Stocks up, U.S. yields at 3% as markets ready for Fed hike

World stocks rose on Tuesday and U.S. 10-year Treasury yields held above 3% as investors prepared for the Federal Reserve’s biggest rate hike since 2000.
U.S. stops Russian bond payments, raising pressure on Moscow

The United States stopped the Russian government on Monday from paying holders of its sovereign debt more than $600 million from reserves held at U.S. banks, in a move meant to ratchet up pressure on Moscow and eat into its holdings of dollars.
Hong Kong’s financial sector faces talent crunch as expats head for the exit

Late last year, Tania Sibree quit her well-paid job as a financial services lawyer in Hong Kong and returned to Australia rather than live a moment longer with the city’s strict coronavirus restrictions.
Hong Kong fund to sell Japan, S.Korea Burger King business in deal over $1bln – source

Private equity firm Affinity Equity Partners is this week launching the sale of its Burger King fast-food businesses in South Korea and Japan, in a deal that could fetch more than $1 billion, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Hong Kong warns COVID-19 curbs on air cargo to hit goods supply

Hong Kong will soon feel the negative effects of tougher COVID-19 quarantine curbs on air crew, with cargo traffic and the supply of goods into the city set to drop, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Wednesday.
HSBC, UBS order Hong Kong office changes as COVID cases rise

Banks in Hong Kong including HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) and UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) are taking steps to reduce the number of people at the workplace after having operated at near full capacity for the past few months, as the city faces a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Indonesia approves merger of units of Qatar’s Ooredoo, CK Hutchison

JAKARTA, Jan 4 (Reuters) – Indonesia on Tuesday approved a $6 billion merger of telco units of Qatar’s Ooredoo and Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison (0001.HK) and set a deadline of 2025 for the merged entity to ramp up its services, its communication minister said. CK Hutchison Holdings and Ooredoo announced in September the deal, which will […]
China to order cybersecurity reviews for some firms seeking overseas listings

China said on Tuesday it would put in force new rules that will boost oversight over how its platform companies make plans to list abroad or use recommendation algorithms, in moves set to tighten Beijing’s grip over its sprawling technology sector.
China’s Didi plans Hong Kong ‘listing by introduction’, picks banks -sources

China’s ride-hailing giant Didi Global (DIDI.N) plans to use a mechanism that will allow it to list shares in Hong Kong without raising capital or issuing new stock as it seeks to delist from New York, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
Tencent hands shareholders $16.4 bln windfall in the form of JD.com stake

Chinese gaming and social media company Tencent (0700.HK) will pay out a $16.4 billion dividend by distributing most of its JD.com (9618.HK) stake, weakening its ties to the e-commerce firm and raising questions about its plans for other holdings.