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☆ Kearney's forward-looking survey finds that businesses are still willing to invest in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKearney's forward-looking survey finds that businesses are still willing to invest in ChinaSoon Ghee Chua from Kearney discusses the latest findings from its FDI confidence index survey.

Persons: Chua Locations: China, Kearney

☆ A millennial forged his mom's signature and sold her Rolls-Royce to pay off debts racked up on nightclub dancers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In August 2022, Singaporean Liu Kuei Liang forged his mom's signature on sales agreements, court documents seen by Business Insider show. He pleaded guilty to forgery in a Singaporean court, and on March 22 was given a 12-week prison sentence. But on August 16 that year, Liu's mother alerted the police, and he was charged with forgery. In court, Liu's defense attorneys said his mom had offered him the use of her cars "as and when required." AdvertisementThey also pointed to the fact that as the case moved forward, Liu's mom forgave her son, the case summary says.

Persons: Royce, Liu Kuei Liang, —, Liu, Autoart, Brenda Chua, Liu's, Chau Organizations: Service, Business, Royce Locations: Autoart Singapore, Taiwan

☆ Antidepressant prescriptions to youths spiked during pandemic, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Many young people have reported having poor mental health during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Their experiences are affirmed by a new study finding that the rate of prescribing antidepressants to this group also spiked during the same period. But since the Covid-19 outbreak in the United States in March 2020, the dispensing rate rose nearly 64% faster than normal, according to the study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. In female adolescents ages 12 to 17, the dispensing rate increased 130% faster after March 2020, Chua said. “I can’t tell you how many pediatricians have told me that they feel like they’re just mental health clinicians at this point,” he said.

Persons: . Kao, Ping Chua, Chua, ” Chua, ”, “, Neha Chaudhary, wasn’t, ” Chaudhary, don’t, Chaudhary, “ Young Organizations: CNN, Pediatrics, University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Modern Health, Food and Drug Administration Locations: United States, Massachusetts, “

☆ Thailand's economy is slowing, and it could mean trouble
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's economy grew at its slowest pace in almost a year in the third quarter, and analysts say the trend is here to stay. Thailand's gross domestic product grew 1.5% year-on-year for the quarter ending September, official data on Monday showed. That's far below expectations of 2.4% by economists polled by Reuters, and lower than the 1.8% expansion in the second quarter. The reading marked the second straight quarter of easing growth in Thailand's economy. After months of political deadlock and stock market volatility, Srettha Thavisin was elected Thailand's prime minister in late September, amid expectations from economists that long-term economic recovery could prove challenging.

Persons: Chua Han Teng, Thavisin Organizations: Reuters, DBS Bank

A view of the Monetary Authority of Singapore's headquarters in Singapore June 28, 2017. In a move that surprised economists, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it would shift to a quarterly schedule of policy statements in 2024 from semi-annual. The MAS maintained the prevailing rate of appreciation of its currency policy band known as the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate, or S$NEER. As part of the increased frequency of its policy statements, monetary policy will be reviewed in January, April, July and October instead of just April and October. Prior to April, the MAS tightened monetary policy five times in a row, including in two off-cycle moves last year.

Persons: Darren Whiteside, Chua Hak Bin, Chua, Selena Ling, Ling, Xinghui Kok, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Sam Holmes Organizations: Monetary Authority, REUTERS, Rights, Monetary Authority of Singapore, MAS, Singapore, Gross, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights SINGAPORE

☆ Australia braces for severe bushfires as Sydney swelters under record September heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The threat of intense bushfires looms over New South Wales as record spring temperatures and high winds fan the flames of more than 60 blazes already burning in Australia’s most populous state, authorities have warned. Several cities along the east coast saw record spring temperatures Tuesday, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meterology (BOM). Sydney, the NSW capital, was expected to record its hottest September day ever Wednesday, with BOM forecasting a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). “The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread,” said AFAC CEO Rob Webb. On Tuesday, BOM declared an El Niño weather event was underway, which typically results in a warmer, drier spring and summer and an increased risk for bushfires.

Persons: Miriam Bradbury, “, we’ve, ”, Rob Rogers, Rob Webb, climatologist Zhi, Weng Chua, BOM, Karl Braganza Organizations: CNN, Bureau, NSW, Fire Service, Facebook, ABC, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, ”, 9News Locations: New South Wales, Australia’s, Sydney, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Australia, Tennant, Northern Territory, New Zealand, ” Australia, El, BOM

☆ Affordability and cost are important considerations in decarbonization: SLB
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAffordability and cost are important considerations in decarbonization: SLBAmy Chua, President of SLB Asia, says that it might be "beyond this decade" for green hydrogen to be commercially available in Asia.

Persons: Amy Chua Organizations: SLB Locations: SLB Asia, Asia

☆ Bank of Japan likely to adjust yield curve control in July: Citi
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBank of Japan likely to adjust yield curve control in July: CitiJohanna Chua, Citi global markets head of Asia economics and strategy, says, however, that an adjustment may have a "signaling effect" but wouldn't be a "tightening."

Persons: Citi Johanna Chua Organizations: Email Bank of, Citi Locations: Email Bank of Japan, Asia

☆ Elliot Page, From Shame to Self-Acceptance, in Hollywood’s Glare
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Gina Chua | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“My shoulders opened, my heart was bare, I could be in the world in ways that felt impossible before,” he writes of coming out as gay. It’s an utterly alien sensation for those who haven’t experienced it:Imagine the most uncomfortable, mortifying thing you could wear. It’s tight, you want to peel it from your body, tear it off, but you can’t. Day in and day out. And if people are to learn what is underneath, who you are without all that pain, the shame would come flooding out, too much to hold.

Persons: ”, Page

☆ The orca boat attacks are likely to escalate, former SeaWorld trainer says. 'Orcas love having fun, but they can have a darker side.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A former SeaWorld orca trainer spoke to Bloomberg about the rise in orca attacks on boats. When sailors are out at sea, they should remember they are in the orcas' territory, Hargrove said. Given his intimate knowledge of killer whales, Hargrove believes the trend of orcas ramming into vessels is "100% predictable." Comparing orcas hitting boats to when people start "roughhousing" just for fun, it can turn aggressive quickly. In the end, "the insurance company is going to take care of the boat," Hargrove said.

Persons: John Hargrove, Hargrove, —, John Hargrove —, Bobby Ghosh, Howard Chua, . Chua, Eoan, — Hargrove, you've Organizations: SeaWorld, Bloomberg, Service Locations: SeaWorld, Spain, Portugal

☆ How a deadly bat virus found new ways to infect people
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +16 min

Scientists found bats with Nipah virus roosting near Sabith’s home. A search of the neighborhood led to a colony, near their house, of flying foxes, a common fruit bat. NETTING NIPAH: Researchers in Bangladesh use nets to catch bats and collect samples to find the Nipah virus in the wild. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir HossainWhether Sabith ate contaminated fruit or somehow came into direct contact with a bat, the virus entered his cells. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir HossainA year later, Chua’s team found the same strain of Nipah virus in flying foxes.

☆ Philippine c.bank to hold rates at 6.25% in May after nine straight increases - Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Devayani Sathyan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sixteen out 22 economists polled by Reuters between May 9-15 expected the BSP to leave its overnight borrowing rate (PHCBIR=ECI) at 6.25% at the meeting on Thursday. "Policymakers should be comforted by the pullback in inflation prints since February, with downward revisions to inflation forecasts potentially on the cards. Among economists who had a long-term view, 11 of 19 expected the BSP to maintain rates at 6.25% until end-June. Of the remaining eight economists, seven predicted rates to be at 6.50% or higher by then, while one forecast a 25 basis points cut to 6.00%. Median forecasts showed rates would remain at 6.25% at least until the end of the year.

The hedge funds said they can share ideas, but cannot reveal their trading positions for regulatory reasons. Reddy said he preferred senior unsecured bank debt, that allowed bondholders payment ahead of some other creditors in the event of an insolvency. Taking bearish positions on banks that lend to smaller and medium sized firms could prove opportunistic if the economy weakens, he added. Trend-wise the Japanese yen should continue to weaken," said Chua, noting that central banks in Asia have slowed or paused rate hikes. Insurers, which holds commercial mortgage-backed securities and property, will likely feel pressures on CRE, he said.

☆ Singapore unexpectedly leaves monetary policy unchanged as risks grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, April 14 (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank on Friday left its monetary policy settings unchanged, reflecting the city-state's concerns about its growth outlook and surprising economists who had expected another round of tightening. It was the first time the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has left policy unchanged since April 2021. MAS had from October 2021 tightened monetary policy five times in a row, including in two off-cycle tightening moves last year in January and July. The MAS said in a statement that its previous tightening moves were "still working through the economy and should dampen inflation further". Alex Holmes, senior economist at Oxford Economics, said he does not expect any unwinding of recent tightening moves until late 2024.

☆ Dollar-yen could reach 140 level within the next two months: Asset management firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDollar-yen could reach 140 level within the next two months: Asset management firmChua Soon Hock of Asia Genesis Asset Management says he's still bullish on dollar-yen and "the trend is quite clear."

☆ This investor's fund returned 15% in a bad year for stocks. He shares his playbook and bets for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Yet one Asia veteran investor managed to return around 15% for his fund, the Asia Genesis Macro Fund. Best and worst trades Chua relied on a lot of short selling to carry him through 2022. His long trades included U.S. stocks, which contributed 13% in gains, as well as trying to time the Hong Kong market's bottom. What he's betting on in 2023 Chua told CNBC Pro he wants to keep last year's strategy of shorting the yen. "The Bank of Japan has very little flexibility because they have such a huge debt which they need to finance."

SINGAPORE, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Singapore announced on Tuesday narrower fiscal deficits in a budget aimed at helping households manage the rising cost of living while replenishing its pandemic-depleted coffers. The fiscal position is "appropriate for the projected economic conditions this year", finance minister Lawrence Wong told parliament as he presented details of the 2023 budget. The government will enhance a support package to help Singaporeans offset a recent sales tax hike from S$6.6 billion ($4.97 billion) to S$9.6 billion. The second step of a scheduled sales tax hike would go ahead as planned in 2024. The sales tax will increase to 9% next January, after increasing from 7% to the current 8% on Jan. 1 this year.

The problem was the Neris had switched to a new, high-deductible health insurance plan to save money. The 2010 Affordable Care Act expanded access to health insurance, so companies were faced with covering more people than ever before. But the epinephrine auto-injectors — which deliver a shot of epinephrine and are the only emergency medicine available for life-threatening allergic reactions — usually are not. But AHIP (formerly known as America’s Health Insurance Plans), a group that represents such companies, said drug manufacturers are to blame. Fight it with your health care provider, fight it with your insurance company.”“No almost never means no in health insurance,” he said.

☆ The Asian nation where 35% of people say they’ll 'never travel' again
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Yet, no country came close to the travel reluctance shown in Japan, where some 35% of respondents said they don't intend to travel again. The survey asked about "any leisure travel" and did not differentiate between domestic or international travel plans, said Lindsey Roeschke, a travel and hospitality analyst at Morning Consult. The number of people who say they'll "never travel" again is nearly six times greater in Japan (35%) than in Germany (6%), according to Morning Consult's "The State of Travel & Hospitality" report. We expect to see a return to the pre-2020 demand for international travel sooner rather than later. The British artist known as Miles Takes told CNBC Travel that "international travel still seems a while away" for him.

HONG KONG, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Asia's hedge funds are heading for their worst showing in a dozen years, with long-short stockpickers wrongfooted by volatility in China, while macro strategy funds riding big global shifts in interest rates shine. On average, Asian hedge funds fared better than the indexes, losing 9.1% through to end-November, Eurekahedge data showed. By strategy, Asia equity long-short funds lost 12% and Greater China long-short funds lost 14%, while Asia macro funds rose 12% and Asia multi-strategy rose 1%. Big picture macro funds, which trade on economic and political shifts, also performed well, as U.S.-China tension and rising interest rates roiled financial markets. Long positions in U.S. government debt and the Singapore dollar also helped through November when many macro managers were caught out by a sudden drop in the U.S. dollar.

☆ Thai central bank to deliver third straight 25bps hike on Nov. 30
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Anant Chandak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Negative real interest rates will continue to favour the Thai economic recovery as it diverges away from an ultra-tight monetary policy elsewhere in the world, most notably in the U.S. and Europe." Despite the wide interest rate gap, the baht has been one of the top performers in emerging market currencies, depreciating only about 7% so far this year. The government wants tourism next year to reach 80% of its pre-pandemic levels, even as global growth is likely to slow. "We expect Thai international tourism arrivals to be resilient to the global economic slowdown, with arrivals showing low sensitivity to global economic activity fluctuations historically," said Chua Han Teng, economist at DBS. Reporting and Polling by Anant Chandak; Editing by Ross Finley and Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Market watchers' comments on COVID-19 protests in China
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Here's what market watchers are saying about the unrest:ALLAN VON MEHREN, CHIEF ANALYST, DANSKE BANK, COPENHAGEN:"Normally protests in China are aimed at local governments but a crowd in Shanghai directed their protest against the Communist Party and Xi Jinping." "The protests come as the recent tweaks in the zero-Covid policy seem to have backfired as they led to rising cases across the country that subsequently triggered new restrictions being implemented. MARK HAEFELE, GLOBAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT CIO, UBS, ZURICH:"We do not expect economic or market headwinds in China to abate significantly over the coming months. KEN CHEUNG, CHIEF ASIA FX STRATEGIST, MIZUHO, HONG KONG:"The China economy is heading to the direction of reopening but the road to the reopening could be a bumpy one. GARY NG, ECONOMIST, NATIXIS, HONG KONG:"The market does not like uncertainties that are difficult to price and the China protests clearly fall into this category.

☆ Semafor news platform launches
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Helen Coster | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

That structure is designed to address issues such as a trust deficit between the public and the press, and some readers' inability to distinguish between facts and analysis, said Semafor Executive Editor Gina Chua in an interview Monday. That funding will take Semafor to the end of 2023 and into 2024, according to chief executive officer Justin Smith. At launch, Semafor said that 75% of its revenue will come from advertising and 25% from event sponsorships. Some news organizations such as Axios have had success luring readers with shorter, unconventional formats. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Helen Coster in New York, Editing by Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The hotly anticipated media startup Semafor has launched, creating the 'Semaform' article structure to separate news from opinion
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Steven Perlberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The company has created "Semaform," a way to separate news and opinion in articles. Semafor, the hotly anticipated media startup that grabbed industry attention before it even launched, is finally here. Led by former Bloomberg Media CEO Justin Smith and former New York Times media columnist and BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith, the outlet began publishing Tuesday morning with the lofty ambition of "solving certain significant news consumer frustrations," Justin Smith told Insider. "We have a long runway through 2023 and moving into 2024 on a revenue front and a cost front," Justin Smith said. Overall, the target readership is "very much the news omnivore" and people who are "opinion leaders" in business, finance, and tech, Justin Smith said.

☆ Singapore GDP growth to ease in Q3, keeps MAS in delicate balancing act
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Singapore government had downgrade its 2022 GDP growth forecast range to 3% to 4% from 3% to 5% in August, citing the weakening external demand outlook. Economists are watching to see whether Singapore's official inflation forecast would be revised when the central bank releases its monetary policy statement, which is also due on Friday. Sixteen economists forecast the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to tighten its policy, but are divided on how aggressive it will be and which of its settings will change. Economists, including Maybank's Chua, who expect MAS to tighten only via one lever largely cited the weak growth outlook. The MAS has tightened monetary policy four times in a row, with the latest in July in an out-of-cycle move.

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