Posts by Mark Darwin
China LPG buyers’ rush to replace US flows sends prices soaring
Diversions or outright purchases of shipments from other origins will come at a hefty price [BEIJING] Chinese liquefied petroleum gas buyers have prompted a price surge as they scramble to replace US supplies of the widely used fuel following Beijing’s tough response last week to Washington’s punitive tariffs. Buyers are trying to swap US cargoes…
Read MoreAustralian shares drop 4% in worst session since pandemic on Trump tariff shock
[SYDNEY] Australian shares plunged on Monday (Apr 7), in their worst session since the pandemic began, as sweeping US tariffs under President Donald Trump fuelled recession fears and wiped out billions from stock market value. The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 4.2 per cent lower at 7,343.30 points, after plummeting as much as 6.5 per cent…
Read MoreStar Entertainment agrees to take-control offer from Bally’s: AFR
AUSTRALIA’S Star Entertainment has agreed to a refinancing deal that would see US peer Bally’s take control of the embattled casino operator, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported on Monday. Under the deal, Bally’s will invest about A$250 million (S$202 million) while Star’s largest shareholder, billionaire Bruce Mathieson, would provide more than A$50 million, the…
Read MoreTrump’s tariff ‘medicine’ injects turmoil into global markets
[TOKYO] US President Donald Trump warned foreign governments they would have to pay “a lot of money” to lift sweeping tariffs, characterising the duties as “medicine” and triggering further carnage across global financial markets on Monday. Asian stocks posted steep losses in early trading and US stock market futures opened sharply lower as investors registered…
Read MoreGold plunges to 3-1/2-week low as market sell-off hits bullion
GOLD prices continued to face turmoil on Monday, and hit their lowest levels in more than three weeks, as a wider market sell-off triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures impacted bullion traders. Spot gold was down 1.9 per cent at US$2,981.09 an ounce, as of 0031 GMT, its lowest level since March 13.…
Read MoreSheng Siong CEO Lim Hock Chee’s compensation for FY2024 up 20.6% at S$7.06 million
[SINGAPORE] Supermarket operator Sheng Siong’s chief executive officer Lim Hock Chee received S$7.06 million in total compensation for FY2024, an increase of 20.6 per cent from S$5.86 million in the prior year. Based on Sheng Siong’s annual report released on Friday (Apr 4), Lim received a base salary of S$373,000, a variable bonus of S$6.66…
Read MoreThe Hour Glass to acquire newly incorporated SPV for A$90 million
This is in line with the group’s strategy to continue expanding its presence in the country [SINGAPORE] Luxury watch retailer The Hour Glass announced on Monday (Apr 7) that its wholly owned subsidiary, The Hour Glass (Australia), is set to acquire newly incorporated SPV for A$90 million (S$72.4 million). The Australian company’s principal activity is…
Read MoreOil prices extend losses on fears global trade war could slow economy
[TOKYO] Oil prices fell more than 3 per cent on Monday, extending losses from the previous week, on growing concerns that a global trade war could slow the global economy and weaken oil demand, following China’s retaliation against US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Brent futures declined US$2.10, or 3.2 per cent, to US$63.48 a barrel…
Read MoreSingapore jewellers keep shining amid gold’s record rally – even as margins thin
[SINGAPORE] Record-high gold prices may be squeezing margins and prompting caution among shoppers, but they have also burnished the yellow metal’s status as a safe-haven investment – a dynamic that is keeping jewellery retailers on their toes. To sustain demand and protect margins in this high-price environment, jewellers are investing in manufacturing efficiency, launching entry-level…
Read MoreShould you go crazy for crypto?
TIME to buy the cryptocurrency dip? Many think so, after watching others seemingly reap instant rewards as Bitcoin surged in December and January amid optimism over “pro-crypto” US President Donald Trump. February’s slide and March’s side-winding wiggles are no matter to crypto bulls – they envision a massive surge ahead. Tempted to follow? Slow down.…
Read More