Japan to unveil record $943 bln budget draft to ensure post-COVID recovery

Japan’s government is set to unveil its largest annual budget on Friday with $943 billion in spending for the fiscal year beginning next April, further straining the industrial world’s heaviest debt, a draft plan seen by Reuters showed.
Analysis: After another stunning U.S. stock market year, investors wonder how much gas is left

The U.S. stock market is set to deliver a three-peat of stellar annual returns, but chances of a similar performance in 2022 may be threatened by a more hawkish Federal Reserve, slowing earnings growth and a relentless pandemic.
BlackBerry revenue beats estimates as cybersecurity demand stays strong

BlackBerry Ltd (BB.TO), beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter revenue on Tuesday, helped by sustained demand for its cybersecurity and Internet of Things products.
Russian loans company Arifmetika plans Canada listing in 2022

Russia’s Arifmetika Financial Solutions, which provides small loans to individuals, plans to start trading in Canada in early 2022 and aims to raise about $100 million in the next 12-18 months, the head of its parent company OR Group (ORUP.MM) said.
Analysis: China shines regulatory spotlight on livestream retail boom

China’s ‘common prosperity’ crackdown has turned a harsh spotlight on the country’s massive livestream e-commerce business – underlining the fragility of a surging sales channel that some of the world’s biggest brands have come to rely on.
EXCLUSIVE Geely, Renault to soon announce hybrid-focused auto JV for Asia – sources

Geely Holding and France’s Renault are likely to soon announce a deal to jointly produce the Chinese automaker’s hybrid vehicles in South Korea and look at possibly exporting cars duty-free to the United States, three people familiar with the matter said.
French economic rebound, inflation to moderate next year – central bank

French growth and inflation will moderate in 2022 after a faster than expected recovery this year, after which a tighter labour market will boost wages, the French central bank forecast on Sunday.
Dollar shines, euro droops as Omicron spreads while Fed hawks circle

The U.S. dollar hovered near the highest since July of last year against major peers on Monday after a Federal Reserve official signaled a first pandemic-era interest rate hike could come as early as March.
Analysis: After inflation, a bond supply shock may be next for markets

Central banks, the developed world’s most reliable group of bond buyers, could slash debt purchases next year by as much as $2 trillion across the four big advanced economies, implying a potentially hefty rise in many governments’ borrowing costs.
Asia stocks, oil prices suffer as Omicron spreads

Asian share markets fell and oil prices slid on Monday as surging Omicron cases triggered tighter restrictions in Europe and threatened to drag on the global economy into the new year.