Posts by Yurie Miyazawa
Bank of Japan keeps rates steady, cuts growth forecasts on US tariff hit
[TOKYO] The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady and sharply cut its growth forecasts on Thursday (May 1), suggesting uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and the hit to exports could keep policy in a holding pattern for some time. But the central bank projected inflation would stay roughly on course to hit its 2 per…
Read MoreGold retreats on firm dollar, US payrolls data on tap
[BENGALURU] Gold was subdued on Thursday (May 1) on the US dollar’s strength, while investors awaited more clarity on trade policy between the US and its trading partners, and looked forward to the US non-farm payrolls report due this week. Spot gold fell 0.7 per cent to US$3,265.45 an ounce, as at 0022 GMT. US…
Read MoreBiggest US dollar slump since 2022 hints at more losses ahead
[SINGAPORE] The US dollar posted its worst month since 2022 after global investors cut back on US assets, with options markets still flashing warning signals. A gauge of the greenback is down around 4 per cent in April, the result of a sell-off in both US stocks and Treasuries as US President Donald Trump’s chaotic…
Read MoreEurope: Stoxx 600 clocks second consecutive monthly loss hit by tariff woes
[BENGALURU] European shares closed higher in a volatile session on Wednesday (Apr 30) as investors assessed key data around the world and corporate earnings, ending a sluggish month marred by US President Donald Trump’s erratic tariff policy. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed 0.5 per cent higher on Wednesday, helped by a 1.3 per cent…
Read MoreTrademark Registration: DIY or Lawyer Up?
If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably thought about trademark registration. It’s a way to protect your brand, but the question is: should you do it yourself or hire a lawyer? This article breaks down the steps involved in trademark registration and weighs the pros and cons of both approaches. By the end, you’ll have…
Read MoreJardine C&C reports lower contributions across most business units in Q1 2025
Recent global trade tensions have created an uncertain macroeconomic environment and the company is cautious of the knock-on effects [Singapore] Jardine Cycle & Carriage (JC&C) reported lower contributions across most of its business units in the first quarter of 2025 on Wednesday (Apr 30). Astra in Indonesia reported a decrease in underlying profit, with contributions affected…
Read MoreThailand’s central bank cuts key rate again, lowers growth forecasts as tariffs loom
[BANGKOK] Thailand’s central bank cut its key interest rate by a quarter point for a second consecutive meeting on Wednesday (Apr 30), in a move to support an underperforming economy facing uncertainty over steep US tariffs. The Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) monetary policy committee voted 5-2 to reduce the one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis…
Read MoreSouth-east Asia may see most gas projects approved in a decade
[SINGAPORE] South-east Asia could this year see the highest number of final investment decisions on gas projects in a decade, which could potentially boost output by 18 per cent, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM). As many as 13 new gas projects could be financed in 2025, adding to the one that has already been…
Read MoreSamsung Electronics drops Q2 outlook due to trade uncertainties
[SEOUL] Samsung Electronics on Wednesday dropped its business outlook for the current quarter and warned US tariff policies could cut demand for its key products such as smartphones. The technology giant said it expected its semiconductor business to encounter greater uncertainties throughout the year, while its smartphone shipments faced downward pressure in the second quarter.…
Read MoreChina asks drugmakers, hospitals to find US import substitutes
[NEW YORK] China has asked some of its state-owned drugmakers to study how they can reduce reliance on the US for pharmaceutical products and raw materials, sources familiar with the matter said, as Beijing prepares for a potential decoupling that threatens its medical supply. Chinese drug regulator National Medical Products Administration conveyed the message to…
Read More