Posts by Mark Darwin
ECB policymakers line up behind further interest rate cuts – The Business Times
EUROPEAN Central Bank policymakers lined up behind further interest rate cuts on Wednesday (Jan 22), indicating that next week’s reduction is all but a done deal and further moves will also come even if the US Federal Reserve remains cautious. Having cut rates four times already in response to weak growth and falling inflation, the…
Read MoreLi Ka-Shing’s port firm ‘committed’ to Panama amid Trump threats – The Business Times
BILLIONAIRE Li Ka-shing’s port business in Panama said it’s committed to operating in the country, after local authorities launched an audit of the company amid concerns raised by US President Donald Trump. Hutchison Ports PPC, a unit of Li’s flagship conglomerate CK Hutchison, is fully cooperating with the audit and is maintaining due transparency, it…
Read MoreBanks running Trump ‘war rooms’ as trade ructions expected – The Business Times
BANKERS at JPMorgan worked through the night in a “war room” to try and assess the early impact of US President Donald Trump’s administration on global trade, regulation and other matters, an executive at the bank said on Tuesday (Jan 21). “The last 24 hours are showing that there’s going to be a lot of…
Read MoreApple’s iPhone sales in China plunged 18% in holiday quarter – The Business Times
SALES of Apple iPhones dived 18.2 per cent in China during the December quarter, according to independent research, a major setback for the company in its biggest market after the US. The company’s flagship handsets, China’s top sellers a year earlier, relinquished the top spot to Huawei Technologies, Counterpoint Research found. Apple slipped to third…
Read MoreColler Capital expands in South-east Asia’s private equity secondary market with Singapore office – The Business Times
The move extends the company’s commitment to the region as demand from institutional and private wealth investors rise LONDON-headquartered Coller Capital, one of the largest global investors in the private equity (PE) secondary market, is setting up an office in Singapore amid growing demand from institutional and private wealth investors in South-east Asia. It said…
Read MorePhilippine finance chief sees slower rate cuts on global risks – The Business Times
PHILIPPINE Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the nation’s central bank will continue to deliver interest rate cuts this year, but they may be fewer and farther apart than in 2024 in the face of geopolitical tensions and uncertainties from US policies. The government will return to the global debt market most likely in the first…
Read MoreGold 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…
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