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Big central banks signal rate-cut cycle is ending | The Express Tribune

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Big central banks signal rate-cut cycle is ending | The Express Tribune



LONDON:

Central banks in big economies are signalling a change of stance as the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 30-year high on Friday.

The Swiss National Bank left its policy interest rate unchanged at 0% on December 11, the lowest among developed-market central banks.

The Bank of Canada held its key rate at 2.25% last week, after 225 basis points of easing this cycle. Governor Tiff Macklem said the economy was proving resilient to US trade measures.

The European Central Bank has been firmly on hold at 2% since June and its latest pause on Thursday also came with upgrades to growth and inflation forecasts.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve cut rates on December 10, in a divided vote, then hinted at a pause. Fed policymakers predict just one 25 bps cut in 2026, setting them up for potential clashes with President Donald Trump, who wants more easing.

Bank of England rate-setters voted narrowly for a quarter-point cut to 3.75% on Thursday and Governor Andrew Bailey warned future easing was a close call.

The Bank of Japan raised rates to 0.75% on Friday and upgraded its growth and inflation forecasts.



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Stoke takeaway owner delivers 1,000 presents to children in need

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Stoke takeaway owner delivers 1,000 presents to children in need


A takeaway owner has delivered a thousand presents to children across his city this Christmas.

Arfan Mohammed, the owner of Sizzlers Fastfood, has donated a pound from every order to buy presents for children who might otherwise not receive one on Christmas Day.

Pupils at Our Lady and St Benedict Academy are some of the children who’ve benefited.

Mr Mohammed said: “To see the smile on the faces of them children beats any challenge really. It’s priceless.”

The takeaway owner identified local schools and families in his area which would appreciate the presents and also had businesses donate presents for the cause.

“I think a lot of communities are struggling at the moment, but you only know the community you live in,” he said.

“This community means a lot to me and a lot of them are struggling.”

Mr Mohammed also delivers food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable.

He previously held a charity football match to support the families of the Southport knife attack victims after being approached by a friend of Leanne Lucas, a dance teacher injured in the attacks.



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Shriram Finance Shares In Focus On Monday As Japanese MUFG Bank Buys 20% Stake For Rs 39,618 Crore

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Shriram Finance Shares In Focus On Monday As Japanese MUFG Bank Buys 20% Stake For Rs 39,618 Crore


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MUFG Bank acquires 20 percent stake in Shriram Finance Limited for Rs 39,618 crore, marking the largest FDI in Indian financial services.

Shriram Finance share price

Shriram Finance share price

Shriram Finance Share Price: Shriram Finance Limited shares will react on Monday, December 22, after MUFG Bank has acquired 20 per cent stake with an investment of Rs 39,618 crore (USD 4.4 billion) on Friday.

MUFG Bank has become the second Japanese lender which have made heavy investment in India’s financial sector in 2025, followed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, a unit of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. SMBC bought a 24.2% stake in Indian lender Yes Bank starting with a 20% stake for $1.6 billion in May.

“The Board has approved raising of funds of INR 3,96,17,98,28,781.15 (Indian Rupees Thirty Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Seventeen Crores Ninety Eight Lakhs Twenty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty One and Paise Fifteen only) from MUFG Bank Ltd. (“Investor”) a company incorporated under the laws of Japan, by way of issuance of

47,11,21,055 (Forty Seven Crores Eleven Lakhs Twenty One Thousand and Fifty Five) fully paid-up equity shares of face value INR 2/- (Indian Rupees Two only) each of the Company (“Subscription Shares”) at a price of INR 840.93 (Indian Rupees Eight Hundred and Forty and Paise Ninety Three) per Subscription Share, through preferential issue on a

private placement basis (“Preferential Issue”),” the company said in the filing.

MUFG Bank’s transaction marks a landmark moment in the Indian financial services industry as it is being the largest FDI in a financial services company in India.

The stake purchase will help SFL to enhance capital adequacy, strengthen its balance sheet, and provide longterm growth capital.

“This collaboration is further expected to unlock synergies in technology, innovation, and customer engagement, driving sustainable growth. It will improve access to low-cost liabilities and potentially strengthen SFL’s credit ratings while aligning governance and operational practices with global best standards,” it added.

Shares of Shriram Finance ended 4 per cent higher to Rs 905 apiece last week, compared the previous day close at Rs 869.45 apiece.

India allows up to 100% foreign ownership in non-banking finance companies, unlike banks where foreign institutional stakes are capped at 15% per entity unless exempted by the RBI. Earlier this month, the RBI clarified that banks can hold equity in NBFCs, easing a regulatory hurdle for MUFG’s investment in Shriram Finance, according to Reuters report.

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Prices Of Imported Agricultural Goods Rise Amid Strong US Dollar in S. Korea

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Prices Of Imported Agricultural Goods Rise Amid Strong US Dollar in S. Korea


New Delhi: The prices of major imported agricultural goods in South Korea have risen sharply in recent years, outpacing global price increases due to the weakening of the South Korean won against the US dollar, data showed on Sunday. 

According to the Bank of Korea, the import price index for coffee came to 307.12 in November in U.S. dollar terms and 379.71 in Korean won terms, with 2020 set as the base year at 100, reports Yonhap news agency.

The figures indicate that global coffee prices have risen about threefold over the past five years but increased nearly fourfold when converted into the Korean won. The data showed that the price of imported beef increased 30 percent over the period in U.S. dollar terms but surged 60.6 percent in Korean won terms.

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Over the same period, the price of imported pork rose 5.5 percent in U.S. dollar terms but jumped 30.5 percent in Korean won terms. The Korean won traded at around the 1,100-won level in 2021 before weakening into the upper 1,200-won range in 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the average exchange rate stood at 1,450 won per dollar.

The price of imported fresh seafood fell 11 percent in terms of U.S. dollars but rose 10 percent in Korean won, reflecting the impact of currency depreciation, the data also showed. South Korea imports a lot of raw materials, such as sugar and flour, said Choi Chul, a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women’s University.

As the price of domestically produced (agricultural products) are rising due to climate change, a hike in imported goods due to the foreign exchange rate will push up overall food prices, including processed products, Chul added.



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