Top Headlines

Pound Surges as Brexit Opinion Polls Show Neck-and-Neck Race – FT (subscription)

The British pound powered ahead on Monday morning, carving out one of its biggest rallies of the past decade after the latest opinion polls on Britain’s EU referendum showed rising support for the Remain campaign that put it neck-and-neck with the rival Leave camp.

Brexit Could Lead to Political Instability in EU: ECB’s Makuch – Reuters

Britain’s departure from the European Union could lead to political instability within the bloc and slow down further integration, European Central Bank Governing Council member Jozef Makuch said.

Brexit Webinar: Last Chance to Register – Profit & Loss

With just days to go until the British referendum on whether or not to leave the European Union takes place, the expected the result of the vote remains too close to confidently predict.

Brexit Camp Divided as Senior Tory Walks Out – The Times (subscription)

A senior Tory politician will announce today that she is abandoning Brexit in protest at its “hate and xenophobia” and defecting to the Remain campaign.

Rajan’s Exit from RBI Set to Have Wide-Ranging Consequences on India’s Economy – CNBC

The sudden decision to step down by the man deemed by many to be the world’s best central banker has raised doubts over the Indian government’s commitment to structural reforms, as well as India’s position as a harbor of safety amid troubles in other emerging markets.

Nigeria’s Naira Slumps as 15-Month Currency Peg Ends in Lagos – Bloomberg

Nigeria’s naira weakened 22 percent to 253.50 per dollar after the central bank allowed the currency of Africa’s biggest economy to float freely on Monday.

Renzi Suffers Local Vote Setback, Rome Has First Woman Mayor – Bloomberg

Italians elected candidates of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement to run city halls in the capital Rome and Turin in the north, in a setback for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s plans to overhaul the country’s political system.

Clinton to Target Trump’s Business Record – WSJ (subscription)

Democrat Hillary Clinton will target Donald Trump’s business record on Tuesday, casting the presumptive Republican nominee as self-interested and deceptive as he prepares to provide more details about his economic proposals during the coming weeks.

When Trump Meets Clinton, No TV Record in America Will Be Safe – Bloomberg

Matthew Shields knows what he’ll be doing after work on the last Monday in September. “It’s going to be hilarious,” the Los Angeles hairstylist says. “I can’t wait.”

US Open 2016: Dustin Johnson Wins First Major Amid Farcical Finish at Oakmont – BBC

Dustin Johnson has claimed his first major – but only after a farcical end to the US Open that drew criticism from Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

Regulatory News

US Banks Put Regulators on Notice over Brexit – FT (subscription)

US banks have put federal regulators on notice over how they think Britain’s departure from the EU would hit their businesses, in the latest sign large institutions are braced for how such a vote would ripple through the financial system.

Company News

Putin Said to Weigh $11 Billion Rosneft Sale to China, India – Bloomberg

Vladimir Putin is considering selling part of Russia’s corporate crown jewels to China and India as the president struggles to meet spending commitments before his possible re-election bid in less than two years.

Integral Launches New Mid-Point Matching Engine – Profit & Loss

Integral Development Corp has launched OCX RiskNet, an anonymous mid-point matching engine.

Eurex Clearing Enhances the Marketplace for Securities Lending Central Clearing

The securities lending business turns gradually into a centrally cleared segment. “The impact of regulation and the increasing cost of capital, combined with the drive for operational efficiency, support central clearing for the securities lending marketplace”, said Erik Müller, who will take over responsibility for Eurex Clearing on 1 July.

Market Savvy

Retail Firms Hike Margins Requirements Ahead of Brexit Vote – Profit & Loss

Retail firms increasing margin requirements to their clients is one further consequence of the imminent Brexit referendum vote.

China Forex Sales Cooler in May – fastFT (subscription)

Growth in net foreign exchange sales in China cooled further in May, according to the country’s currencies regulator, reflecting a stabilisation of capital outflows.

IMF: ‘Abenomics Needs Reloading’ – fastFT (subscription)

Japan requires an overhaul of its economic strategy three years into its ambitious “Abenomics” programme, the International Monetary Fund has warned, urging Tokyo to hold back on immediate tax increases and setting a more flexible inflation target.

Frankfurt Set to Steal Euro Trade from City – The Times (subscription)

Officials in Frankfurt are looking at plans to seize trading in hundreds of billions’ worth of euros processed in London should the UK vote to leave the European Union.

A Hacking of More Than $50 Million Dashes Hopes in the World of Virtual Currency – New York Times

A hacker on Friday siphoned more than $50 million of digital money away from an experimental virtual currency project that had been billed as the most successful crowdfunding venture ever — taking with him not just a third of the venture’s money but also the hopes and dreams of thousands of participants who wanted to prove the safety and security of digital currency.