European Stocks Called Lower, HSBC Earnings in Focus

European stocks are expected to slip modestly at the open of trading Tuesday as investors continue to focus on a mixed earnings season on increasing political uncertainty in the region. European stocks are expected to slip modestly at the open of trading Tuesday, following a solid Asia session, as investors continue to focus on a mixed earnings season on increasing political uncertainty in the region.

China Stocks Approach 3-Month Highs

China stocks extended gains on Tuesday to close at a near three-month high, as expectations for big flows into stock markets from pension funds continued to improve risk appetite. The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.3 percent, to 3,482.82 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.4 percent to 3,253.33 points, its highest close since Dec. 1. “Pension funds will be the biggest source of incremental capital in the near future, and they would surely pick shares of industry bellwethers and consequently boost the blue-chips,” said Tian Weidong, a Xi’an-based analyst with Kaiyuan Securities.

Credit Suisse Bets on Old Continent Amid Breakup Fears

Credit Suisse Group AG is seeing a pickup in its private banking business in Europe as clients come out of hibernation to seek counsel on how to protect their fortunes from shock outcomes of coming national elections. “I would expect Europe to rebound in profitability” for reasons including the political uncertainty, Iqbal Khan, head of international wealth management, said in an interview at the bank’s headquarters in Zurich.

Nikkei Boosted By Weaker Yen

Japanese stocks rose on Tuesday as the weaker yen helped overall sentiment, while the paper sector outperformed on a report that a major producer intends to raise printing paper prices. Trading volumes were low, however, as a holiday in the United States on Monday left investors short of the usual leads.

Asia Shares Consolidate Recent Gains; China Shines

Asian stocks held ground on Tuesday though Chinese equities surged to a fresh 2-1/2 month high as domestic funds piled into financial counters on expectations the world’s second biggest economy may have turned a corner. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2 percent on Tuesday and held below a 19-month peak hit last Thursday.

HSBC’s 2016 Pre-Tax Profit Slumps 62%

HSBC Holdings reported a 62 percent slump in annual pre-tax profit that fell way short of analysts’ estimates due to one-time charges related to some businesses, and announced a new $1 billion share buy-back. Europe’s biggest bank by assets said on Tuesday profit before tax for 2016 fell to $7.1 billion from $18.87 billion in the previous year.

Crude Prices Rise as Investors Bet Big on Oil Strength

U.S. crude futures rose for a second day on Tuesday, with data showing hedge funds are betting big across oil markets following OPEC production cuts agreed last year. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 27 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $53.67 a barrel at 0511 GMT, after rising about 0.5 percent in a shortened session on Monday due to a U.S. national holiday.

seeks 30-day extension on FCC’s TCPA petition

NAFCU, with 10 other trade groups, has asked for a comment-period extension to April 10 on a rulemaking petition that would reverse the Federal Communications Commission’s interpretation that those who knowingly release their phone numbers have given consent to be called under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. “We believe that such a dramatic change would prevent consumers from receiving important communications from our members on their mobile phones, communications that provide critical information that consumers want and need to receive,” stated the letter sent to the FCC last week.

Saudi Aramco Favors New York for IPO – WSJ

Saudi Aramco is leaning toward listing its giant, state-run oil company in New York, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. Saudi Arabia is leaning toward listing its giant, state-run oil company in New York, having soured on the idea of floating its shares on an Asian stock exchange, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday citing people familiar with the matter.

Qualcomm Says Samsung Scandal Weakens Korea Antitrust Ruling

The corruption scandal rocking South Korea has given Qualcomm Inc. another way to challenge a big antitrust fine threatening its most profitable business. Jay Y. Lee, heir to the top job at Samsung Group, was arrested last week on allegations he was involved in paying billions of won to a friend of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, in exchange for government support of his succession.

Uber Taps Eric Holder to Investigate Discrimination Claims

Uber Technologies Inc. appointed former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to lead an independent review into claims of sexual harassment by a former software engineer. Arianna Huffington, head of human resources Liane Hornsey and Angela Padilla, the company’s associate general counsel, will also participate in the investigation, Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick wrote in a memo to employees on Monday.

Publisher cancels Milo Yiannopoulos book deal

Milo Yiannopoulos, the conservative provocateur known for brusque and controversial political commentary, just had his book deal canceled by publisher Simon & Schuster. “After careful consideration, Simon & Schuster and its Threshold Editions have canceled publication of ‘Dangerous’ by Milo Yiannopoulos,” a statement from the company read Monday afternoon.

3 Will the public accept the fatal mistakes of self-driving cars?

This once-hypothetical question is taking on greater urgency, particularly among policymakers here in Washington. The promise of autonomous vehicles is that they will make our roads safer and more efficient, but no technology is without its shortcomings and unintended consequences – in this instance, potentially fatal consequences.

Will the public accept the fatal mistakes of self-driving cars?

This once-hypothetical question is taking on greater urgency, particularly among policymakers here in Washington. The promise of autonomous vehicles is that they will make our roads safer and more efficient, but no technology is without its shortcomings and unintended consequences – in this instance, potentially fatal consequences.

FOX’s Brenda Buttner Passes Away

Longtime friend and colleague Neil Cavuto, managing editor and anchor for both Fox News Channel and FOX Business Network, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Buttner, describing her as “incredibly brave.” Cavuto said “She took stock of life much more than any stock in life.

HGTV star Scott McGillivray explains how to avoid the biggest…

To make sure you’re earning as much as possible on the sale, Scott McGillivray, the host of HGTV’s “Income Property” and a real estate expert who’s invested in over 100 properties, recommends avoiding one thing that he sees sneak up on sellers again and again: transaction costs. “Transaction costs in real estate is usually what kills people’s profit margins,” McGillivray told Business Insider.

Milo Yiannopoulos Book Canceled By Simon & Schuster

The Breitbart editor had signed a $250,000 book deal in December with Threshold Editions, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, but the publisher announced on Monday that it halted plans for the book, after “careful consideration,” according to Publisher’s Weekly . Yiannopoulos, who also appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher last week to discuss his views on Hollywood liberalism, was disinvited from this week’s Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC, where he was supposed to deliver the keynote address.

More Rate Hikes Good for the Market?

On Dec. 14, 2016, the federal funds rate was hiked by 25 basis points to 0.75%. More hikes are expected in 2017, but early this month, Fed FOMC members decided to maintain the interest rate at 75% for the time being without ruling out further increments.

Ham radio hobbyists to have festival at N. Hunterdon High on March 11

More than 30 vendors of radio, electronics, and accessories at bargain prices are expected at the North Hunterdon Regional High School cafeteria on Route 31 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017, for the annual Cherryville Repeater Association “Hamfest.” The Hamfest has been presented for more than a decade at North Hunterdon Regional High School.

Scammers in New York are posing as ICE agents to rip off…

Con artists and scammers have apparently seized on the recent, high-profile deportations of immigrants in the US in order to rip off people afraid of being detained and removed from the country. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued an urgent fraud alert on Thursday, warning immigrant communities in the state about reports of fraudsters impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to intimidate immigrants and demand money.