CME denies media report of $16 bln takeover bid for rival Cboe

CME Group Inc (CME.O), the world’s biggest futures exchange operator, on Wednesday denied a media report that it approached rival Cboe Global Markets Inc (CBOE.Z), home to the VIX volatility index, with a $16 billion all-share takeover offer.
S&P 500 slips after Fed minutes show split over jobs, taper

The S&P 500 and the Dow industrials fell modestly on Wednesday after the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting last month showed officials felt the employment benchmark for decreasing support for the economy “could be reached this year.”
BHP, Woodside investors jittery over $29 billion petroleum merger

Shares in BHP Group (BHP.AX) and Woodside Petroleum (WPL.AX) fell on Wednesday as investors on both sides raised questions about the value of the Perth-based oil and gas group’s proposed $29 billion merger with BHP’s petroleum arm.
Analysis: As investors look to Jackson Hole, options markets see ‘a lot of nothing’

Traders in U.S. equity options do not expect the Federal Reserve’s symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming later this month to spark big moves in stocks, even as a focus on the Fed’s taper timeline amplifies the buzz around the annual event, data and interviews with market participants showed.
Asian shares move off near year lows, NZ holds rates steady

Asian shares edged off near year-to-date lows on Wednesday despite Wall Street’s overnight declines, while New Zealand’s central bank defied expectations by not raising interest rates as the country is in lockdown due to cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
MOVES Citigroup poaches Shah from Credit Suisse to boost tech M&A

Citigroup (C.N) has hired veteran tech banker Dhiren Shah from Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S), as it doubles down on investing in its tech franchise, according to a memo seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
Stocks and oil slide as Delta’s spread muddies economic picture

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) – Major stock indexes slid and oil posted its fourth straight day of declines as investors grappled with mixed economic data and considered the economic impact of the ongoing spread of the Delta coronavirus variant.
Dollar gains for 2nd day on Afghanistan, Delta variant worries

NEW YORK, Aug 17 (Reuters) – The dollar advanced for a second straight session on Tuesday, bolstered by safe-haven demand, as investors fretted about Afghanistan, a slowing Chinese economy, and the rapid spread of the Delta coronavirus variant which forced some lockdowns.
Tencent Music takes copyright rules in stride, earnings beat estimates

Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME.N) said on Monday China’s copyright rules were unlikely to have a big impact on its online subscriptions, and its chief executive believes regulators want to promote healthy development of the music industry.
S&P 500, Dow hit record highs as defensive shares shine

The benchmark S&P 500 and the Dow industrials hit record highs on Monday as investors moved into defensive sectors and stocks recovered from losses earlier in the session, shaking off glum economic data out of China.