EXCLUSIVE Brazil’s Petrobras price hikes show company’s independence -CEO

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was not consulted or informed about state oil giant Petrobras’ (PETR4.SA) decision this week to raise fuel prices, which underscores the company’s independence, Chief Executive Joaquim Silva e Luna told Reuters on Wednesday.
UK’s post-lockdown hiring boom hits record pace – REC

Britain’s post-lockdown hiring boom roared on in June as employers signed up the most permanent staff since at least the late 1990s and a shortage of candidates hit unprecedented levels, driving up starting pay, a survey showed on Thursday.
London fintech funding soars in first half of the year

Fintech companies based in London raised more funding from venture capital investors in the first six months of 2021 than in any other year, demonstrating the British capital’s resilience as a hub for digital financial services post-Brexit.
U.S. industry groups, lawmakers press White House to lift travel restrictions

A coalition of 24 industry organizations urged the White House to lift coronavirus restrictions that bar much of the world from traveling to the United States but a White House official told Reuters late on Wednesday reopening will need more discussion.
Empathy bootcamp? UK banks seek payback on $105 bln COVID loans

As payback time approaches for more than 75 billion pounds ($104 billion) of emergency state-backed loans, Britain’s banks must tread a delicate path with businesses propped up during the pandemic.
Quickening U.S. recovery puts Fed taper discussion in focus

More clues on just when and how the U.S. Federal Reserve may begin to cut its pandemic-induced bond-buying spree are likely to emerge on Wednesday when the central bank publishes minutes of last month’s pivotal meeting.
Australia’s cbank tapers QE but affirms low rates outlook

Australia’s central bank on Tuesday took its first step towards tempering its massive stimulus as employment proves far stronger than previously expected, although actual rate hikes remain a distant prospect.
Samsung Electronics Q2 profit likely up 38% on strong chip prices

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) likely saw a 38% surge in profit for the April-June quarter thanks to strong chip prices and demand spurred by a pandemic-led consumer appetite for electronics as well as recovering investment in data centres.
UK faces new debt surge in climate push, early action best – OBR

Britain faces another jump in its 2-trillion-pound ($2.8 trillion) public debt pile to make its economy net carbon zero by 2050,but quick global action could make the hit less severe than that of the coronavirus pandemic, a fiscal watchdog said.
Dollar awaits Fed minutes, kiwi aloft on rate expectations

The New Zealand dollar rose on Tuesday after a strong business survey pulled forward rate hike expectations there to as soon November, while its Australian counterpart crept higher ahead of its own crucial central bank policy meeting later in the day.