Posts by Mark Darwin
US dollar holds firm as traders bet on cautious Fed in 2025
THE greenback held firm on Tuesday (Dec 17) ahead of an expected interest rate cut in the United States, as traders grow increasingly convinced the Federal Reserve will lower borrowing rates only gradually next year. The pound was one of the few currencies to rise against the dollar, after data showed British wage growth picked…
Read MoreOver 8,000 platform workers opt for increased CPF contributions
AS of December 2024, more than 8,000 platform workers born before 1995 have voluntarily opted in for increased Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in an update on Tuesday (Dec 17). From Jan 1, CPF contributions will be deducted for platform workers born before Jan 1, 1995, who have opted…
Read MoreStocks to watch: CapitaLand Ascendas Reit, Cromwell E-Reit, SIA
THE following companies saw developments that may affect the trading of their securities on Tuesday (Dec 17): CapitaLand Ascendas Reit (Clar): The real estate investment trust (Reit) is proposing to acquire logistics property DHL Indianapolis Logistics Center in Whiteland, Indianapolis, Indiana, for S$150.3 million. This will also represent Clar’s first sale-and-leaseback acquisition in the US,…
Read MoreJaume Ros Walks Through The Day in The Life of SEO
The SEO Chiang Mai conference stands as a gathering point for digital marketing professionals and entrepreneurs from across the globe. Through this personal account of attending the conference, we’ll explore the vibrant ecosystem of digital marketing, indie development, and entrepreneurship that makes Chiang Mai a hub for location-independent professionals. I am going to examine Jaume’s…
Read More50 Best Employee Discount Programs
Looking for the best retail employee discounts? You’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up the top 50 companies that offer their employees amazing discounts on products and services. Whether you’re into tech, fashion, or food, there’s something here for everyone. These discounts are not just about saving money; they’re a great way to feel…
Read MoreAhead of Fed’s final meeting of 2024, all eyes on the gifts that Powell might dole out
LAST Christmas, the US Federal Reserve gave the stock market a change of heart. This year, to save economists from tears, the central bank is going to do something special – it’s going to pause. After more than a year of ratcheting up interest rates at every meeting, the Fed finally pivoted from its war…
Read MoreUS finalises US$9.63 billion loan for Ford, SK On joint battery venture
THE US Energy Department on Monday (Dec 16) said it has finalised a US$9.63 billion loan to a joint venture of Ford Motor and South Korean battery maker SK On to help finance construction of three new battery manufacturing plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The low-cost government loan for the BlueOval SK joint venture is…
Read MoreSingapore stocks edge up at Monday’s open; STI up 0.1%
SINGAPORE shares opened slightly higher on Monday (Dec 16), in line with the narrow ranges that Asian equities traded ahead of a swath of Chinese data. As at 9.03 am, the Straits Times Index (STI) edged up 4.9 points or 0.1 per cent to 3,815.25. Across the broader market, gainers outnumbered losers 68 to 61…
Read MoreFirst Ship Lease Trust unit to sell one vessel
Its wholly owned subsidiary, FSL-1, will be selling the vessel Cumbrian Fisher to an unaffiliated third party FIRST Ship Lease (FSL) Trust announced on Monday (Dec 16) that its wholly owned subsidiary, FSL-1, will be selling the vessel Cumbrian Fisher to an unaffiliated third party. FSL-1 has entered a memorandum of understanding with the buyer…
Read MorePrice seen softening further for key semiconductor index
THE Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) is a modified capitalisation-weighted index comprising companies involved in the design, distribution, manufacturing and sale of semiconductors. Since peaking in mid-July this year, the SOX has pulled back over 15 per cent, underperforming the broad-based S&P 500, which has risen over 8 per cent in the same period. This weakness…
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