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☆ Singapore tourist arrivals double in 2023 amid global travel recovery
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) 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.International tourist arrivals to Singapore more than doubled in 2023, surging to 13.6 million compared to 2022's figure of 6.3 million. The Singapore Tourism Board said this in line with its forecast, and was at 71% of 2019 levels, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country. Indonesia topped the ranking for the most amount of tourists to Singapore at 2.3 million, followed by China and Malaysia at 1.4 million and 1.1 million respectively, according to STB data. "Other key markets that posted buoyant recovery included Australia, South Korea and USA," the tourism board added.

Organizations: International, Singapore Tourism Board Locations: Singapore Changi, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, USA

☆ Asia markets set to fall ahead of Fed decision; China factory activity and Australia inflation on tap
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A public screen displays stock figures in Shanghai, China, on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to fall ahead of the rate decision from the U.S. Federal Reserve and a slew of economic data from across the region, including China and Australia. Australia will release its inflation numbers for December and the fourth quarter, while China will announce its official purchasing managers index figures for January. Japan's Nikkei 225 is also set to fall, with the futures contract in Chicago at 35,785 and its counterpart in Osaka at 35,930 against the index's last close of 36,065.86. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 15,702, pointing to a similar open compared with the HSI's close of 15,703.45.

Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, U.S . Federal Reserve, Nikkei Locations: Shanghai, China, Asia, Pacific, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Asia markets poised to mostly rise; Hong Kong set to fall in the wake of Evergrande liquidation order
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yuichi Yamazaki | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to rise on Tuesday, with the exception of Hong Kong, as investors continue to grapple with the fallout from Evergrande's liquidation order. A Hong Kong court ruled to liquidate the firm, which was once considered one of China's largest real estate firms. This comes as Japan's unemployment rate in December fell to 2.4%, lower than 2.5% in the month before and slightly below expectations. Economists polled by Reuters expected the unemployment rate to stay unchanged at 2.5%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 started the day up 0.46%, on pace for a seventh straight day of gains.

Persons: Yuichi Yamazaki Organizations: Afp, Getty, Hong, Futures, Nikkei, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asia markets set to rise; GDP, inflation readings and Fed meeting in focus this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to rise as investors await GDP and inflation data from around the region this week. Markets will also be watching the U.S. Federal Reserve's first rate decision of 2024, set to be released Wednesday stateside. This week's major events will be China's factory activity figures for January as well as Australia's fourth-quarter inflation figures on Wednesday. This will be last set of key data before the Reserve Bank of Australia's meeting on Feb. 5. On Wednesday, Taiwan and Hong Kong will also release their fourth-quarter GDP numbers.

Organizations: Opera, Vivid, U.S, U.S . Federal, Reserve Bank of Australia's Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, U.S ., Taiwan, Hong Kong

☆ Asia markets poised for mixed open ahead of Tokyo inflation data, Bank of Japan December meeting minutes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S.' personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding food and energy, climbed 2% in the final quarter of 2023, while headline inflation rose 1.7%. Japan's Nikkei 225 was set to fall ahead of its January inflation reading from Tokyo — widely considered to be a leading indicator for nationwide inflation. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 36,000, and its counterpart in Osaka at 36,050, against the index's last close of 36,236.47. Investors will also be watching out for minutes of the Bank of Japan's final meeting of 2023. Separately, futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,079, pointing to a weaker open compared with the HSI's close of 16,211.96.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Gross, U.S, Nikkei, Bank of Japan's Locations: Minato, Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Asia markets mostly fall; South Korea economic growth beats expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Currency dealers monitor exchange rates in a trading room at the KEB Hana Bank in Seoul on March 13, 2017. South Korean shares rose 0.97 percent on March 13 following the Constitutional Court's ruling to impeach ex-president Park Geun-Hye over a massive corruption scandal. The benchmark KOSPI was up 20.24 points to close at 2,117.59 points. / AFP PHOTO / JUNG Yeon-Je (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell as investors assessed South Korea's gross domestic product numbers and markets respond to China's central bank cutting reserve requirements for the country's lenders. South Korea's GDP grew 2.2% year on year in the fourth quarter and 0.6% compared with the previous quarter, beating expectations from a Reuters poll of 2.1% and 0.5%, respectively.

Persons: Park, JUNG Yeon, JUNG YEON, Pan Gongsheng Organizations: Hana Bank, South, Getty, People's Bank of China Locations: Seoul, Asia, Pacific

☆ Shares of Tesla suppliers in Asia take a beating after automaker misses targets
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A Tesla Inc. Model 3 long range electric vehicle charges at the Tesla Supercharger station in Kettleman City, California, U.S., on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Shares of electric vehicle makers and Tesla 's Asia suppliers tumbled on Thursday after the EV maker missed fourth quarter revenue and profit targets on Thursday and warned of slower sales this year. South Korean display manufacturer LG Display, known to supply the car displays for Tesla's Model 3, fell more than 4%. Battery suppliers to Tesla also saw declines. LG Energy Solution fell 3.8%, while Samsung SDI and Panasonic Holdings both declined about 2%.

Persons: Tesla Organizations: Tesla Inc, Tesla, LG, Battery, LG Energy, Samsung SDI, Panasonic Holdings Locations: Kettleman City , California, U.S, Asia, Texas, South

☆ Asia markets largely set to rise ahead of trade and factory activity data from Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A flag of Japan flies near cargo containers at Tokyo's Odaiba Waterfront on August 6, 2020. Asia-Pacific markets are largely set to rise as investors monitor economic data out of Japan as well as factory activity data from Australia. Japan will release its December trade data and see private surveys from the au Jibun bank on its January purchasing managers index, a day after the Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged. Australia also saw flash PMI surveys from Juno Bank, which showed an expansion in manufacturing activity in January after 11 straight months of contraction. Business activity in the country also saw a softer contraction in January compared to December.

Organizations: Bank of Japan, Juno Bank Locations: Japan, Asia, Pacific, Australia

☆ Taiwan faces economic uncertainty as tensions with China are set to rise after DPP victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowAmundi warned a possible temporary economic blockade of Taiwan could alarm the markets. Political status quo, economic worriesChina has dismissed the outcome of Taiwan's elections, saying the DPP does not represent the mainstream public opinion. On Jan. 13, Taiwan delivered an unprecedented third presidential term to the ruling DPP's Lai, considered a China skeptic. Loss of legislature to temper DPP stanceThe DPP won the presidency, but it lost its majority in the the Legislative Yuan — Taiwan's parliament. Teneo's Wildau said Beijing was likely to continue refusing official dialogues with the DPP presidential administration, but could pursue conversations with KMT leaders.

Persons: Managment, Alicia Garcia Herrero, Nataxis, Gabriel Wildau, Teneo, Lai Ching, DPP's Lai, Wildau, Lai, Tsai, Mr Lai's, Yuan —, Yuan, Herrero, Teneo's Wildau Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan, Asia, DPP, Economist Intelligence Unit, KMT, Taiwan People's Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, Beijing

☆ 'Strong signs' of government support in restoring investor confidence: HSBC Hong Kong CEO
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | 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 Email'Strong signs' of government support in restoring investor confidence: HSBC Hong Kong CEOLuanne Lim, Hong Kong CEO of HSBC, discusses the factors behind weak investor confidence in the city, such as high interest rates, geopolitics and the slowing Chinese economy.

Persons: Luanne Lim, Hong Organizations: HSBC Hong Kong, HSBC Locations: Hong Kong

☆ Asia markets poised for stronger open as investors expect Bank of Japan to keep its policy unchanged
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bitcoin , the world's most popular cryptocurrency, fell decidedly below $40,000 for the first time this year. Bitcoin has fallen 14% since Jan. 10, the day the SEC allowed ETF trading for the cryptocurrency. "It feels like Bitcoin investors are running up a descending escalator right now as traditional financial benchmarks enjoy the easier ride to record highs. The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF is the world's largest, with over $25 billion in assets under management. CEO of Grayscale Investments Michael Sonnenshein told CNBC last week that most of the approved bitcoin ETFs won't survive.

Persons: Bitcoin, Antoni Trenchev, Michael Sonnenshein Organizations: Metrics, SEC, CNBC Locations: Asia

☆ Asia markets set to gain after U.S. stocks hit all-time highs, China loan prime rates in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets were set to rise Monday, tracking Wall Street gains with the S&P500 surpassing its all-time high on Friday. The broad market index rose 1.23% to settle at 4,839.81, crossing both the prior record intraday and closing highs from January 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average , which set its own record at the end of last year, added 1.05%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.70%. Investors in Asia will be watching China's one- and five-year loan prime rates, which currently stand at 3.45% and 4.2%, respectively.

Organizations: Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Investors Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Here's how to start making money pet sitting and dog walking while having fun and setting your own schedule
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewIf you love cats or dogs, you could cash in on this connection by taking on a side hustle pet sitting or dog walking. Lim shared her advice and some things people interested in pet sitting should know, including how much time it can take and how to get started. Meet the owner of the pet beforehandLim suggested meeting the owner and their pet before taking on a client. "There are situations where you may not end up liking the responsibility or maybe you just don't find the right fit with the owner," Lim said. Just let me know when you need a walk,'" Lim said.

Persons: —, Meghan Lim, Lim, hustles, you've Organizations: Service, Business, Rover Locations: New Year's

☆ Norman Jewison, Filmmaker Who Spanned Genres, Is Dead at 97
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Dennis Lim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His death was confirmed by a spokesman for the family, Jeff Sanderson. He declined to specify where Mr. Jewison lived, saying that the family requested privacy. Mr. Jewison, whose career began in Canadian television and spanned more than 50 years, was, like his close friend Sidney Lumet and a select few other directors, best known for making films that addressed social issues. The most celebrated of those was “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), one of his earliest features and his first Oscar-winning film. It went on to win five Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor, for Mr. Steiger.

Persons: Norman Jewison, —, ” —, Jeff Sanderson, Jewison, Sidney Lumet, Oscar, Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Steiger Organizations: Black Philadelphia, police, “ Locations: American, Black, Detroit, Newark

☆ Asia markets rise as Japan December inflation hits its lowest since June 2022
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) headquarters is seen beyond the cherry blossoms in Tokyo on March 20, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets rose as investors assessed Japan's December inflation numbers — the last key data before the Bank of Japan's first monetary policy meeting of 2023. The world's third-largest economy saw headline inflation rate hit its lowest level since June 2022, cooling to 2.6% from 2.8% in November. Japan's core inflation rate — which strips out prices of fresh food — also fell to 2.3% from November's 2.5%, in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. The Bank of Japan kicks off its two-day monetary policy meeting on Jan. 22, and will announce its decision the next day.

Persons: — Organizations: Bank of Japan, Bank of, Reuters, The Bank of Japan Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific

☆ Asia markets mixed after falling on Wednesday; Australia unemployment data in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Sydney Opera House Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Gallo Images | Brand X Pictures | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set for a mixed open Thursday after stocks fell in the previous session, with mainland Chinese shares touching a near-five-year low. Investors will be watching Australia's unemployment numbers on Thursday for clues on the Reserve Bank of Australia's moves in its February meeting. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat, standing at 15,274 compared with the HSI's close of 15,276.9. Hong Kong stocks plunged almost 4% to hit their lowest level since November 2022 on Wednesday.

Organizations: Sydney Opera House, Getty, Reserve Bank, Nikkei Locations: Sydney Opera House Sydney , New South Wales, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Chicago, Osaka, Hong Kong

☆ Singapore transport minister S Iswaran charged with corruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

S. Iswaran, Singapore's minister for transport, speaks to members of the media during a tour of Changi Airport in Singapore, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Starting April 1, Singapore will scrap its so-called vaccinated travel lanes and admit all vaccinated travelers who test negative before entering Singapore by air or sea and they will be exempted from quarantine or testing on arrival. Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSingapore's transport minister S Iswaran has been handed 27 charges following a months long probe by the country's anti graft agency, local media have reported. The minister had 24 charges of obtaining gratification as a public servant, two charges of corruption and one charge of obstructing the course of justice. On Jan. 9, Singapore's education minister Chan Chun Sing said in a parliamentary reply that a probe by Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had been completed and the case was being reviewed by the country's Attorney-General's Chambers.

Persons: Iswaran, Chan Chun Sing, General's Chambers Organizations: Changi Airport, Bloomberg, Getty, Singapore's, country's Locations: Singapore

A Chinese flag flies outside a residential compound in Beijing on April 30, 2017. Greg Baker | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets appear set to extend their declines Wednesday, ahead of a slew of economic data from China. Investors will also assess the Reuters Tankan manufacturing index for January, which is a leading indicator of the Bank of Japan's official quarterly Tankan survey that assesses business conditions in the country. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 extended its losing streak to a fourth day, falling 0.17% in early trade. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 15,793, pointing to a weaker open after the index led losses in Asia on Tuesday, closing at 15,865.92.

Persons: Greg Baker Organizations: Afp, Getty, Investors, Reuters, Bank of Japan's, Nikkei Locations: Beijing, Asia, Pacific, China, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Fujitsu shares drop nearly 4% as its Europe chief says compensating Post Office victims is a 'moral obligation'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This case received new public attention this year when ITV broadcast a drama series, "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," about the sub-postmasters fight for justice. Horizon was manufactured by Fujitsu in 1999 and rolled out across Post Office branches to manage financial transactions. "We did have bugs and errors in the system and we did help the Post Office in their prosecutions of the sub-postmasters," he told the committee. The government has set aside 1 billion pounds in compensation for victims of the Post Office scandal. And the role of the post office has been well known in these court prosecutions, but Fujitsu for some reason had been rarely mentioned in the press."

Persons: Paul Patterson, Mr Bates, Patterson, Timothy Morse Organizations: Fujitsu Services, Business, Trade, Nikkei, Fujitsu, IT, Post, ITV, of Commons Business, Trade Committee, Government Locations: Europe, London

☆ Asia markets mostly fall, Nikkei dips as Japan wholesale inflation in December was flat
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets largely fell on Tuesday. Even Japanese stocks, which have been on a record-breaking rally since the start of the year, slipped. The Nikkei fell 0.45% in early trading after Japan's corporate goods price index came in flat year-on-year, compared to a 0.3% fall expected by economists in a Reuters poll. The CGPI also climbed 0.3% month on month in December, compared to expectations it will remain flat. The broad-based Topix also saw a loss of 0.44%.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific

☆ Asia markets largely poised to fall after Taiwan elections; China GDP and Japan inflation in focus this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) Yasuyoshi Chiba | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to fall after Taiwanese voters handed the Democratic Progressive Party another presidential victory, delivering the ruling party an unprecedented third-straight presidential term. The DPP's Lai Ching-te, the incumbent vice-president, emerged as the winner of the self-governing island's presidential contest with more than 40% of the popular vote. Investors will be closely watching China's fourth quarter gross domestic numbers due out on Wednesday, while Japan will also release inflation figures for December on Friday. Futures contract in Chicago was at 35,635 and its counterpart in Osaka at 35,590, after the Nikkei hit levels not seen since February 1990 last week. In contrast, futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,306 pointing to a stronger open compared to the HSI's close of 16,244.58

Persons: Democratic Progressive Party's, Yasuyoshi CHIBA, YASUYOSHI CHIBA, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Lai Ching Organizations: Democratic Progressive, Getty, Afp, Democratic Progressive Party, Nikkei Locations: Taipei, AFP, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Japan markets are hitting multi-decade highs — will Nikkei scale its all-time peak?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Employees work at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAfter a tumultuous start to the year, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 broke past the 35,000 mark for the first time since February 1990 and has been scaling new 33-year highs. The rally in Japan's equity market, which started on Jan. 5, has also seen the broad-based Topix hitting 33-year highs. Speaking to CNBC, Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG Asia struck an optimistic tone, saying that "all stars seem to be aligned for Japan's stock market." In a note last week, the Bank of America called the Japan rally a "déjà vu," comparing it with the Nikkei's rise between April and June 2023.

Persons: Yeap Jun Rong, Yeap Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan Exchange Group Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Nikkei, CNBC, IG Asia, Bank of Japan, TSX, Bank of America Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Asia markets fall as China annual exports drop, Japan bucks the trend to extend record rally
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A view of high-rise buildings is seen along the Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, China on July 5, 2023. Asia markets fell as China's annual exports dropped for the first time in seven years, but Japan stocks bucked the trend to extend their record rally. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 0.61%, while the mainland China's CSI 300 dipped 0.35% to close at 3,284.17. China's consumer price index fell 0.3%, less than a 0.4% drop expected by a Reuters poll of economists, and also lower than the 0.5% fall seen in November. China's exports for December beat expectations, but overall, total trade declined in 2023 for the world's second largest economy.

Organizations: CSI, Nikkei Locations: Suzhou, Shanghai, China, Asia, Japan

"Not only are we seeing exuberance by investors, but certainly we're seeing exuberance by analysts," Yardeni said. "They dramatically increased their earnings expectations for Nvidia ," and that drove down the stock's forward P/E multiple to the 20s from the 80s. "But look, it's a hot stock, and it's probably going to remain a hot stock as long as AI delivers. I think it's going to take somewhat longer for AI to deliver as much as the market seems to expect." What's more, investors are expecting too many interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve in 2024, Yardeni said.

Persons: Ed Yardeni, Yardeni, it's, we're, — Scott Schnipper Organizations: Federal Reserve, Nvidia, Cisco

☆ Japan's Nikkei blows past 34,000 mark for the first time in over 30 years; CSI 300 near 5-year lows
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tokyo Skytree and Mount Fuji are seen from the I-link Town observatory in Ichikawa city, Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo on July 2, 2023. Philip Fong | Afp | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets mostly fell Wednesday, with China's CSI 300 closing at near 5-year lows, though Japan defied the trend to extend its 33-year high. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 2.01% to cross the 34,000 mark for the first time since March 1990, closing at 34,441.72. The broader based Topix also gained, climbing 1.3% to end at 2,444.48 and also hitting levels not seen in more than 30 years. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.49%, while the mainland China's CSI 300 lost 0.47% to finish at 3,277.13, hitting its lowest level since Jan. 31, 2019.

Persons: Philip Fong, Topix, Kospi Organizations: Mount, Afp, Getty, CSI, Nikkei, — Locations: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Ichikawa city, Chiba prefecture, Asia, Pacific, Japan

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