Updated

Assad’s exit shatters Iran’s influence but risks Islamists’ rise in Syria 

By Samia Nakhoul, Andrew Mills DOHA (Reuters) -The ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after rebel forces swept into Damascus this weekend, shattered Iran’s network of influence in the Middle East but Israel, the United States and Arab powers must now deal with the risk of instability and extremism from the mosaic of forces that …

Assad’s exit shatters Iran’s influence but risks Islamists’ rise in Syria  Read More »

Enterprise Bancorp to merge into regional lending peer Independent Bank in $562 million deal

(Reuters) – Enterprise Bancorp and Independent Bank, the parent of Rockland Trust, have agreed to merge in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $562 million, they said on Monday, as regional lenders continue to consolidate their operations. Massachusetts-based Enterprise will merge into Independent and its subsidiary Enterprise Bank will merge into Rockland Trust, the companies said. …

Enterprise Bancorp to merge into regional lending peer Independent Bank in $562 million deal Read More »

Former SpaceX engineer seeks to help end US dearth of special uranium fuel

By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former SpaceX engineer Scott Nolan, CEO of startup General Matter, is on a mission to help end Russia’s monopoly on a type of more-enriched nuclear fuel by producing it at commercial scale in the United States and slashing its costs. Nolan incorporated San Francisco-based General Matter this year in …

Former SpaceX engineer seeks to help end US dearth of special uranium fuel Read More »

‘Bond vigilante’ PIMCO trims long-term US sovereign debt holdings

By Davide Barbuscia NEW YORK (Reuters) – PIMCO said on Monday it plans to diversify its government bond exposure by buying outside the United States, where its outlook on long-term government debt is bearish due to a deteriorating fiscal profile. The $2 trillion bond-focused asset manager said it favors short-term and intermediate U.S. Treasuries, while …

‘Bond vigilante’ PIMCO trims long-term US sovereign debt holdings Read More »

Former Russian ASML employee charged with IP theft and sanctions violations

By Toby Sterling ROTTERDAM (Reuters) – A Dutch court on Monday extended the detention of a Russian former employee of semiconductor equipment maker ASML suspected of stealing intellectual property and selling it to buyers in Russia in violation of European sanctions. The suspect is German Aksenov, a 43-year-old man who has worked for ASML subsidiary …

Former Russian ASML employee charged with IP theft and sanctions violations Read More »

US consumers expect higher inflation and better economy, New York Fed says

By Michael S. Derby (Reuters) -U.S. consumers were bracing last month for higher levels of inflation in coming years even as they marked up expectations that their personal financial situations would improve markedly, the New York Federal Reserve reported on Monday. Respondents to the regional Fed bank’s survey of consumer expectations in November see inflation …

US consumers expect higher inflation and better economy, New York Fed says Read More »

Gallagher strikes $13.5 billion deal for AssuredPartners to strengthen insurance broker business

By Pritam Biswas and Arasu Kannagi Basil (Reuters) -Arthur J Gallagher will buy insurance broker AssuredPartners in a $13.45 billion all-cash deal, it said on Monday, as it deepens focus on property and casualty and employee benefits across the U.S. The deal will expand Gallagher’s offerings in niche segments, including transportation, energy, healthcare, government contractors …

Gallagher strikes $13.5 billion deal for AssuredPartners to strengthen insurance broker business Read More »

India names Sanjay Malhotra to replace Das as central bank governor

By Nikunj Ohri and Aftab Ahmed NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India appointed career civil servant Sanjay Malhotra as its new central bank governor on Monday in a surprise move that leaves markets guessing about the future direction of monetary policy. Financial markets had expected current governor Shaktikanta Das to be handed a second extension when his …

India names Sanjay Malhotra to replace Das as central bank governor Read More »