Global equity funds draw inflows on rate cut hopes, soft US economic data

May 17 (Reuters) – Global equity funds experienced strong demand for the third consecutive week, in the seven days to May 15, bolstered by a softer U.S. jobs report and lower-than-expected inflation figures, which increased expectations that the Federal Reserve may begin cutting rates this year. Investors purchased a net $10.27 billion worth of global equity funds during […]

Aflac Is Buying a Stake in a Direct Lender, Getting a Piece of the Private Credit Boom

Aflac AFL -0.39%decrease; red down pointing triangle is acquiring a 40% stake in Tree Line Capital Partners, a private-credit shop focused on lending to small and medium-size companies, according to people familiar with the matter. The details The insurance giant is paying about $100 million for the stake, the people said. Aflac is buying existing shares in the […]

Federal Consumer Financial Watchdog Survives Supreme Court Scrutiny

WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a conservative-backed challenge that could have dismantled the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ruling that Congress had authority to insulate the agency’s funding stream from political interference. Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for a 7-2 court, said that Congress has wide discretion in structuring the way federal agencies are funded. Source: REUTER

Exclusive: Anglo unveils hiring freeze, document shows, after rejecting $43 billion takeover bid

SYDNEY, May 16 (Reuters) – Anglo American (AAL.L), opens new tab has suspended hiring globally, it said on Thursday, as it gets plans underway to simplify itself and build value – and avert a $43 billion takeover bid by Australia’s BHP (BHP.AX), opens new tab Group. Anglo laid out plans on Tuesday to refocus its company on energy transition metal copper […]

India’s HAL posts Q4 profit climb on defence aircraft demand

BENGALURU, May 16 (Reuters) – India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) (HIAE.NS), opens new tab reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by demand for its aircraft from the country’s defence ministry. Consolidated net profit rose 52% year-on-year to 43.09 billion rupees ($516.2 million) for the three months ended March 31. Capital goods and manufacturing companies […]

Exclusive: Santander’s Matarranz to step down as global wealth chief as unit expands, sources say

LONDON/MADRID, May 15 (Reuters) – Santander’s (SAN.MC), opens new tab Victor Matarranz is stepping down as global head of wealth management and insurance as the Spanish bank expands the business, two people with knowledge of the plans said on Wednesday. Santander plans to fold its investment platforms and corporate holdings business into the wealth unit, one of […]

Cryptoverse: Retail traders sit out bitcoin rally

May 14 (Reuters) – What’s happened to the army of retail traders who used to drive bitcoin’s biggest rallies? U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase (COIN.O), opens new tab reported just $56 billion in consumer trading volumes in the first quarter of 2024, when bitcoin leapt to record heights close to $74,000. While that represents a fledgling recovery in […]