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SLB boosts dividend and buybacks, but warns of oil oversupply

Oilfield company SLB raised its quarterly dividend and accelerated share repurchases on Friday as its fourth-quarter profit beat expectations, while also warning of flat 2025 revenue due to an oil oversupply. The world's largest oilfield services company increased its quarterly dividend by 3.6%, and said it would buy back $2.3 billion of shares at an "accelerated" pace. First-quarter and full-year revenue would largely be unchanged from the same periods last year, as excess oil supply limits oilfield activity, the company said.

Oil set for fourth straight week of gains as investors assess US sanctions

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices moved lower on Friday but remained on course for a fourth consecutive week of gains, as the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian energy trade heightened expectations for oil supply disruptions. Brent crude futures were down 57 cents, or 0.70%, at $80.72 per barrel by 1433 GMT, having gained 1.15% this week. "The oil market is in a bit of a wait-and-see mode, to understand if there are any supply disruptions based on the latest U.S. sanctions versus Russia," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

IMF Raises Global Economic Growth Forecast on Stronger US Demand

(Bloomberg) -- The International Monetary Fund upgraded its global growth forecast for this year, spurred by stronger-than-expected US demand and slowing inflation worldwide that will let central banks continue to cut interest rates.Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain WhyNYC Commuters Get New Way to Dodge Traffic: $95 Helicopter RidesScaramucci, Ackman Donate to Whitney Tilson’s NYC Mayoral RunIn a City of Sprawl, Wildfire Evacuation Is Getting HarderWi

Fed to hold rates in Jan as Trump's policies stir inflation worries: Reuters poll

The U.S. Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady on Jan. 29 and resume cutting in March, according to a slim majority of economists polled by Reuters, as policymakers digest an expected barrage of new economic policies from Washington. The latest survey, taken in the week before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, also suggests lingering inflation pressures may only allow the Fed to cut rates once more. Concerns around Trump's pledges, ranging from across-the-board tariffs, extending tax cuts, to deportations of illegal immigrants, have already contributed to a dramatic rise in U.S. Treasury yields before he takes office.

U.S. equity fund outflows surged on doubts over Fed rate cuts

U.S. equity funds saw a spike in outflows for the week ending Jan. 15, as the outlook for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year had dimmed while investors were cautious about the ongoing quarterly earnings season. According to LSEG Lipper data, investors withdrew a sharp $8.23 billion from U.S. equity funds during the week on top of a net $5.01 billion worth of sales in the prior week. U.S. shares rose after a lower-than-expected core inflation reading and strong financial results from firms like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, but concerns linger that President-elect Donald Trump's potential tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and increased tariffs on China could drive inflation higher and impede long-te...