US dollar flat to modestly higher as upbeat data backs May rate hike

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. dollar was little changed to slightly higher against major currencies on Friday, as business activity data suggested that the world’s largest economy remained resilient, supporting expectations of another 25-basis-point interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve at next month’s policy meeting. Against commodity currencies, the greenback…

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Mining M&A spree to keep Australia dealmaking humming after $37 billion in first quarter

By Melanie Burton and Scott Murdoch MELBOURNE (Reuters) – As automakers and chemicals suppliers scramble to secure raw materials, resource-rich Australia has become a rare global bright spot with $37 billion worth of M&A deals in the first quarter, with the trend expected to continue in the near term. The increased dealmaking activity is forecast…

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Woodford investors offered up to $292 million over fund failure

By Kirstin Ridley LONDON (Reuters) -More than 300,000 investors in the failed equity income fund run by one-time star stock picker Neil Woodford have been offered potential redress of up 235 million pounds ($292 million) after a four-year British investigation. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said investors should consider the proposal by Link Fund Solutions…

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Analysis-Investors seek to break through Japan Inc’s ‘value trap’

By Ankur Banerjee SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Corporate governance in Japan has suddenly become a cause celebre, rousing the world’s third-largest stock market out of decades of lethargy and drawing in hordes of foreign investors. Japan’s stock market has long been seen by investors as a ‘value trap’ where companies focus on market share, hoard cash and…

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Australia’s central bank to get new rate-setting board under review shake up

By Wayne Cole SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia’s central bank is expected to get a new specialist board to manage monetary policy that will give independent expert members more responsibility for setting interest rates, a dilution of the bank’s traditional power over policy. A 272-page review of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released on Thursday outlined…

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