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☆ In the wake of bitcoin's new highs, South Korea's 'kimchi premium' is in the spotlight again
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Now, get ready for the "kimchi premium," named after the popular side dish of fermented vegetables that's a staple in Korean cuisine. The "kimchi premium" refers to the price gap in cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoin, when listed in South Korea versus those listed in U.S. or European exchanges. The kimchi premium is in the spotlight again after bitcoin reached all-time highs in mid-March, soaring past $73,000 to a record high on March 13, according to Coin Metrics data. According to cryptocurrency data provider Cryptoquant, the Korea Premium Index reached its highest level since May 2021 on March 16, reaching 10.88%. That means bitcoin's trading price in South Korea was roughly 10% higher than the global spot price.

Persons: it's, bitcoin, Sam Bankman, Fried, FTX, Chainalysis, Baik Seunghoon, Baik Organizations: Alameda Research, CNBC, University of Calgary, country's Financial, Commission, South, South Korean Locations: Korea, South, cryptocurrencies, South Korea, Japan, China, East Asia, Korean

☆ The 5 red flags a Michelin-star pastry chef looks for when visiting high-end bakeries
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Rachel Askinasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Dubbed NYC's dessert doyenne, the chef has developed her own set of red flags to look out for whenever she visits high-end bakeries. And if the croissants look perfectly machine-made, something might not be right in the kitchen. Beware of bread that's wrappedMick said high-end bakeries should only be selling fresh bread. ciobanu ana maria/Getty ImagesBefore she even steps into a bakery, Mick might turn to Instagram for visuals. So, for example, a bakery that's filling cannoli and leaving them in the case until they're purchased raises some concerns.

Persons: —, Camari Mick, Mick, Liang Lim, that's, they'll, maria, she's, it's, they're Organizations: Service, Business, telltale Locations: New York City, Raf's

☆ Asia markets mixed with focus on South Korea inflation print, factory data from Australia and India
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A customer pays for his purchase at a dried food stall in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were mixed Tuesday, as investors assessed economic data from South Korea and Australia. South Korea's March inflation rate held steady at 3.1%, in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. Factory activity data from India is also due later in the day, with economists polled by Reuters expecting a stronger PMI reading of 59.4. South Korea's Kospi was down 0.34% and the Kosdaq slid 1.11% after the inflation reading.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, Kospi Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images Bloomberg, Getty, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, Australia, India

☆ Asia markets climb as China factory activity assessed; Japan business optimism falls slightly
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets climbed Monday as investors assessed China's business activity for February and await economic data out of Japan. China's National Bureau of Statistics data showed that manufacturing activity expanded in March, with the purchasing managers index registering a reading of 50.8, compared to Feburary's reading of 49.1. Separately, Japan's first-quarter Tankan survey showed that business optimism among large manufacturers fell, with the gauge at +11 compared with +12 in the last survey. However, optimism among non-manufacturers rose, with the Tankan gauge at +34 compared with +30 in the fourth quarter and beating Reuters expectations of +33. The survey gauges business sentiment, which the Bank of Japan monitors when formulating monetary policy.

Persons: Japan's Organizations: China's National Bureau, Reuters, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Asia markets poised to fall ahead of China industrial profits data, Australia inflation reading
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were set to largely fall on Wednesday, taking cues from Wall Street as the market rally in the U.S. continued to cool. Investors in Asia will assess February inflation numbers from Australia, the first inflation reading after the country's central bank said that "it was not yet possible to rule in or out further increases in interest rates." "Inflation had moderated but was still high," the bank said. China will also release industrial profit data on Wednesday.

Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S, Australia, China

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Kosuke Okahara/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set to fall Tuesday as the U.S. market took a breather following a rally sparked by optimism over the Federal Reserve's interest rate stance at its latest meeting. "We're coming off of a post-FOMC high," he told CNBC, referring to the U.S. Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee meeting last week. "The market is getting more and more vulnerable to a market decline or a pullback in prices." Investors in Asia also await economic data out of Southeast Asia, including Singapore's manufacturing output and Thailand's trade balance.

Persons: Kosuke Okahara, Sam Stovall Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan Exchange Group Inc, Bloomberg, Getty Images, Federal, CFRA Research, CNBC, U.S, U.S . Federal Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Getty Images Asia, Pacific, U.S, U.S ., Asia, Southeast Asia

☆ Asia markets poised for mixed open as investors await inflation data from the region this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Roslan Rahman | AFP | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed as investors await a slew of inflation reports from the region. Singapore and Malaysia will release their February inflation reports on Monday, while Australia's inflation numbers will be out on Wednesday. Tokyo's inflation numbers are due Friday. The capital's inflation numbers are widely seen as a leading indicator of nationwide trends. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,515, pointing to a slightly stronger open compared with the HSI's last close of 16,499.47.

Persons: Roslan Rahman Organizations: AFP, Getty, Nikkei Locations: Sands, Singapore, Asia, Pacific, Malaysia, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Singapore's former transport minister S Iswaran slapped with 8 new charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

S. Iswaran, Singapore's transport minister, leaves the Singapore State Courts in Singapore, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Iswaran was charged with corruption, the latest development in the biggest political scandal to hit the city state in close to four decades. Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSingapore's former Transport Minister S Iswaran was handed eight additional charges in court on Monday, bringing the total number of charges against him to 35. In January, Iswaran was handed 27 charges, including corruption — he pleaded not guilty to those charges. A statement from Singapore's anti-graft watchdog said the alleged offences were committed between November 2021 and November 2022, and was in connection with Iswaran's official function as Minister for Transport.

Persons: Iswaran, —, Lum Kok Organizations: Courts, Bloomberg, Getty, Singapore, Transport Locations: Singapore, Australia, Brompton

The BOJ will now look to utilize its short-term interest rate as its primary policy tool. It will employ an interest rate of 0.1% to current account balances held by financial institutions at the central bank from March 21, while encouraging the uncollateralized overnight call rate (another interest rate used as a policy lever by the bank) to remain at around 0 to 0.1% — effectively raising interest rates from -0.1% previously. It would resort to "nimble responses" in the form of increased Japan government bond purchases and fixed-rate purchases of JGBs, among other things, if there is a rapid rise in long-term interest rates. Japanese investors have looked elsewhere for better returns given years of artificially depressed interest rates in their home market. The Fed is due to announce its own interest rate decision on Wednesday.

Persons: Japan Alexander Spatari, Kazuo Ueda, Rob Carnell, BOJ, Ueda, Michael Brown, —, JGBs, Vishnu Varathan, Hayden Briscoe, Briscoe Organizations: Japan's, Japan Inc, Asia, ING, CNBC, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Bank of America, Barclays, U.S . Federal, UBS Asset Management Locations: Dotonbori, Japan, Japan's, U.S, Mizuho's, Asia

☆ Asia markets poised to fall ahead of central bank decisions from Japan and Australia
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Kazuo Ueda, governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ). Asia-Pacific markets were set to fall ahead of central bank monetary policy decisions from the Bank of Japan and the Reserve Bank of Australia. All eyes will be on the BOJ amid expectations that the central bank could end its negative interest rate policy after 17 years. Economists polled by Reuters expect the central bank to raise its rates to 0% from the current -0.1%. Separately, the RBA is forecast to hold its benchmark interest rate at 4.35% for its third meeting in a row.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Bank of Japan, Reserve Bank of Australia, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) headquarters is seen beyond the cherry blossoms in Tokyo on March 20, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets were set for a mixed open Monday as investors brace for a week of central bank meetings. The U.S. Federal Reserve will start its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Tuesday. A Reuters poll of economists is expecting the Fed to hold its benchmark interest rates steady at 5.25% to 5.5%. In Asia, the Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to keep its cash rate steady at 4.35% when it concludes its meeting on Tuesday.

Organizations: Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, Open, Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of England Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Europe

☆ Apple is reportedly in talks to license Google's Gemini for generative AI on iPhones
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)Apple is reportedly in talks with Google to let the iPhone maker license and build its Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone, according to a Bloomberg report. Gemini is Google's suite of generative AI tools, which ranges from chatbots to coding assistants. Apple could launch the iOS 18 — its latest operating system for the iPhone — at its Worldwide Developer's Conference in June. Apple also recently held discussions with OpenAI and has considered using its model, according to the people cited by Bloomberg. However, the report said "the two parties haven't decided the terms or branding of an AI agreement or finalized how it would be implemented."

Persons: Lionel BONAVENTURE, LIONEL BONAVENTURE, OpenAI, haven't Organizations: Google, Facebook, Apple, Getty, Bloomberg, Worldwide Developer's Conference Locations: Paris, AFP

☆ 2 experts suggest these 8 side hustles to try this year if you're looking to make money outside your job
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementSide hustles can include building a profitable business, spending a few minutes on an online gig like survey work, or working a job that falls outside your typical 9-to-5. AdvertisementPet sitting or other kinds of care workAnother side job could be watching someone's pets or care-related side hustles. AdvertisementFood deliveryThere are several food delivery platforms people can try as a side job, such as Uber Eats. "You may be really passionate about art or that creative side, but that's not something that you do in your day job," Caban said. Have you made money from a side job or a side hustle?

Persons: Instawork's Kira Caban, Ted Rossman, —, Kira Caban, it's, Gen Zers, Rossman, Caban, Davis, Taylor Swift, Scott, Meghan Lim, Lim, Uber, Erin Couch, Couch Organizations: Service, Instawork, Business, BI, Baseball, Connect Locations: Nashville

☆ Asia markets set to fall after hot U.S. inflation report; first estimates from Japan's wage negotiations expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A man walks past the People's Bank of China (PBOC) building on July 20, 2023 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images China News Service | China News Service | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set to fall after producer prices in the U.S. grew faster than expected in February, coming in at 0.6% last month. Excluding food and energy prices, core PPI climbed 0.3% in February. Economists polled by Dow Jones had expected a 0.3% gain for headline PPI and a 0.2% increase for the core reading. Investors in Asia will be watching out for any news from Japan's spring wage negotiations, with first estimates expected to come out later in the day.

Persons: Jiang Qiming, Dow Jones Organizations: People's Bank of China, China News Service, Getty Images China, Service, Getty, PPI, Nikkei, People's Bank of Locations: Beijing, China, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Chicago, Osaka, People's Bank of China, Australia

☆ Asia markets set for mixed open as Wall Street rally falters; India wholesale inflation on deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Beautiful and colorful aerial view of Mumbai skyline during twilight seen from Currey Road, on February 16, 2022 in Mumbai, India. Pratik Chorge | Hindustan Times | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open after Wall Street's tech-fueled rally dissipated, with Nvidia falling 1.1%, Meta slipping 0.8% and Apple dropping 1.2%. On Thursday, investors will assess India's wholesale inflation, while also monitoring any news coming out of Japan's spring wage negotiations. Japan's wage negotiations wrapped up on Wednesday, with the first overall estimate due out on Friday. Japan's Nikkei 225 is set to fall following these reports as markets price in the possibility of the BOJ tightening policy.

Persons: Pratik Organizations: Hindustan Times, Getty, Nvidia, Apple, Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei Locations: Mumbai, India, Asia, Pacific, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ At 23, she landed a job at a 3-star Michelin restaurant. Less than 2 years later, she left to run a food stall in Singapore.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Shanice Lim left a Michelin-starred restaurant to run a hawker stall in Singapore. She decided to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and run her own hawker stall. nasi lemak stall in singapore Marielle Descalsota/Business InsiderLim said her efforts have paid off and that she now has a base of customers who don't hesitate to pay SG$5 for her nasi lemak. I wanted to put my brand out there so everyone could have good nasi lemak," Lim said. There isn't much money to be made running a hawker stall.

Persons: Shanice Lim, Lim's, —, Shanice, Lim, Lim's nasi lemak, Marielle, nasi lemak —, Khir Johari, hawker, KF, it's, It's, nasi lemak, Seetoh, nasi, she's, Elizabeth Chan, lemak, Chan, har, wasn't Organizations: Michelin, Service, Culinary Institute of America's, hawker, Business, SG, National Environmental Agency, NEA, Singapore Food Agency, singapore Marielle Locations: Singapore, Culinary Institute of America's Singapore, Singapore —, European, Zen, Malay, lemak, Bedok, hawker, Urban, New York City, nasi lemak, singapore

☆ Singapore bumps up 2024 GDP forecast on manufacturing growth; lowers headline inflation outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's economy expanded by a slightly more modest pace than initially expected in 2023, as manufacturing activity contracted and services growth slowed. Singapore's economy in 2024 is forecast to grow faster than estimated earlier, while the outlook for inflation has been revised lower, the Monetary Authority of Singapore's survey showed Wednesday. The survey of forecasters has pegged this year's growth at 2.4% and headline inflation at 3.1%, compared with the December survey's estimates of 2.3% GDP growth and inflation at 3.4%. Singapore's manufacturing sector — which makes up over 20% of the country's GDP — is now expected to grow at 4% in 2024, up from 2.3%. While economists raised their forecasts for the manufacturing, finance and insurance, and construction sectors, the outlook for the wholesale and retail trade, as well as accommodation and food services sectors was revised lower.

Organizations: Monetary Authority Locations: Singapore

☆ Asia markets set for positive open after U.S. stocks jump on inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Commercial and residential buildings are illuminated at dawn in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets were mostly set to rise after Wall Street jumped overnight, following U.S. inflation data that largely met expectations. February U.S. consumer price index climbed 0.4% on the month and 3.2% year over year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Dow Jones had forecast a 0.4% increase month on month and 3.1% year over year. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy from the headline reading, climbed 0.4% in February, compared to a forecast gain of 0.3%.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Wall, of Labor Statistics Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific

☆ Asia markets set for mixed open ahead of Japan's corporate inflation; Nikkei poised to slide further
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People commuting to work in the morning cross a pedestrian crossing in Tokyo on February 15, 2024. Asia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open ahead of Japan's corporate inflation figures for February, as well as trade data from the Philippines. Japan's corporate inflation rate for January is expected to come in at 0.5%, according to a Reuters poll. Investors will also be keeping an eye on inflation figures out of India as well as the U.S. later Tuesday, which could give a clue as to when the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.

Organizations: Federal Reserve Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Philippines, India

☆ Asia markets poised to fall after Wall Street rally pauses; China exits deflation territory as prices rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Customers at a fresh food market in Shanghai, China, on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set to fall Monday after Wall Street's rally took a breather, with artificial intelligence darling Nvidia finishing down more than 5% in its worst session since late May. Separately, China recorded its first month of inflation in four months with the country's consumer price index climbing 0.7% year on year in February. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 started the week down 1.21%, retreating from its all-time high and snapping a three-day winning streak. Japan's Nikkei 225 is also set to fall, with the index likely slipping below the 39,000 mark for the first time since Feb. 21.

Persons: Wall Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, CPI, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: Shanghai, China, Asia, Pacific, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

☆ I was a commando who trained with Navy SEALs. Dealing with risky situations helped me navigate the corporate jungle.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It's now been 10 fulfilling years that I have spent in the private sector. But if I were to liken corporate life to my military experience, I would compare working in the private sector to parachuting. Some mourn the loss of camaraderie and the sense of purpose when one leaves the army for the private sector. And in the military, things are straightforward. AdvertisementSo, it's true that the private sector is inherently transactional, albeit in a different way.

Persons: Kwong Weng Yap, —, Yap, Singapore's, Lim Chuan Poh, It's, I've, you'll, Kwong Weng Organizations: Singapore Armed Forces, Service, National Cadet Corps, NCC, SAF, Navy, Defence Force, Enterprise Singapore Locations: Singapore, Australia, Yap, Myanmar, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Ukraine, China

A man takes photos of a view showing residential and commercial buildings, from an observation deck beneath the YTN Seoul Tower, commonly known as the Namsan Tower, in Seoul on September 3, 2021. Asia-Pacific markets rose after comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that interest rate cuts may not be too distant if inflation signals support policy easing. Speaking to the Senate Banking Committee, Powell didn't offer an exact timeline for rate cuts, but noted they would go down soon. "We're waiting to become more confident that inflation is moving sustainably at 2%. When we do get that confidence, and we're not far from it, it'll be appropriate to begin to dial back the level of restriction," Powell said in response to a question about rates and inflation.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, we're Organizations: U.S . Federal, Senate Banking Locations: Seoul, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ Asia markets poised to rise after Wall Street rebound; trade data from Australia and China awaited
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The sails of the Opera House are illuminated with projections on the opening night of Vivid Sydney 2023 in Sydney, Australia, on Friday, May 26, 2023. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to rise as investors await trade data from Australia and China on Thursday. This also follows comments from U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, who reiterated his stance that while the central bank could start cutting rates, it is "not immediately ready." In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.14%, nearing its all time high of 7,745.6 hit on March 1. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,565, higher than the HSI's close of 16,438.09 and on pace to extend gains on Wednesday after it rose almost 2%.

Persons: Jerome Powell Organizations: Opera, Vivid, Anadolu Agency, Getty, U.S . Federal, Japan's Nikkei Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, China, U.S, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Asia markets poised to slip ahead of Chinese government's report card at 'Two Sessions' meeting; gold sets new record
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Delegates attend the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing in 2022. Asia-Pacific markets were set to fall ahead of China's "Two Sessions" meeting, with investors watching out for its economic plans, including the country's gross domestic product growth target. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to deliver the government's work report on Tuesday, though the traditional press conference with the premier has been scrapped. Separately, the Caixin services purchasing managers' index reading for China will be released later in the day. On the economic data front, investors also await South Korea's revised GDP numbers for the fourth quarter of 2023, as well as inflation figures from Japan's capital city of Tokyo.

Persons: Li Qiang Organizations: Political Consultative Locations: Beijing, Asia, Pacific, China, Tokyo

☆ This analyst predicted the Nikkei would cross 40,000. Here's where he thinks it'll go next
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Koll was referring to the asset and equity bubble Japan saw in the late 80s, which resulted in the Nikkei hitting its 1989 highs. In July last year, Koll told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" he expected the Nikkei to hit 40,000 "over the next 12 months." watch nowWhen asked what drives his optimism, Koll told CNBC on Monday that it was in part due to Japan's ability to be a "capital value-creating superpower." There is no question that Japanese 'salarymen CEOs' created more fundamental economic value than Wall Street's superstar CEOs. He said Japanese CEOs are the "undisputed global champions of delivering on the hard part, true economic value creation."

Persons: Jesper Koll, Koll, CNBC's, Fumio Kishida, Wall, Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Organizations: Nikkei, Monex Group, CNBC, Bank, Monex, Wall, Berkshire, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Itochu

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