Analysis-Australian banks’ bid to shake mortgage reliance brings new risks

By Byron Kaye SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s big banks are pivoting to what analysts say could be a risky fight for growth in the country’s unloved business loans market as a price war ends a decade-long profit bonanza in the mortgage sector. The country’s four largest lenders said this month they would redirect capital and…

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US on track for June 1 default without debt ceiling hike, Treasury says

By David Lawder, Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department reiterated Monday it expects to be able to pay the U.S. government’s bills only through June 1 without a debt limit increase, increasing pressure on congressional Republicans and the White House to reach a deal in coming days. In her second letter to Congress…

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China’s April data show economic recovery losing steam, testing policymakers

By Ellen Zhang and Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s April industrial output and retail sales growth undershot forecasts, suggesting the economy lost momentum at the beginning of the second quarter and intensifying pressure on policymakers to shore up a wobbly post-COVID recovery. Tuesday’s batch of data, which also showed a further decline in property investment,…

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EU must build cutting-edge computer chips – industry chief Breton

By Toby Sterling ANTWERP, Belgium (Reuters) – EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Tuesday touted the European Chips Act passed last month, saying Europe must manufacture its own cutting-edge computer chips and not be relegated to a position on research or in building relatively older chips. “With the Chips Act now agreed, we are sending…

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Morgan Stanley weighs cutting 7% of Asia investment bank jobs-source

(Reuters) -Morgan Stanley is considering a 7% cut in its Asia-Pacific investment banking workforce, or about 40 jobs, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. The cuts would mainly impact the investment banking and capital markets business in the region, not including Japan. A Morgan Stanley spokesperson declined to comment. The job…

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EBRD: Inflation has peaked, but rising gas prices will pressure households

By Jorgelina do Rosario LONDON (Reuters) – Inflation has peaked in emerging Europe, central Asia and north Africa, but rising gas prices in the coming winter will keep pressure on household finances, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Tuesday. Consumer price rises in the EBRD’s region – covering some 40 economies…

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Venezuela’s opposition asked to back suspending statute of limitations on bond repayments

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezeula’s political opposition – recognized by the U.S. as the country’s legitimate government – was asked by a key creditor group on Monday to back the suspension of a statute of limitations on repayments for defaulted government bonds. President Nicolas Maduro’s government in March proposed a five-year suspension through 2028 or until…

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