Federal Reserve leaves key interest rate unchanged amid job market slowdown, Brexit fears
The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at between 0.25% and 0.5% in the face of an uncertain jobs market.
The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at between 0.25% and 0.5% in the face of an uncertain jobs market.
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE: LNKD) on Monday announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion, inclusive of LinkedIn's net cash. LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence. Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. Reid Hoffman, chairman of the board, co-founder and controlling shareholder of LinkedIn, and Weiner both fully support this transaction. The transaction is expected to close this calendar year.
After the BRICS Bank, the five-member bloc of emerging nations is considering setting up a credit ratings firm in its efforts to challenge western hegemony in the world of finance. The credit rating agency for emerging markets, as it is tentatively called, is likely to take shape at the BRICS Summit to be hosted by India in October. The idea of a non-western ratings firm for the emerging markets has been in discussion among the leaders of the BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — for the past few years, said officials with knowledge of the plan.
Amid improving market sentiment and a weakening dollar, the World Bank is raising its 2016 forecast for crude oil prices to $41 per barrel from $37 per barrel in its latest Commodity Markets Outlook, as an oversupply in markets is expected to recede.