U.S. to boost pipeline cyber protections in wake of Colonial hack
The Biden administration is working with pipeline companies to strengthen protections against cyberattacks following the Colonial Pipeline hack, with announcements of actions planned in coming days, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Tuesday.
European stocks stuck at peak as recovery uplift fades
European stocks look set to hold around or inch just above current record levels as the initial boost stemming from the region’s V-shaped recovery after the COVID-19 downturn loses momentum, a Reuters poll found.
Oil steady as demand optimism offsets worries of Iranian supply
Oil was steady on Wednesday, trading in a narrow range, supported by optimism about improving U.S. fuel demand and a weak dollar, but with the prospect of a return of Iranian oil to markets putting pressure on prices.
EXCLUSIVE China bars banks from selling commodities-linked products to retail buyers -sources
China’s banking regulator has asked lenders to stop selling investment products linked to commodities futures to mom-and-pop buyers, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, to curb investment losses amid volatile commodity prices.
European stocks near record high, NZ dollar rises
European stocks approached record highs on Wednesday after U.S. Federal Reserve officials soothed investors’ inflation worries, though the New Zealand dollar rose as the country’s central bank hinted at a rate hike next year.
Buy now, pay later players tackle credit conundrum in Mideast’s Gulf
Financial technology start-ups in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offering online short-term credit say they are enjoying exponential growth as the coronavirus pandemic drives a shift in consumer spending online.
Bitcoin reclaims $40,000 as crypto volatility lingers
Bitcoin climbed back above $40,000 on Wednesday for the first time this week, as recent volatility in the cryptocurrency market showed few signs of dampening down.
M&S’s annual profit slumps 88% as COVID crushes clothing sales
British retailer Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) on Wednesday reported an 88% slump in full-year profit, reflecting a collapse in clothing sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and warned investors not to expect a dividend in the current year.
Nord Stream 2 sanctions would be ‘counter-productive’ for European ties – Biden
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he decided to waive sanctions against the company behind the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline because the project was nearly complete, and doing so could have harmed ties with Europe.
GameStop jumps more than 16% as ‘meme’ stocks roar higher
Shares of GameStop (GME.N) soared 16.3% on Tuesday after hitting their highest level since late March, and other so-called “meme” stocks also rallied as investors shifted back into the retail favorites that had notched big gains earlier in the year.
