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Oil rises 5% on US sanctions against Russian suppliers | The Express Tribune

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Oil rises 5% on US sanctions against Russian suppliers | The Express Tribune


Oil prices rose 5% on Thursday after the US imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over the Ukraine war, extending gains from the previous session.

Brent crude futures were up $3.39, or 5.4%, at $65.98 a barrel at 1018 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $3.31, or 5.7%, at $61.81.

The US sanctions mean refineries in China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, will need to seek alternative suppliers to avoid exclusion from the Western banking system, according to Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.

The US said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree immediately to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Britain sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil last week. EU countries have approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Prompt Brent crude futures switched to backwardation as the first-month Brent contract traded as high as $1.98 above the contract for delivery in six months.

Read: Rs180b cess demand jolts oil industry

Right after the US sanctions were unveiled, Brent and WTI futures rose by more than $2 a barrel, with support from a surprise decline in US stockpiles.

The impact of sanctions on oil markets will depend on how India reacts and if Russia finds alternative buyers, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

India became the largest buyer of discounted seaborne Russian crude in the aftermath of Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Indian refiners are likely to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil due to the new sanctions, industry sources said on Thursday.

Read More: Fuel prices likely to drop by Rs6/litre from Oct 16

Privately-owned Reliance Industries, the top Indian buyer of Russian crude, plans to reduce or halt such imports completely, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

But there remains some scepticism in the market about whether the US sanctions would result in a fundamental shift in supply and demand.

“So far, almost all the sanctions against Russia for the past 3-1/2 years have mostly failed to dent either the volumes produced by the country or the oil revenues,” said Rystad Energy analyst Claudio Galimberti.

Oversupply concerns following OPEC+ production increases capped crude’s gains on Thursday. UBS expects Brent to remain between $60 and $70.

On the demand side, US crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories fell last week as refining activity and demand strengthened, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.



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How To Create An Emergency Fund To Secure Your Family During Tough Times

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How To Create An Emergency Fund To Secure Your Family During Tough Times


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Bank customers and investors in India can safeguard a portion of their regular income in accessible and beneficial emergency fund options.

Where should you maintain an emergency fund? (Representative Image)

Where should you maintain an emergency fund? (Representative Image)

An emergency fund is the financial cushion you require during stressful and uncertain times to sustain your existing livelihood and safeguard your family’s needs and interests. In India, due to rising inflation and other economic challenges, low-income and middle-class citizens are often just a medical bill or job loss away from facing poverty. An emergency fund helps you shield against such unforeseen events, helping you stay afloat despite paying for medical coverage and riding the wave during unemployment days.

Fortunately, bank customers and investors in India have the option to safeguard a portion of their regular income in accessible and beneficial emergency fund options such as savings accounts, fixed deposits and post office schemes. Here is what you should know before determining the best option among the three for yourself.

Saving Accounts: Easy Access But Moderate Interest

Holding a savings account gives you easy access to your bank balance while earning moderate interest on the savings. Bank customers having a savings account can undergo the fastest transactions and fund transfers during emergencies using UPI, debit card and ATM facilities. While the interest earned on maintaining a savings account is quite low, customers also enjoy easy liquidity and a clean audit trail. However, you should keep track of the minimum balance rules during heavy withdrawals and you can also opt for a sweep-in facility provided by certain banks, where the surplus automatically moves into short-term deposits.

Fixed Deposits: Safety Plus Predictable Returns

Fixed Deposit is a financial instrument offered by the bank where customers can deposit a lump sum amount for a predetermined period at a fixed interest rate. FDs are known for their low risk value and predictable returns, making them a highly attractive option for those looking to ensure coverage during uncertain periods of life in the near future. But while safe and beneficial, FDs don’t provide easy access or liquidity. Premature withdrawal is only allowed after paying a small penalty or signing up for lower interest.

Post Office Scheme: Govt’s Safety, Workable Access

For those looking to maintain an emergency fund via a post office savings account or schemes, the government of India provides safety for the sum assured, stability on interest and multiple tax benefits. The accessibility and liquidity are also usually great, with account holders able to access their funds and make quick transactions during tough times. They also enjoy tax benefits on different schemes and quarterly interest payout.

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A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al…Read More

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Chancellor declines to rule out income tax hike – reports

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Chancellor declines to rule out income tax hike – reports



Rachel Reeves has declined to rule out raising income tax at next month’s Budget, according to reports.

The Chancellor has previously insisted that Labour’s manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT “stands” when questioned about how she will bridge a fiscal black hole in November.

But asked about reports the Treasury was considering an income tax hike, the BBC said Ms Reeves told reporters on Friday she would “continue to support working people by keeping their taxes as low as possible” but was still “going through the process” of writing the Budget.

The Chancellor said: “Although I can’t talk about individual measures at this stage, I understand that the cost of living is still people’s number one concern.”

Ms Reeves is widely expected to use the Budget to increase taxes once again, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimating she needs to find £22 billion of tax rises or spending cuts to meet her self-imposed fiscal rule.

The gap comes as a result of higher borrowing costs, weak growth and an expected downgrade to official productivity forecasts, although recent better-than-expected inflation figures have eased the pressure slightly.

Raising the basic rate of income tax by 1p could raise around £8 billion, but would break a clear manifesto pledge.

It would also be the first time the basic rate has been increased since the 1970s.

The Chancellor is also reported to be considering cutting the amount of money people can save in cash Isas as part of a drive to encourage investment in stocks and shares.

It is understood that no decision has yet been made and several options are being considered, including halving the allowance from £20,000 to £10,000.

Treasury minister Lucy Rigby told the Telegraph the Government was “looking at the right balance between cash and shares in the Isa”.

She said: “The bottom line is, we want people to be better off and one way we can do that is to build a shareholding democracy in this country.”

Meanwhile, The Times reported that the Chancellor would use the Budget to increase the minimum wage once again, and make further moves towards abolishing lower minimum wage rates for younger people.



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Deckers Brands stock sinks 15% after soft outlook raises concerns about Hoka, Ugg growth

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Deckers Brands stock sinks 15% after soft outlook raises concerns about Hoka, Ugg growth


Hoka shoes are seen in a store in Krakow, Poland on February 1, 2023. 

Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Shares of footwear maker Deckers Brands plunged 15% Friday after the company trimmed its sales guidance for Hoka and Ugg — the two brands driving its growth — over concerns that tariffs are leading to a slide in demand.

Hoka, an up-and-coming running shoe brand, is now expected to grow by a low-teens percentage in fiscal 2026 after growing 24% in the year-ago period, while Boots brand Ugg is expected to grow in the range of a low to mid single-digit percentage, after growing 13% in the year-ago period.

In May, the company said Hoka and Ugg were expected to grow in the mid-teens and mid-single digits, respectively, in fiscal 2026 but it caveated that forecast by saying it was conceived prior to the introduction of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. At the time, it quantified the expected impact to its costs but said it remained to be determined what kind of impact the new duties could have on demand.

When reporting fiscal second-quarter earnings on Thursday, finance chief Steven Fasching said the impacts tariffs and higher prices are having on demand are now more clear.

“Part of the framework that we gave at the beginning of the year really said if tariffs did not have an impact on consumers, how we saw kind of certain growth, and we still believe that, right? But we do know and we are more currently seeing some impacts on the U.S. consumer,” Fasching told analysts on the company’s conference call. “So as U.S. consumers are beginning to see some price increases. It is impacting their purchase behavior within the consumer discretionary space.”

He added the guidance isn’t far off from what the company originally thought but acknowledged there is a “little bit of a reduction” in its forecast.

The slower pace of growth for Deckers’ two top-performing lines, along with the trim to their sales guidance, signals the two brands could be losing momentum after years of outperformance. Together, Hoka and Ugg account for the vast majority of Deckers’ revenue and have been critical in offsetting weaknesses in other categories.

CEO Dave Powers, however, downplayed fears of a long-term slowdown, telling investors that both brands remain strong among core consumers.

“We’re confident in the long-term trajectory of our portfolio,” Powers said. “While tariffs and inflation are creating near-term pressure, Hoka and Ugg continue to lead in brand heat and market share gains across their categories.”

Beyond Hoka and Ugg, Deckers’ full-year revenue guidance came in lower than analysts’ expectations. In fiscal 2026, the company expects revenue of about $5.35 billion, shy of Wall Street’s $5.45 billion forecast, according to LSEG. It expects earnings per share to be between $6.30 and $6.39, roughly in line with the $6.32 per share estimate, according to LSEG.

In the company’s call with analysts, Fasching warned that tariff costs could total about $150 million this fiscal year. Executives said they expect to offset roughly half of those costs through price adjustments and cost-sharing with factory partners.

Deckers’ shares have dropped more than 55% year to date, leaving investors on edge about any signs of decelerating demand.



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