FOREX-Swiss franc jumps; govt will 'live with' strength

* Swiss franc climbs, government accepts strength* Dollar slides against yen, BofJ intervention eyed* Markets eye upcoming U.S. payrolls data (Updates prices, adds details)NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Swiss franc jumped against the euro and the dollar on Wednesday after a top Swiss government official said the nation would have to live with a strong currency and the Swiss National Bank (SNB)

Oil rises above $114

01 September 2011LONDON — Oil prices rose slightly yesterday as traders tracked buoyant global equity markets, upbeat economic data and sliding gasoline reserves in top crude-consuming nation the United States.By 1:25 pm EDT, Brent crude was up 89 cents at $114.91 a barrel, after touching a four-week high of $115.19, on track to post its seventh consecutive day of gains.Spot gold was down 0.7 per

Keep ATMs full of cash on Eid, banks told

  KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed commercial banks to ensure that ATM’s are not empty during Eid holidays, Geo News reported.According to sources, SBP has directed all commercial banks to ensure that ATM’s are operational to provide service to customers. Sources add that ATM’s can stock up to Rs 2 million at a time with certain ATM’s capable of stocking Rs 3 million.Further

Forex reserves ease to $17.96b

Karachi—Foreign exchange reserves fell to $17.96 billion in the week ending Aug. 20, from $18.04 billion the previous week, due to scheduled debt repayments, a senior central bank official said on Thursday. Reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fell to $14.50 billion from $14.55 billion a week ago, while those held by commercial banks eased to $3.46 billion from $3.49

Oil higher in Asian trade

 Updated at: 0758 PST,  Monday, August 15, 2011 SINGAPORE: Oil prices were higher in Asian trade Monday, lifted by buoyancy in regional stock markets but analysts said the spectre of another global recession was expected to limit gains.New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in September, was up 22 cents to $85.60 a barrel in morning trade. Brent North Sea crude

Asian stocks slump on fresh global economy fears

 HONG KONG: Asian markets slumped on Wednesday as traders turned their attention after the US debt deal to the weakening global economic outlook and fears of fresh sovereign debt contagion in the eurozone.Despite President Barack Obama signing off on the deal to raise the US debt ceiling and avoid a devastating default, equities suffered a heavy sell-off and investors put their cash in safe