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Chinese e-commerce platforms to end refund-without-returns amid weak economy, sources say

BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) -Chinese authorities have asked e-commerce platform operators to stop insisting on merchants refunding customers without requiring the return of goods, to alleviate financial pressure on merchants, two people familiar with the matter said. The government met operators including PDD Holdings and concluded the practice must end by July, from which point only merchants will be able to initiate a refund, the people said, without specifying dates. The aim is to prevent merchants' situation becoming tenuous during times of economic slowdown, said one of the people, who declined to be identified because the information is not public.

BP share buyback outlook at risk from oil price slump, analysts say

BP may be forced to cut or even scrap its share buyback programmes over the next year unless oil prices recover, analysts say, adding that would increase pressure on its already underperforming shares. Oil majors and other resource companies have made increased use of share buybacks and dividends to reward shareholders in recent years. Three analysts said the risk for BP was that weaker oil prices would mean it could not sustain its buyback programme, aggravating the problem of BP's underperformance versus peers.

Morning Bid: Trump's Fed backflip sets off relief rally

Listening to President Trump on Tuesday, it's as if all the vitriol towards Fed boss Jay Powell - the threats, the name calling - was some crazy misunderstanding. Trump now says he had "no intention of firing him" and was just gently angling for a rate cut or two. In the same news conference, Trump said the exorbitant levies on Chinese goods following a rapid tit-for-tat trade war escalation - so high that the actual numbers became irrelevant - will soon be "substantially" lower.

Oil prices fall nearly 2%, sources say OPEC+ to consider accelerating oil output in June

HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices fell almost 2% on Wednesday as sources said OPEC+ could accelerate its oil output increases next month, but losses were curbed after a report that U.S. President Donald Trump may cut tariffs on Chinese imports. Brent crude futures were down $1.14, or 1.69%, at $66.30 by 10:39 a.m. EDT (1439 GMT) while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude lost $1.17, or 1.84%, to $62.50. Several OPEC+ members will suggest that the group accelerate oil output increases for a second consecutive month in June, three sources familiar with OPEC+ talks told Reuters.