Business
Bank governor warns of risks of cutting regulation in bid for growth
The governor of the Bank of England has cautioned over the risks of removing financial regulation in a bid to drive to growth, amid efforts by the Chancellor to scrap red tape.
Andrew Bailey said in a speech in Amsterdam that he can see evidence there is a “risk of history showing signs of repeating itself” amid calls for deregulation as memories fade regarding the financial crisis.
He stressed there is “no trade-off” between financial stability and ambitions for stronger growth and competitiveness.
“If the baby is thrown out with the bath water so to speak, and financial stability is relegated in terms of its importance, we won’t achieve our objectives,” he said.
The message, at an event hosted by the Dutch central bank, comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves continues to push forward with plans to scale back regulation.
In July, Ms Reeves launched the “Leeds Reforms” package of changes to the financial services industry to pull back restrictions and encourage more financial risk-taking in a hope it could drive economic growth.
A week later, Mr Bailey warned against tearing up post-financial crisis ring-fencing rules on banks, stressing a need to protect consumers.
Shortly afterwards, he also reportedly blocked a meeting planned by Ms Reeves to address the regulation of Revolut, due to concerns of political interference in the central bank’s oversight process.
On Friday, Mr Bailey highlighted a theory by economist Hyman Minsky that “as time passes, memories of a financial crisis fade and this leads to a questioning of the continuing need for the responses”.
He added: “This creates the risk of history showing signs of repeating itself, remembering back for instance to the strength of the deregulation argument before the financial crisis.”
The governor also told the audience he “pushes back” against arguments that post-crisis regulation caused the fall in productivity growth and weaker investment in the years since.
Business
Saudi Oil Supply Assurance Lifts Pakistan Stock Market – SUCH TV
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange rallied on Thursday after Saudi Arabia assured Pakistan of facilitating crude oil shipments through the Red Sea port of Yanbu Port, easing concerns over potential fuel supply disruptions.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed sharply during the trading session, rising 4,439.93 points (2.85%) to reach an intraday high of 160,217.14 points.
Market Recovery
Analysts attributed the market rebound to renewed institutional buying and improving investor sentiment after Saudi assurances on oil supplies.
Market expert Ahsan Mehanti, CEO of Arif Habib Commodities, said easing fuel supply concerns played a key role in the recovery.
He added that rising global crude prices, expectations of a new International Monetary Fund loan tranche for Pakistan, and positive economic indicators also boosted investor confidence.
Alternative Oil Route
Pakistan sought an alternative supply route after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit corridor.
Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik held talks with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, requesting Saudi support for uninterrupted energy supplies.
Saudi authorities reportedly assured Pakistan that oil shipments could be routed through Yanbu, and one crude vessel has already been prepared for dispatch.
Global Oil Market Impact
Oil prices continued to rise amid tensions in the Middle East conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
Brent crude: up 3.26% to $83.99 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate (WTI): up 3.70% to $77.42 per barrel
Energy markets remain volatile as shipping disruptions threaten supply through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that handles nearly 20% of global oil trade.
Analysts say the Saudi assurance helped calm fears about Pakistan’s energy supply chain, contributing to the strong recovery at the PSX.
Business
Asian stocks today: Markets inch higher mirroring Wall Street gains; Kospi jumps 10%, Nikkei up 1,400 points – The Times of India
Asian stocks inched higher on Thursday, after days of trading in red amid ongoing Middle East tensions. This comes as equities were lifted by a rebound on Wall Street as oil prices paused their recent spike and economic updates painted a more positive picture of the American economy. In South Korea, Kospi hit a pause on its downward rally to add a whopping 10% or 513 points, to reach 5,606. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also climbed 2.7% to 55,713. Hong Kong’s HSI also traded in green, rising 353 points to 25,603 as of 9:10 am. Shanghai and Shenzhen added 0.9% and 1.7% respectively. Gains elsewhere in the region were more modest. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3% to 8,927.20, while New Zealand’s benchmark index moved 0.9% higher. In contrast, US futures indicated a subdued start ahead. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were almost unchanged, while S&P 500 futures ticked up 0.2%. The S&P 500 advanced 0.8% on Wednesday, clawing back much of the decline seen since the onset of the Iran conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite outperformed with a 1.3% gain. Globally, market sentiment has remained sensitive to developments in the Middle East, with oil price swings continuing to steer trading direction. Crude prices eased during Wednesday’s session. Brent crude briefly moved above $84 a barrel before settling at $81.40, roughly matching the previous day’s level. US benchmark crude edged up 0.1% to finish at $74.66 per barrel. By early Thursday, however, oil was on the rise again. Brent crude climbed 2.4% to $83.32 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude jumped 2.5% to $76.53 per barrel.
Business
China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991
It is also the first time the target has been lowered since it was cut to “around 5%” in 2023.
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