DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

[1/2] Banknotes of Chinese yuan and U.S. dollar are seen in this illustration picture taken September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File PhotoLONDON/SINGAPORE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The dollar fell sharply against Japan's yen on Monday as investors focused on rare protests in China, which pushed the yuan to a two-week low. China's onshore yuan finished the domestic session around 0.5% lower at 7.199 per dollar, the lowest close since Nov. 10. The offshore yuan fell to a more than two-week low in Asian trading and was last down 0.28% at 7.214. The Australian dollar , often used as a proxy for the yuan, slid 0.67% to $0.671.

[1/2] Banknotes of Chinese yuan and U.S. dollar are seen in this illustration picture taken September 29, 2022. China's onshore yuan finished the domestic session around 0.5% lower at 7.199 per dollar, the lowest close since Nov. 10. The offshore yuan fell to a more than two-week low in Asian trading and was last down 0.1% at 7.201. The Australian dollar , often used as a proxy for the yuan, slid 0.7% to $0.671. China's stringent COVID restrictions have taken a heavy toll on its economy, and authorities have implemented various measures to revive growth.

☆ Dollar rises, yuan slumps as China's COVID unrest spooks markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Rae Wee | Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Banknotes of Chinese yuan and U.S. dollar are seen in this illustration picture taken September 29, 2022. The offshore yuan fell to an over two-week low in Asian trading, and was last roughly 0.4% lower at 7.2242 per dollar. The Australian dollar , often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, slid more than 1% to $0.6681. China's stringent COVID restrictions have taken a heavy toll on its economy, and authorities have implemented various measures to revive growth. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index rose 0.07% to 106.41, edging away from its recent three-month low of 105.30.

☆ Dollar gains, yuan slides as China's COVID unrest spooks markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Rae Wee | Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Banknotes of Chinese yuan and U.S. dollar are seen in this illustration picture taken September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The dollar climbed on Monday as protests against COVID restrictions in China rattled financial markets, sending the yuan sliding and pushing nervous investors toward the safe-haven greenback. The offshore yuan fell to an over two-week low in Asian trading, and was last roughly 0.6% lower at 7.24 per dollar. The Australian dollar , often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, slid more than 1% to $0.6687. The stringent COVID restrictions have taken a heavy toll on China's economy, and authorities have implemented various measures to revive growth.

☆ Dollar rises broadly, yuan slumps as China's COVID unrest rattles sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The dollar gained broadly on Monday as protests against COVID restrictions in China stoked uncertainty and dented sentiment, sending the yuan sliding and pushing nervous investors toward the safe-haven greenback. Against the offshore yuan , the dollar rose 0.76% in early Asia trade to 7.2456. The Aussie , which is often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, fell 0.61% to $0.6714, while the kiwi slumped 0.5% to $0.6216. "Companies are currently facing weaker retail sales from a higher number of COVID cases and falling home prices from unfinished home projects." Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index was down 0.08% at 106.25, but off its recent three-month low of 105.30.

☆ Hong Kong Oct home prices drop 2.4%, biggest fall in 4 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Hong Kong private home prices fell 2.4% in October, the biggest drop since November 2018, official data showed on Monday, dragged down by worsening market sentiment amid a pessimistic economic outlook. The drop in home prices last month in one of the world's most unaffordable housing markets followed a revised 2.1% fall in September. Home prices in the financial hub have fallen 10.5% in the first ten months of this year. The property price index was at 352.4 in October, the lowest level since December 2017. Rising mortgage costs and a bleak economic outlook have deepened pessimism among homeowners, while home prices for the full-year are expected to drop around 10%, the first fall since 2008.

☆ Dollar gains, yuan slides as China's Covid unrest spooks markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar climbed on Monday as protests against Covid restrictions in China rattled financial markets, sending the yuan sliding and pushing nervous investors toward the safe-haven greenback. Worries over the unprecedented wave of civil disobedience in a country where in-person protests are rare, the rising Covid cases, as well as how Beijing will react to the situation kept investors on edge. The offshore yuan fell to an over two-week low in Asian trading, and was last roughly 0.6% lower at 7.24 per dollar. The Australian dollar , often used as a liquid proxy for the yuan, slid more than 1% to $0.6687. The stringent Covid restrictions have taken a heavy toll on China's economy, and authorities have implemented various measures to revive growth.

☆ China might not make major changes to its Covid policy any time soon, despite weekend protests
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A couple pass necessities over a Covid lockdown barrier in Guangzhou city on Nov. 17, 2022. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China won't likely make major changes to its Covid policy in the near future despite this weekend's protests, analysts said. Groups of people in China took to the streets over the weekend to vent their frustration, built up over nearly three years of stringent Covid controls. Separately, the People's Daily ran a front page op-ed Monday on the need to make Covid controls more targeted and effective, while removing those that should be removed. He noted how it was no longer sustainable for China's economy and society to accept continued Covid controls.

☆ China protests could usher in 'more authoritarian' Xi era, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Police form a cordon during a protest against Chinas strict zero COVID measures on November 27, 2022 in Beijing, China. "It raises the pressure on Xi Jinping, and I think likely puts him towards a more authoritarian approach to governance in China," Green added. As such, Xi's CCP could clamp down further on public protests, Green noted. That was the case during 2019's pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, and 1989's Tiananmen Square protests on the Chinese mainland. "In the short term, the Covid policy will only be fine-tuned without moving the needle," Bruce Pang, chief economist and head of research for Greater China at JLL, said Monday.

☆ New CIO Wants Cisco to Be a Model for Hybrid Work
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Belle Lin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Fletcher Previn, Cisco Systems Inc.’s new chief information officer, said he is working to help position the networking-equipment maker as a leader in hybrid work. Mr. Previn joined Cisco in 2021 as chief digital officer from International Business Machines Corp., where he was CIO. Newsletter Sign-up WSJ | CIO Journal The Morning Download delivers daily insights and news on business technology from the CIO Journal team. Cisco CIO Fletcher Previn Photo: Cisco Systems Inc.An IBM veteran of more than a decade, Mr. Previn was named that company’s CIO in 2017. Enabling hybrid work should be a priority for CIOs because it can cut office costs while improving employee productivity, said Bobby Cameron, a principal analyst at Forrester Research Inc.“Priorities for the hybrid work environment continue to be digital tools for meetings and active collaboration,” Mr. Cameron said.

☆ Asian shares recover but concerns over China may resume strict COVID curbs linger
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Selena Li | Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Asian stock markets mostly recouped early losses on Tuesday, supported by improved sentiment for China shares, but concerns lingered that Beijing may reimpose strict COVID curbs that could cause supply chain disruptions. The biggest driver for the recovery was China, with its benchmark up 0.43%. Losses on Hong Kong's benchmark index (.HSI) narrowed to 0.7%. Gains in China were capped by worsening COVID-19 situation in the country, however. Japan's benchmark Nikkei average (.N225) rose 0.69%, as the yen's weakness against the dollar raised prospects for domestic manufacturers.

☆ Asian shares mostly down on concerns China may resume strict COVID curbs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Selena Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Thomas PeterHONG KONG, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Asian shares were on the defensive on Tuesday as a COVID-19 resurgence in China increased concerns that Beijing may reimpose strict pandemic curbs and that further restrictions could cause supply chain disruptions. The dollar pulled back from strong overnight gains on Tuesday while oil took a pause from Monday's retreat. Japan's benchmark Nikkei average (.N225) opened up 0.78%, while Australian shares (.AXJO) rose 0.55%. "China's Covid situation is really in the front row for Asia trading," said Redmond Wong, market strategist for Greater China at Saxo Markets in Hong Kong. Beijing warned on Monday that it was facing its most severe test of the pandemic, fuelling investor concerns that China may be forced to resume strict mobility curbs and give stay and home orders across cities.

☆ U.S. Official Warns Against Efforts to Defy Forced-Labor Crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Richard Vanderford | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Customs will be closely looking at these supply chains as well, Mr. Silvers said. PREVIEWThe agency, for example, is experimenting with DNA testing technology that could be used on apparel to see if its cotton ultimately can be traced back to Xinjiang, Mr. Silvers said. Despite the toughened requirements under the forced-labor law, the U.S. government is working with businesses to help facilitate legitimate trade, he said. CTPAT membership will now include checks for forced-labor compliance, and companies that participate in the program will get priority treatment, Mr. Silvers said. Mr. Silvers said the U.S. also is working to compile a list of best practices and frequently asked questions to help address concerns from businesses about how enforcement of the forced-labor law will unfold.

☆ Piyush Gupta might be banking’s boldest boss
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Una Galani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Piyush Gupta of $65 billion Singaporean lender DBS Group (DBSM.SI) appears to be that CEO, whether he thinks of himself that way or not. Yet the two banks trade on a similar multiple of 1.5 times their estimated 2022 book value, according to Refinitiv. There is limited room for growth in DBS’ tiny home market, a city with a population of 5.5 million people. That, plus the pressure to maintain that 1.5-times-book market value, means Gupta needs to keep finding ways to grow. U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Nov. 14 while at the G20 summit in Indonesia.

☆ No easy fix for China as economy slows more than expected
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Kevin Yao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China is on track to miss its annual growth target of around 5.5% - the latest Reuters poll forecast 2022 growth at 3.2%. Data on Thursday showed new bank lending in China fell more than expected in October from the previous month while broad credit growth slowed. Underscoring the weakness in domestic demand, factory gate prices for October dropped for the first time since December 2020. But the main near-term headwind remains China's zero-COVID policy, while the longer term drag remains domestic demand. read more"COVID curbs have greatly affected consumption and investment," said Wang Jun, director at China Chief Economist Forum.

☆ China’s Singles Day sales could top 1 trillion yuan even as the economy cools
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN Business —China’s Singles Day, the world’s biggest annual shopping event, is known for regularly smashing sales records. Singles Day usually eclipses two of the world’s most popular sales events — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — combined. Xiaofeng Wang, a principal analyst at research firm Forrester, told CNN Business that she believed Singles Day sales would cross the trillion-yuan mark this week. In 2021, the tally for Singles Day rose 13%, “the smallest advance ever,” according to an analysis by Bain & Company. Singles Day “isn’t going anywhere,” concluded James Yang, a Hong Kong-based partner at Bain.

☆ Some of China's policies have failed to help property sales rebound, says economist
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | 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 EmailSome of China's policies have failed to help property sales rebound, says economistRaymond Yeung, chief economist for Greater China at ANZ, discusses the effects of China's zero-Covid policy on its economy and its recent decision to ease some restrictions.

[1/4] A signage is seen in the offices of Tapestry, Inc., in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 19, 2021. Accessible luxury brands such as Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren are likely to feel a bigger pinch than higher-priced brands, as their young core customer base looks for deals at the lower end of the fashion spectrum. Ralph Lauren said its holiday quarter revenue would be hit by slowing demand in North America and Europe, where soaring energy costs are also pinching consumer wallets. Tapestry and Ralph Lauren also warned a stronger dollar would hit their earnings. Ralph Lauren shares, which have lost almost a quarter of their value this year, rose about 5% in premarket trading after the company beat second-quarter sales and profit expectations.

☆ Adidas' break-up with Kanye West has halved its earnings forecast for 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Adidas had forecast net income of 500 million euros five days before cutting ties with Kanye West. After ending the deal with the rapper the figure has been cut to just 250 million euros. Adidas said the reduction was "due to negative tax implications in the third quarter related to the company's decision to terminate the adidas Yeezy partnership" and reflected the "high seasonality of the adidas Yeezy business geared towards the fourth quarter." As part of his Yeezy deal with Adidas, West also demanded that a facility be set up in Wyoming, Bloomberg reported. Adidas executives took just two minutes to cut ties in an "undramatic" phone call, having initially delayed a decision to get legal opinions from US law firms, per Bloomberg.

☆ Gap Sells Its China Business After 12 Years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Ben Otto | Dan Strumpf | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE— Gap Inc. will sell its business in China and Taiwan to Chinese e-commerce services provider Baozun Inc. for up to $50 million, bringing an end to a bumpy 12-year foray in the region. Baozun, which is listed both on the Nasdaq and in Hong Kong, said Tuesday that it had signed a deal to acquire Gap Greater China, a unit of San Francisco-based Gap, in an all-cash transaction with a primary consideration of $40 million, subject to adjustments within a limit of $50 million. The deal, expected to be completed in the first half of 2023, is subject to regulatory approval.

The same funds averaged a decline of 0.58% in 2021, according to the HSBC data seen by Reuters. HSBC follows eight funds which take long and short positions in Chinese equities. This year, three hit HSBC's global list of the bottom 20 hedge fund performances for the week ending Nov. 4. The $1.9 billion Golden China fund from Greenwoods Asset Management, was down 45% for the year to Oct. 31; the $152 million Zeal China Fund from Zeal Asset Management, was down 38% for the same period; and the $156 million Telligent Greater China fund from Telligent Capital down almost 40%. HFR, another company which tracks hedge fund performance but does not disclose the constituents of its indices, said its index of Chinese hedge funds was down 27% so far this year.

HONG KONG, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Asian shares rose on Tuesday as U.S. stocks increased overnight before midterm elections and investors clung on to hopes that China would eventually relax its strict pandemic curbs even after the government reaffirmed its commitment to the zero-COVID policy. Wall Street ended sharply higher Monday as investors focused on Tuesday's midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, while shares of Meta Platforms jumped on a report of job cuts at the Facebook parent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index (.HSI) and China's benchmark CSI300 Index (.CSI300) were up 0.3% and 0.14%, respectively. Investors are hoping China will gradually ease its zero-COVID policy and reopen to the world, even after health officials reiterated their commitment to the policy on Saturday at a press conference. Analysts said U.S. mid-term elections on Tuesday could impact markets.

☆ Adidas scoops up CEO who turned around rival Puma
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN Business —Adidas has appointed the head of Puma to succeed outgoing CEO Kasper Rorsted, betting on his ability to replicate its crosstown rival’s comeback. Norwegian Bjørn Gulden, 57, will become CEO of Adidas (ADDDF) on January 1, 2023, the German sportswear brand said in a statement on Tuesday. “As CEO of Puma, he re-invigorated the brand and led the company to record results,” Rabe added. Gulden takes over amid a deepening slump in Adidas’ home market of Germany and as inflation begins to weigh heavily on consumer spending globally. Chief financial officer Harm Ohlmeyer will lead Adidas until Gulden takes over.

☆ Gap to sell Greater China units to e-commerce firm Baozun
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Nov 8 (Reuters) - U.S. apparel retailer Gap Inc (GPS.N) has agreed to sell its Greater China businesses to Baozun Inc (9991.HK), the e-commerce service provider said on Tuesday, as headwinds persists for global consumer brands in the world's second-largest economy. China's Baozun said its unit would acquire Gap Shanghai Commercial and Gap Taiwan Ltd, which operate the whole business of Gap Greater China, with a primary deal size of $40 million and no more than $50 million for adjustment. The Shanghai entity reported a net loss after tax of 256 million yuan ($35.34 million) for 2021, compared with 456.3 million yuan a year earlier, Baozun said in a filing. The Taiwan entity reported a post-tax net loss of T$199.8 million ($6.24 million) for the year ended January 29, 2022. Separately, Baozun said Gap has granted it an exclusive right to manufacture and sell its products in Greater China area.

☆ Asian stocks mixed as caution reigns ahead of U.S. midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Kane Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's gauge of Asia Pacific stocks outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) narrowed gains to rise 0.12% at 0517 GMT. "The thing to watch ... will be the U.S. midterms today and the CPI data tomorrow," said Redmond Wong, Saxo Markets' market strategist for Greater China, in a note on Tuesday. Japan's Nikkei 225 (.N225) gained as much as 1.44%, hitting an eight-week high, as investors scooped up chips and other technology stocks. Analysts said U.S. mid-term elections on Tuesday could impact markets. Brent crude fell 0.32% to $97.61 a barrel by 0526 GMT, while U.S. crude fell 0.38% to $91.44 a barrel.

Search resuls for: "Greater China"

25 mentions found