Exclusive: KKR raises $6 billion for biggest Asia infrastructure fund

KKR & Co Inc has raised nearly $6 billion for its second Asia Pacific infrastructure fund at the first-close, marking the biggest ever private equity fundraising for the sector in the region, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Oil prices edge down, recession fears back in focus

Oil prices fell on Friday amid recession fears and a stronger U.S. dollar, though losses were capped by supply concerns after Moscow’s new mobilisation campaign in its war with Ukraine and an apparent deadlock in talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal.
Analysis: Japan is chasing its tail on yen intervention

As the Bank of Japan steps into currency markets for the first time in decades to defend a battered yen, it is running into numerous obstacles, chiefly its own stubborn commitment to ultra-easy monetary settings.
EXCLUSIVE Sea’s Shopee shuts operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico -sources

Sea Ltd’s (SE.N) e-commerce arm told employees on Thursday it was shutting local operations in Chile, Colombia and Mexico, and leaving Argentina entirely, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter and an internal email.
EXCLUSIVE Chinese defence firm has taken over lifting Venezuelan oil for debt offset -sources

China has entrusted a defence-focussed state firm to ship millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil despite U.S. sanctions, part of a deal to offset Caracas’ billions of dollars of debt to Beijing, according to three sources and tanker tracking data.
Singapore’s Grab says ‘laser-focused’ on profitability after bumper quarter

Singapore’s Grab Holdings Ltd on Thursday lifted the lower end of its revenue forecast for the year and said it was “laser-focused” on profitability as demand for rideshare across Southeast Asia peaks.
Crypto.com gets UK regulatory approval

Singapore-based cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com has registered with Britain’s financial services regulator, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
Analysis: Macro gamblers grapple with immovable Bank of Japan

Investors betting that Japan will have to quit its ultra-loose monetary policy are running into riskier and pricier territory as the showdown shifts to the Bank of Japan’s home turf in the bond market.
EXCLUSIVE Barclays seeks entry into China’s $4.3 tln asset management market -sources

Barclays (BARC.L) is seeking a Chinese banking partner to set up an asset management joint venture in the country, two people with knowledge of the matter said, as part of British lender’s plans to expand its footprint in the world’s second-largest economy.
Stocks fall, dollar gains as U.S. inflation prompts 100 bps hike bets

European shares dropped in early trading on Thursday and the safe-haven dollar was up after the latest red-hot U.S. inflation reading increased investor caution about Federal Reserve rate hikes.