Top Headlines
Oil Rises as Canadian Fires Eclipse Saudi Oil Minister Reshuffle – Bloomberg
Crude rose as expanding Canadian wildfires knocked out about 1 million barrels a day of production, outweighing the new Saudi Arabian oil minister’s pledge to maintain the country’s policy of near-record output.
China April Exports, Imports Decline More than Expected – Reuters
China’s exports and imports fell more than expected in April, underlining weak demand at home and abroad and cooling hopes of a recovery in the world’s second-largest economy.
Hillary to Blame for Bill’s Affairs, Says Trump – The Times (subscription)
Donald Trump called Hillary Clinton a “nasty, mean, enabler” of her husband’s infidelity, in the opening salvo of what is expected to become one of the dirtiest presidential election battles in recent history.
Australian PM Turnbull Announces General Election Set for July 2 – CNN
Australia’s general election will be held on July 2, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Sunday.
China Steel, Iron Ore Futures Dive as Demand Fears Drive Commodities Selloff – Reuters
Chinese commodities futures fell almost across the board on Monday, led by 6 percent drops in steel and iron ore futures, as worries about waning demand in the world’s top consumer of most industrial materials extended last week’s slide.
How the Bank of England Would Deal with a Brexit – The Daily Telegraph
Blame it on Brexit fears. That’s been the consensus among economists in recent weeks after a string of closely-watched surveys showed the UK recovery is running out of steam.
David Cameron Raises Spectre of Conflict in Battle over Brexit – FT (subscription)
David Cameron on Monday raised the stakes in the EU referendum debate, invoking the Balkans war and genocide in Srebrenica to make his case that Britain — and the rest of Europe — were more secure within a strong union.
Greek Government Turns Focus to Eurogroup After Securing Vote on New Measures – Kathimerini
Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos is to face his eurozone counterparts in Brussels on Monday for talks that are expected to focus on the terms of Greece’s third bailout and the prospects for debt relief following the approval in Parliament on Sunday night of overhauls of the Greek tax and pension systems.
- Top Greek Bankers Look Forward to Completion of Country’s Bailout Review – Kathimerini
- Greek Bonds Rally Ahead of Eurogroup – fastFT (subscription)
China Fights for Market Economy Status – FT (subscription)
China is intensifying lobbying to gain “market economy status” under the World Trade Organisation despite growing opposition in Europe and the US to a move that would make it harder for other major economies to bring anti-dumping cases against Beijing.
Company News
Saudi Aramco Plans London Listing but Doubts Grow on $2.5 Trillion Claim – The Daily Telegraph
Saudi Arabia is planning a three-way foreign listing in London, Hong Kong, and New York for the record-smashing privatisation of its $2.5 trillion oil giant Aramco, anchored on a triad of interlocking ties with three foreign energy companies.
Job Cuts Mount as Q1 Takes Toll – IFR
Investment banks have started cutting more jobs in London, New York and elsewhere and may sharpen the axe again if there is not a quick recovery from a grim first quarter, bankers and analysts said.
Total Swoops on French Battery Maker Saft – fastFT (subscription)
The French like to keep it friendly. France’s Total has announced a “friendly” €36.50 a share offer to acquire Saft, a fellow French company that promotes itself as a world leader in high-technology batteries.
Indian Insurers Plan to Raise over $1 Billion in two IPOs – Reuters
Two of India’s leading private-sector insurers are looking to raise over $1 billion this financial year in the sector’s first initial public offerings (IPOs), as insurance companies rush to take advantage of a change in ownership rules.
Cosco Sinks into the Red with $14.4m Loss in Q1 – Singapore Business Review
Blame it on lower shipyard, shipping revenue. Cosco reported a net loss of $14.4 million in the first quarter, on back of a 27% decline in turnover to $722.3 million.
Market Savvy
China Stocks Plunge Again as Hopes for Economic Recovery Fade – Reuters
China stocks fell sharply again on Monday, reaching eight-month lows, as investors saw hopes for a strong economic recovery fade and worried about fresh regulatory curbs on speculation.
Bill Gross, Mohamed El-Erian Warn Against Counting the Fed Out – Bloomberg
Three of the world’s most influential bond investors and the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York are signaling the U.S. central bank is on course to raise interest rates even after an April jobs gain that was smaller than economists forecast.
Soros Chart Signals BOJ Bond Buying Already Enough to Weaken Yen –Bloomberg
Japan’s money supply is close to overtaking that of the U.S. economy and some investors say that signals a weaker yen.
BOE Doves Could Vote for a Rate Cut, Bank of America Says – Bloomberg
The Bank of England’s three-month unity on interest rates may be about to end, according to analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Windfall for Central Banks Fuels Political Pressure – WSJ
The financial crisis has been a cash cow for central banks.