Finance
![Finance](/cache/09-2017/USA-377.74f45121.png)
2017, September, 22, 08:30:00
U.S. FEDERAL FUNDS RATE: 1 - 1.25%
In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1 to 1-1/4 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting some further strengthening in labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.
![Finance](/cache/09-2017/usa-469.9b180aed.png)
2017, September, 20, 08:30:00
U.S. DEFICIT UP TO $123.1 BLN
The U.S. current-account deficit increased to $123.1 billion (preliminary) in the second quarter of 2017 from $113.5 billion (revised) in the first quarter of 2017, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The deficit increased to 2.6 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) from 2.4 percent in the first quarter.
![Finance](/cache/09-2017/VENEZUELA-10.510183d2.png)
2017, September, 18, 12:30:00
RUSSIA - CHINA - VENEZUELA OIL
“The principal risk regarding Russian and Chinese activities in Venezuela in the near term is that they will exploit the unfolding crisis, including the effect of US sanctions, to deepen their control over Venezuela’s resources, and their [financial] leverage over the country as an anti-US political and military partner,” observed R. Evan Ellis, a senior associate in the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Americas Program.
![Finance](/cache/09-2017/SEADRILL-4.b7bec72b.jpg)
2017, September, 15, 08:45:00
SEADRILL'S BANKRUPTCY
Seadrill, one of the world’s largest offshore drilling companies, filed for bankruptcy after it secured agreement from nearly all of its banks to support a plan to inject $1bn in new capital and all but wipe out existing shareholders.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/usa-459.f08bf374.png)
2017, August, 31, 12:05:00
U.S. GDP UP 3%
U.S. Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.0 percent in the second quarter of 2017, according to the "second" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 1.2 percent.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/GAZPROM-141.9b218af8.png)
2017, August, 30, 10:30:00
GAZPROM'S PROFIT: DOWN BY 37%
Profit attributable to the owners of PJSC Gazprom for the six months ended June 30, 2017 totalled RUB 381,346 million which is RUB 225,814 million, or 37 % less than for the same period of the prior year.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/lukoil-27.c3ce038c.jpg)
2017, August, 29, 18:00:00
LUKOIL UP 91%
For the first six months of 2017, profit attributable to PJSC LUKOIL shareholders was 201.0 bln RUB, up 90.7% year-on-year. In the second quarter of 2017 profit increased by 122.5% quarter-on-quarter to 138.7 bln RUB.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/BAHRAIN-2.1f6a979c.png)
2017, August, 28, 19:45:00
IMF: BAHRAIN'S VULNERABILITY UP
Bahrain’s fiscal and external vulnerabilities have increased in the wake of the oil price decline. Overall GDP grew 3 percent in 2016, supported by strong growth of 3.7 percent in the non-oil sector aided by the implementation of GCC-funded projects. Average inflation remained moderate at 2.8 percent. Bank deposit and private sector credit growth slowed. The banking sector remains well capitalized and liquid. Despite the implementation of significant fiscal adjustment, lower oil prices meant that the overall fiscal deficit reached nearly 18 percent of GDP and government debt rose to 82 percent of GDP. The current account deficit widened to 4.7 percent. International reserves have declined.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/USA-458.b4978ec8.png)
2017, August, 24, 13:55:00
U.S. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION UP 0.2%
U.S. - Industrial production rose 0.2 percent in July following an increase of 0.4 percent in June. The index for mining rose 0.5 percent in July for its fourth consecutive monthly increase. Within mining, gains in oil and gas extraction and in metal ore mining were partially offset by declines in nonmetallic mineral mining and in drilling and support activities. The decrease of 0.5 percent in drilling and support services followed 10 consecutive months of increases for that index.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/WBG-1.5778107b.jpg)
2017, August, 3, 12:30:00
WORLD BANK BUYS COUNTRIES
World Bank Group commitments to help developing countries take on poverty and boost opportunity reached nearly $59 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees in fiscal year 2017.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/IRAQ-31.9a11c936.png)
2017, August, 3, 12:25:00
IMF BUYS IRAQ
The completion of the second review allows the authorities to draw the equivalent of SDR 584.2 million (about US$ 824.8 million), bringing total disbursements to SDR 1494.2 million about US$ 2109.7 million. The SDR 3.831 billion arrangement (about US$5.34 billion at the time of approval of the arrangement) was approved in July, 2016 and the first review was completed on December 5, 2016.
![Finance](/cache/08-2017/bp-59.0095b48d.jpg)
2017, August, 3, 12:05:00
BP PROFIT $553 MLN
“We continue to position BP for the new oil price environment, with a continued tight focus on costs, efficiency and discipline in capital spending. We delivered strong operational performance in the first half of 2017 and have considerable strategic momentum coming into the rest of the year and 2018, with rising production from our new Upstream projects and marketing growth in the Downstream.”
![Finance](/cache/07-2017/usa-443.976ea4a1.png)
2017, July, 31, 14:25:00
U.S. GDP UP 2.6%
Real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the second quarter of 2017 (table 1), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 1.2 percent (revised).
![Finance](/cache/07-2017/EXXON-32.3a230788.jpg)
2017, July, 31, 14:15:00
EXXON EARNINGS $3.35 BLN
Exxon Mobil Corporation announced estimated second quarter 2017 earnings of $3.4 billion, or $0.78 per diluted share, compared with $1.7 billion a year earlier, as oil and gas realizations increased and refining margins improved.
![Finance](/cache/07-2017/CHEVRON-23.90bf8787.jpg)
2017, July, 31, 14:10:00
CHEVRON EARNINGS $1.45 BLN
Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) reported earnings of $1.5 billion ($0.77 per share – diluted) for second quarter 2017, compared with a loss of $1.5 billion ($0.78 per share – diluted) in the second quarter of 2016. Included in the quarter were impairments and other non-cash charges totaling $430 million, partially offset by gains on asset sales of $160 million. Foreign currency effects increased earnings in the 2017 second quarter by $3 million, compared with an increase of $279 million a year earlier.