Top Headlines
Euro ‘in a Pressure Cooker’ with ECB Ahead – fastFT (subscription)
It’s rates day for the European Central Bank. ECB watchers don’t expect action, as such, (rates: 1245 London time) but they do expect president Mario Draghi to face a grilling on negative rates (from 1330).
EBS Launches NDF Short Dates – Profit&Loss
EBS BrokerTec has rolled out a new product this week which is effectively a short-dated swap for the NDF market. Inevitably it says that this is as a result of client demand, but in this case the claim does appear to be true.
Sweden Boosts QE to Cool Krona. Krona Jumps Anyway – fastFT (subscription)
Sweden’s central bank has decided to boost its programme of bond buying in an effort to hold down the krona and stop inflation from swooning further. And once again, it has stressed that it’s ready to do more.
Queen and the City of London Stand Test of Time – The Financial Times (subscription)
The Queen, who was born 90 years ago today, is celebrated as a symbol of continuity in a rapidly changing world. In her lifetime, for example, split-second trading in securities by computers has replaced open outcry dealing by the bowler-hatted.
Economy minister Sigmar Gabriel says individual governments must do more to kick-start their economies.
Brexit Means Blood,Toil, Sweat and Tears – The Daily Telegraph
William Pitt the Younger already knew the full horror of Britain’s predicament in November 1805, even as he celebrated the victory of Trafalgar in his last poignant but unyielding words to the nation.
Regulatory News
Sen Warren Demands Answers from US Regulators over Cohen Firm – Reuters
US Senator Elizabeth Warren, a firebrand of strong financial regulation, wants to know why securities regulators approved Steve Cohen’s new firm as an investment adviser after barring the billionaire from managing other people’s money until 2018.
Company News
Saudi Arabia Mulls Dual Listing, Traded Fund for Aramco IPO – Bloomberg
Saudi Arabia is considering a dual listing as a way to reach investors beyond the local stock market for the sale of shares in state-owned oil giant Aramco, which could be the world’s largest initial public offering, the kingdom’s deputy crown prince said.
Volkswagen Shares Surge as US Dieselgate Deal Looms – Reuters
Volkswagen shares jumped more than 6% early on Thursday on expectations that the carmaker was close to reaching a deal to buy back 500,000 diesel cars in the United States in a step toward resolving an emissions rigging scandal.
Tesla CEO Musk: Almost 400,000 Orders Received for new Model 3 – Reuters
Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors has received almost 400,000 orders for its latest car, the model 3 sedan, its CEO said on Thursday.
Market Savvy
Silver Attracts Record Bullish Bets; Outshines Even Gold – News.Markets
Bullish gold bets via US futures and options contracts hit their highest level since August 2011 last week, but bullish bets on silver prices went one better and set a new record high.
Peru’s Election Highlights Failures Within Economic Success – Bloomberg
Peru’s presidential election is highlighting the country’s economic success — and its broader failures. While Peru can boast South America’s best growth and inflation figures over the past 15 years, it also has some of its worst social indicators.
China’s Economic Recovery Masking Financial Risks, Fitch Says – Bloomberg
Global investors have cheered the recent signs of economic pickup in China. Andrew Colquhoun is unimpressed.
Swift Sets out Distributed Ledger Position – Finextra
As the hype surrounding distributed ledger technology continues to build, Swift is acknowledging the inevitable and promising to evolve its platform to enable DLT-based services – but only when a series of “critical factors” have been addressed.
Industry Events
ACI World Congress 2016 – Indonesia, 26-30 April, Jakarta
Eurofinance: Asia Treasury, 18-20 May in Singapore
Profit & Loss Forex Network New York, 26 May, New York City
FIA: IDX 2016, 7-8 June in London, England
Profit & Loss Forex Toronto, 9 June, Toronto
Profit & Loss Scandinavia, 13 September, Copenhagen
Profit & Loss Forex Network Chicago, 28-29 September, Chicago, IL
Sibos 2016, 26-29 September in Geneva, Switzerland
FIA: Expo, 18-20 October in Chicago, IL