FTSE 100 and US stocks jump ahead of presidential election November 3, 2020 The FTSE 100 jumped and US stocks rose sharply, as investors hoped that today’s US election would lead to a big stimulus package. Traders and investors around the world are preparing themselves for the culmination of a chaotic US election campaign. Polls have Democrat challenger Joe Biden well ahead, but memories of President Donald Trump’s [...]
Frankfurt boosts euro clearing incentives for banks, escalating battle with London November 3, 2020 Deutsche Boerse is increasing the incentives for banks to shift clearing of euro-denominated derivatives from London to Frankfurt, escalating a battle between the financial hubs sparked by Brexit. The exchange will strengthen Eurex Clearing’s incentive programme, designed to encourage banks to move swaps from The London Stock Exchange’s LCH unit to Frankfurt, and extend the [...]
Surge in trading revenues helps BNP Paribas beat expectations November 3, 2020 A surge in currency and commodity trading and lower than expected provisions for bad loans helped BNP Paribas beat earnings expectations for the third quarter. France’s biggest bank reported a 2.3 per cent drop in net income, which fell to €1.9bn (£1.7bn) for the three months to September – beating analysts expectations of €1.5bn. Overall [...]
Government extends coronavirus business loans ahead of Thursday’s England lockdown November 3, 2020 The government has extended applications for its coronavirus business support loan schemes ahead of England entering a second lockdown on Thursday.
FTSE 100 closes higher and US stocks rise despite fresh coronavirus lockdowns November 2, 2020 The FTSE 100 rebounded strongly from a terrible last week and US stocks jumped as investors rediscovered some optimism ahead of the US election and key central bank meetings. London’s main stock index was 1.4 per cent higher at 5,654 points by the close of trade, despite the imposition of a new national lockdown. The [...]
Trader convicted of rigging Libor to be released from prison in January November 2, 2020 Tom Hayes, a former UBS and Citigroup trader convicted of rigging the Libor benchmark, is to be released from prison in January after more than five years. Hayes, who was convicted of rigging the London interbank offered rate (or Libor) in 2015, will be released on 29 January, according to his lawyer. The 41-year-old has [...]
Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank return London staff to home working November 2, 2020 Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank are to return non-essential staff in their London offices to home working ahead of the introduction of a new coronavirus lockdown in England on Thursday. Several major banks had been encouraging staff to return to their London offices in recent months following the relaxation of initial lockdown measures, but news [...]
Goldman Sachs and Citi slash UK GDP forecasts on news of second lockdown November 2, 2020 Goldman Sachs and Citi have sharply cut its economic forecasts for the UK in the fourth quarter following news of a fresh national lockdown in England to curb the second wave of coronavirus infections. In a client note, Goldman analysts said the US investment bank now expects UK GDP to shrink 2.4 per cent in [...]
Watchdog extends loan payment holidays ahead of second lockdown November 2, 2020 The UK’s financial watchdog will extend payment holidays on credit cards, car finance, personal loans and pawnbroking ahead of a second coronavirus lockdown in England. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that consumers who had not yet had a payment deferral under guidance issued in July would be able to request a payment holiday lasting [...]
EU tells banks to comply with sustainability disclosures despite lack of guidance October 30, 2020 The EU has told banks and insurers they must comply with the bloc’s new laws on sustainability-related disclosures from March, even though detailed guidance on how the rules work in practice will not be ready in time. Last year the bloc approved a law designed to increase transparency on how financial institutions consider sustainability risks [...]