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☆ European markets expected to open in mixed territory after Fed, Bank of England cut interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Skyscrapers on the skyline in the financial district of Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. European markets were expected to open in mixed territory on Friday, as investors awaited corporate results and reacted to quarter-point interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of England. It comes as market participants continue to take in political upheaval in Germany and Donald Trump's historic presidential election victory this week. Elsewhere, Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday, with investors closely monitoring the final day of China's National People's Congress, which is expected to announce fiscal stimulus measures. On Wall Street, U.S. stock futures gained marginally after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite notched fresh records in a post-election rally.

Persons: Germany's DAX, Donald Trump's, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Linder, Scholz Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England, France's CAC, IG, People's Congress, Nasdaq Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ Asia-Pacific markets open higher as Wall Street rallies ahead of U.S. election results
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A screen displays the Nikkei 225 Stock Average figure on the trading floor at the Nomura Securities Co. headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 11, 2024. SINGAPORE — Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Wednesday after Wall Street surged overnight ahead of the U.S. presidential election results. Japan's Nikkei 225 opened up 0.7%, while the Topix gained 0.4%. The Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting minutes will be released later in the day, which could give insights on where the members stand on the bank's policy path. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.7% higher.

Persons: Kospi Organizations: Nomura Securities Co, U.S, Nikkei, People's Congress Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SINGAPORE — Asia, Pacific

☆ Dollar dips as U.S. election outcome remains uncertain, Fed rate cut looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The euro rose 0.4% to $1.0876 but faces resistance around $1.0905, while the dollar dipped 0.3% on the yen to 152.45 yen . Analysts believe Trump's policies on immigration, tax cuts and tariffs would put upward pressure on inflation, bond yields and the dollar, while Harris was seen as the continuity candidate. "A Harris win and a split Congress would likely result in 'Trump trades' quickly reversed and priced out," he added. Uncertainty over the outcome is one reason markets assume the Federal Reserve will choose to cut rates by a standard 25 basis points on Thursday, rather than repeat its outsized half-point easing. Futures imply a 99% chance of a quarter-point cut to 4.50%-4.75%, and an 83% probability of a similar-sized move in December.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump, Harris, Chris Weston, Trump, Goldman Sachs, Jan Hatzius Organizations: Democratic, Republican, Dealers, Trump, Reserve, of England, Norges Bank, Reserve Bank of Australia, Labor, China's National People's Congress, Reuters Locations: Asia, United States, Iowa, Treasuries, gilts, Beijing

☆ China just pulled the country version of a company canceling its quarterly earnings call
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China has canceled a closely watched annual press conference with Premier Li Qiang. Experts suggest the move indicates Xi Jinping is attempting to control the narrative regarding China's economic health. After all, investors are looking to the event for cues on China's economy, which has been struggling to stage a convincing post-pandemic recovery. AdvertisementInstead of a sustained post-COVID boom, China's economy is beset with major problems including a property crisis , deflationary pressure , and a demographic crisis . But some experts say the cancellation is a sign that Chinese leader Xi Jinping doesn't want anyone questioning his regime.

Persons: Premier Li Qiang, Jinping, —, Lou Qinjian, Rick Waters, Waters, Li, Lou, Xi Jinping, Xi, Jonathan Ward, Tom Porter Organizations: Premier, Service, National People's, Eurasia Group, GZERO Media, Hudson Institute Locations: China, Beijing

☆ China is getting hyped over a suggestion that people get more than 5 days of paid time off
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Current laws give employees five days of annual paid time off, which increases to 10 days after they have worked 10 years, and 15 days if they have worked for 20 years or more. Fok's proposal would let young workers scale their annual leave from five to 10 days until they hit the 10-year mark. His suggestion sparked hopes on Weibo, China's version of X, that the country might soon align with international paid leave standards. The International Labor Organization recommends three weeks of paid annual leave. AdvertisementShanghai-based outlet The Paper ran an informal poll on Tuesday, asking if its readers felt they could take vacation days.

Persons: —, Kenneth Fok, Fok, we've, Jack Ma Organizations: Service, People's, China Youth, International Labor Organization, China, Daily, Business, Ministry of Human Resources, Social Security, Pew Research Center Locations: China, Hong Kong, Kong, Beijing, Weibo, Shanghai

☆ Dollar a spectator to China news, yen ponders rate risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

There was more action in bitcoin , which gained 1.2% to $68,341 after surging more than 7% on Monday. The Japanese yen held steady after data showed Tokyo core inflation sped up to 2.5% in February, from 1.8% the previous month. "Accordingly, we're sticking to our forecast that the Bank of Japan will hike interest rates into positive territory next month." The dollar was a fraction lower at 150.44 yen , having again shied away from resistance around 150.85, which has capped the currency for more than three months now. The European Central Bank, or ECB, holds a meeting on Thursday and markets are convinced it will keep rates at 4.0%.

Persons: Marcel Thieliant, Jerome Powell, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt Organizations: People's Congress, Bank of Japan's, Capital Economics, Bank of, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, ECB, Westpac, . Finance Locations: China, Tokyo, Japan, bitcoin, United States, Beijing, Asia, Bank of Japan

☆ China lowers flags to half mast on former premier Li's cremation day
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] China's Premier Li Keqiang waves as he arrives for a news conference after the closing ceremony of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 15, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 2 (Reuters) - China ordered the lowering of the national flag at Tiananmen Square in the heart of the Chinese capital Beijing on Thursday, when the remains of former premier Li Keqiang are scheduled to be cremated, state media said. The national flag will be flown at half mast across the country, the official Xinhua News Agency said on Tuesday, including at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, the foreign ministry as well as seats of local governments across the country, and diplomatic missions. Li, a former economist and pro-reform leader who served as the premier for 10 years before retiring in March, died of a heart attack in Shanghai last Friday and his remains were transferred to the capital the same day. Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Li, Damir Sagolj, Li Keqiang, Liz Lee, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: People's Congress, of, People, REUTERS, Rights, Xinhua News Agency, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Shanghai

[1/3] China's Premier Li Keqiang waves as he arrives for a news conference after the closing ceremony of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 15, 2017. Li was premier and head of China's cabinet under Xi for a decade until stepping down from all political positions in March. Adam Ni, an independent China political analyst, described Li as "a premier who stood powerless as China took a sharp turn away from reform and opening". A glowing 2014 state media profile of Li, praising him as "a calm and tough wall-breaker", went viral shortly after his death was announced. Li's frequent visits to disaster sites and his easy camaraderie when speaking to ordinary people were also highlighted on Chinese state media.

Persons: Li, Damir Sagolj, Li Keqiang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Deng Xiaoping, Alfred Wu, Lee, Zhu Rongji, Wen Jiabao, Wu, Adam Ni, Jiang Zemin, Deng, Li Yining, Hu Jintao, Cheng Hong, Laurie Chen, Tian, William Mallard Organizations: People's Congress, of, People, REUTERS, Rights, Communist Party, CCTV, Weibo, Australian National University, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public Policy, Peking University, Communist Party's Youth League, Youth League, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Shanghai, Singapore, Social, Anhui, Henan, Liaoning

☆ Hong Kong restricts foreign lawyers from national security cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, May 10 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's legislature passed a legal amendment on Wednesday to prevent foreign lawyers working on national security cases, a restriction critics say will undermine fair trials and the right of defendants to choose their lawyers. The amendment enshrines in law a ruling from China's top lawmaking body last December that Hong Kong courts must get the approval of the city's leader before admitting a foreign lawyer without Hong Kong qualifications for national security cases. It would also discourage some foreign lawyers from getting Hong Kong restricts foreign lawyers from national security casesinvolved, he said. "The vague definition of 'cases concerning national security' in the bill implies that the government can arbitrarily use the new powers to allow or prohibit foreign lawyers from taking up local cases, whatever civil or criminal, on the over-broad ground of 'national security'," Lai said. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests.

☆ Asian stocks slip on weak China trade data, focus shifts to Powell
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Thomson Reuters | Scott Murdoch Has Been A Journalist For More Than Two Decades Working For Thomson Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Data on Tuesday showed China's exports and imports both fell sharply in January-February, reflecting a slowdown in the global economy and weak domestic demand. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) fell 0.3%, although the index is up 2.9% so far this month. Beyond China, investor focus remains on the U.S. interest rate outlook and what Powell may say. The two-year yield , which rises with traders' expectations of higher Fed fund rates, touched 4.88% compared with a U.S. close of 4.894%. In early European trade, the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures were up 0.12%, German DAX futures rose 0.11% at and FTSE futures were 0.23% higher.

☆ How China's shifting growth picture could hit global markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A shopping mall in Qingzhou, Shandong province, broadcasts the opening ceremony of China's National People's Congress on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesChina's economy will be forced to recalibrate because of a "fractured" global order, and the new drivers of growth will "disappoint" global markets, according to David Roche, president of Independent Strategy. President Xi Jinping and other officials took aim at the West for constraining China's growth prospects, as relations between Beijing and Washington continue to deteriorate. Veteran investment strategist Roche told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Tuesday that "things have changed" permanently with regards to China's role in the global economy, as Beijing will be forced to look inward to achieve its growth ambitions. watch nowRoche also noted that the "hegemony of the U.S. is now fractured" in the global economic order, with Russia and China detaching from Western democracies.

☆ China takes a cautious approach to its economy in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Beijing announced Sunday a target of "around 5%" growth in gross domestic product for 2023, with only a modest increase in fiscal support. "The government's conservative growth target of 5% for 2023 recognizes that the pickup in China's growth continues to face headwinds," Martin Petch, vice president and senior credit officer, Moody's Investors Service, said in a note. "Some local governments are finding economic recovery difficult and are facing prominent fiscal imbalances," the report said. Consumption is keyConsumption can become the primary driver of economic growth this year, Li Chunlin, deputy director at the NDRC, told reporters Monday. An overall recovery in the economy can help fiscal revenues grow, and boost demand for workers, he said.

☆ China's Li Keqiang announces lowest GDP target in decades amid major economic leadership overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s outgoing Premier Li Keqiang has announced the country’s lowest GDP growth target in decades, highlighting the domestic and global challenges the world’s second largest economy still faces despite its decision late last year to ditch draconian anti-Covid measures. It fell well short of the official growth target of “around 5.5%.”“Having declared the end of pandemic, the leaders are sticking to the slowing GDP growth path in the long term by lowering annual GDP target gradually,” said Ken Cheung, chief Asian foreign exchange strategist at Mizuho Bank. “Moreover, China has been downplaying the numeric GDP target and shifted to balance the quality since President Xi’s era,” he said. Premier Li also said the government would only raise fiscal spending by 5.6% this year, which is lower than the growth of 6.1% in fiscal spending in 2022. “After three years of pandemic [measures], it could be more than desirable for governments, especially the local governments, to restore fiscal resilience,” said Citi analysts.

March 6 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever. Monetary policy decisions from Australia and Japan on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, will be market-moving events too. Before that however, investors have a deluge of headlines from China this weekend to digest. Inflation figures from South Korea, The Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan this week will be closely watched by investors and policymakers alike. With the Fed seemingly on track to tighten policy further, a renewed rise in the dollar could intensify FX-fueled inflationary pressures in Asia.

Hong Kong CNN —China has set an official economic growth target of “around 5%” for 2023, as it seeks to revive the world’s second largest economy after a year of tepid growth because of pandemic measures. The new figure was released Sunday alongside the opening of the annual gathering of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s rubber-stamp legislature, in a government work report. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks during the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sunday, March 5. Ng Han Guan/APMoody’s Investors Service has since raised its China growth forecast to 5% for both 2023 and 2024, up from 4% previously, citing a stronger than expected rebound in the short term. Global growth will likely slow from 3.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023.

☆ China parliament to review state entity reform plan, Legislative Law
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, March 4 (Reuters) - China's National People's Congress (NPC) will deliberate on a plan to reform institutions under the State Council, or cabinet, and review draft amendments to the Legislation Law, an NPC spokesman said on Saturday. He renewed calls this week for "intensive" reorganisation of state and Communist Party entities, adding that part of the reform plan pertaining to state institutions would be presented before parliament. At this year's parliamentary meeting, amendments to China's Legislative Law, which governs how laws are enacted, will also be further reviewed. One proposed amendment involves allowing the NPC Standing Committee to pass laws in the event of an "emergency" after a single review. The committee, which enacts and amends laws when parliament is not in session, voted in June 2020 to adopt landmark laws on national security in Hong Kong.

☆ Dollar finds footing as focus turns to Europe inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar lost 0.9% on the euro on Wednesday, its sharpest drop in a month. It was about 0.2% firmer on the euro on Thursday, with the common currency at $1.0649 in Asia trade ahead of inflation data due at 1000 GMT. The New Zealand dollar which rose 1.2% on Wednesday, fell 0.4% on Thursday to $0.6230. China's yuan settled back to 6.8928 to the dollar after logging its biggest jump of 2023 on Wednesday. Besides European inflation, euro zone employment and central bank minutes are due later in the day, as is U.S. jobless claims data.

☆ China gives Hong Kong leader power to bar overseas lawyers in national security cases
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Industry Insight | Saw Law Firms Move Past The Pandemic Into A More Client-Focused Service Environment | Thomson Reuters Institute | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The NPCSC ruling said Hong Kong courts must now obtain approval from the chief executive before admitting any foreign lawyer without local qualifications to work on national security cases. Under the national security law, the decisions made by the committee cannot be challenged by a judicial review. "Beyond national security cases, then they are most welcome, provided that they satisfied the procedure to obtain an ad hoc admission approval by the court," Lee said. The founder of now shut pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, Lai is one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership, including Xi Jinping. Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/4] Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his first annual policy address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China October 19, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Tuesday the central government in Beijing was "highly concerned" about the issue of foreign lawyers appearing in national security cases, with a landmark legal interpretation on the matter by Beijing expected soon. Lee said Hong Kong authorities are seeking a delay to the start of the trial. "It is a grim moment," said one veteran Hong Kong criminal lawyer. Hong Kong officials, including Lee, have said repeatedly that Hong Kong is strongly committed to the rule of law, and its independent judicial power is constitutionally protected.

But Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal (CFA) on Monday gave a final ruling on the matter, rejecting the government's application to impose a "blanket ban" on foreign lawyers working on national security cases, bar exceptional circumstances. Lai is one of the most prominent Hong Kong critics of China's Communist Party leadership including Xi Jinping, and Hong Kong's Department of Justice made repeated attempts to block Owen from representing him. SWEEPING NATIONAL SECURITY LAWLee also said there was no means of ensuring a foreign lawyer would not divulge state secrets that might emerge during a national security trial. Beijing imposed the sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020 after sometimes-violent protests rocked the city for months the year before. Beijing's power of ultimate legal interpretation is outlined in the Basic Law, the mini-constitution that grants extensive Hong Kong autonomy and freedoms.

☆ Factbox: FACTBOX How China's Communist Party Congress works
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A day after the congress, the newly elected Central Committee will convene behind closed doors at its first plenum. The 200 Central Committee members with voting rights will then vote "yes" or "no" on each of the proposed candidates for the two committees. The Central Committee will then elect one person from the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) to be the general secretary. The general secretary will then introduce his new team and speak about the work ahead. The Central Committee also approves the make-up of a new secretariat and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

☆ Factbox: How China's Communist Party Congress works
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping is poised to win a third five-year term as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party, the most powerful job in the country, at the 20th Party Congress that starts on Sunday. During the opening ceremony, which is broadcast with a delay, Xi will read out the 20th party congress report, reviewing the party's achievements of recent years and laying out its vision for the next five years. At the 19th party congress, the opening speech lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes. THE CLOSING CEREMONYAt the closing ceremony, typically a week after the start, delegates vote to endorse the congress report and party constitution amendment. The Standing Committee members enter in order of seniority, highest to lowest.

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