Monday News Roundup: Health, Business, and International Affairs
Senate Rejects Public Health Option

Crude Slides on Oil Surplus Fears

NEW YORK – Crude-oil futures fell Tuesday with the approach of weekly oil and fuel inventory data that are expected to show extra supplies continuing to build up.

Light, sweet crude for November delivery recently traded 81 cents, or 1.2%, lower at $66.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude on the ICE futures exchange traded 69 cents, or 1.1%, lower at $64.85 a barrel.

Dollar Advances to Two-Week High on Russia’s Treasury Holdings

Sept. 29 (Bloomberg) — The dollar rose to a two-week high versus the euro as Russia said it will maintain the share of U.S. Treasuries in its international currency reserves, reducing concern central banks will diversify away from the greenback.

Sterling gained the most versus the euro since June as a report showed the economy shrank less than previously estimated and an index of U.K. retail sales rose to the highest level in five months. The yen slid against the dollar after Japan’s finance minister said the government may take action in markets to curb gains that are hurting exports.

Delinquencies Rise Further In Freddie’s Shrinking Portfolio

Fannie Mae (FNM) said Tuesday that delinquencies in its mortgage portfolio continued to rise, putting further pressure on the mortgage financier.

It and smaller sibling Freddie Mac (FRE) were put into conservatorship a year ago by the federal government amid fears of mounting losses.

Fannie said July serious delinquencies, or those at least 90 days behind, rose to 4.17% from 3.94% in June and 1.45% a year earlier. Fannie’s delinquencies have been worse than Freddie’s.

FDIC meets again to tackle funding needs

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) – Federal bank regulators on Tuesday will again tackle the thorny issue of how to fund ongoing responsibility to insured depositors at a backlog of failing banks.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp will consider several options at its meeting in an attempt to figure out how to raise enough money to keep depositors to failed institutions whole.

Monday News Roundup: Health, Business, and International Affairs
Senate Rejects Public Health Option