Salesforce raises annual revenue, profit outlook

Salesforce.com Inc (CRM.N) raised its full-year forecast for revenue as well as profit, and reported quarterly revenue that beat analysts’ estimates, following increased demand for its cloud-based software due to a pandemic-led shift to remote work.
The little engine that could, and the oil giant that couldn’t

Last December, when a week-old hedge fund named Engine No. 1 challenged Exxon Mobil to change its ways, laughter echoed through Wall Street circles, from the fund’s name that recalled a famous children’s book to its tiny, then-$40 million stake in what was once the world’s largest publicly traded company.
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.
Analysis: If not now, when? COVID-19 spurs global push to tackle wealth gap

Governments worldwide, facing strong evidence that fallout from COVID-19 has widened wealth gaps as well as wrecking economies, have expanded social safety nets and in some cases begun exploring bolder ways of tackling the imbalances.
Asian shares step back from 2-wk highs, dollar firm

Asian shares retreated from two-week highs on Thursday and China started on the backfoot on fears central banks were closer to considering winding back their emergency stimulus while the dollar held at a one-week top.
HSBC exits loss-making U.S. retail banking as part of Asia pivot

HSBC (HSBA.L) announced it is withdrawing from U.S. mass market retail banking by selling some parts of the money-losing business and winding down others, a long-awaited move as the lender steps up a shift in focus to Asia, its biggest market.
U.S. trade chief Tai says U.S. faces ‘very large challenges’ on China

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Wednesday that the United States still faces “very large challenges” in its trade and economic relationship with China that require the Biden administration’s attention across the board.
EXCLUSIVE KPMG managers back liquidation of Singapore firms in $1 bln nickel scandal

Singapore firms accused of being involved in a $1.1-billion bogus nickel trading scheme should be placed in liquidation as there was no business to be preserved, interim judicial managers at accounting firm KPMG have said in a document seen by Reuters.
Cryptos turn choppy as bounce momentum ebbs

Cryptocurrencies slipped on Thursday but without falling through recent lows, as enough traders clung to hopes that the asset class can claw its way back from last week’s plunge.
Analysis: Early or late cycle? Fast-running bull market unnerves investors

Will history’s longest-ever bull market be followed by one of the shortest?