Top Headlines
Soros Said to Return to Hands-On Trading, Sees Market Shifts – Bloomberg
Billionaire investor George Soros has become more involved in trading at his family office, concerned about the outlook for the global economy and the risk that large market shifts may be at hand, according to a person familiar with the matter.
New Zealand Dollar Surges on RBNZ Surprise, Dollar Steady – Reuters
A 1.5 percent surge for the New Zealand dollar after interest rates there were kept on hold was by far the biggest move in major currency markets on Thursday, while the U.S. dollar hit a five-week low against the yen.
Yen Touches Strongest in a Month as Stock Slide Spurs Haven Bid – Bloomberg
The yen gained for a third day versus the dollar, reaching its strongest level in a month, as a decline in stocks and increasing doubts that the Federal Reserve will tighten policy helped boost demand for the relative safety of the Japanese currency.
Brexit MP Defects to Remain Camp Over NHS – FT (subscription)
A senior Tory MP has abandoned the Leave campaign in the first major political defection of the referendum debate.
UK 10-Year Yields Fall to Record Low as Brexit Vote Approaches – Bloomberg
The UK’s 10-year government bond yield dropped to a record before the nation’s referendum on European Union membership.
UK House Prices Predicted to Drop for First Time Since 2012 – Bloomberg
UK house prices look set to dip for the first time since 2012 amid uncertainty before Britain’s vote on European Union membership and as a new tax on buy-to-let properties and second homes kicks in.
Trump’s Attacks on Judge Spook Anxious Republicans – FT (subscription)
As Donald Trump seeks to reassure Republican elders that he can be trusted with the presidential nomination, the party is debating the damage his attack on a Hispanic judge might do to fellow party members running for election in November.
Berlusconi’s Party Denies Press Reports He May Need Heart Surgery – Reuters
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is continuing to undergo tests in hospital but is not expected to have heart surgery, a spokeswoman for his Forza Italia party said on Thursday, denying press reports he would need an operation.
Ed Sheeran is Being Sued for $20m – BBC
Two US musicians are suing Ed Sheeran for $20m (£13.8m) over his single Photograph.
Regulatory News
Draghi On the importance of Policy Alignment
- Draghi: Governments Must Step in to Save Ageing Eurozone – fastFT (subscription)
- Euro Zone at Risk of Suffering Lasting Economic Damage: Draghi – Reuters
SEC: Morgan Stanley Failed to Safeguard Customer Data
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has agreed to pay a $1 million penalty to settle charges related to its failures to protect customer information, some of which was hacked and offered for sale online.
Company News
Dong Energy Lists in Biggest IPO of the Year – CNBC
Henrik Poulsen, CEO of Dong Energy, discusses investors’ interest in the company’s IPO and addresses controversies that affected the firm
A Swedish court has ordered candy maker Mars to stop selling M&Ms in the Scandinavian country, at least not with the customary lower-case letters it uses on the packaging and on the colorful chocolates.
Market Savvy
Trauma of SNB Haunts Currency Traders Planning for Brexit Vote – Bloomberg
Foreign-exchange traders, bracing for chaos on the night of Britain’s European Union referendum, are preparing to fall back on techniques perfected before the era of computerized transactions.
Nothing Less Than the Second Best – Profit & Loss
The euro’s share in global reserves has fallen to below 20%, its lowest level since 2000, according to a new report from the ECB.
Faltering Risk Appetite Hits Stocks, Sends Bund Yields to Record Lows – Reuters
Global stocks retreated on Thursday, dragged down by lower European and Japanese equity markets, as appetite for riskier assets faltered, underpinning demand for safe-haven German Bunds whose yields hit record lows.
IMF Says Gulf States Must Cut Deficits to Keep Currency Pegs – Bloomberg
Gulf oil exporters must cut spending and narrow their budget shortfalls to keep their currencies pegged to the dollar, the International Monetary Fund said.