Author: News Room

By Wayne Cole SYDNEY (Reuters) – Asian shares inched higher on Monday as investors hoped U.S. inflation data this week would not derail the outlook for lower interest rates, while the risk of currency intervention from Japan stalled the yen’s decline for the moment. The U.S. core personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price index is seen rising 0.3% in February, which would keep the annual pace at 2.8%. Anything higher would be taken as a setback to hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut in June. Many markets are closed for Easter on Friday, when the PCE data is due for…

Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic said on Friday that he expected just one interest rate cut this year instead of the two rate cuts he had forecast, citing persistent inflation and stronger-than-anticipated economic data. Key quotes “Economy has proved more resilient than anticipated so much so that he’s doubled his expected GFP growth estimate to 2%.”“Sees little or no change in the current 3.9% unemployment rate.”“Says 3.9% unemployment was considered an inflationary level not too long go.”“Says inflation is falling but more slowly than anticipated, with many items recording outsized price increases.””If we have an economy…

The South Korean exchange Bithumb is looking to step up its IPO plans – and could look to launch a fast-tracked initial public offering as the crypto bull market continues. Per Hanguk Kyungjae, Bithumb is looking to “accelerate” its proposed KOSPI listing. Bithumb IPO: Exchange Takes Decisive Steps The media outlet reported that Bithumb announced that the exchange will spin off its holdings operations into a separate company. It is tentatively naming this firm Bithumb Investment. The firm published a regulatory filing document on March 22 detailing its plans. The new firm will take control of Bithumb’s holdings, investments, and…

‘Mike was wrong’: Chip Roy hits Speaker Johnson over spending bill — full interview Republican Rep. Chip Roy reacts to the New York civil case against Donald Trump, but “the average hardworking American is out there are saying, what are you doing?”

“Everybody up out of your seats!” demanded pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo on stage on night one of two in Chicago. “I want you to jump. I want you to scream! We’re gonna have so much fun!” Following up on the success of her multi-platinum 2021 debut album Sour, a tour which found her performing multiple night runs in large theaters, Rodrigo seems perfectly at home on a bigger stage, making the jump to arenas in support of her latest studio album Guts. The “Guts” world tour hit the Windy City for two sold out nights at United Center, with fans…

AI is driving a massive demand for electricity.Despite earlier commitments, some executives now say clean energy may not meet AI’s growing needs.That could force AI companies to rely more on fossil fuels than they hoped. AI is driving a dramatic new need for electricity, and while tech execs have long trumpeted their commitment to a green energy future, the urgency of that need presents them with a difficult path forward.Questions about fueling the AI boom took center stage earlier this month at the CERAWeek by S&P Global, The Wall Street Journal reported. The annual energy conference draws thousands of executives…

Millions of Americans risk their internet access being disrupted if a critical government program runs out of funding next month.The Affordable Connectivity Program has been helping low-income households access the internet since the Federal Communications Commission launched it in 2021. The program provides eligible households up to $30 off internet services every month, and households on qualifying Tribal lands receive up to $75 off monthly. according to the FCC.But the ACP is winding down. According to the FCC, it stopped accepting new applications and enrollments in February, and the last fully funded month of the program will be April. US…

By Alden Bentley (Reuters) – A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. Investors in Asia may favor playing it conservative ahead of a slew of economic indicators in coming days, especially with Japan’s stock market notching consecutive record highs and market closures on Friday for many centers, including China. 225 was hardly unique last week, extending its rally on Thursday and Friday. While dovish central bank signals emanated from the Federal Reserve, Swiss National Bank and Bank of England, it was the Bank of Japan that kicked off the hectic central bank news cycle by ending its long-held…

Reflexivity Research, a subsidiary of DeFi Technologies, held its first-ever Bitcoin Investor Day in New York City on 22 March 2024. The event sought to merge traditional financial principles with the innovative potential of Bitcoin. Hosted by Anthony Pompliano, the co-founder of Reflexivity, the conference featured prominent discussions about the role of Bitcoin in both traditional and institutional finance. Distinguished speakers, including Cathie Wood, Anthony Scaramucci, and Mike Novogratz, addressed a diverse audience of institutional investors, capital allocators, and entrepreneurs. At this event, Yahoo Finance reporter Brad Smith managed to get an interview with Anthony Scaramucci, the Founder and Managing…

The total value of private equity deals in Asia Pacific last year fell to its lowest since 2014 as fundraising dropped to a 10-year low amid slowing growth, high interest rates and volatile public markets, according to management consultancy Bain & Company.Japan though, was an outlier, with deal value jumping 183% in 2023 from a year earlier, making it the largest private equity market in Asia Pacific for the first time, according to Bain’s 2024 Asia-Pacific Private Equity Report released Monday.Japan is an attractive investment due to its deep pool of target companies with “significant pool for performance improvements” and…