Core Insights - Aegon has transformed into a consistent performer over the last year, with its stock price trending upward and supported by a 6% dividend yield [1] Company Performance - Aegon's stock price has shown an upward trend over the past year, indicating improved performance [1] - The company is now focusing on moving its European DGI, leveraging expertise in engineering and data analysis [1]

Group 1 - Aegon has transformed into a consistent performer over the last year, with its stock price trending upwards and supported by a 6% dividend yield [1] - The next strategic move for Aegon is to relocate its domicile to the US, which is expected to benefit European Dividend Growth Investors (DGI) [1]

Core Insights - The crypto market is anticipating the release of September's Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is expected to show a 3.1% year-over-year increase, the highest in 18 months [1][2] - The expected inflation data may lead to larger price swings in ether compared to bitcoin, with ether projected to move by 2.9% and bitcoin by ±1.4% following the CPI release [1][6] Inflation Data Expectations - The CPI for September is forecasted to rise by 3.1% from the previous year, up from 2.9% in August, with a monthly increase of 0.4% [2] - Core inflation, excluding food and energy, is also expected to increase by 3.1% for the third consecutive month, with a monthly gain of 0.3% [3] Market Reactions - A higher-than-expected CPI could strengthen the dollar, potentially limiting gains in the crypto market, while a lower CPI might trigger a risk-on sentiment among investors [4][5] - Analysts suggest that the current market conditions, influenced by the U.S. government shutdown, have created a scenario where a lower CPI could boost bullish sentiment in the crypto space [5] Volatility Predictions - The options market indicates that ether is expected to experience greater volatility than bitcoin, with a projected ±2.9% move for ether compared to bitcoin's ±1.4% [6][7] - Volmex Finance's implied volatility indices for both Bitcoin and Ether suggest similar expected price fluctuations following the CPI release [7]

Group 1 - Gold prices have reached a record high, with futures in New York increasing by 1.1% to $4,354 per troy ounce, driven by concerns over the U.S. credit market [1][2] - The sentiment regarding the U.S. credit sector has soured, particularly following disclosures from two regional banks about loan issues related to alleged fraud, raising fears about weakening borrower credit [2]

Joining us now on set, Anukica Trion, head of global head private banking, wealth management, and investments at ING, based in the Netherlands, and you bicycled all the way here. It's amazing. It's amazing.So, so, so thank you. So, what is the European investment view of the United States markets. Because we're all debating bubble or not, you think not.We continue to see opportunity because ultimately AI bubble or not, it boils down to real dollars being spent on real capex with a very wrong very long runwa ...

Core Points - MAXIMA GRUPĖ has signed a short-term financing agreement for EUR 260 million with SEB and ING banks to redeem long-term bonds and cover related expenses [1][2] - The bond redemption is part of a restructuring plan for UAB "Vilniaus prekyba," which involves separating businesses in Poland, Sweden, and Bulgaria into a new holding company, PARETAS B.V. [3] - MAXIMA GRUPĖ aims to strengthen its position as the leading retail operator in the Baltic region post-restructuring and may consider returning to the bond market in 2026 [4] Financing Details - The financing agreement consists of EUR 130 million from SEB and EUR 130 million from ING, with no secured performance guarantees or pledged assets [1] - The funds will be utilized for early redemption of bonds issued by MAXIMA GRUPĖ [1] Restructuring Plans - The restructuring will involve transferring shares of "Emperia Holding" and "Maxima Bulgaria" to the new holding company PARETAS B.V. [3] - Businesses in the Baltic region will continue to be managed by UAB "Vilniaus prekyba" and its subsidiaries [3] Company Overview - MAXIMA GRUPĖ operates retail chains including "Maxima" in the Baltic countries, "Stokrotka" in Poland, "T Market" in Bulgaria, and the online store "Barbora" [5] - The company is part of the "Vilniaus prekyba" group, which has investments in retail, pharmacy chains, and real estate across the Baltic countries, Sweden, Poland, and Bulgaria [6]

Core Insights - Crude oil prices are experiencing a decline due to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Brent crude at $64.90 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $61.28, indicating the disappearance of the Middle East war premium [1] - The focus has shifted back to an impending oil surplus as OPEC unwinds production cuts, although benchmarks may end the week with slight gains [2] - The ongoing Ukraine conflict continues to maintain a war premium, with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister indicating that efforts for a similar deal with Ukraine are largely exhausted [3] Group 1: Oil Price Dynamics - The ceasefire in the Middle East has led to a reduction in oil prices, with Brent crude at $64.90 and WTI at $61.28 [1] - Analysts note that the unwinding of OPEC production cuts is contributing to expectations of an oil surplus [2] - The Ukraine war is identified as a significant upside risk for oil prices, with potential sanctions and tariffs on Russia providing support for oil benchmarks [4] Group 2: Geopolitical Risks - The potential for disruptions in Russian energy infrastructure due to Ukrainian drone attacks poses a risk to crude oil exports [5] - The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a rise in fuel demand to 21.99 million barrels daily, the highest since late 2022, indicating robust demand in the U.S. [6]

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese yen is experiencing significant depreciation, with predictions that it will be the weakest week since September 2024, primarily due to market reactions to political changes and monetary policy expectations in Japan [1][5]. Exchange Rate Trends - As of October 9, the yen's exchange rate fluctuated around 153 yen per dollar, marking a depreciation of approximately 4% compared to the rate before the ruling party's presidential election on October 3 [3][5]. - The yen's depreciation is more pronounced than that of other major currencies, such as the euro and New Zealand dollar, which have also seen declines of 1.6% and 1.5% respectively [5]. Market Sentiment and Speculation - UBS has indicated that speculative positions in the yen are leading to further selling pressure, with a potential temporary drop to 155 yen [5]. - Market participants are testing the bottom of the yen's exchange rate, with Forex.com suggesting it may be a good opportunity to reduce yen holdings [5]. Political and Economic Factors - The political landscape in Japan remains uncertain, with discussions about coalition governance and the selection of a new finance minister potentially influencing market dynamics [6]. - A report from Bank of America highlights that individual investors' foreign exchange asset investments and ongoing corporate overseas direct investments are contributing to increased selling pressure on the yen [6].

Group 1: EU's Position on Euro-backed Stablecoins - The European Union finance ministers are meeting on 9 October 2025 to discuss the EU's stance on Euro-backed stablecoins, focusing on potential changes to the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) [1] - The development of Euro-denominated stablecoins is progressing, but it is still far from competing with the US market, where the dollar dominates [1][2] - Currently, Euro stablecoins represent only $620 million of the nearly $300 billion global stablecoin market, accounting for approximately 0.2% [2] Group 2: Regulatory Challenges and Innovations - The meeting will address the balance between risk mitigation and financial innovation regarding Euro stablecoins [1] - The US has solidified its dollar dominance through regulations like the Genius Act, which requires stablecoin issuers to back their tokens with US dollars or Treasuries [2] Group 3: Sanctions on Russian Stablecoins - The EU is targeting the A7A5 stablecoin, which is backed by the Russian Ruble and linked to Promsvyazbank, to prevent the flow of Russian crypto into Europe [3][4] - Sanctions on A7A5 will limit access for EU-based Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to transact with this stablecoin, increasing compliance obligations for European exchanges and crypto service providers [4] Group 4: Future Developments in Euro-backed Stablecoins - Nine major European banks are collaborating to launch a Euro-backed stablecoin under the MiCA framework, expected in the second half of 2026 [5] - This initiative could potentially change the landscape for European crypto payments and reduce reliance on US dollar-denominated stablecoins [5]

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Euro zone finance ministers will discuss on Thursday how they can support the development of euro-denominated stablecoins so as not to leave the rapidly growing market only to the United States, a senior euro zone official said. Stablecoins are digital tokens that have stable value against a regular currency and are backed by reserves like the currency itself or other assets. The stablecoin market is now around $300 billion, but is forecast to grow tenfold over the ...