Posts by Stephanie Irvin
Bank of Japan split over how US policies impact rate hikes: March minutes
Published Thu, May 8, 2025 · 09:30 AM [TOKYO] Bank of Japan policymakers were divided in March over how soon the central bank should raise interest rates again as uncertainty stemming from US tariff policies heightened, minutes of their meeting showed on Thursday. “Downside risks stemming from US policies had rapidly heightened and, depending on…
Read MoreSingapore stocks open weaker as Fed leaves rates unchanged; other Asian markets mixed
DBS up on Q1 results, dividend announcement; Reits among most actively traded counters fall in early trade [SINGAPORE] Singapore stocks opened weaker on Thursday (May 8) following the overnight announcement by the US Federal Reserve that it will be holding rates steady. While Fed chair Jerome Powell noted that the US economy had “continued to…
Read MoreBubble tea billionaire ranks swell after latest Hong Kong IPO
[HONG KONG] China’s bubble tea market is overflowing with rivals and fierce price clashes – yet it’s set to produce another billionaire couple. On Thursday (May 8), Auntea Jenny (Shanghai) Industrial is scheduled to start trading in Hong Kong, raising HK$273 million (S$46 million) with a listing price of HK$113.12, the top of the range.…
Read MoreGranite Asia’s first private credit fund hits US$250 million
[SINGAPORE] Granite Asia announced that it has secured over US$250 million from anchor investors for its first private credit fund, Libra Hybrid Capital Fund. In a press release on Thursday (May 8), the multi-asset platform said that anchor investors include top Asian sovereign wealth funds, as well as Granite Asia’s general partners and its network…
Read MoreTrump administration to rescind and replace Biden-era global AI chip export curbs
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s administration plans to rescind and modify a Biden-era rule that curbed the export of sophisticated artificial-intelligence chips, a spokeswoman for the Department of Commerce said on Wednesday. The regulation was aimed at further restricting AI chip and technology exports, dividing up the world to keep advanced computing power in the United…
Read MoreOil settles lower as hopes dim for US-China trade and supply worries ease
[NEW YORK] Oil prices fell by more than US$1 a barrel on Wednesday as investors doubted that upcoming US-China trade talks will result in a breakthrough, while hopes for an Iran-US nuclear deal eased supply worries. Brent crude futures settled US$1.03, or 1.66 per cent, lower at US$61.12 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude lost…
Read MoreIsetan Tampines to shutter in Nov 2025
[SINGAPORE] Department store operator Isetan Singapore will close its outlet at Tampines Mall in November 2025, it announced on Tuesday (May 6). Speaking to The Straits Times, a company spokesperson said that the decision was made as its lease was coming to an end. The department store has been an anchor tenant in Tampines Mall…
Read MoreLendlease Global Commercial Reit posts 10.4% retail rental reversion for Q3 FY2025
[SINGAPORE] Lendlease Global Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (LReit) on Wednesday (May 7) posted a positive retail rental reversion of 10.4 per cent for the third quarter ended Mar 31, 2025, despite a “softer” retail landscape. The performance came even as it recorded a 0.2 per cent decline in visitation and a 5.1 per cent…
Read MoreGrab looks to strike a deal to acquire Indonesia’s GoTo in Q2: sources
[SINGAPORE,HONG KONG] US-listed ride-hailing and food delivery firm Grab is looking to strike a deal to take over smaller Indonesian rival GoTo in the second quarter, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Singapore-headquartered Grab has hired advisors to work on the proposed deal, the two sources added. The deal is subject to terms…
Read MoreEU considers tariffs on Boeing jets
Published Wed, May 7, 2025 · 07:05 PM [FRANKFURT] The European Union intends to propose tariffs on Boeing jets, as it prepares to retaliate further if trade talks with Washington fail, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday (May 7). The European Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, plans to include civilian aircraft on a list…
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