DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Singapore avoids technical recession as economy grows 0.7% year-on-year in second quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's economy avoided a technical recession in the second quarter, growing 0.7% year-on-year and 0.3% quarter-on-quarter, advanced estimates showed. Economists polled by Reuters expected to see growth of 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and 0.6% year-on-year. In the first quarter, Singapore's economy contracted by 0.4% quarter-on-quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis and saw marginal growth of 0.4% year-on-year. The latest data comes after the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the city-state's central bank and financial regulator, warned of an "uncertain" growth outlook earlier this month. In it annual review, MAS estimated the gross domestic product for 2023 to ease to a range of 0.5% to 2.5%, lower than the growth of 3.6% in 2022.

Organizations: Reuters, Monetary Authority of, MAS Locations: Monetary Authority of Singapore

The Tokyo Tower, left, and commercial and residential buildings at night in Minato district of Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to rise on Friday after more inflation data out from the U.S. came in softer than expected, raising optimism that inflation could come down without weakening the labor market. "Most stock and bond index prices rose today as economic data indicates inflation has fallen quickly and the labor market remains strong," Bill Merz, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. June's producer price index rose less than anticipated, climbing 0.1% year on year, compared to the 0.2% expected by economists polled by Dow Jones. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also looks set to continue its rally after surging more than 2.5% on Thursday.

Persons: Akio Kon, Bill Merz, Dow Jones Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images, U.S, Bank Wealth Management, Core PPI, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Minato district, Japan, Getty Images Asia, Pacific, U.S, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

Sydney Harbour taking in the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and ferries at sunrise during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Asia-Pacific markets are set to rise on Tuesday, tracking moves on Wall Street as U.S. markets snapped a three-day losing streak. Australia will release consumer confidence surveys out from Australia, while the Philippines will also publish its trade numbers for June. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,006, higher than the index's last close of 7,004. Japan's Nikkei 225 looks set to rise after a five day losing streak, with the futures contract in Chicago at 32,370, and its counterpart in Osaka at 32,310 against its last close at 32,189.73.

Organizations: Sydney Harbour, Opera House, Nikkei Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Philippines, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Central banks in Asia could soon diverge from the Fed, Nomura says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Francois Lochon | Gamma-rapho | Getty ImagesCentral banks in Asia could start cutting rates earlier than the Federal Reserve, economists at Nomura predicted. "Our view of Asian central banks cutting policy rates ahead of the Fed in this cycle is based on the fundamental divergences between Asian and U.S. economies," Nomura economists wrote. China's producer prices have already entered deflation territory, while South Korea's inflation hovered around 2.7%, nearing its central bank's target. Seoul could start cutsNomura expects the Bank of Korea to be one of the first central banks after China to cut rates. They pointed to the central bank's governor Rhee Chang-yong shrugging off investor concerns about a weakening South Korean currency.

Persons: Francois Lochon, Sonal Varma, Nomura, lockdowns, BOK, Rhee Chang, Rhee Organizations: Getty, Federal Reserve, Nomura, Federal, Bank of, CNBC, Korean, U.S Locations: Seoul, South, Asia, U.S, China, sputter, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Korea, Singapore, Bank of Korea

General view of the financial district of Lujiazui in Pudong district in Shanghai on April 12, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets are set to largely rise ahead of key inflation reports this week, including the U.S. consumer price index report due Wednesday and the producer price index on Thursday. In the region, China's inflation rate and producer prices later today will provide more context to the country's recovery trajectory. Economists polled by Reuters expect the CPI reading to remain unchanged after producer prices plunged last month. However, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is set to fall, with futures for the S&P/ASX 200 at 7,013, lower than the index's last close of 7,042.3.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Australia's Organizations: Reuters, Treasury, Nikkei Locations: Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Beijing, Japan, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Asia markets extend declines as U.S. jobs data triggers sell-off on Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Red lanterns are hung up on the street in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. (Photo by Zhang Wei/China News Service via Getty Images)Markets in Asia-Pacific marked a second day of declines after Wall Street sold off on stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data, leaving room for more rate hikes ahead by the Federal Reserve. Private sector jobs surged by 497,000 for the month, much better than the 220,000 Dow Jones consensus estimate. The data also followed minutes of the Federal Reserve's June meeting, released Wednesday, which showed that most officials would support more rate increases ahead. In South Korea, the Kospi slid 0.51% as Samsung Electronics estimated a 96% likely plunge in its second quarter operating profit.

Persons: Zhang Wei Organizations: China News Service, Getty, Federal Reserve, Companies, Dow Jones, Nikkei, Samsung Electronics Locations: Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific, South Korea, Australia

Signage for Eisai Co. at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesShares of Japanese pharmaceutical giant Eisai sank Friday after the company's Alzheimer's drug was formally approved by U.S. regulators overnight, prompting questions over investor sentiment surrounding the move. Eisai shares closed 4.67% lower after paring some of its earlier losses. Leqembi is the first Alzheimer's antibody treatment to receive full FDA approval. "The odds for brain swelling and hemorrhage are far higher than any actual improvement," Espay, who launched a petition in June calling for the Alzheimer's treatment to not get full approval, told NBC News.

Persons: Biogen, Dr, Alberto Espay, Espay, Ivan Cheung, CNBC's, Cheung Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, U.S, . Food, Medicare, University of Cincinnati College of, NBC News, Eisai U.S Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Eisai

☆ Sri Lanka's central bank says more rate cuts are needed for economy to 'bounce back'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

watch nowDebt-ridden Sri Lanka may need to cut interest rates again to further boost growth in its economy, according to the head of its central bank. Nandalal Weerasinghe, governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, told CNBC Friday that there will be more rate cuts to come, even after the central bank lowered its policy rate for a second consecutive month from 12% to 11% on Thursday. Asked if additional rate cuts will be needed, the governor answered: "Of course." He pointed to falling inflation rates in the Sri Lankan economy. Sri Lanka's total debt has exceeded $83 billion, the Associated Press reported, including foreign debt of $41.5 billion and $42.1 billion of domestic debt.

Persons: Nandalal Weerasinghe, Weerasinghe, CNBC's, Ishara, Kodikara, Stocks Organizations: Central Bank of Sri, CNBC, Afp, Getty, Sri, International Monetary Fund, Colombo, Associated Press Locations: Sri Lanka, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Sri, Colombo

Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve revealed that the Federal Open Market Committee is set to deliver more rate hikes at a slower pace. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.29% in its first hour of trade and the Topix shed 0.83%. This comes after China on Wednesday unexpectedly canceled EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell's visit to China. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is also set to fall, with futures at 18,956 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,110.38. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia's central bank is expected to hold its overnight policy rate steady at 3%, according to a Reuters poll.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell's Organizations: Skyline, U.S . Federal Reserve, Federal, Nikkei, U.S, Treasury, Wednesday, EU, Representative, Foreign Affairs Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, Beijing, China, Hong, Southeast Asia

☆ Chinese investors are not expecting much stimulus as growth stalls, Goldman Sachs says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Goldman Sachs' said its clients in mainland China have "low expectations" for further stimulus measures to prop up the economy, the firm's economists wrote in a Wednesday note. "Local clients held low expectations for policy easing and structural reforms this year," Goldman's economists led by Maggie Wei wrote in the note. This comes after the People's Bank of China lowered policy rates last month, which included the medium-term lending facility (MLF) rate and loan prime rates (LPR). "Local clients did not expect major policy easing measures or structural reform measures to be rolled out in the July Politburo meeting," the economists added. Goldman's note added that while its local clients carry a "seemingly less pessimistic view" on China's near-term growth, they remain cautious about a longer-term trajectory for the economy.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Maggie Wei, it's Organizations: Lujiazui Financial, 5th China, Visual China, Getty, People's Bank of, U.S Locations: SHANGHAI, CHINA, Shanghai, China, People's Bank of China, China's

Shares of K-pop agencies dipped briefly on Wednesday after a reported investigation by South Korea's antitrust watchdog. The report said government agencies sent "examiners" to the offices of Hybe, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, according to a CNBC translation of the article. Hybe, the agency behind BTS, saw its shares fall as much as 3%, while SM Entertainment fell as low as 2.19%. When contacted by CNBC, South Korea's FTC said they could not confirm or deny the Yonhap report. Hybe said that it has no comments, while YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment did not respond to requests seeking comments to the Yonhap report.

Persons: Lisa, Jennie, Yonhap, Hybe, — CNBC's Kimberly Kao Organizations: Coachella, Valley Music, Arts Festival, Korea's Fair Trade Commission, Yonhap, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, CNBC, South, FTC Locations: INDIO , CALIFORNIA, Indio , California, South Korean, Hybe

Aerial view of skyscrapers standing at the Lujiazui Financial District at sunrise on June 8, 2022 in Shanghai, China. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed as investors await the release of private surveys on services activity in China and Japan. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.72% in its first hour of trade and the Topix inched 0.5% lower. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell fractionally after the Reserve Bank of Australia held rates at 4.1% on Tuesday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is also set to reverse its gains from Tuesday, with futures at 19,265 compared to the HSI's close of 19,415.68.

Persons: Korea's Kospi, Australia's, Hong Organizations: Nikkei, Reserve Bank of Australia Locations: Shanghai, China, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Philippines, Thailand

☆ Australia's central bank leaves its key rate unchanged, says inflation 'passed its peak'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

David Gray | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesAustralia's central bank held its official cash rate steady at 4.10% in a closely watched decision Tuesday. Economists were split on expectations ahead of the decision, with 16 out of 31 respondents surveyed by Reuters forecasting a hike of 25 basis points and 15 expecting the central bank to hold. Stocks cheered the move as the central bank said inflation in the economy has "passed its peak." He added that the central bank will continue to closely monitor developments in the global economy, household spending trends and inflation forecasts. The central bank's decision to hold rates steady was to "assess" the effects of the multiple rate hikes so far, according to IG's Australia market analyst Tony Sycamore.

Persons: David Gray, Stocks, RBA, Philip Lowe, Lowe, Tony Sycamore, —, Sycamore Organizations: Sydney Opera House, Getty, Reuters, U.S ., Australia Bureau, Statistics, CNBC Locations: Australia

(Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets largely fell ahead of Australia's central bank rate decision. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 opened close to the flatline on Tuesday. South Korea's Kospi fell marginally, while the Kosdaq bucked the trend and climbed 0.13%. The country's consumer price index grew at a slower rate of 2.7% in June, marking a fifth straight month of decline. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is set to fall after gaining over 2% on Monday, with futures at 19,176 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,306.59.

Persons: Ed JONES, ED JONES, Australia's, Korea's Kospi Organizations: Getty Images, Reuters, Bank of Australia, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, AFP, Asia, Pacific, Australia's, Japan

A worker grinds at a workshop of an equipment manufacturing company in Qingzhou Economic Development Zone, East China's Shandong province, March 31, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open ahead of a slew of manufacturing activity reports being released around the region. Most notably, China's Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index will be released today. Private surveys for factory activity in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India will be released today as well as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 is set to open higher, with the futures contract in Chicago at 33,485, and its counterpart in Osaka at 33,420 against its last close at 33,189.04.

Persons: grinds Organizations: Reuters, Nikkei Locations: East China's Shandong province, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Singapore names Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as chairman of the central bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Monetary Authority of Singapore, the city-state's financial regulator and central bank, has named Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as chairman of its board of directors effective July 8. Wong, who is the country's finance minister, will replace Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who held the role for 12 years since May 2011, the release said. Wong, who was deputy chairman of MAS since June 2021, will serve as chairman until May 31, 2026, according to the press release. He previously served as a member of the MAS Board from June 2011 to August 2016. Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will be appointed deputy chairman of the MAS Board for the same period, from July 8 to May 31, 2026.

Persons: Lawrence Wong, Wong, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Shanmugaratnam, Industry Gan Kim Yong Organizations: Monetary Authority of, MAS, Singapore's, Trade, Industry, MAS Board, CNBC Locations: Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore

☆ Asia markets fall after Wall Street's banks jump on stress test results
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell on the final trading day of the first half of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose, lifted by shares of large banks jumping after passing the Federal Reserve's annual stress test. A revised U.S. gross domestic product print also helped lift investor sentiment, alleviating recession fears on Wall Street. Investors will look ahead to the latest data on personal consumption expenditures, the Federal Reserve's favored inflation gauge. Japanese stocks fell as investors digested Tokyo's core consumer price index, which remained at levels above the central bank's target for thirteen straight months.

Organizations: Mitsui OSK Lines, Dow Jones, Federal, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, South Korea, Australia

Asia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open as investors look to inflation data out of Japan and Singapore, as well as flash estimates from the au Jibun bank on Japan's manufacturing and services activity. Japan's core inflation rate in May eased slightly to 3.2% year-on-year, lower than April's 3.4% but still above the BOJ's 2% target. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,145, lower than the index's last close of 7,195.5. Should the losses hold, Australia is on pace for a third-straight day of losses, after seeing its largest one-day fall in June on Thursday. Mainland Chinese markets are closed Friday for a public holiday.

Organizations: Nikkei, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan, Singapore, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

Asia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open Tuesday as investors closely watch for China's loan prime rate decision, after its central bank cut some of its key lending rates last week. Markets are widely expecting cuts to its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates, with economists polled by Reuters expecting a 10-basis point cut and a 15-basis point cut, respectively. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is expected to start the day largely unchanged, with futures at 19,913 compared to the HSI's close of 19,912.89. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,281, lower than the index's last close of 7,294.9, after the index closed in the green on Monday, the only one to do so among major Asian benchmarks. The Reserve Bank of Australia will release minutes for its June meeting.

Organizations: Reuters, Reserve Bank of Australia Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia

Asia-Pacific markets are set to trade higher on Monday, with Japan's markets set to continue reaching 33-year highs. The Nikkei 225 has posted weekly gains for the last 10 weeks, and is set to extend this with a strong open. The futures contract in Chicago stood at 33,810, and its counterpart in Osaka was at 33,700 against its last close at 33,706.08. In contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks to start the week lower, after the index saw a strong rally last week. HSI futures stood at 19,988 compared to the HSI's close of 20,040.37.

Persons: Antony Blinken Organizations: Nikkei, U.S Locations: Asia, Pacific, Chicago, Osaka, Australia, Beijing, China

☆ Goldman joins Wall Street banks in cutting China's growth outlook as post-Covid bounce fades
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesGoldman Sachs became the latest Wall Street bank to downgrade its growth forecast for China, as the world's second-largest economy stutters and loses momentum after its coronavirus reopening. "With the reopening boost quickly fading, medium-term challenges such as demographics, the multi-year property downturn, local government implicit debt problems, and geopolitical tensions may start to become more important in China's growth outlook," they said. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconUBS also sees continued weakness in China's economy ahead, particularly focusing on the second quarter of the year. Wang noted that uncertainty in China's property sector remains a central risk to its forecast and could bring its growth outlook even lower. "Risks to our forecast is slightly biased towards the downside, mainly from uncertainties in property market and path of property policy support ahead, as well as weaker external demand," she said.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Chief China Economist Hui Shan, Wang Tao, Wang Organizations: Getty, Nurphoto, Chief China Economist, UBS, Bank of America, JPMorgan, U.S, People's Bank of, Federal, UBS Investment Bank's Locations: Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, China, People's Bank of China, saar

Japan's central bank maintained its ultra loose monetary policy on Friday, electing to support fragile economic growth at a time of swirling global uncertainty. The Bank of Japan held its short-term interest rate target at -0.1% and made no changes to its yield curve control policy, in line with economists' expectations. The Bank of Japan's short-term interest rate target has been held at -0.1% since it first adopted negative rates in 2016. Earlier this week, the U.S. Federal Reserve left rates unchanged Wednesday after 10 straight hikes, while the European Central Bank on Thursday raised its main rates to the highest levels in 22 years. In December, the central bank unexpectedly widened the range for the 10-year yield target to 50 basis points above and below 0%.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Japan, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank Locations: Tokyo, Japan's

☆ New Zealand enters technical recession after economy shrank 0.1% in the first quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The latest data from Wellington marks a technical recession for the economy, after reporting a revised 0.7% decline in the final quarter of 2022. A technical recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. Compared with a year ago, the economy grew 2.9% in the first quarter. Economists surveyed by Reuters expected New Zealand to mark a contraction of 0.1% quarter on quarter and growth of 2.6% year on year. The New Zealand dollar dropped 0.23% against the U.S. dollar after the release.

Persons: Stocks Organizations: Reuters, New Zealand, U.S Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand

☆ China cuts a key policy rate for first time in 10 months as economic rebound cools
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, CHINA - JUNE 13: A woman walks past the People's Bank of China (PBOC) building on June 13, 2023 in Beijing, China. China's central bank lowered its key medium-term lending rates on Thursday, in a much anticipated move as the economy's post-Covid recovery continues to lose momentum. The central bank last lowered the rate on 400 billion yuan of one-year MLF loans in August, making Thursday's move the first such cut in 10 months. China's medium-term lending facility is a funding channel introduced to allow the central bank to inject liquidity into the banking system and influence interest rates for certain loans. Earlier this week, the central bank cut its seven-day reverse repurchase rate by 10 basis points from 2% to 1.9%, injecting 2 billion Chinese yuan through its seven-day repos.

Organizations: People's Bank of China, People's Bank of, CNBC Locations: BEIJING, CHINA, Beijing, China, People's Bank of China, China's

Asia-Pacific markets are set to rise after the U.S. Federal Reserve held off on a rate hike while projecting that another two quarter percentage point moves are on the way before the end of the year. The latest decision left the Fed's key borrowing rate in a target range of 5%-5.25%.The central bank forecast it will raise interest rates as high as 5.6% before 2023 is over. In Asia, New Zealand fell into a technical recession after its first quarter gross domestic product fell 0.1% year on year, after reporting a revised 0.7% decline in the final quarter of 2022. Japan's May trade balance will be released later today as the Bank of Japan kicks off its two-day monetary policy meeting. China will release a slew of economic data, including industrial output, retail sales and house prices for May.

Persons: Hong Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Nikkei, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Pacific, New Zealand, Japan, Chicago, Osaka, China

Search resuls for: "Jihye Lee"

25 mentions found