British Pound Climbs on Optimism Over EU Trade Talks 
 

The British pound rose to its highest level against the U.S. dollar in a month as investors grew more optimistic about trade negotiations between the U.K. and the European Union.


 
Outlook for Poor Nations Is Grim 
 

The world's low-income and emerging market economies will likely remain deeply damaged even five years after the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns began, according to a new study from the World Bank.


 
China Nudges Banks to Help Small Businesses 
 

China is dabbling with Western-style unconventional monetary policy, as it seeks to shore up small businesses and the labor market without fueling market bubbles.


 
Cleaning Up Toxic Loans Was Meant to Be a Great Investment. Then Coronavirus Hit. 
 

Italian banks' efforts to continue cleaning up by securitizing nonperforming loans are being hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.


 
Warner Music, ZoomInfo Poised to Boost IPO Market 
 

The burst of activity comes after months of relative quiet, with potential issuers scared away by the coronavirus pandemic and related turmoil. The issues are expected to raise $2.5 billion combined if the shares price at the midpoints of their target ranges.


 
Is This Europe's Berkshire Hathaway? 
 

Exor is sometimes seen as the European Berkshire Hathaway. The comparison is imprecise, but the investment vehicle of Italy's Agnelli family still seems a bright spot in the global car industry.


 
Financial Services Roundup: Market Talk 
 

The latest Market Talks covering Financial Services


 
China's PBOC to Buy Loans From Regional Lenders to Spur Lending 
 

China's central bank said it would buy loans from regional lenders and conduct interest-rate swaps to encourage banks to step up lending and extend loan repayment deadlines for small businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.


 
Singapore Exchange to Launch 10 Single Stock Futures Contracts 
 

Singapore Exchange Ltd. said it will launch 10 single stock futures contracts on June 15 in response to "growing client demand for a broader suite of Singapore-linked equities and futures."


 
ANZ Sells NZ Asset Finance Business to Shinsei Bank 
 

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. has agreed to sell its New Zealand asset finance business, UDC Finance, to Shinsei Bank Ltd., as the Australian bank continues with plans to streamline its operations.