Posts by Mark Darwin
Gold holds steady as markets focus on Trump’s policies – The Business Times
GOLD prices steadied on Tuesday (Jan 21) as markets evaluated the possible consequences of US President Donald Trump’s policies in his second term after his inauguration. Spot gold was flat at US$2,707.19 per ounce by 0107 GMT. US gold futures dipped 0.7 per cent to US$2,730. After weeks of global speculation over which duties Trump…
Read MoreTSMC plants resume operation after earthquake spurs evacuation – The Business Times
TAIWAN Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has restored operations at factories it evacuated after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island’s south, injuring at least four people. The world’s largest chipmaker said all affected sites are gradually resuming production and support systems from power to water are functioning normally. The company however is continuing to inspect…
Read MoreHouthis say US and UK ships can safely take Red Sea passage – The Business Times
THE Houthis said they will stop attacking US and UK vessels in the Red Sea area in response to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement after a year-plus campaign that’s upended global trade. Ships belonging to US and UK individuals or entities – and those sailing under their flags – are no longer subject to sanctions as…
Read MoreChina may seek more coal from Mongolia as Russia’s share shrinks – The Business Times
CHINA’S record coal purchases last year were driven by big increases in supplies from Australia and Mongolia, while Russian cargoes actually fell. Now that Chinese demand is flattening, Mongolia could be best placed to hold or even grow its market share in its southern neighbour at Russia’s expense. While total imports surged 14 per cent…
Read MoreBank of Korea cuts growth view on political instability, Trump impact – The Business Times
THE Bank of Korea (BOK) cut its growth forecast for this year as the political turmoil triggered by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration continues to ripple through the economy alongside concern over the potential impact of Donald Trump’s policies on trade. The central bank now sees the economy expanding between 1.6 per cent…
Read MoreChinese investors pile into Bridgewater-style funds, eyeing Trump return – The Business Times
CHINESE hedge fund managers are racing to launch products styled on Bridgewater Associates’ popular “All Weather” strategy, to meet hot investor demand for a cushion against expected volatility during Donald Trump’s second US presidency. Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio’s “All Weather” is a volatility-mitigating, multi-asset strategy that helped shield its Chinese clients from the brunt of…
Read MoreSingapore to play ‘pivotal role’ as financial flows shift to South-east Asia amid trade tensions: Citi – The Business Times
SINGAPORE is set to play a “pivotal role” as capital flows shift amid uncertainty, with the world grappling with potential trade tensions in a Donald Trump administration, Citi said in an outlook briefing on Monday (Jan 20). “We don’t know how it’s going to play out, whether it’s a negotiation tool, or whether (there are)…
Read MoreLME approves warehousing in Hong Kong, a gateway for metals to China – The Business Times
THE London Metal Exchange (LME) on Monday (Jan 20) approved Hong Kong as a warehouse delivery point, seeking to boost access to mainland China, the world’s biggest metals consumer. Approving warehouses in China to store LME traded metal has been a strategic goal since Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing bought the LME in 2012. The…
Read MoreSingapore listcos’ boards improve in age and gender diversity, but not cultural background mix: study – The Business Times
SINGAPORE-LISTED companies have improved in board diversity over the past five years on most fronts – such as age and gender mix – but not in cultural background and global experience, based on an index released on Monday (Jan 20). In the 2025 Singapore Board Diversity Index, which assessed 553 companies with a primary listing…
Read MoreMalaysia Airports buyout offer extended to Feb 4 – The Business Times
A TAKEOVER offer for Malaysia Airports Holdings by a consortium comprising the country’s sovereign wealth fund and BlackRock has been extended for a third time this month to Feb 4, a stock exchange filing on Monday (Jan 20) showed. The consortium, including Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners, has now secured…
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