In the latest sign of investor anxiety gripping markets, yields on Switzerland’s 30-year bonds dropped below zero for the first time on record. With just a week until Britain’s June 23 referendum, investors are clamoring for the safety of government bonds, driving yields to record lows. Source: Bloomberg
The natural gas market is emerging from winter relatively unscathed despite potentially disruptive Chinese tariffs on U.S. gas. But the ongoing trade dispute is still putting a chill on cooperation between the two energy powerhouses and threatens to sideline billions in investment. Source: CNBC
Earlier on Friday, the crown prince met Vice Premier Han Zheng where the two sides agreed to expand cooperation on both China’s grand one-trillion-dollar infrastructure programme, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and on Saudi Vision 2030, an effort by Riyadh to diversify the economy beyond oil and grow modern service and hi-tech industries. Source: Aljazeera
The European and global economic environment has become more threatening for France in recent months, with the recession in Italy a particularly serious concern, the French finance minister said. Source Bloomberg
