Public worker unions are raising voice against huge fees and bonuses being paid to private fund managers. New Jersey's (N.J.) government worker pension fund paid $728 million in fees to private fund managers for 2015 year.
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FDI surge in services sector propels India's GDP
India's services sector recorded 85.5 percent surge in inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) during April - December 2015 period. This is 17 percent of the total FDI that India received during the period. The services sector contributed over 60 percent to the country's GDP.
Chicago bourse joins race for London Stock Exchange
Chicago Mercantile Exchange is the latest bourse that has shown interest in acquiring London Stock Exchange (LSE). Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has already announced its intention to bid for London Stock Exchange. The merger talks on £20-billion merger plan between Deutsche Boerse and London Stock Exchange are in progress.
AMC's $1.1-bln buyout deal widens Chinese control of US theaters
Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin-controlled AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc has agreed to buy Carmike Cinemas Inc for $1.1 billion deal. After the acquisition, AMC Entertainment will become as the largest move-theater operator in the US.
Sebi upgrading surveillance for CommExes
India's securities market regulator Sebi is upgrading and strengthening its surveillance system on commodity exchanges (CommExes). Recently, Sebi has barred 16 commodity trading members from trading for manipulating castor seed futures. National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) is also enhancing and strengthening surveillance system for commodity exchanges in the country.
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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting National Bank of Greece via its trade finance scheme. From 2015, EBRD is investing in Greece, helping the crisis-hit economy recover as early as possible.
Argentina is planning to issue $15-bilion bonds making it the largest sum by any developing nation since 1996. Country's new President Mauricio Macri-led government will use funds mobilized through bonds for repaying debts and supporting government spending.
Led by energy and banking stocks, equities on Wall Street surged after the latest data buoyed investor confidence. Crude oil price was nearing $35 per barrel. Wall Street is waiting for jobs data to be released on Friday.
According to a latest 'Beige Book' from US Federal Reserve, economic activity in some districts has been slowing down, while some recorded modest growth in labor market. The latest financial market crash also hit consumer spending severely in some areas.
The legal battle running for 13 years between hedge fund investor Paul Singer and Argentina is over as both the parties have reached to an agreement. Singer's Elliott Management will get $4.65 billion cash from the Argentina government as part of the deal.
Spain-based Caixabank is planning to buy the stake of Isabel Dos Santos in Portugal's Banco BPI SA. The negotiations over the acquisition are still going on and may be completed soon.
The world's second largest economy will lower threshold for foreign investments in 2016. The Commerce Ministry of China has confirmed that the government is in the process of lowering the limit on foreign investment for 2016 year. China recorded 6.4 percent growth in foreign direct investment during 2015.
Canada-based Bank of Nova Scotia witnessed a strong profit surge as banking activity in domestic and international operations rose. Scotiabank has increased provision for bad loans in the oil and gas sector. The bank is expanding in Mexico, Chile, Columbia and Peru.
India's budget allocation for the defense sector fell for the first time in the latest Union Budget-2016. India had been increasing military budget since its war with China 1962. It was notably down to 1.65 percent from 1.74 percent in previous budget.
