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☆ Putin's war in Ukraine brought chaos and change to the global energy market. These 4 charts show how the conflict transformed the oil and gas landscape.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( George Glover | Zinya Salfiti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

These four charts show how the war has changed global energy markets over the past year. Here are four charts that capture the most striking changes that took hold in oil and gas markets over the past year. Russia has found other oil buyersBut Russia has still managed to find other buyers for its oil. India too has aggressively ramped up its purchases of Russian oil and now imports 1.2 million barrels each day, according to Vortexa. "The natural gas market has become even more global as demand for liquefied natural gas continues to rise," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

Asia Pacific markets are set to open mixed on Friday as investors await key U.S. economic data, as well as developments in Japan. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 's opened fractionally lower, while Japanese markets are set to trade higher. Japan's consumer price index is expected to come in on Friday, with economists forecasting a CPI figure of 4.2%. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia is expected to see its CPI numbers for January released in the afternoon. Singapore will also await its January manufacturing output figures, expected to come in at 2.9% on an annualized basis.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets mixed as investors digest Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

"Singapore's external sector had another very tough month in January, and we doubt this marks the bottom," an economist said. Asia Pacific markets opened mixed on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve released the minutes of its most recent meeting that showed central bank members are still committed to fighting inflation with rate hikes. The S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.21% lower, while the South Korean Kospi started the day 0.5% higher and the Kosdaq rose 0.45% higher. A poll of 42 economists expect the Bank of Korea to hold its lending rate at 3.5%. Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to release their consumer price indexes, with Singapore's CPI expected to come in at 7.1% for January.

☆ Real estate prices in Singapore will take some time to 'level out': CapitaLand Investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | 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 EmailReal estate prices in Singapore will take some time to 'level out': CapitaLand InvestmentAndrew Lim of the real estate investment management company says Singapore's policy responses are meant to "tame an engine that is showing signs of overheating."

Aerial view by drone of Tokyo Cityscape with Tokyo Sky Tree visible in Tokyo city, Japan on sunrise. Asia-Pacific markets are set to open mixed on Wednesday as investors look ahead to key economic data across the region. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.7% as investors further digested the nation's producer price index that rose 1.6% on an annualized basis. Economists expect it to come in at 3.5% in the fourth quarter on an annualized basis , according to a Reuters poll. In New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 Index fell 0.64%, ahead of the central bank's interest rate hike decision.

View of the Yarra River flowing through Melbourne city centre in Australia. Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall on Tuesday as investors await regional private surveys for factory activity. The PMI index encompasses services and manufacturing, and is seen as a reliable gauge of economic health. Reserve Bank of Australia will release minutes from its February policy meeting, when it hiked interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.35%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.16% and the Topix was marginally lower ahead of the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI.

☆ Asia markets set to trade mixed ahead of economic data releases in week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to trade mixed on Monday, as investors look ahead to crucial economic data releases later in the week. Minutes for the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is slated to be released Wednesday. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened fractionally lower as minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia is scheduled to be released Tuesday. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 27,480 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,510 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,513,13.

St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard said Thursday that he pushed for a higher interest rate increase at the last meeting and could see a more aggressive move ahead. The policymaker said he advocated for a half percentage point rate increase at the Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Fed meeting and said he wouldn't rule out pushing for one at the March session. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester also said Thursday she wanted a higher increase than the quarter-point approved by the Federal Open Market Committee. Bullard added that he sees the larger economic trend moving toward disinflation, despite recent high readings for inflation. "In part due to front-loaded Fed policy during 2022, market-based measures of inflation expectations are now relatively low," Bullard said.

The Federal Reserve could move interest rates closer to 6%, said Dan Niles, founder of the Satori Fund. "I think the Fed, quite honestly, is going to get higher to 6% before they stop raising," Niles said on CNBC's "Tech Check." The central bank last hiked interest rates by 25 basis points at its meeting earlier this month. That moved the target rate for interest rates to between 4.5% and 4.75%. Market observers and participants have disagreed on when the Fed will stop raising interest rates.

"Milton Friedman said 12-18 months before you can get any effect on prices," Siegel said on CNBC's "Halftime Report" on Tuesday afternoon. And it's a process that the Fed has to let go through the market." To be sure, the finance professor added that he is less certain about a rate hike following January's "unbelievable" jobs report. "That would mean, more likely that the Fed would not reduce the rate as fast in the second half in the year. He added, "I don't think anyone including the Fed knows, because they plan their increases or decreases policy 10–14 days in advance.

Singapore will report the budget for the coming fiscal year on Tuesday, will probably reinforce longer-term investment priorities including digitalization, green energy transition, and health services for an ageing society. Photographer: Edwin Koo/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific shares are to trade higher as investors await the release of the U.S. consumer price index report, which will shape the Federal Reserve's path ahead. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.63% in its first hour of trade as investors anticipate the release of the country's consumer sentiment survey for February. Nikkei 225 futures in Chicago were fractionally up at 27,720, while its counterpart in Osaka stood at 27,700, higher than its last close at 27,427.32. The Japanese yen stood at 132.33 against the U.S. dollar ahead of the Japanese government's expected nomination of its next Bank of Japan governor.

☆ Singapore downgrades fourth-quarter GDP, keeps 2023 forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A cyclist rides before the city skyline at Marina Bay in Singapore. Singapore's economy grew slightly less than initially estimated in the fourth quarter from a year ago, official data showed on Monday, and the government kept its forecast for annual growth to come in at 0.5% - 2.5% this year. "Singapore's external demand outlook for 2023 has improved slightly. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said, slightly lower than the 2.2% growth in the government's advance estimate due to slightly weaker construction and service sector growth. For the full year, GDP grew 3.6% versus an initial 3.8% estimate.

☆ Singapore downgrades Q4 GDP, keeps 2023 forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Analysts said that some services industries will fare better this year amid China's reopening, while manufacturing, especially electronics, is likely to weigh on growth in the short-term. The current central bank monetary policy stance remains appropriate, said Edward Robinson, Deputy Managing Director at the Monetary Authority of Singapore said. "Looks like the window remains open for a tightening if core inflation remains very sticky on the downside," she added. Since April last year, Singapore had lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions with many international events returning to the city-state, attracting tourists and businesses. Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore; Editing by Sam HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Investor reaction to Adani market rout after short-seller report
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The rout has sparked concern that the fallout could also affect, more broadly, confidence in India. GEORGE BOUBOURAS, HEAD OF RESEARCH AT K2 ASSET MANAGEMENT, MELBOURNE (UNDERWEIGHT ON INDIA)"The Adani effect works both ways given the market cap relative to index. "To attract more capital the Indian economy needs more FTAs (free-trade agreements) and more financial market reform - a long process." Given there has not been any significant change for now for the market valuation, the market remains overall expensive in our view." Adani is a known levered name in India, so I would think most participants should not associate the same issues for other Indian assets."

Foreign investors, many of them already underweight what they consider an overpriced stock market, are reducing exposure. "Only Adani Group is trading with these ridiculously high multiples, and that is the core of the problem." "At this point in time, I don’t think it’s a systemic risk," said Jimmy Lim, chief investment officer at Modular Asset Management in Singapore. "We don't think that there's going to be a default anytime soon, although I don't expect any kind of near-term resolution between Adani Group and Hindenburg," Chao said. Yet Chao expects the selloff to help bring Indian stock valuations to more "palatable levels" for investors.

☆ Samsung's long-term competitiveness makes it a better investment pick, says investment firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSamsung's long-term competitiveness makes it a better investment pick, says investment firmJames Lim of Dalton Investments says Samsung's balance sheet and long-term competitiveness make it a better pick over competitors SK Hynix and Micron.

As they've grown, creators on this platform have created media kits to pitch brands. Nadja Marrero, a skincare and beauty influencer, even landed more brand deals because of these techniques. However, many creators often have to reach out to brands to get these deals, which is where media kits come into play. Influencers typically email this media kit, tailoring it to the brand they're pitching, and then negotiate their rates with the brand. Here are 10 examples of real influencer media kits from TikTokers (arranged by follower count):

[1/4] A man clears away the snow from an alley as it snows on a cold winter day in Seoul, South Korea, January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiSEOUL, Jan 26 (Reuters) - South Korea plans to double energy vouchers and a discount of gas prices for underprivileged families to cope with spiralling heating bills amid a prolonged cold wave, officials said on Thursday. Many South Korean households began to feel the impact in recent weeks after turning up the heat amid a cold spell, with monthly gas bills up 34% last month from a year ago, according to Statistics Korea. "There is an inevitable aspect of realising energy prices under these difficult external circumstances," he told a briefing. Many South Koreans expressed concerns over additional hikes in energy bills as freezing winter weather continued.

☆ Rage applying: Workers and hiring managers should carefully consider decisions made based on 'short-term emotions,' experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It's more about short-term emotions," HR expert Jenn Lim saysTop editors give you the stories you want — delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Corporate consultant and office culture expert Jenn Lim spoke with Insider about the pros and cons of hiring a possible rage-applicant. "It's about asking the right questions in an open way and seeing how the applicant reacts," Lim said. In January, music manager Jordan Smith told Insider about passionately applying to new jobs after being passed over for a promotion. It's more about short-term emotions," Lim told Insider.

☆ South Korea, Iran summon each other's envoys as spat over Yoon remarks deepens
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Iran and South Korea summoned each other's envoys in a deepening spat over comments by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol that described the Islamic republic as the enemy of the United Arab Emirates. Yoon, speaking to South Korean troops stationed in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, said South Korea and the UAE are under "very similar" circumstances, each facing North Korea and Iran as "the enemy, biggest threat." Relations between Seoul and Tehran had already been testy over frozen Iranian funds in South Korea and suspected arms dealings between Iran and North Korea. Iran has repeatedly demanded the release of some $7 billion of its funds frozen in South Korean banks under U.S. sanctions. South Korea was once one of Iran's biggest crude buyers in Asia, but ceased imports after Washington imposed sanctions on Tehran in 2018.

☆ South Korea hints at compensating victims of Japan's colonial forced labour
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan said it has secured initial donations from steelmaker POSCO (005490.KS) totalling 4 billion won ($3.2 million). Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Tokyo’s top spokesperson, declined to comment on Seoul’s compensation plan or its public hearing, saying they were domestic matters within South Korea. The foundation's chief, Shim Kyu-sun, said he would encourage South Korean companies to donate "from the perspective of social responsibility". National flags of South Korea and Japan are displayed during a meeting between Komeito Party members and South Korean lawmakers at Komeito Party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2019. Under the 1965 deal, South Korea was required to consider all pre-treaty compensation issues settled.

☆ Shoppers lined up outside Aldi stores to buy Logan Paul and KSI's coveted Prime drink. The retailer used a clever strategy to lure customers in.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Aldi confirmed it had sold out of Prime just one day after the drink hit its shelves. Aldi used clever strategy to create a notion of scarcity and lure customers in, experts told Insider. Experts say Aldi used a clever strategy to lure in shoppers by create a feeling of exclusivity and notion of scarcity. Logan Paul has 24.6 million Instagram followers and 23.6 million YouTube subscribers, while for KSI those numbers are 12.4 million and 16.1 million respectively. Aldi sold the drink at £1.99 a bottle, and Prime sold 12-packs for £24.99 ($29.60) on its UK website before they sold out.

Dec 30 (Reuters) - Global hedge funds are set to register their worst returns in 14 years in 2022 after aggressive U.S. interest rate rises hit asset prices hard, however, their declines are overall smaller than the slump seen in equity and bond markets this year. Some hedge fund strategies that put money in commodities and currencies using macro-focused strategies and exploited price differences between related securities outperformed in 2022, handing decent gains to investors. According to investment data firm Preqin, hedge fund returns have fallen 6.5% this year, their biggest since a 13% decline in 2008. Strategy-wise, macro funds gained 8.2% through November this year, while equity-hedged and event-driven strategies lost 9.7% and 4.7%, respectively, according to HFR data. Reuters GraphicsAlongside the tumble in traditional assets from equities to bonds, net assets of global hedge funds fell 4.8% in the first three quarters of this year to $4.3 trillion.

☆ More Americans are seeking help for their mental health. Here's how to talk to your boss if you're struggling with anxiety or depression.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Marguerite Ward | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Mental health experts shared tips for approaching your manager about your mental health. Thousands of cancelled flights during the holidays, inflation, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine are chipping away at Americans' mental health. A Gallup poll published in December found that the number of Americans reporting their mental health was "good" or "excellent" was at a record low, while the number of Americans seeking help for their mental health was up. Many are likely grappling with whether to talk to their manager about their mental health. "Beyond Happiness" author Lim suggested framing the conversation around improving your mental health as something that would help both you and your employer.

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