Melbourne likely to face fresh lockdown NZX 50 down 0.4% (Updates to close)
July 15 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed lower on Thursday, with buy-now, pay-later and bank shares leading losses, as likelihood of country’s second-most populous city entering fresh coronavirus lockdown weighed on sentiment.
The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.26% to end at 7,335.9, with only heavyweight gold and iron ore miners in the black.
Local media reported that Melbourne would follow Sydney into a lockdown, as the outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant threatens to take hold in the Victorian capital.
“Melbourne going in lockdown along with Sydney is a big threat to the country’s economic recovery, on top of the slow vaccine rollout adding to the headwind. the banks are suffering today as a reaction,” said Henry Jennings, a senior analyst for independent stock market newsletter Marcus Today.
BOJ begins 1st phase of experiment on central bank digital currency
A collage showing Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, various cashless payment options available at a convenience store in Tokyo and a smartphone showing an application for Cambodia s central bank digital currency Bakong. (Photo courtesy of Soramitsu Co.) (Kyodo)
The Bank of Japan on Monday began a year-long experiment to check the basic functions of a central bank digital currency as its Chinese, European and U.S. peers are ramping up their own efforts toward introducing the new payment form.
The BOJ is experimenting with the issuance, distribution and redemption of a digital currency, among other functions, in the first phase through March 2022 of its three-stage experiment. The Japanese central bank, however, takes the position that it currently has no plans to issue one.
Bank of Japan begins 1st phase of experiment on central bank digital currency
April 5, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
This photo shows the Bank of Japan headquarters building in Tokyo s Chuo Ward. (Mainichi) TOKYO (Kyodo) The Bank of Japan on Monday began a year-long experiment to check the basic functions of a central bank digital currency as its Chinese, European and U.S. peers are ramping up their own efforts toward introducing the new payment form. The BOJ is experimenting with the issuance, distribution and redemption of a digital currency, among other functions, in the first phase through March 2022 of its three-stage experiment. The Japanese central bank, however, takes the position that it currently has no plans to issue one.