The Traderszone Network

Stock market investors are ready for the first U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate hike in nearly a decade next week, but they may not be fully prepared for all of the nuanced remarks likely to accompany that announcement. If the Fed lays out an aggressive schedule of future rate increases, stock markets could become very volatile and even plummet, say strategists who expect a market-calming central bank announcement detailing the patience of policymakers. Activity in the options market suggests stock traders are being cautious ahead of the Fed policy meeting on Dec.

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Dow and DuPont shares fell on Friday after spiking earlier in the week following reports of negotiations. Executives from both companies said the agrichemicals businesses have little overlap and any asset sales would likely be minor. Dow shareholders would own 52 percent of the new company after preferred shares are converted, the companies said.

The Wall Street firm is once again top dog in the global M&A rankings, having advised on transactions worth close to $1.7 trillion this year, more than the annual economic output of Australia, including Friday’s $130 billion tie-up between U.S. chemical giants DuPont (DD.N) and Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N). Goldman’s No 1 status comes despite the bank having lost several veteran bankers this year, including Gordon Dyal, its former M&A chief and Jack Levy, one of four global co-chairmen of M&A, and reflects the enduring success of its partnership model, 15 years after the company went public.

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Warren Buffett has cut his stake in German reinsurer Munich Re again, after warning earlier this year that prospects for the reinsurance industry had turned gloomier. Buffett cut his holding to 4.6 percent …