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Exclusive-Yellen won't rule out sanctions on Chinese banks, curbs on 'dark fleet' oil tankers

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters on Friday that the U.S. is looking at further sanctions on "dark fleet" tankers and will not rule out sanctions on Chinese banks as it seeks to reduce Russia's oil revenue and access to foreign supplies to fuel its war in Ukraine. Yellen said in an interview that the U.S. and its allies also could consider lowering their $60-per-barrel oil price cap on Russian oil, which prohibits Western insurance and maritime services on cargoes above that level. The Treasury has already sanctioned individual tankers and their owners for operating above the price cap and can do more in this area, Yellen added, suggesting additional measures in the five weeks before she leaves office.

Emerging Currencies Post Second Weekly Loss Ahead of Fed Meeting

(Bloomberg) -- Emerging-market currencies posted a second-straight week of losses, led lower on Friday by the Brazilian real, as traders prepare for the Federal Reserve’s last meeting of the year.Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAn index of developing-world currencies slid Friday to cap off a 0.2%

Dollar set for best week in a month on cautious Fed outlook for 2025

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The dollar headed for its best weekly performance in a month on Friday, as investors priced in the possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting rates more slowly next year, while sterling fell after a surprise contraction in UK economic activity. The U.S. currency also rose against the yen after reports that the Bank of Japan could forgo a rate hike at its meeting next week. U.S. data on Thursday showed the job market is gradually cooling in line with expectations, while producer price inflation helped reinforce the market's current scenario of a Fed cut on Dec. 18, but a slower pace of reductions in 2025.

Bond Market Has Worst Week in Months With Less Fed Action Seen

(Bloomberg) -- An orderly selloff in the US government bond market continued for a fifth straight day, with the 30-year bond’s yield posting its biggest weekly increase of the year.Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearDriven in part by shifting expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates

Oil Rises as Possible Iran, Russia Sanctions Temper Glut Outlook

(Bloomberg) -- Oil rose as simmering geopolitical conflicts and the prospect of sanctions on Russia and Iran countered projections for a supply glut next year. Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearWest Texas Intermediate futures advanced 1.8% to top $71 a barrel, notching a weekly gain of about 6% and

Oil up 2%, settles at 3-week high as more sanctions loom on Russia, Iran

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices climbed about 2% on Friday to settle at a three-week high, on expectations that additional sanctions on Russia and Iran could tighten supplies and that lower interest rates in Europe and the U.S. could boost fuel demand. Brent futures rose $1.08, or 1.5%, to settle at $74.49 a barrel. "This strength is being driven by ... expectations of tighter sanctions against Russia and Iran, more supportive Chinese economic guidance, Mideast political havoc and prospects for a Fed (U.S. Federal Reserve) rate cut next week," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

Fed rate view in focus as robust stocks year draws to close

A banner year for U.S. stocks gets one of its last big tests with the coming week’s Federal Reserve meeting, as investors await the central bank's guidance on interest rate cuts. The Nasdaq Composite index breached 20,000 for the first time ever in the past week, another milestone for equities in a year during which the tech-heavy index has gained 32% while the S&P 500 has risen about 27%. Expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates have supported those gains.