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☆ 'Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong': Beijing hits back at U.S. for 'slandering' city's new security law
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The flags of China and Hong Kong displayed in rows. China's embassy hit back against U.S. criticism of Hong Kong's new national security law on Thursday, saying the U.S. should "respect China's sovereignty." Hong Kong lawmakers passed a new national security law on Tuesday which critics say grants the government more power to quash dissent. "Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, which no country is in the position to point fingers at or interfere in," a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Persons: Hong, Hong Kong's, Vedant Patel, John Lee, Wang Yi, — CNBC's Evelyn Cheng, Clement Tan Organizations: U.S . State Department, Kong's Legislative, China's, Beijing, China - Locations: China, Hong Kong, U.S, China's, Hong Kong . Hong Kong, Kong's, China - U.S

☆ China and New Zealand pledge deeper trade and economic cooperation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China and New Zealand are working toward implementing an upgraded version of the free trade agreement between the two countries. Wang met New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay during an official visit to New Zealand. New Zealand was the first developed country to sign a bilateral free trade deal with China in 2008. China's door to the world will open even wider, Wang said, pledging to forge closer cooperation with New Zealand in the next decade and emphasizing on the need to safeguard free trade. He will be holding the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in his visit to Australia.

Persons: Wang Yi, Wang, Todd McClay, McClay, Winston Peters, China's, Peters, Penny Wong Organizations: Xinhua, New Zealand Trade, New Zealand, Foreign Affairs, Australian Foreign Locations: China, New Zealand, New, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet, Zealand, South, Sea, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, Beijing, Philippines, Wang, Australia, Mar

☆ 2024 is the year of the rate cut pivot — here's when the world's central banks will budge
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

EIU also expects the Bank of Japan will exit its negative interest rate policy in the second quarter. Markets currently expect the Fed to start with a 25-basis-point rate cut in June. Euro zoneThe European Central Bank last week also held its policy rate at a record high of 4%, signaling that it won't cut rates before June. JPMorgan said in a research note that the Turkish central bank may cut its policy rate in November and December, keeping its year-end policy rate forecast of 45%. IndonesiaIndonesia's central bank kept its benchmark policy rate at 6% in its recent meeting.

Persons: EIU, Jerome Powell, LSEG, Nomura, Perry Warjiyo, CNBC's JP Ong, BOK, Goldman Sachs, Goohoon Kwon, Kwon Organizations: Getty, Economist Intelligence Unit, Bank of Japan, United, United States U.S, Federal, Fed, European Central Bank, ECB, Swiss National Bank, UBS, Bank of Canada, Bank of, JPMorgan, Reserve Bank of, ANZ, New Zealand Auckland Savings Bank, Bank, Bank Indonesia, BMI, Fitch Solutions, U.S, Oxford Economics, Macquarie Locations: Czech, China, Japan, United States, Switzerland Swiss, Bank of Canada, Turkey, Turkish, Reserve Bank of Australia, New, Indonesia, South Korea, Asia

☆ Hong Kong proposes new security bill with life imprisonment for 'treason' and 'insurrection'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The flag of Hong Kong flies from a ferry boat on July 2, 1997, a day after the former British colony returned to Chinese rule. Hong Kong on Friday unveiled a new draft security bill proposing up to life imprisonment for offences such as insurrection and treason following a month of public consultation period for the bill. The draft legislation is necessary for Hong Kong to fulfil its constitutional duty to safeguard national security, China's Ministry of National Security emphasized in its official WeChat account on Monday. Beijing imposed a controversial law four years ago, which stamped out dissent and led to the arrest of many Hong Kong pro-democracy activists. China's 2020 national security law aimed at prohibiting secession, subversion of state power, terrorism activities and foreign interference.

Persons: Hong, John Lee Organizations: British, China's Ministry of National Security, Hong, U.S . State Department, Kong's Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing

☆ China's 5% GDP goal is 'attainable' but it won't be easy, says Hong Kong's financial secretary
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China's GDP target of 5% for 2024 is possible, but it won't be easy to achieve, Hong Kong's financial secretary told CNBC Tuesday after Beijing set a growth target of "around 5%" for this year. I think this is attainable, although it's not easy," Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan told CNBC's Emily Chan, highlighting bright spots in China's export sector and domestic consumption. So this represents also a huge market for China's export," Chan said, adding that "we expect the export situation of the mainland will improve particularly into developing Asia." Domestic consumption is also a key driver for the city's growth in the short term, said the financial secretary. Hong Kong's GDP is projected to grow 2.5% to 3.5% this year.

Persons: it's, Paul Chan, CNBC's Emily Chan, Chan, Goldman Sachs Organizations: CNBC, Kong's, ASEAN, Association of Southeast, Nations, U.S . Locations: Beijing, China, Asia, U.S, Macao, Hong Kong

☆ Will Nikkei's record-breaking rally sustain even as Japan's economy sputters?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Fuji and Tokyo skyline Jackyenjoyphotography | Moment | Getty ImagesJapan's Nikkei stock index has been on a record-breaking spree on the back of robust earnings and investor-friendly measures. But the country's ailing economy has experts divided over this sustainability of this rally. Japan's corporate governance reforms have been a key driver for the country's stock markets, Momma said, while stressing that stock indexes do not necessarily represent the entire economy that includes SMEs and households. SMEs are a critical lever in the Japanese economy, accounting for 70% of national employment and 50% of the country's economic growth. "Spillover from the global boom of AI-related stocks certainly helped Nikkei," Momma said.

Persons: Kazuo Momma, Momma, Sayuri Shirai, pare, Shirai, Phillip Colmar MRB Organizations: Nikkei, Mizuho Research, CNBC, Bank of Japan, Nvidia, Technology, Stock, Keio University, Bank of America, Phillip Colmar MRB Partners Locations: Fuji, Tokyo, Germany, Japan, U.S, China

☆ Oil prices slip after OPEC+ extends voluntary oil output cuts until mid-year
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Oil prices edged lower Monday after oil cartel OPEC+ agreed to extend voluntary output reductions until the second quarter, in an effort to support the short-term stability of crude markets. Global benchmark Brent slipped 0.05% to $83.52 a barrel Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures traded down 0.19% at $79.82 per barrel. OPEC+ announced on Sunday that the 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary output cuts that were planned for the first quarter of this year will continue into the next quarter. OPEC+ kingpin and de facto leader Saudi Arabia said it will prolong its voluntary cut of 1 million barrels per day until the end of the second quarter, state-owned Saudi Press Agency said Sunday. Riyadh's crude production will stand at approximately 9 million barrels per day until the end of June.

Persons: Brent Organizations: OPEC, Global, U.S, West Texas Intermediate, Saudi Press Agency Locations: OPEC, Saudi Arabia

☆ Japan's factory activity contracts most in over three years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An employee checks gaskets after processing them in an automatic press machine at the Hamamatsu Gasket Co. factory in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. Japan's February factory activity shrank at the fastest pace in more than three years on the back of weakening demand. The au Jibun Bank's flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to to 47.2 in February, compared with January's 48.0 reading, indicating continued contraction in private sector business activity. The reading signals a ninth consecutive deterioration in business activity and the strongest contraction recorded since August 2020, according to au Jibun Bank. Operating conditions in the country's manufacturing sector continued to deteriorate in February.

Organizations: Japan's, Jibun Bank Locations: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

☆ Forget cash — it's time to move into fixed income, Franklin Templeton strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Investors should move out of cash and into fixed income with some duration, said Franklin Templeton's chief market strategist, Stephen Dover. Franklin Templeton's inflation forecast is more conservative than the U.S. Federal Reserve's. The investment firm expects the core personal consumption expenditures price index to fall to 2.7% by the end of the year, versus the U.S. Federal Reserve's projections of 2.4%. The markets' "biggest screaming issue" is the $6 trillion sitting in money market funds right now, he said. "We would advise those investors to move out of that cash and take some duration move into fixed income," he added.

Persons: Franklin, Stephen Dover, Dover Organizations: U.S Locations: U.S . Federal

☆ How much wealth do you need to join the 1% club in your country?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The entry barriers to the 1% rich club have been getting tougher across the world. Here's how much you need to join the ranks of the wealthiest people in your country. Second in line is Luxembourg, which has an entry requirement of $10.8 million, followed by Switzerland at $8.5 million. At $5.2 million, Singapore is fifth globally and leads the Asia-Pacific region in terms of the wealth needed to break into the elite club. The two are offering tax incentives and business-friendly regulations to attract 1,100 family offices that manage over $4 trillion in assets.

Persons: Monaco, Knight Frank Organizations: Empire, Hudson Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Singapore, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong

☆ Hong Kong property stocks jump after city scraps cooling measures
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An urban view of high-rise buildings at dusk as seen from Hong Kong's Victoria Peak. Stocks of Hong Kong developers rose after Financial Secretary Paul Chan scrapped property cooling measures in a bid to bolster the sector, which has been weighed down by high borrowing costs and weak economic sentiment. Churchouse added that this could "be a bit of a positive flip" for the wider Hong Kong stock market as it is highly correlated with the residential property market. Hong Kong's stock markets have plunged around 40% from its highs a couple of years ago. Hong Kong's government is also rolling out over 1 billion Hong Kong dollars ($127 million) to support its tourism industry.

Persons: Chan, Paul Chan, Peter Churchouse, Churchouse, Hong Organizations: Hong, Portwood, Kong's Monetary, Hong Kong Locations: Hong, Victoria, Hong Kong

☆ China's oil demand growth could halve from pre-Covid levels as property, auto sectors struggle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows part of the state oil firm Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) refinery in Salamanca. The consultancy expects demand growth to be around 250,000 bpd to 350,000 bpd, less than half of what it was in 2019 — demand growth will not return to the million barrels per day seen between 2015 and 2020. China's oil demand growth this year could be half of pre-Covid 2019 levels, according to Eurasia Group, as key segments of the world's second-largest economy struggle from a slowdown. The incremental fuel demand growth in China that the oil industry has come to literally bank on over the past two decades is no more. China will lose its spot to India as the primary driver for global oil demand through 2030, the International Energy Agency said in a report.

Persons: Petroleos, Linda Giesecke Organizations: Eurasia Group, International Energy Agency, JPMorgan, CNBC Locations: Salamanca . State, Guanajuato, Mexico, Eurasia, China, India

☆ Coldplay, then Taylor Swift: Concert economics are driving a tourism boom in Singapore
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and now Taylor Swift. Singapore is eyeing concert economics as its new growth driver, which is set to add hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism receipts. Fans bought 200,000 tickets as the shows sold out within hours, breaking the city-state's record for the most tickets sold by an artist in a single day. And starting this weekend, Singapore will host American popstar Taylor Swift, whose Eras Tour in the U.S. last year was estimated to generate around $4.6 billion in consumer spending. "Taylor Swift is also widely expected to generate a sizable economic boost, given her past record," Liu added.

Persons: Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Yun Liu, Agoda, popstar Taylor Swift, Liu Organizations: Singapore's, Coldplay's Music Locations: Singapore, ASEAN, British, Asia, Pacific, Malaysia, Indonesia, U.S

☆ China de-linking talk is overdone and it's still key to the global economy, Asian Development Bank says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China is still a critical trading partner for many countries across the world, and the often-used narrative of the superpower being delinked from the global economy is overdone, says the Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank. "China's still probably the number one trading partner for the majority of countries in the world," ADB's Chief Economist Albert Park told CNBC. Although there have been parts of overall trade with China that have declined, the country's engagement and importance in the global value chain has not diminished, said Park. However, the economic powerhouse remains a top trading partner to over 120 countries, and is still the largest trading partner to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, according to U.S. think tank Wilson Center. He added that even following the trade conflict started by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018, China's importance in the global value chain has not slumped.

Persons: China's, Albert Park, Donald Trump Organizations: Asian Development Bank, CNBC, Wilson, U.S Locations: China, Manila, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam

☆ Asia-Pacific markets, Korea rate decision, Australia and Japan PMI
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets appeared set to trade mixed Thursday, with a slew of economic data from the region on tap, while investors also assess the U.S. Federal Reserve possibly delaying interest rate cuts. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened marginally higher, up 0.03%, as the nation's Judo Bank composite purchasing managers' index for February showed a return to growth, at 51.8. The monthly index is a leading indicator for business activity in Australia's manufacturing sector. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,447, pointing to a weaker start compared with the HSI's close of 16,503.1Japan's Nikkei 225 was set to rise as investors awaited the release of Japan's Jibun Bank flash purchasing managers' index. Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 38,745 and its counterpart in Osaka was at 38,410 against the index's last close of 38,262.16The Bank of Korea is slated to announce its interest rate decision later, with economists polled by Reuters expecting the bank to hold rates at 3.50%.

Organizations: U.S . Federal, nation's Judo Bank, Futures, Nikkei, Japan's, of, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia, Chicago, Osaka, of Korea

☆ This country is set to see the sharpest spike in wealth growth over the next decade
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Vietnam is set to see the sharpest spike in wealth growth over the next decade as it cements its status as a global manufacturing hub, according to a report by global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth and investment migration advisors Henley & Partners. The Southeast Asian country is forecast to see a 125% increase in wealth over the next 10 years, Andrew Amoils, New World Wealth's analyst, told CNBC. This would be the largest expansion in wealth of any country in terms of GDP per capita and number of millionaires, according to the firm's analysis. "Vietnam is an increasingly popular manufacturing base for multinational tech, automotive, electronics, clothing and textile firms," Amoils said. India, which is set to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027, takes the second spot with an expected 110% growth in wealth, he added.

Persons: Andrew Amoils, Amoils Organizations: Wealth, Henley & Partners, CNBC Locations: Vietnam, Andrew Amoils ,, India, Asia, Pacific

☆ European markets head for mixed open, struggle to find positive momentum
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

HSBC reported on Wednesday its full year 2023 pre-tax profit climbed about 78% to $30.3 billion from a year ago, missing median estimates of $34.06 billion from analysts tracked by LSEG. Its Hong Kong shares reversed gains to dip more than 2%, compared against the 3% gains for the Hang Seng Index. The bank's shares have gained about 0.5% so far this year after jumping 23% in 2023 as the Hang Seng Index shed 14%. It was last trading down 2.55%. —Clement Tan, Lee Ying Shan

Persons: — Clement Tan, Lee Ying Shan Organizations: HSBC, LSEG, Hong Kong

☆ Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall, tracking Wall Street losses; Japan parses souring business sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall Wednesday, tracking Wall Street losses. Japan's Nikkei 225 is set to fall as investors assess the country's trade data and souring business sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 38,260 and its counterpart in Osaka was at 38,280 against the index's last close of 38,363.61. Japanese manufacturers' business confidence soured in February, tumbling to -1 compared to the previous month's reading of 6, according to the Reuters Tankan poll. The Reuters monthly poll is considered to be a leading indicator of the Bank of Japan's official survey.

Organizations: Nikkei, Reuters, Bank of Japan's Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia, Chicago, Osaka, Japan, Germany

☆ Gold at $3,000 and oil at $100 by 2025? Citi analysts don't rule it out
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

That could double central bank's gold purchases, challenging jewelry consumption as the largest driver of gold demand, Doshi elaborated. China and Russian central banks are leading gold purchases, with India, Turkey, and Brazil, also increasing bullion buying. The world's central banks have sustained two successive years of more than 1,000 tons of net gold purchases, the World Gold Council reported in January. Another wildcard scenario highlighted in Citi's report was for oil prices to hit triple digits again. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Oil prices in the past one year

Persons: Doshi, Stagflation Organizations: Citi, CNBC, Central, U.S ., Gold, U.S . Federal Reserves, Co, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Citi's North America, China, Russian, India, Turkey, Brazil, U.S, Bangkok, Thailand, Israel, Yemen, Iraq, OPEC

☆ China boosts property funding with first cut in key loan rate since June
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China's lenders cut the country's benchmark five-year loan prime rate for the first time since June, extending Beijing's efforts to revive the country's anemic property market. The Chinese central bank kept its one-year loan prime rate — the peg for most household and corporate loans in China — unchanged at 3.45%. The benchmark five-year loan rate — the peg for most mortgages — was cut by 25 basis points to 3.95%, according to a statement Tuesday from the People's Bank of China. This was also the largest one-time cut in the five-year rate and the first since the five-year rate was last trimmed in June by 10 basis points. China calculates its loan prime rates each month after 20 designated commercial lenders submit their proposed rates to the PBOC.

Persons: Louise Loo, Loo, CNBC's Lee Ying Shan Organizations: People's Bank of China, Oxford Economics, Sunday Locations: China, Beijing

☆ Singapore outbound flights to cost more from 2026 over green fuel requirements
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Travellers look at the flight departure schedule on the screen at Singapore Changi airport on December 7, 2022. Flights departing from Singapore will cost more from 2026 as the country pushes ahead with its aviation industry decarbonization goals. The initiative is part of a sustainable air hub blueprint which was unveiled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on the eve of the Singapore Airshow. To achieve the ambitious 1% target by 2026, travelers flying out of Singapore will have to be prepared to pay higher air fares. In 2021, the International Air Transport Association and member airlines committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Persons: Chee Hong Tat, CAAS, Chee Organizations: Changi Airport, Seletar, SAF, Transport, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, International Air Transport Association Locations: Singapore Changi, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, London

☆ Asia markets set to track Wall Street gains with S&P 500 hitting a record high overnight
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were set to rise Friday, tracking Wall Street gains, with the S&P 500 notching a fresh record high. Japan's Nikkei 225 is set to extend gains, a day after the country lost its spot as the fourth-largest economy to Germany and entered into a technical recession. Nikkei futures contract in Chicago were at 38,625 and its counterpart in Osaka at 38,650 against the index's last close of 38,157.94Economic slowdown has raised hopes Japan may stick with its ultra-loose monetary policy for longer. Mainland China markets remain closed for the Chinese New Year holidays. Investors await Singapore 2024 budget, slated to be released later in the day.

Organizations: Nikkei, Investors Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia, Germany, Chicago, Osaka, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore

☆ Singapore trims 2023 economic growth to 1.1% as manufacturing sector contracts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE — Singapore lowered its full-year growth for 2023, as official data on Thursday showed the economy grew 1.1% last year compared to an earlier estimate of 1.2%. Growth in 2023 was largely driven by "other services industries" which grew by 3.9% year-on-year. Information and communications, as well as transportation and storage sectors also drove growth,"All sectors except for the manufacturing sector recorded full-year expansions," the Ministry of Trade and Industry reported. Last year, the manufacturing sector — a key driver of the economy — contracted by 4.3%, reversing from the 2.7% growth in 2022. The construction sector grew by 5.2%, an improvement from the 4.6% expansion in 2022.

Organizations: Singapore Central Business District, ArtScience Museum, Ministry of Trade, Industry Locations: Sands, Marina Bay, Singapore, SINGAPORE — Singapore

☆ BRICS nations to see highest surge in millionaire count over the next decade — exceed the rise in G7 countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Millionaire count in the BRICS countries — which together hold $45 trillion in investable wealth — is forecast to rise by 85% over the next 10 years, the investment migration consultancy noted in its report published in partnership with global intelligence firm New World Wealth. The 85% forecast for BRICS will be the highest wealth growth of any bloc or region globally. "The 85% forecast for BRICS will be the highest wealth growth of any bloc or region globally," Andrew Amolis, wealth analyst at New World Wealth told CNBC. The UAE followed in third place with a 77% wealth growth. Other members in the BRICS coalition, such as South Africa and Iran, have seen a decline in their millionaire populations since 2013.

Persons: Michel Temer, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Jacob Zuma, Narendra Modi, Andrew Amolis, Dominic Volek Organizations: India's, United, Henley & Partners, Wealth, CNBC, Amolis, European Union, Henley, Partners, UAE Locations: South, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Canada, France, Japan, Italy, U.S, United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, UAE

☆ Valentine's Day chocolate prices highest in years amid cocoa shortage
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But lovers may experience sticker shock this year due to higher cocoa and sugar prices. "Chocolate prices are the highest we've seen in years," said a representative of NielsenIQ. He noted that in spite of higher prices, the chocolate market is robust in mature markets like Europe and North America. Now, chocolate and Valentine's Day are synonymous, even if critics say the affiliation is perpetuated by marketing gimmicks. That being said, chocolates are not the only Valentines' Day treats that will dent the wallet this year.

Persons: Scott Olson, Sergey Chetvertakov, David Branch, there's, Kim, Mintec, It's, Andrew Francis Wallace Organizations: Valentine's, Getty, P, El Nino, Food Institute, Branch, CNBC, Bloomberg, National Confectioners Association, Toronto Star Locations: Chicago , Illinois, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Wells, Asia, India, Africa, Azaguie, Europe, North America, Western Europe, Singapore, Toronto

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