South Korea threatens to drop blackout bombs on North Korea
SOUTH Korea’s military is ready to deploy a powerful weapon that can totally paralyse North Korea in the event of a nuclear war.

South Korea threatens to drop blackout bombs on North Korea
SOUTH Korea’s military is ready to deploy a powerful weapon that can totally paralyse North Korea in the event of a nuclear war.

HomeNewsWorldWorld War 3 fears: North Korea could launch nuclear bomb TODAY to hit US west coast

NORTH Korea could detonate its largest ever nuclear “city-busting” bomb today as it ramps up its fight against the United States on Columbus Day.
...
North Korea sends chilling threat to Japan amid World War 3 fears
The North Koreans claimed to have technology which would allow them to bring a nuclear warhead down to earth intact, he added

Kim usually uses national holidays, in the North and the US, to show off his military might and send out warning signals to the world.

HomeNewsWorldWorld War 3 fears: North Korea could launch nuclear bomb TODAY to hit US west coast

NORTH Korea could detonate its largest ever nuclear “city-busting” bomb today as it ramps up its fight against the United States on Columbus Day.
...
North Korea sends chilling threat to Japan amid World War 3 fears
The North Koreans claimed to have technology which would allow them to bring a nuclear warhead down to earth intact, he added

Kim usually uses national holidays, in the North and the US, to show off his military might and send out warning signals to the world.

#BUSINESS NEWS
OCTOBER 9, 2017 / 8:38 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Dollar down from 12-week high vs yen as North Korea fears weigh
Masayuki Kitano
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar and Japan Yen notes are seen in this picture illustration June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The dollar held steady against the yen on Monday, having retreated from 12-week highs set last week, due to renewed focus on geopolitical risks amid concerns that North Korea may be preparing another missile test.

North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile, which it believes can reach the west coast of the United States, a Russian lawmaker who had returned from a visit to Pyongyang was quoted by Russia’s RIA news agency as saying on Friday.

The renewed focus on geopolitical tensions helped lend support to the safe haven yen, and helped pull the dollar down from its post-U.S. jobs data highs.


On Friday, the dollar was already in retreat due to profit-taking, when the North Korea-related headlines reached the market, exacerbating the greenback’s drop, said Stephen Innes, head of trading in Asia-Pacific for Oanda in Singapore.

#BUSINESS NEWS
OCTOBER 9, 2017 / 8:38 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Dollar down from 12-week high vs yen as North Korea fears weigh
Masayuki Kitano
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar and Japan Yen notes are seen in this picture illustration June 2, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The dollar held steady against the yen on Monday, having retreated from 12-week highs set last week, due to renewed focus on geopolitical risks amid concerns that North Korea may be preparing another missile test.

North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile, which it believes can reach the west coast of the United States, a Russian lawmaker who had returned from a visit to Pyongyang was quoted by Russia’s RIA news agency as saying on Friday.

The renewed focus on geopolitical tensions helped lend support to the safe haven yen, and helped pull the dollar down from its post-U.S. jobs data highs.


On Friday, the dollar was already in retreat due to profit-taking, when the North Korea-related headlines reached the market, exacerbating the greenback’s drop, said Stephen Innes, head of trading in Asia-Pacific for Oanda in Singapore.

Market wrap: US dollar index closed down 0.2% - Westpac
By Ross J Burland
Analysts at Westpac offered a market wrap fro Friday's close.

Key Quotes:

"Global market sentiment: US bond yields and the US dollar rose after the jobs data, but later reversed on North Korea headlines.

The monthly US payrolls report disappointed regarding jobs growth but contained surprisingly strong details. Russian media reported that North Korea is planning to test a long range missile capable of reaching the US west coast.

Interest rates: US 10yr yields rose from 2.35% to 2.40% (a three-month high) after the payrolls data, but later completely retraced amid headlines about the Russian report on North Korea. 2yr yields rose from 1.49% to 1.53% before retracing to 1.50%. Fed fund futures yields firmed slightly to price the chance of a December rate hike at 89%.

Currencies: The US dollar index closed down 0.2% on Friday, although it did make a two-month high in response to the payrolls data. EUR initially fell to 1.1670 before retracing to 1.1738. USD/JPY initially rose to 113.44 before retracing to 112.61. AUD made a three-month low at 0.7733 after the US data, but later retraced to 0.7777. NZD similarly fell to 0.7059 – a four-month low – before retracing to 0.7096. It is opening this morning slightly weaker at 0.7060, possibly in response to Saturday’s final election results which remained inconclusive. AUD/NZD rose from 1.0920 to 1.0973.

Economic Wrap

US non-farm payrolls fell 33k in September (vs +80k expected), suggesting an even larger hurricane impact than widely assumed. Beyond hurricane impacts the underlying detail is very constructive, particularly in household survey where the BLS says that storms had no “discernible effect”.

The participation rate rose a very strong +0.2ppts to 63.1%, the employment to population ratio rose from 60.1% to 60.4% - a post-recession high, and the unemployment rate fell from 4.4% to 4.2%. These are positive trends but some of the details warrant caution – the household survey shows an incredibly large 906k gain in employment (hence the big fall in the unemployment rate and the jump in the employment to population ratio). This unusually large monthly gain may result in a sharp correction next month.

Market wrap: US dollar index closed down 0.2% - Westpac
By Ross J Burland
Analysts at Westpac offered a market wrap fro Friday's close.

Key Quotes:

"Global market sentiment: US bond yields and the US dollar rose after the jobs data, but later reversed on North Korea headlines.

The monthly US payrolls report disappointed regarding jobs growth but contained surprisingly strong details. Russian media reported that North Korea is planning to test a long range missile capable of reaching the US west coast.

Interest rates: US 10yr yields rose from 2.35% to 2.40% (a three-month high) after the payrolls data, but later completely retraced amid headlines about the Russian report on North Korea. 2yr yields rose from 1.49% to 1.53% before retracing to 1.50%. Fed fund futures yields firmed slightly to price the chance of a December rate hike at 89%.

Currencies: The US dollar index closed down 0.2% on Friday, although it did make a two-month high in response to the payrolls data. EUR initially fell to 1.1670 before retracing to 1.1738. USD/JPY initially rose to 113.44 before retracing to 112.61. AUD made a three-month low at 0.7733 after the US data, but later retraced to 0.7777. NZD similarly fell to 0.7059 – a four-month low – before retracing to 0.7096. It is opening this morning slightly weaker at 0.7060, possibly in response to Saturday’s final election results which remained inconclusive. AUD/NZD rose from 1.0920 to 1.0973.

Economic Wrap

US non-farm payrolls fell 33k in September (vs +80k expected), suggesting an even larger hurricane impact than widely assumed. Beyond hurricane impacts the underlying detail is very constructive, particularly in household survey where the BLS says that storms had no “discernible effect”.

The participation rate rose a very strong +0.2ppts to 63.1%, the employment to population ratio rose from 60.1% to 60.4% - a post-recession high, and the unemployment rate fell from 4.4% to 4.2%. These are positive trends but some of the details warrant caution – the household survey shows an incredibly large 906k gain in employment (hence the big fall in the unemployment rate and the jump in the employment to population ratio). This unusually large monthly gain may result in a sharp correction next month.

Asian shares edge up ahead of China services data as the Turkish lira tumbles
U.S. September nonfarm payrolls declined by 33,000
The Turkish lira fell against the dollar after the U.S. suspended some visa services
China Caixin services PMI and forex reserves expected in the day
Cheang Ming | @cheangming

Asian shares edge up ahead of China services data as the Turkish lira tumbles
U.S. September nonfarm payrolls declined by 33,000
The Turkish lira fell against the dollar after the U.S. suspended some visa services
China Caixin services PMI and forex reserves expected in the day
Cheang Ming | @cheangming

The Kurdish Referendum Could Reshape Oil Markets

Oil is at the center of it all. Kurdistan itself is rich in oil, possessing reserves equal to 45 billion barrels, and could potentially become a larger producer than Nigeria. According to figures from the KRG, Kurdistan currently exports about 600,000 barrels a day, though that number is difficult to account for. Other reports indicated it exports something closer to 430,000 or around ten percent of Iraq’s total oil exports.

Turkey, Iran, and Iraq join forces against emergence of Kurdistanbrian wang | October 6, 2017 |


Turkey, Iran, and Iraq adopted a coordinated, aggressive force posture in retaliation for the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) independence referendum on September 25, 2017. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) conducted military exercises on the borders of Iraqi Kurdistan with the Turkish Armed Forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and Iranian Artesh. Turkey and Iran implemented a ban on direct flights from Northern Iraq on September 29. The ISF has also begun to establish security checkpoints at border crossings from Iraqi Kurdistan to Turkey and Iran. The tripartite has yet to enact economic embargos, although the three states threatened to block crude oil exports from the KRG following a temporary ban by Iran. Turkey, Iran, and Iraq nonetheless remain unlikely to escalate militarily in the near term. The U.S. has opposed the KRG’s unilateral campaign on the grounds that it will harm the prospects for a unified, independent, and representative Iraq. The tripartite response and Iran’s growing role also threaten that goal.

The tripartite cooperation between Turkey, Iran, and Iraq builds upon preexisting multilateral frameworks that ultimately expand Iran’s regional influence and undercut American influence. Russia, Iran, and Syria have begun coopting elements of the Iraqi government into a ‘Quartet’ for operations along the Syrian-Iraqi Border. Russia and Iran have also drawn Turkey into a diplomatic process that favors their own interests through the Astana Talks on the Syrian Civil War. Iran will exploit these overlapping forums to expand and legitimize its destabilizing involvement in Iraq, Syria, and the wider Middle East. Russia also sees opportunity in these forums.It has set conditions to engage more deeply in Iraq amidst the uncertainty surrounding the KRG’s drive for independence. These forums will undermine the prospects for establishing independent, representative, and unitary states in Iraq and Syria – a requirement for achieving broader U.S. objectives.

Malaysia's August export growth at 21.5 pct y/y, above f'cast
Reuters Staff
* August exports +21.5 pct y/y vs Reuters poll +19.2 pct
* August imports +22.6 pct y/y vs poll forecast +21.0 pct
* Trade surplus 9.9 bln rgt vs poll forecast of 9.6 bln rgt
* Exports to China +21.2 pct y/y, U.S. +14.5 pct, EU +21.6 pct

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Malaysia's exports in August grew to 21.5
percent from a year earlier, beating expectations on the back of manufacturing
sector and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, but were slower than the
previous month.
The export growth exceeded the 19.2 percent forecast by a Reuters poll but
was down from July's 30.9 percent growth.
The upward trend of manufactured goods exports continued in August with an
expansion of 22.3 percent year-on-year. Growth was also driven by increased
exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), government data showed on Friday.
Exports of mining goods grew 38.8 percent, accounting for 8.4 percent of
Malaysia's total exports, the data showed.
August imports grew 22.6 percent from a year earlier to 72.4 billion
ringgit, up from the 21.8 percent growth in July and the 21.0 percent growth
projected in the poll.
The trade surplus in August widened to 9.9 billion ringgit ($2.3
billion)from July's 8.0 billion ringgit.
Malaysia reports trade data in ringgit. The currency has been one of
Asia's best-performing ones this year, strengthening about 6 percent this year.
Exports to China remained robust, rising 21.2 percent from a year earlier,
while those to the European Union grew 21.6 percent.
Shipments to the United States rose 14.5 percent.

Malaysia's August export growth at 21.5 pct y/y, above f'cast
Reuters Staff
* August exports +21.5 pct y/y vs Reuters poll +19.2 pct
* August imports +22.6 pct y/y vs poll forecast +21.0 pct
* Trade surplus 9.9 bln rgt vs poll forecast of 9.6 bln rgt
* Exports to China +21.2 pct y/y, U.S. +14.5 pct, EU +21.6 pct

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Malaysia's exports in August grew to 21.5
percent from a year earlier, beating expectations on the back of manufacturing
sector and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, but were slower than the
previous month.
The export growth exceeded the 19.2 percent forecast by a Reuters poll but
was down from July's 30.9 percent growth.
The upward trend of manufactured goods exports continued in August with an
expansion of 22.3 percent year-on-year. Growth was also driven by increased
exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), government data showed on Friday.
Exports of mining goods grew 38.8 percent, accounting for 8.4 percent of
Malaysia's total exports, the data showed.
August imports grew 22.6 percent from a year earlier to 72.4 billion
ringgit, up from the 21.8 percent growth in July and the 21.0 percent growth
projected in the poll.
The trade surplus in August widened to 9.9 billion ringgit ($2.3
billion)from July's 8.0 billion ringgit.
Malaysia reports trade data in ringgit. The currency has been one of
Asia's best-performing ones this year, strengthening about 6 percent this year.
Exports to China remained robust, rising 21.2 percent from a year earlier,
while those to the European Union grew 21.6 percent.
Shipments to the United States rose 14.5 percent.

Malaysia's August export growth at 21.5 pct y/y, above f'cast
Reuters Staff
* August exports +21.5 pct y/y vs Reuters poll +19.2 pct
* August imports +22.6 pct y/y vs poll forecast +21.0 pct
* Trade surplus 9.9 bln rgt vs poll forecast of 9.6 bln rgt
* Exports to China +21.2 pct y/y, U.S. +14.5 pct, EU +21.6 pct

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Malaysia's exports in August grew to 21.5
percent from a year earlier, beating expectations on the back of manufacturing
sector and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, but were slower than the
previous month.
The export growth exceeded the 19.2 percent forecast by a Reuters poll but
was down from July's 30.9 percent growth.
The upward trend of manufactured goods exports continued in August with an
expansion of 22.3 percent year-on-year. Growth was also driven by increased
exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), government data showed on Friday.
Exports of mining goods grew 38.8 percent, accounting for 8.4 percent of
Malaysia's total exports, the data showed.
August imports grew 22.6 percent from a year earlier to 72.4 billion
ringgit, up from the 21.8 percent growth in July and the 21.0 percent growth
projected in the poll.
The trade surplus in August widened to 9.9 billion ringgit ($2.3
billion)from July's 8.0 billion ringgit.
Malaysia reports trade data in ringgit. The currency has been one of
Asia's best-performing ones this year, strengthening about 6 percent this year.
Exports to China remained robust, rising 21.2 percent from a year earlier,
while those to the European Union grew 21.6 percent.
Shipments to the United States rose 14.5 percent.

8 HOURS AGO by Mamta Badkar
The US dollar gave up its gains on Friday after a report that North Korea was preparing to test a long-range missile that could reach the US west coast.

The DXY dollar index, which gauges the buck against a basket of six global peers, was trading roughly flat at 93.86, after state-owned news agency RIA reported the news citing a Russian lawmaker following a trip to Pyongyang.

According to Reuters, a member of the Russian Duma’s international affairs committee quoted in the RIA report said that North Korea was preparing for new tests of a long-range missile, that the regime is in a “belligerent mood” and that a launch could come in the near future.

8 HOURS AGO by Mamta Badkar
The US dollar gave up its gains on Friday after a report that North Korea was preparing to test a long-range missile that could reach the US west coast.

The DXY dollar index, which gauges the buck against a basket of six global peers, was trading roughly flat at 93.86, after state-owned news agency RIA reported the news citing a Russian lawmaker following a trip to Pyongyang.

According to Reuters, a member of the Russian Duma’s international affairs committee quoted in the RIA report said that North Korea was preparing for new tests of a long-range missile, that the regime is in a “belligerent mood” and that a launch could come in the near future.

8 HOURS AGO by Mamta Badkar
The US dollar gave up its gains on Friday after a report that North Korea was preparing to test a long-range missile that could reach the US west coast.

The DXY dollar index, which gauges the buck against a basket of six global peers, was trading roughly flat at 93.86, after state-owned news agency RIA reported the news citing a Russian lawmaker following a trip to Pyongyang.

According to Reuters, a member of the Russian Duma’s international affairs committee quoted in the RIA report said that North Korea was preparing for new tests of a long-range missile, that the regime is in a “belligerent mood” and that a launch could come in the near future.

5 Reasons the U.S. Dollar Could Plunge in October

What will get the dollar moving back downward? Factors that I see include:

A Stronger European Economy

French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to make the European economy stronger, but is waiting for his neighbor Angela Merkel to form a coalition government in Germany.

The market remains wary of what concessions Merkel might offer to achieve this, but will likely forget such misgivings once she succeeds in forming a working coalition.

A Merkel/Macron partnership should strengthen the European economy -- and the euro should rise on the increased confidence that follows.

The U.S. dollar is due for a fall.
The U.S. dollar is due for a fall.
A Softening U.S. Economy

Expect a renewed focus on the weakening U.S. housing and auto sectors once the news cycle moves past the NFL national-anthem controversy. That will create greater skepticism that the Fed will raise rates at its December monetary-policy meeting.

While the Fed has publicly made a December hike one of its goals, the market has yet to concur. Futures markets are only pricing in a 65% chance of a December boost. If market doubts rise, so will dollar weakness.

Little Real Hope for U.S. Tax Reform

Growing excitement over a workable U.S. tax-reform bill has gained much attention in recent days, but I believe that enthusiasm will likely die as quickly as it arose.

After all, there's little consensus about tax reform on Capitol Hill, and Republican interparty bickering will likely send the idea the way of currently defunct Obamacare-repeal plans. If tax reform moves to the backburner, the dollar will weaken as well.

North Korea

North Korea-related jitters continue to permeate, but the vast majority of market watchers believe there's minimal chance of a U.S./North Korean military conflict occurring.

However, I see a growing probability of a military incident arising as U.S. bombers more or less share airspace with North Korean fighters. Any shootout would serve as an immediate negative for the dollar, prompting a flight-to-safety boost for the euro and dollar/yen to drop below 110.

China

China last month relaxed a number of rules that had dissuaded people from selling the yuan, helping to strengthen the Chinese currency against the dollar in the process. These rules had also resulted in Beijing boosting its U.S. Treasury exposure as officials intervened to slow the yuan's appreciation.

But it's my view that relaxing these rules isn't a signal for yuan weakness, but rather a move toward further CNY flexibility. Yuan weakness was likely just a passing phase, with further strengthening just around the corner. That should result in additional dollar weakness.

5 Reasons the U.S. Dollar Could Plunge in October

What will get the dollar moving back downward? Factors that I see include:

A Stronger European Economy

French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to make the European economy stronger, but is waiting for his neighbor Angela Merkel to form a coalition government in Germany.

The market remains wary of what concessions Merkel might offer to achieve this, but will likely forget such misgivings once she succeeds in forming a working coalition.

A Merkel/Macron partnership should strengthen the European economy -- and the euro should rise on the increased confidence that follows.

The U.S. dollar is due for a fall.
The U.S. dollar is due for a fall.
A Softening U.S. Economy

Expect a renewed focus on the weakening U.S. housing and auto sectors once the news cycle moves past the NFL national-anthem controversy. That will create greater skepticism that the Fed will raise rates at its December monetary-policy meeting.

While the Fed has publicly made a December hike one of its goals, the market has yet to concur. Futures markets are only pricing in a 65% chance of a December boost. If market doubts rise, so will dollar weakness.

Little Real Hope for U.S. Tax Reform

Growing excitement over a workable U.S. tax-reform bill has gained much attention in recent days, but I believe that enthusiasm will likely die as quickly as it arose.

After all, there's little consensus about tax reform on Capitol Hill, and Republican interparty bickering will likely send the idea the way of currently defunct Obamacare-repeal plans. If tax reform moves to the backburner, the dollar will weaken as well.

North Korea

North Korea-related jitters continue to permeate, but the vast majority of market watchers believe there's minimal chance of a U.S./North Korean military conflict occurring.

However, I see a growing probability of a military incident arising as U.S. bombers more or less share airspace with North Korean fighters. Any shootout would serve as an immediate negative for the dollar, prompting a flight-to-safety boost for the euro and dollar/yen to drop below 110.

China

China last month relaxed a number of rules that had dissuaded people from selling the yuan, helping to strengthen the Chinese currency against the dollar in the process. These rules had also resulted in Beijing boosting its U.S. Treasury exposure as officials intervened to slow the yuan's appreciation.

But it's my view that relaxing these rules isn't a signal for yuan weakness, but rather a move toward further CNY flexibility. Yuan weakness was likely just a passing phase, with further strengthening just around the corner. That should result in additional dollar weakness.

5 Reasons the U.S. Dollar Could Plunge in October

What will get the dollar moving back downward? Factors that I see include:

A Stronger European Economy

French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to make the European economy stronger, but is waiting for his neighbor Angela Merkel to form a coalition government in Germany.

The market remains wary of what concessions Merkel might offer to achieve this, but will likely forget such misgivings once she succeeds in forming a working coalition.

A Merkel/Macron partnership should strengthen the European economy -- and the euro should rise on the increased confidence that follows.

The U.S. dollar is due for a fall.
The U.S. dollar is due for a fall.
A Softening U.S. Economy

Expect a renewed focus on the weakening U.S. housing and auto sectors once the news cycle moves past the NFL national-anthem controversy. That will create greater skepticism that the Fed will raise rates at its December monetary-policy meeting.

While the Fed has publicly made a December hike one of its goals, the market has yet to concur. Futures markets are only pricing in a 65% chance of a December boost. If market doubts rise, so will dollar weakness.

Little Real Hope for U.S. Tax Reform

Growing excitement over a workable U.S. tax-reform bill has gained much attention in recent days, but I believe that enthusiasm will likely die as quickly as it arose.

After all, there's little consensus about tax reform on Capitol Hill, and Republican interparty bickering will likely send the idea the way of currently defunct Obamacare-repeal plans. If tax reform moves to the backburner, the dollar will weaken as well.

North Korea

North Korea-related jitters continue to permeate, but the vast majority of market watchers believe there's minimal chance of a U.S./North Korean military conflict occurring.

However, I see a growing probability of a military incident arising as U.S. bombers more or less share airspace with North Korean fighters. Any shootout would serve as an immediate negative for the dollar, prompting a flight-to-safety boost for the euro and dollar/yen to drop below 110.

China

China last month relaxed a number of rules that had dissuaded people from selling the yuan, helping to strengthen the Chinese currency against the dollar in the process. These rules had also resulted in Beijing boosting its U.S. Treasury exposure as officials intervened to slow the yuan's appreciation.

But it's my view that relaxing these rules isn't a signal for yuan weakness, but rather a move toward further CNY flexibility. Yuan weakness was likely just a passing phase, with further strengthening just around the corner. That should result in additional dollar weakness.

Malaysia's PNB looks to sell two British properties
Reuters Reuters
Friday September 29, 2017 3:10 AM
Kitco NewsShare this article:
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Malaysia's largest government-linked fund management firm, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), is considering selling two properties in Britain in what would be its first divestment of foreign real estate assets.

PNB said the commercial properties at 1 Silk Street and 90 High Holborn in London had matured and it wanted to maximise returns while demand for British real estate was strong.

It bought the properties in 2012 for a reported 350 million pounds ($469.53 million) and 140 million pounds, respectively.

Malaysian state-owned funds such as PNB, the Employees Provident Fund and Retirement Fund Inc forayed into Britain's property market in 2010-2013, before the Malaysian economy and ringgit weakened.

Any sales of their foreign properties could suggest a redeployment of funds to Malaysia.

Malaysia's PNB looks to sell two British properties
Reuters Reuters
Friday September 29, 2017 3:10 AM
Kitco NewsShare this article:
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Malaysia's largest government-linked fund management firm, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), is considering selling two properties in Britain in what would be its first divestment of foreign real estate assets.

PNB said the commercial properties at 1 Silk Street and 90 High Holborn in London had matured and it wanted to maximise returns while demand for British real estate was strong.

It bought the properties in 2012 for a reported 350 million pounds ($469.53 million) and 140 million pounds, respectively.

Malaysian state-owned funds such as PNB, the Employees Provident Fund and Retirement Fund Inc forayed into Britain's property market in 2010-2013, before the Malaysian economy and ringgit weakened.

Any sales of their foreign properties could suggest a redeployment of funds to Malaysia.

Brent moved to $59 and above.

Brent on $59 and above

Brent uptrend to $59 and above

Brent crude hits new 2017 high above $58 as bulls see more oil gains ahead
Brent crude oil hit a new 2017 high, as U.S. crude topped $51 a barrel for the first time in four months.
The market expects oil producers to extend a deal to limit output as demand forecasts rise.
Hedge funds raised their bets that oil prices will rise, figures from the CFTC show.

Brent crude hits new 2017 high above $58 as bulls see more oil gains ahead
Brent crude oil hit a new 2017 high, as U.S. crude topped $51 a barrel for the first time in four months.
The market expects oil producers to extend a deal to limit output as demand forecasts rise.
Hedge funds raised their bets that oil prices will rise, figures from the CFTC show.

Brent crude hits new 2017 high above $58 as bulls see more oil gains ahead
Brent crude oil hit a new 2017 high, as U.S. crude topped $51 a barrel for the first time in four months.
The market expects oil producers to extend a deal to limit output as demand forecasts rise.
Hedge funds raised their bets that oil prices will rise, figures from the CFTC show.

AFP/Getty Images
Oil ended slightly higher on Friday, with prices extending a streak of weekly gains, as major oil producers at an OPEC-led committee meeting boasted record compliance with their production-cut agreement, but, as expected, reached no decision to extend the agreement.

U.S. benchmark, November West Texas Intermediate crude US:CLV7 added 11 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $50.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, with the contract settling at a roughly four-month high, according to FactSet data. For the week, the November contract gained 0.4%, while prices tracking the front-month contracts were up 1.5%. Oil also tallied third-straight weekly climb.


Meanwhile, November Brent crude LCOX7, +0.83% the global benchmark, added 43 cents, or 0.8%, to $56.86 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract gained about 2.2% for the week, its fourth-consecutive weekly climb.

On Friday, the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee, or JMMC, which includes Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members Algeria, Kuwait and Venezuela as well as non-OPEC Russia, announced in a news release that the countries participating in a production-cut agreement reached record monthly compliance with the pact.

Time
Crude Oil - Electronic Nov 2017
24 Aug
30 Aug
5 Sep
11 Sep
21 Sep
15 Sep
US:CLX7$46$47$48$49$50$51
Under the agreement, OPEC, along with several producers outside the cartel, said they would eliminate about 2% of the global oil supply through March 2018. There has also been speculation recently that producers are considering a further extension of the deal to the end of next year.

The producers reached a conformity level of 116% in August, the committee said Friday. Compliance was at 94% in July.

Brent climb to $56.86/barrel

Brent uptrend to $56 and above.

[SHANGHAI] China's yuan firmed against the US dollar on Wednesday as companies sold dollars to take profits on recent gains and square positions ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision later in the session.

The Fed is widely expected to announce that it will start paring its balance sheet, with the reductions seen likely to start this year.

It is expected to keep rates on hold, but investors will be watching for fresh hints on the chances of another rate rise this year and how many could be expected in 2018.

decision
WED, SEP 20, 2017 - 1:02 PM
[SHANGHAI] China's yuan firmed against the US dollar on Wednesday as companies sold dollars to take profits on recent gains and square positions ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision later in the session.

The Fed is widely expected to announce that it will start paring its balance sheet, with the reductions seen likely to start this year.

It is expected to keep rates on hold, but investors will be watching for fresh hints on the chances of another rate rise this year and how many could be expected in 2018.

decision
WED, SEP 20, 2017 - 1:02 PM
[SHANGHAI] China's yuan firmed against the US dollar on Wednesday as companies sold dollars to take profits on recent gains and square positions ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision later in the session.

The Fed is widely expected to announce that it will start paring its balance sheet, with the reductions seen likely to start this year.

It is expected to keep rates on hold, but investors will be watching for fresh hints on the chances of another rate rise this year and how many could be expected in 2018.

decision
WED, SEP 20, 2017 - 1:02 PM
[SHANGHAI] China's yuan firmed against the US dollar on Wednesday as companies sold dollars to take profits on recent gains and square positions ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision later in the session.

The Fed is widely expected to announce that it will start paring its balance sheet, with the reductions seen likely to start this year.

It is expected to keep rates on hold, but investors will be watching for fresh hints on the chances of another rate rise this year and how many could be expected in 2018.

Australian dollar pushed higher by US dollar weakness
By business reporter Michael Janda
Updated about 3 hours ago

Australian dollar sits on top of US currency
PHOTO: The Australian dollar has been sitting around the 80 US cent level for about two months. (Giulio Saggin: ABC News)
RELATED STORY: Onwards and upwards for the Aussie dollar … or maybe not
MAP: Australia
If you follow the financial news, you'd have heard or read a lot recently about a surging or stubbornly high Australian dollar.

After touching lows below 70 US cents during the commodity crash of 2015, the Aussie has been on a steady course higher against the US dollar, or greenback.

The first phase of that recovery was intimately linked with the bounce back in iron ore and coal prices that has lifted Australia's export prices and finally boosted national incomes — incomes that had been falling since the last, and biggest, commodity boom topped out in 2012.

Australian dollar pushed higher by US dollar weakness
By business reporter Michael Janda
Updated about 3 hours ago

Australian dollar sits on top of US currency
PHOTO: The Australian dollar has been sitting around the 80 US cent level for about two months. (Giulio Saggin: ABC News)
RELATED STORY: Onwards and upwards for the Aussie dollar … or maybe not
MAP: Australia
If you follow the financial news, you'd have heard or read a lot recently about a surging or stubbornly high Australian dollar.

After touching lows below 70 US cents during the commodity crash of 2015, the Aussie has been on a steady course higher against the US dollar, or greenback.

The first phase of that recovery was intimately linked with the bounce back in iron ore and coal prices that has lifted Australia's export prices and finally boosted national incomes — incomes that had been falling since the last, and biggest, commodity boom topped out in 2012.

Russian seaports
Published time: 19 Sep 2017 | 13:41 GMT
Novorossiysk commercial sea port © Vladimir Astapkovich
Sputnik /
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to approve legislation making the ruble the main currency of exchange at all Russian seaports by next year, according to the Kremlin website.

To protect the interests of stevedoring companies with foreign currency obligations, the government was instructed to set a transition period before switching to ruble settlements.

According to the head of Russian antitrust watchdog FAS Igor Artemyev, many services in Russian seaports are still priced in US dollars, even though such ports are state-owned.

The proposal to switch port tariffs to rubles was first proposed by the president a year and a half ago. The idea was not embraced by large transport companies, which would like to keep revenues in dollars and other foreign currencies because of fluctuations in the ruble.

Artemyev said the decision will force foreigners to buy Russian currency, which is good for the ruble.

In 2016, his agency filed several lawsuits against the largest Russian port group NMTP. According to FAS, the group of companies set tariffs for transshipment in dollars and raised tariffs from January 2015 "without objective grounds."

The watchdog ruled that NMTP abused its dominant position in the market and imposed a 9.74 billion rubles fine, or about $165 million at the current exchange rate. The decision was overturned by a court in Moscow in July this year.

Russian seaports
Published time: 19 Sep 2017 | 13:41 GMT
Novorossiysk commercial sea port © Vladimir Astapkovich
Sputnik /
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to approve legislation making the ruble the main currency of exchange at all Russian seaports by next year, according to the Kremlin website.

To protect the interests of stevedoring companies with foreign currency obligations, the government was instructed to set a transition period before switching to ruble settlements.

According to the head of Russian antitrust watchdog FAS Igor Artemyev, many services in Russian seaports are still priced in US dollars, even though such ports are state-owned.

The proposal to switch port tariffs to rubles was first proposed by the president a year and a half ago. The idea was not embraced by large transport companies, which would like to keep revenues in dollars and other foreign currencies because of fluctuations in the ruble.

Artemyev said the decision will force foreigners to buy Russian currency, which is good for the ruble.

In 2016, his agency filed several lawsuits against the largest Russian port group NMTP. According to FAS, the group of companies set tariffs for transshipment in dollars and raised tariffs from January 2015 "without objective grounds."

The watchdog ruled that NMTP abused its dominant position in the market and imposed a 9.74 billion rubles fine, or about $165 million at the current exchange rate. The decision was overturned by a court in Moscow in July this year.

BRUSSELS (Alliance News) - The US dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday.

The US dollar fell to a 9-day low of 1.2019 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.1994.

Against the pound, the yen and the Swiss franc, the greenback dropped to 1.3531, 111.45 abd 0.9604 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.3511, 111.59 and 0.9626, respectively.

If the greenback extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.21 against the euro, 1.36 against the pound, 109.00 against the yen and 0.94 against the franc.

BRUSSELS (Alliance News) - The US dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday.

The US dollar fell to a 9-day low of 1.2019 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.1994.

Against the pound, the yen and the Swiss franc, the greenback dropped to 1.3531, 111.45 abd 0.9604 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.3511, 111.59 and 0.9626, respectively.

If the greenback extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.21 against the euro, 1.36 against the pound, 109.00 against the yen and 0.94 against the franc.

While there was relief the weekend passed with no new provocation by North Korea, Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions will be centre stage when US President Donald Trump addresses world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday.

Some detail of Trump's tax plans may also emerge this week, while elections in Germany and New Zealand will add extra political uncertainty to the mix.

While there was relief the weekend passed with no new provocation by North Korea, Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions will be centre stage when US President Donald Trump addresses world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday.

Some detail of Trump's tax plans may also emerge this week, while elections in Germany and New Zealand will add extra political uncertainty to the mix.

Brent stay at $55 level and above.

Brent stay at $55 level and above.

Brent now stay at $55 and above.

Navy vessels are moored in port at the U.S. Naval Base, Guam CREDIT: REUTERS

Julian Ryall
15 SEPTEMBER 2017 • 6:03AM
North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile that flew more than 2,300 miles before falling into the Pacific Ocean is a "clear and unequivocal" message to the United States that Pyongyang has the ability to strike Guam.

The distance from Pyongyang to Guam is a little over 2,100 miles and North Korea identified it as a target in early August, threatening to launch four Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missiles into waters close to the island.

The intention, according to analysts, was to demonstrate that Pyongyang would have no compunction in the event of war from targeting the resort island in order to interrupt air attacks on the North as well as efforts to reinforce ground forces on the Korean Peninsula.

Navy vessels are moored in port at the U.S. Naval Base, Guam CREDIT: REUTERS

Julian Ryall
15 SEPTEMBER 2017 • 6:03AM
North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile that flew more than 2,300 miles before falling into the Pacific Ocean is a "clear and unequivocal" message to the United States that Pyongyang has the ability to strike Guam.

The distance from Pyongyang to Guam is a little over 2,100 miles and North Korea identified it as a target in early August, threatening to launch four Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missiles into waters close to the island.

The intention, according to analysts, was to demonstrate that Pyongyang would have no compunction in the event of war from targeting the resort island in order to interrupt air attacks on the North as well as efforts to reinforce ground forces on the Korean Peninsula.