P/$ rate closes at P50.105 to $ 1.
The peso rate closed lower at P50.105 to the US dollar yesterday at the Philippine Dealing System of the Bankers Association of the Philippines from P50.015 the previouos day. The weighted average rate depreciated to P50.081 from P50.013. Total volume amounted to $ 296.8 million. RCBC bonds...

Beijing to bail out on the dollar?
"China has resolved to shift some of its foreign exchange reserves--now in excess of $800 billion--away from the U.S. dollar and into other world currencies in a move likely to push down the value of the greenback," reported the January 10 Washington Post. The senior Chinese economist, who spoke...

Weather's hot: trading numbers still up, along with interest and diversification.
Weather-risk-related contracts continue to see higher demand, according to a survey of the industry conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the Weather Risk Management Association. The number of contracts traded around the world totaled 730,087, from April 2006 to March 2007, including both over-the-counter, or one-time deals, and...

State of play: the orthopedic M&A market and the credit crunch.
The tightening credit markets were the leading financial news story through September and October, including the Federal Reserve's decision to cut the Federal Funds rate target by a half percentage point at the September meeting. Hedge funds and private equity players who benefited greatly from the lax lending practices...

6 way to avoid the financial potholes of life.
If you have your personal finances under control and in great shape, read no further. If you're confident and happy with the state of your finances, don't waste your time here. On the other hand, if you'd like to improve your financial situation, avoid some of themore...

The great US treasury bond sale: but nobody showed up.
On 9 September the US government was in need of a little cash, as has been a frequent occurrence in President Bush's presidency to date. In the past a sell-off of Treasury Bonds has prompted great excitement in the markets, particularly from the Gulf states and the wider Middle...

Economic indicators.
Market Rates and Bond Yields--% Sept. March Sept. March Sept. Sept. 2003 2003 2002 2002 2001 2000 Reserve Bank Discount 2.00 2.25 1.25 1.25 2.77 6.00 Prime Rate (monthly average) 4.00 4.25 4.75 4.75 6.28 9.50 Federal Funds Rate 1.01 1.25 1.75 1.73 3.07 6.52 3-Month Treasury Bills 0.94...

Economic indicators.
Market Rates and Bond Yields--% Dec. June Dec. 2004 2004 2003 Reserve Bank Discount 3.15 2.01 0.98 Prime Rate (monthly average) 5.14 4.00 4.00 Federal Funds Rate 2.16 1.03 2.00 3-Month Treasury Bills 2.19 1.27 0.90 6-Month Treasury Bills 2.43 1.60 0.99 3-Month Certificates of Deposit 2.45 1.46 1.10...

Economic indicators.
Market Rates and Bond Yields--% June Dec. June Dec. 2004 2003 2003 2002 Reserve Bank Discount 2.01 0.98 2.20 2.25 Prime Rate 4.00 4.00 4.22 4.25 Federal Funds Rate 1.03 2.00 1.22 1.24 3-Month T Bills 1.27 0.90 0.92 1.19 6-Month T Bills 1.60 0.99 0.92 1.24 3-Month CD...

The bankers' bankers' bank: the Bank of International Settlements.
'YOU mean to tell me that the success of the program and my re-election hinges on the Federal Reserve and a bunch of --ing bond traders?' This was the response of Bill Clinton, newly elected but not yet inaugurated as US President, when on 7 January 1993 he was...