Business
Dollar Rises From Lowest in Week on Bets Fed Will Taper
WASHINGTON – The dollar rose from the lowest level in a week as investors wagered the Federal Reserve is still moving toward reducing its bond buying after chairman-nominee Janet Yellen said it “will not continue indefinitely.”
The yen weakened beyond 100 per dollar for the first time since September after a government report showed economic growth slowed, adding to the case for the Bank of Japan to boost stimulus. Emerging-market currencies rose on bets the Fed will continue its asset purchasing. Yellen said in Washington testimony she is committed to promoting a strong recovery and will ensure monetary stimulus isn’t removed too soon.
Yellen Signals Stimulus Until Recovery Improves0:31
Currency investors “are not completely convinced that the Fed will be able to follow through on its dovish inclinations,” Steven Englander, global head of Group of 10 currency strategy at Citigroup Inc., wrote in an e-mail. “There is a small case for the dollar within G3 even if tapering is in the slow lane, and a big case if it turns out that data and asset-market conditions force the Fed to slow the pace of buying.” The G3 refers to the dollar, yen and euro.
The Bloomberg U.S. Dollar Index, which monitors the greenback against 10 major counterparts, was little changed at 1,018.82 at 5 p.m. in New York after dropping to 1,015.83, the lowest since Nov. 7. It fell 0.4 percent yesterday.
The yen fell 0.8 percent to 100.01 per dollar after touching 100.15, the weakest level since Sept. 11. Japan’s currency declined 0.6 percent to 134.61 per euro. The euro slid 0.2 percent to $1.3461 after declining as much as 0.5 percent.
Won, Ringgit
South Korea’s won and Malaysia’s ringgit rose the most in three weeks after Yellen’s comments damped speculation funds will flow out of emerging markets.
“Demand for riskier assets may come back,” Son Eun Jeong, a currency analyst at Woori Futures Co. in Seoul, wrote in a research note.
South Korea’s currency appreciated 0.4 percent to close at 1,067.91 per dollar in Seoul, the biggest gain since Oct. 23.
The ringgit strengthened 0.2 percent to 3.2045 per dollar, the steepest increase since Oct. 28, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It earlier touched 3.1861, the highest level since Nov. 11.
Australia’s dollar reversed earlier gains on speculation the central bank will cut interest rates even after a potential delay in the Fed’s plan to slow asset purchases.
The Aussie fell 0.5 percent to 93.16 U.S. cents from 93.60 yesterday, when it added 0.6 percent.
‘Strong Recovery’
Yellen said the central bank’s key interest rate, now at a record zero to 0.25 percent, would remain low even after it starts to pare back on bond purchases.
“I consider it imperative that we do what we can to promote a very strong recovery,” Yellen said in response to a question during testimony today to the Senate Banking Committee in Washington. “It’s important not to remove support, especially when the recovery is fragile and the tools available to monetary policy, should the economy falter, are limited given that short-term interest rates are at zero.”
The Federal Open Market Committee she is poised to lead is considering whether to begin slowing its $85 billion monthly bond-purchase program, which is pushing the Fed’s assets toward a record $4 trillion. The Fed has kept its target interest rate near zero since December 2008.
‘Comforting Signal’
Yellen “has expressed a clear conviction in the merit of stimulative monetary policy,” Jens Nordvig, managing director of currency research at Nomura Holdings Inc., Japan’s biggest brokerage, wrote in an e-mail. “Hence, it is a comforting signal for the market, that tapering is not about to happen very soon, and risk assets are supported, that is the main move.”
The greenback weakened earlier as the U.S. trade deficit widened, with the gap in goods and services trade increasing 8 percent to $41.8 billion from a revised $38.7 billion in August, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of 72 economists called for a $39 billion deficit.
Jobless claims in the week ended Nov. 9 declined 2,000 to 339,000 from a revised 341,000 the week before that was higher than initially reported, the Labor Department said. The median forecast of 51 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a drop to 330,000.
Japan Policy
The yen fell versus all of its major peers as Finance Minister Taro Aso said the nation must retain intervention as a policy option.
Japan’s gross domestic product growth slowed to an annualized 1.9 percent in the July-September period from 3.8 percent in the second quarter, the Cabinet Office said in Tokyo. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News was for a 1.7 percent increase.
“Weaker Japanese data suggests we’re likely to get more policy action, and that will put the yen under pressure,” said Ian Stannard, head of European foreign-exchange strategy at Morgan Stanley in London.
The European Union’s statistics office said the economy expanded 0.1 percent after growing 0.3 percent in the previous three months.
The euro has gained 6.3 percent this year, the best performer of 10 developed-nation currencies tracked by Bloomberg Correlation-Weighted Indexes. The dollar advanced 4 percent and the yen slumped 11 percent.
– BLOOMBERG
Nigerian comedian and popular skit maker, Chibuike Josh Alfred, known by his stage name Josh2Funny, has shed light on the profitability of the content-creating industry.
In a recent interview with Echo Room, Josh2Funny highlighted the impressive financial potential that content creators can achieve, noting that it is possible for them to comfortably afford multiple luxury cars, including up to four Lamborghini vehicles.
Speaking candidly, Josh2Funny emphasised that content creation has become an extremely lucrative field due to the constant demand for fresh and engaging material. “If you want to buy four Lamborghini from content creation, you can buy it,” he said.
His remarks underscore the significant revenue opportunities available in the digital content landscape.
Josh2Funny explained that the continuous consumption of online content is what drives its profitability. “What do you think we are doing in the content-creating industry? Are we joking? You all are with your phones, when you’re in the bathroom, when you’re [using the restroom], you’re consuming our stuff. It’s like pure water,” he stated.
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The comedian further elaborated that businesses or industries that deliver products consumed on a daily basis often see the most substantial financial returns. Content creation, with its high rate of daily consumption by audiences worldwide, aligns perfectly with this model.
“People are out there, consuming our content every time,” he said, reinforcing the idea that the reach and influence of content creators have never been more extensive.
Josh2Funny’s insights reveal why the content-creating industry has become a lucrative career path for many in Nigeria and around the world. With the continuous growth of social media platforms and the public’s insatiable appetite for entertainment and relatable content, creators are finding new and innovative ways to monetize their craft.
This shift not only highlights the potential for significant financial gain but also showcases the evolving landscape of digital media, where influencers, comedians, and skit makers can turn creativity into a sustainable and highly rewarding business.
A safety alert notification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria issued on October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX), has come to our attention.
The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).
In a statement on Saturday, in Lagos, Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, assured that the “the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled”.
According to the statement, Beiersdorf was well informed that “Based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.”
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It acknowledged that “The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.”
It maintained that “The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.”
In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022. For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.
“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation,” it added.
The Shell companies in Nigeria teamed up with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and other stakeholders to build Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres and a digital library in Nigerian universities in 2024.
Biztellers reports that it initiative is part of their continuing support for education.
Some of the corporate bodies that executed the projects include the Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and NNPC Ltd, and the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB).
The benefiting institutions were, the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, which got a digital library in April, the Sa’adu Zungur University (formerly Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State, where an ICT Centre was commissioned in July, by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) as part of the Joint Venture with NNPC, TotalEnergies and NAOC.
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In what would sound like singing-off on the educational intervention initiative for 2024, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), overflew with joy at the unveil of a world-class engineering design studios and ICT hub, courtesy of the SPDC, NNPC Ltd and other Joint Venture partners collaborated with NCDMB.
Reflecting on the three facilities, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Managing Director, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor, said, “This is Shell working to power lives in Nigeria. The projects have changed the academic and physical landscapes in the three universities and linked the students and lecturers to the global learning arena.”
The facilities at FUTO include two state-of-the-art engineering design studios and a fully furnished 100-seater ICT lecture hall, equipped with computers and smartboards with dedicated power and water supplies. FUTO was selected for the project as part of the “institutional strengthening” in the catchment area of SPDC’s Assa North Ohaji South Gas Development Project. They were launched at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the Imo State Government and principal officers of the university.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, said, “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners in NNPC, SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC JV, who have invested in the future of Imo State by supporting this critical project. Your commitment to human capacity building aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth for our people.”
Okunbor’s address at the commissioning was read by General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, in which he expressed happiness “that the collaboration of SPDC, Joint venture partners, NCDMB, and FUTO has resulted in this successful social investment project that demonstrates our commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on Nigerian institutions to domesticate the advancements in AI and other technologies.
“Our AI must understand Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, and other local languages,” he said, speaking through Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Director in charge of Capacity Building.
“We must leapfrog the innovations of other nations and become a net exporter of advanced technology to achieve the lofty ideals of Nigerian content development,” he added.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, said in his address which was read by the Senior Advisor Stakeholders Relations, Halimat Wilson, “Innovation thrives in an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and developed. The Engineering Studio and ICT Hub is designed to be such a place where students, researchers, and faculty can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Welcoming guests earlier, FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof Nnenna Oti, thanked the sponsors of the project “for a landmark donation” to the university.
The Shell Companies in Nigeria have been education since the 1950s through scholarships and other initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the award of thousands of secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards, provision of educational infrastructure and establishment of sabbatical and internship programmes as well as centres of excellence in several universities.
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