Author: Jordan

There are so many conflicting reports flying at this time of the year, especially with injuries, that it can be hard to get a real read on what is going on for teams behind the scenes. Perhaps there is a little bit of gamesmanship involved in that. However, a little inkling of truth does seem to be coming together when it comes to Austin Reaves.Earlier on Tuesday, Shams Charania stepped in to challenge some of the previous intel that had been spread about the injuries of Reaves and Luka Doncic. Charania reported it was actually AR15 who was closer to…

Westpac has today hiked fixed rates for the second time in the last three weeks as the bank prices in the possibility of further cash rate rises, with the next RBA decision just 12 days away.Today’s hikes of 0.15 percentage points add to the bank’s previous round of increases of up to 0.45 percentage points.As a result, Westpac’s lowest fixed rate is now 6.29%, available for a 2-year term.Source: Canstar – 23/04/2026. Rates based on owner-occupier fixed-rate loans. LVR requirements apply. Despite this move, Westpac still has the lowest fixed rate out of the majors.Source: Canstar. Rates based on owner-occupier fixed…

HSBC has downgraded Indian equities to “underweight” from “neutral”, marking its second downgrade in less than a month, as rising crude oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict are seen threatening the durability of India’s earnings recovery.Brent crude has risen around 42 per cent since the conflict escalated in late February and is currently trading above USD 100 per barrel, increasing risks to inflation and economic growth for India, one of the world’s largest oil importers.In a note on Thursday, HSBC said India now appears less attractive than North East Asian markets under the current macroeconomic backdrop. The Nifty…

A bold new asset allocation framework from Berenberg, the centuries-old German private bank, is drawing sharp attention on Wall Street for what it excludes as much as for what it embraces: bonds have been cut to zero. In a strategy note circulating this week, Berenberg’s research team laid out a high-conviction “barbell” portfolio that allocates a hefty 45% to what it calls “gold plus”—a bucket comprising gold, silver, other precious metals and Bitcoin. A further 20% is steered toward broad commodities. Equities, once the centerpiece of most growth-oriented portfolios, are pared back to just 35%. The message is clear: the old…

Show Quick Read Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom RBI’s new e-mandate rules streamline recurring payments. Auto-debits now continue with new credit/debit cards. No extra charges for e-mandate facility apply. RBI New Rules: For anyone using auto-pay for SIPs, insurance premiums, or credit card bills, there is an important update from the Reserve Bank of India. The regulator has issued consolidated directions under the Digital Payments E-mandate Framework, 2026. These new rules do not overhaul the system but refine existing norms to reduce friction for users.  The changes are effective immediately and aim to make recurring digital payments…

Dubai: Indian alternative investment firms that were pursuing Gulf capital are facing an uncertain pause, with high-net worth individuals, family offices, institutions and sovereign investors in the region turning cautious and becoming more selective with deployments amid the current regional conflict.Several India-focused venture capital, real asset managers, private credit and asset management firms have expanded to the Gulf over the last few years and opened offices, tapped limited partners, or launched dedicated vehicles to raise capital from the UAE and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). But fresh commitments have slowed sharply in recent weeks, forcing some fund managers to…

Offa, the British Islamic property finance fintech firm, has appointed two new staff for its bridging finance team.  Tahir Ahmad (pictured, left) joins as business development manager (BDM). Ahmad has worked in property finance for 20 years at UBL UK, Habib Bank Zurich Plc, Cynergy Bank, Punjab National International Bank Ltd, and Whitehall Capital Ltd.  Hasan Ilyas (pictured, right) has joined as business development support officer, after three years at Paragon on their buy-to-let team.  Ahmad said: “What drew me to Offa was its unique combination of ethical, Sharia-compliant finance and a genuinely entrepreneurial approach to the market.  “Offa’s ability…

The Mortgage Works is cutting selected buy-to-let and let-to-buy rates by up to 0.20 percentage points across its new business range. The changes include a two-year fixed-rate remortgage-only buy-to-let product at 3.74%, down by 0.05 percentage points, with a 3% fee and available up to 65% loan to value with free valuation and free legal work. A five-year fixed-rate remortgage-only buy-to-let mortgage at 4.37% has been reduced by 0.15 percentage points. It comes with a 3% fee, is available up to 55% loan to value and also includes free valuation and free legal work. The lender has also cut a…

Key Takeaways: Grayscale signaled bitcoin may have bottomed as buyers return to breakeven levels. Markets show cost basis alignment, reinforcing a more stable bitcoin structure. Grayscale’s head of research says further gains could confirm early stages of a new bull cycle. Bitcoin Breakeven Levels Point to Stronger Positioning Digital asset manager Grayscale signaled a potential turning point in bitcoin markets on April 21, citing on-chain data that may indicate a durable bottom. The firm pointed to strengthening price performance and improved investor positioning as early signs of a shift toward bullish conditions. Grayscale Research stated on social media platform X:…

Gold is challenging the $4,700 level on renewed downside in Asia on Thursday, wiping out the previous rebound.Gold remains a ‘sell on rise’ tradeGold is facing headwinds once again as the US Dollar (USD) holds onto its recent recovery gains amid a stand-off between the United States (US) and Iran on peace talks and the Strait of Hormuz gambit.With no signs of negotiations restarting, the Iranian seizure of two ships in the Strait and the continued US naval blockade of the former’s ports have left investors on edge, who prefer to seek safety in the US dollar, the world’s reserve currency,…