Dec 16 (Reuters) – Amazon.com (AMZN.O) will bring popular fantasy game “Warhammer 40,000” to film and television screens, after the tech giant’s content unit reached an agreement with Games Workshop Group (GAW.L), the British game developer said on Friday.
The deal, whose financial details were not disclosed in Games Workshop’s statement, underscores Amazon’s push to capitalise on a streaming boom and take on rivals including HBO Max and Netflix (NFLX.O).
Full coverage: REUTERS
Oil Drops, But Poised For Biggest Weekly Gain Since Early Oct
Dec 16 (Reuters) – Oil dipped on Friday as the market assessed the aftermath of interest rates hikes at central banks, but was poised for the biggest weekly gains in 10 weeks amid supply disruption concerns and China’s demand recovery hopes.
Brent crude futures fell 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $81.07 per barrel by 0728 GMT. West Texas Intermediate futures slipped 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $75.89.
Both benchmarks fell 2% in the previous session as the dollar strengthened and central banks in Europe raised interest rates.
Full coverage: REUTERS
For Bear Stock Pickers, 2023 Is Full Of Rich Pickings
LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) – Well-known activist short-selling hedge funds expect to find more companies squeezed by tough economic conditions in 2023, potentially increasing instances where balance-sheet sinkholes are hidden.
Some $321 billion worth of U.S. and European speculative-grade debt is due for refinancing over the next 12-14 months. Defaults may double in 2023, if interest rates and corporate borrowing costs rise further, S&P Global Ratings reckons.
Full coverage: REUTERS
Analysis: Deutsche Bank’s Roller Coaster Ride Towards More Stability
FRANKFURT, Dec 16 (Reuters) – In 2019, Deutsche Bank set out on a journey to cut dependence on its volatile investment bank and rely instead on more stable businesses that serve companies and retail customers as a way to restore profitability.
It didn’t quite turn out that way.
Germany’s biggest bank is back in profit and on course to meet some key targets pledged to shareholders, but that is thanks to the investment bank.
Deutsche’s bottom line has benefited from a surge in securities trading and dealmaking – the very businesses that the bank was trying to rely less on after years of scandals and fines.
Full coverage: REUTERS
Morning Bid: Hawk-Eyed
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee.
Investors have hunkered down with their risk-off hat on, after a central bank bonanza this week (that’s seven central banks on Thursday and the Fed on Wednesday, for those counting) made it clear that interest rates will go up in 2023 for most countries as the battle against inflation rages on.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde’s forceful hawkish rhetoric has played Grinch, with little sign yet of a Santa rally as we head towards Christmas and the New Year. Asian equities (.MIAPJ0000PUS) look set to end the week in the red, snapping their six-week winning streak, while the U.S. dollar straightened its crown as a safe-haven after a recent wobble.
Full coverage: REUTERS
