russia due to the war, others point out the difficulties and financial penalties involved in doing so. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump and his real estate company, the Trump Organization, have been hit with a $365 million fine in a civil fraud suit in New York. The judge ruled that Trump cannot run any business in the state for three years and ordered the penalties, which could exceed $450 million with interest. The ruling is a significant victory for New York Attorney General Letitia James, who accused Trump of inflating asset values to obtain better loan terms. Trump's two eldest sons were also found liable and barred from being officers of a company in New York for two years. Trump is expected to appeal the decision. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump and his real estate company have been hit with a $364 million fraud fine in New York's civil fraud suit over inflated asset valuations. The judge ruled that Trump cannot run any business in the state for three years, and his two eldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are barred from being officers of a company in New York for two years. State Attorney General Letitia James filed the suit, claiming that Trump inflated asset values to deceive lenders into giving him better loan terms. Trump is expected to appeal the ruling. [Extracted from the article]

US President Joe Biden has blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the death of Russian activist Alexey Navalny, joining other Western leaders in holding the Kremlin responsible. Navalny lost consciousness and was unable to be revived after feeling unwell upon returning from a walk. Biden did not announce any new measures to punish Russia but stated that options were being considered. Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, called for Putin and his regime to take responsibility for their actions. Other world leaders expressed their condolences and condemned the Russian government for Navalny's death. The European Union will discuss potential sanctions in response to the incident. [Extracted from the article]

US and European leaders have condemned the death of Russian activist Alexey Navalny, holding the Kremlin responsible for the passing of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic political opponent. Navalny lost consciousness and was unable to be revived after feeling unwell upon returning from a walk. Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, called for Putin and his regime to take responsibility for the situation. Western leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressed their condolences and criticized the Russian government. The European Union will discuss potential sanctions in response to Navalny's death. [Extracted from the article]

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking approval from the US government for a venture to increase the global manufacturing of artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Altman has been meeting with potential investors and partners in the US, Middle East, and Asia, but he requires a green light from Washington to move forward. The plan aims to raise billions of dollars to expand semiconductor production and prevent a shortage that could hinder the deployment of AI. Altman has also considered addressing the supply of green energy for AI chip manufacturing. However, the venture may face national security and antitrust concerns, and Altman is working to collaborate with US officials on the timing and structure of the project. [Extracted from the article]

US and European leaders have condemned the death of Russian activist Alexey Navalny, with many holding the Kremlin responsible for his passing. Navalny lost consciousness and was unable to be revived after feeling unwell upon returning from a walk. The cause of death is still being investigated. Navalny's death occurred just as official campaigning for the upcoming presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is expected to secure a fifth term, was set to begin. European leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have expressed their condolences and criticized the Russian government for its treatment of Navalny. [Extracted from the article]

Alexey Navalny, a prominent Russian lawyer and anti-corruption activist, has died at the age of 47 while in a maximum-security prison camp. Navalny gained fame for his investigations into corruption among state companies and his opposition to President Vladimir Putin. His death is likely to further strain relations between Russia and Western countries, particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Navalny survived a nerve-agent attack in 2020, which he and Western governments blamed on Putin's secret services. He was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison and reported worsening health problems while incarcerated. [Extracted from the article]

Alexey Navalny, a prominent Russian lawyer and anti-corruption activist, has died at the age of 47. Navalny, who was known for his opposition to President Vladimir Putin, fell ill during a walk and was unable to be revived. His death is expected to further strain relations between Russia and Western countries, which have already been tense due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Navalny gained fame for his investigations into corruption and his criticism of the ruling party, and he survived a nerve-agent attack in 2020. [Extracted from the article]

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking approval from the US government for a venture to increase global manufacturing of artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Altman has been meeting with potential investors and partners in the US, Middle East, and Asia, but he requires a green light from Washington to move forward. The plan aims to raise billions of dollars to expand semiconductor production and address concerns about a potential chip shortfall that could hinder AI deployment. Altman has also considered increasing the supply of green energy for AI chip manufacturing. However, the venture may face national security and antitrust reviews, as well as scrutiny from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has offered a rare opening for Japan by indicating that a meeting of leaders would be possible if Japan does not make the abduction issue a stumbling block. This marks a change in tone from her previous comments, where she accused Japan of being a "sinister" nation. While Japan is taking note of these comments, it still considers the abduction issue unresolved. However, experts believe that a summit is unlikely due to the differences on the abduction issue and North Korea's nuclear weapons program. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump has been banned from doing business in New York for three years and ordered to pay $354 million for lying about his wealth. However, a judge's order did not include the earlier requirement to dissolve all of Trump's companies in the state. Instead, the judge stated that any decision about forced sales would depend on the findings of two appointed monitors. Legal experts have called the original order "draconian" and predict that Trump would have solid grounds for an appeal. While Trump's businesses will be allowed to continue operating, there is still a risk of forced asset sales in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Shares in Asia are expected to have a mixed opening after selling pressure weakened US stocks and bonds. Australian equities opened slightly higher, while Japan share futures rose slightly. Hong Kong benchmarks slipped, while US contracts inched higher. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both declined, pushing global equities down for a third day. Treasuries dipped as investors recalibrated Federal Reserve rate cut forecasts on strong jobs data. The yen declined against the dollar, and oil prices retreated after a rally. In corporate news, Apple Inc and Endeavour Mining Plc saw declines in their stock prices. [Extracted from the article]

Shares in Asia were mixed as US stocks and bonds weakened due to strong signals from the labor market, reducing expectations for interest rate cuts. Japan's shares rose, aided by a weaker yen, while Australia and South Korea experienced fluctuations. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both declined, leading to a drop in global equities. Treasuries remained relatively stable after a decline, and the 10-year yield reached 4% following positive jobs data. Swaps traders now see a 65% chance of a rate cut by the Fed's March meeting. The yen also weakened, and upcoming data releases in Asia include consumer confidence in Japan and inflation in various countries. Oil prices steadied after a decline, and corporate news included Apple Inc's stock tumbling and McDonald's Corp. being affected by boycotts in the Middle East. [Extracted from the article]

Tech stocks are experiencing a losing streak as Treasury yields rise and investors take profits on last year's winning tech stocks. Apple Inc. saw a decline after a second downgrade this week. The S&P 500 fluctuated between gains and losses. The yield on 10-year Treasuries reached 4% after data showed increased hiring in December and lower-than-expected jobless claims. Traders are now less confident in a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in March. The monthly US jobs report and European inflation data will provide further insight into the possibility of interest rate cuts. [Extracted from the article]

Global equities experienced a third consecutive decline, while Treasuries also fell, as strong signals from the US labor market dampened expectations for interest rate cuts. Asian equities futures were mixed, with Japan contracts slightly higher and Australian stock futures rising, while those for Hong Kong slipped. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both declined, with the latter experiencing its worst showing since December 2022. Treasuries dipped as investors adjusted their rate cut forecasts based on strong jobs data, and the 10-year yield reached 4%. Swaps traders now see a 65% chance of a rate cut by the Fed's March meeting, down from 85% a week ago. The yen also declined against the dollar, nearing 145 per dollar, due to speculation that the Bank of Japan will struggle to dissolve negative interest rate policy following an earthquake. In terms of upcoming data releases, consumer confidence in Japan, inflation for Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines, and India's 2024 growth forecast will be closely watched in Asia. Eurozone inflation and producer prices data will also be released, shaping expectations for European Central Bank policy. Oil prices retreated after a Wednesday rally, with West Texas Intermediate falling 0.7% and Brent crude dropping 0.6%. Apple Inc. experienced a decline after a second downgrade, Endeavour Mining Plc fell after firing its CEO for misconduct, and McDonald's Corp. stock weakened due to boycotts in the Middle East. [Extracted from the article]

The release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case provided some new insights into his lifestyle and the people associated with him. The unredacted information included the names of two former presidents, a member of the UK royal family, and celebrities, although this information was largely known to those familiar with the scandal. The documents revealed details about Epstein's victims' encounters with magician David Copperfield, pop star Michael Jackson, and Prince Andrew. They also shed light on former President Bill Clinton's connection to Epstein, with one victim mentioning having dinner with Clinton at Epstein's villa. Hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin and his wife, Eva Andersson-Dubin, who were friends with Epstein, denied any knowledge of his crimes. The documents also provided information about Ghislaine Maxwell's involvement in recruiting Epstein's victims and her efforts to distance herself from him. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking conspiracy in 2021. [Extracted from the article]

Tech stocks experienced their longest losing streak in a year as traders awaited the release of the jobs report to determine the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts. The Nasdaq 100 fell 0.5% over five days, with Apple Inc. seeing a decline after a second downgrade. Treasury yields rose, reaching 4%, following data showing increased hiring and lower jobless claims. Traders are now looking to the US jobs report and European inflation data to assess the possibility of interest rate reductions. [Extracted from the article]

Stocks and Treasury yields were mixed as investors awaited the release of the US jobs report and European inflation data. The Nasdaq 100 experienced its longest losing streak since December 2022, while the S&P 500 edged higher after a three-day selloff. Ten-year Treasury yields rose to 4% after strong hiring data and lower-than-expected jobless claims, leading to reduced bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The market is closely watching these economic indicators to determine if central banks will lower interest rates. Additionally, West Texas Intermediate oil prices fell due to rising stockpiles in Cushing and geopolitical tensions in Libya and Iran. The yen weakened on speculation that the Bank of Japan may struggle to abolish negative interest rates following a recent earthquake. [Extracted from the article]

Stocks and Treasury yields were mixed as investors awaited the release of the US jobs report. The Nasdaq 100 experienced its longest losing streak since December 2022, while the S&P 500 remained relatively unchanged. Ten-year Treasury yields rose to 4% after data showed increased hiring and lower jobless claims. Traders are closely watching the jobs report and European inflation data to determine if central banks will lower interest rates. Wagers on a March rate cut in the US have decreased, and there is speculation that the Federal Reserve may not rush to cut rates if the economy continues to perform well. [Extracted from the article]

Treasury yields increased and stocks rebounded after strong jobs data raised doubts about the timing and extent of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Nasdaq 100 fluctuated, while Apple Inc. experienced a dip after a downgrade due to concerns about iPhone inventory levels. The S&P 500 rose slightly after a three-day selloff. Ten-year Treasuries continued to decline as the yield approached 4% following data showing increased hiring by US companies in December and lower-than-expected jobless claims. Traders adjusted their bets on Fed easing in response to the data. [Extracted from the article]

Treasury yields increased after strong jobs data raised doubts about the timing and extent of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 futures remained stable, while Nasdaq 100 futures declined for the fifth consecutive day. Apple Inc. experienced a dip in its stock price after a second downgrade due to concerns about iPhone inventory levels. The dollar stabilized after four days of gains. Ten-year Treasuries continued to decline, with the yield rising to 3.99% following positive employment data. The consensus among investors is that a market pullback was overdue after last year's stock market surge. European inflation data and the monthly US jobs report will provide further insight into the potential for interest rate cuts. West Texas Intermediate crude traded above $73 a barrel due to supply disruptions in Libya and Iran's response to attacks in the country. The yen weakened on speculation that the Bank of Japan may struggle to abolish negative interest rates following a recent earthquake. [Extracted from the article]

Treasury yields increased and stocks rebounded after strong jobs data raised doubts about the timing and extent of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Nasdaq 100 rose slightly, while Apple Inc. experienced a second downgrade due to concerns about iPhone inventory levels. The S&P 500 also saw gains after a three-day selloff. Ten-year Treasuries continued to decline, with yields approaching 4%, as US companies increased hiring in December and jobless claims came in lower than expected. Traders adjusted their bets on Fed easing following the data. The upcoming US jobs report and European inflation data will provide further insight into the possibility of interest rate cuts by central banks. The likelihood of a rate cut in March has decreased, with the labor market remaining strong and the Fed's December meeting minutes suggesting that rates may remain at restrictive levels for some time. Swaps traders now estimate a 65% chance of a quarter-point rate cut by the Fed's second meeting this year, compared to a more certain expectation of a rate cut in March last week. West Texas Intermediate oil prices fell due to increased stockpiles in Cushing, while currency markets saw the yen weaken on speculation that the Bank of Japan may find it more difficult to eliminate negative interest rates following a recent earthquake. Key events for the week include Eurozone CPI and PPI data, US nonfarm payrolls/unemployment and factory orders, and a speech by Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin. In terms of market movements, [Extracted from the article]

The recently released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case did not reveal any major revelations, but they did provide some new insights into Epstein's lifestyle and the people associated with him. The unredacted information included the names of two former presidents, a member of the UK royal family, and celebrities. Some of the new details included Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg recounting meeting magician David Copperfield, pop star Michael Jackson, and Prince Andrew. Sjoberg also claimed that Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast during a photo op. The documents also mentioned former President Bill Clinton's ties to Epstein, with Epstein allegedly telling Sjoberg that "Clinton likes them young." Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell was also mentioned in the documents, with Epstein suggesting that she issue a statement to distance herself from him after his guilty plea in 2008. Maxwell denied knowledge of Epstein's efforts to discredit one of his victims. [Extracted from the article]

Treasury yields increased and technology stocks experienced some instability following strong jobs data, which raised doubts about the timing and extent of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Nasdaq 100 remained relatively unchanged, while Apple Inc. saw a dip after a second downgrade due to concerns about iPhone inventory levels. The S&P 500 slightly rose after a three-day decline. The yield on 10-year Treasuries continued to rise, reaching nearly 4%, after data revealed increased hiring by US companies in December and lower-than-expected jobless claims. Traders adjusted their expectations for Fed easing in response to the data. The upcoming monthly US jobs report and European inflation data will be closely watched to assess the possibility of interest rate reductions by central banks. The likelihood of a rate cut in March is diminishing due to the strong labor market and the Fed's December meeting minutes suggesting that rates may remain at restrictive levels for some time. The yen weakened due to speculation that the Bank of Japan may find it more challenging to eliminate negative interest rates following a recent earthquake. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index remained relatively stable, while the euro and British pound experienced slight increases against the dollar. Bitcoin and Ether both saw gains, while the yield on 10-year Treasuries rose by six basis points to 3.98%. Germany's 10-year yield increased by nine basis points to 2.12%, and Britain's 10-year yield rose by seven basis points to 3.71%. West Texas Intermediate [Extracted from the article]

Iran has stated that the recent blasts in Kerman, which killed nearly 100 people, were likely carried out by suicide bombers. The first blast targeted a crowd commemorating the death of Qassem Soleimani, a powerful Iranian general killed by the US in 2020. The second blast was also likely a suicide attack. Following the blasts, a group of countries led by the US issued a warning to Houthi militants in Yemen, an Iranian proxy force, regarding their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Analysts believe that while a direct US-Iran confrontation is unlikely, there is a risk of escalating proxy attacks in the region. The situation has already caused an increase in oil prices and threatens global commerce. [Extracted from the article]

Technology stocks experienced a decline while Treasury yields rose following the release of strong jobs data, which raised doubts about the timing and extent of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Nasdaq 100, a tech-heavy benchmark, recorded its fifth consecutive day of declines, its longest losing streak in over a year. Apple Inc. also faced a dip in its stock price after receiving its second downgrade of the week. The S&P 500 remained relatively unchanged after a three-day selloff. Traders are now awaiting the monthly US jobs report and European inflation data to assess the possibility of interest rate reductions by central banks. [Extracted from the article]

On the first trading day of the year, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell the most in two weeks due to concerns that the Federal Reserve will maintain high interest rates, which negatively impacted technology shares. Additionally, a powerful earthquake in the northwest on New Year's Day affected some companies. However, the Topix index saw gains. Tech shares led the decline in the Nikkei 225 index, following the trend of its US counterparts after the Fed meeting minutes did not suggest any immediate easing. Despite this setback, Japan equities had a strong performance in 2023, reaching three-decade highs. The yen's drop supported automakers like Toyota Motor Corp., while shares of companies with operations in the earthquake-affected area declined. Construction companies and shipping firms saw gains due to expectations of increased demand for reconstruction and detours boosting freight costs, respectively. The Nikkei 225's decline on the first trading day is a common occurrence in the past decade, but it does not necessarily predict the market's performance for the rest of the year. The broader Topix index and the MSCI AC Asia Pacific excluding Japan index have shown similar patterns. Overall, the Topix index has risen 26% over the past year, outperforming the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index. [Extracted from the article]

US Treasury yields increased after strong jobs data raised doubts about the Federal Reserve's rate cut plans. The US dollar stabilized after four consecutive days of gains. The S&P 500 futures remained steady after a three-day decline, while Nasdaq 100 contracts fell due to concerns about iPhone inventory levels. Oil prices continued to rise due to supply disruptions in Libya and conflict in the Middle East. The consensus among investors is that a market pullback was overdue after last year's stock market surge. [Extracted from the article]