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LONDON, May 30 (Reuters) - Portfolio investors became slightly less bearish last week as the next policy-setting meeting of OPEC⁺ ministers neared and inventories of refined fuels remained well below the long-term seasonal average.Hedge funds and other money managers purchased the equivalent of 43 million barrels in the six most important petroleum futures and options contracts over the seven days ending on May 23.Net purchases were the first in five weeks, after funds sold the equivalent of 249 million barrels between April 18 and May 16, according to data from...

May 28 (Reuters) - Global investors are gaming out how a tentative deal to raise the United States debt ceiling could ripple through markets, as lawmakers strive to pass the agreement through Congress before a June 5 deadline.A deal to lift the $31.4 trillion debt limit announced by the White House and House Republicans late Saturday would avert a catastrophic U.S. default and boost overall appetite for risk, while also buoying some of the sectors that have been left behind in this year’s tech-led rally, such as cyclical stocks and...

May 29 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever.Optimism and relief are likely to be the dominant emotions for investors on Monday, giving markets in Asia a lift as lawmakers in Washington reached a tentative agreement on the U.S. debt ceiling, thus removing the risk of a catastrophic default.Trading and market liquidity in Asia will be lighter than usual, however, with U.S. and UK markets closed for holidays, opening up the potential for outsized market moves.If so, they are likely to be outsized...

This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in UkraineMOSCOW, May 26 (Reuters) - Pressure on foreign banks operating in Russia and the widening scope of sanctions is aggravating foreign currency settlements in Russia and creating periodic imbalances on the domestic market, the central bank said on Friday.Western sanctions on Moscow over its actions in Ukraine have curbed its use of dollars and euros, with settlements in currencies Russia considers "friendly" - those of countries that have not imposed sanctions - increasing significantly.But...