Market Pulse - Asia
Commodities: Weaker dollar boon for WTI and COMEX gold futures
Commodities are higher across the board as the US dollar weakens, with lessened selling pressure on the back of the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays an added factor in the case of base metals.
Asia report: Markets finish mixed ahead of US inflation data
Markets in Asia finished mixed on Wednesday, as investors headed home awaiting the release of inflation data from the US later in the global day.
Benjamin Netanyahu hits back at Israeli police who recommended bribery charges
Benjamin Netanyahu has responded on Tuesday to police accusations of fraud, breach of trust and two instances of accepting bribes, saying he will not step down and is confident he won't face charges.
Russia eyes Saudi Aramco IPO investment
A Russian and Chinese joint investment fund, working in conjunction with several major Russian banks, has made moves to take part in the much awaited Saudi Aramco initial public offering, according to a sovereign Russian investment fund head.
Surge in electric car sales applies strains global battery supply chain, says Oxford Economics
Over the past few years the belief that electric vehicle sales would rise exponentially, and that the automotive industry as a whole was heading into a period of rapid technological change, took off on the back of heightened concerns about air quality and global warming.
Asia report: Most markets higher as Wall Street recovery continues
Most markets in Asia finished higher on Tuesday, reflecting the second day of recovery on Wall Street overnight after the mammoth losses sustained last week.
Sector movers: Industrial metals, miners top gains
Industrial metals topped the leaderboard, alongside a solid performance from most mining names.
Contradictory reports on Zuma's resignation
South African president Jacob Zuma has agreed to be recalled, with African National Congress officials said to be negotiating the manner in which it is to be communicated.
Goldman Sachs upgrades Evraz on outlook for strong coal prices
Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded their recommendation for shares of Evraz on Monday from ‘hold’ to ‘buy’, telling clients that industry spreads and margins are above mid cycle levels and that they believe these will be sustained, "supported by tightening steel market supply-demand fundamentals and rising cost pressures. ".
Chinese loan growth beats forecasts in January
Chinese bank lending picked up sharply at the start of the year, but some economists cautioned about reading too much into the data due to distortions from seasonal effects, pointing out signs of a slowdown evident in broader measures of credit growth.
Asia report: Markets mostly higher as oil prices rise
Markets in Asia finished mostly higher on Monday following a rebound on Wall Street on Friday, as oil prices also advanced slightly.
US is open to talks with North Korea, says Pence
The United States and South Korea have agreed to terms regarding further diplomatic engagement with North Korea, according to US vice president Mike Pence who said that talks between Seoul and Pyongyang could eventually link Washington with the rogue nation.
Asia report: Markets finish week in miserable fashion
Markets in Asia finished lower on Friday, after another red session on Wall Street overnight saw US stocks extend their massive losses sustained earlier in the week.
White House secretly offered Iran prisoner negotiations
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Trump administration covertly communicated with Iran in an attempt to negotiate prisoner releases from both sides.
Asia report: Markets finally stage recovery, SoftBank talks with Swiss Re
Markets in Asia finished higher on Thursday, as the region finally rallied together to stage a recovery on the big losses seen earlier in the week.
HSBC upgrades Randgold to 'buy', expects further dividend growth
Analysts at HSBC upgraded their recommendation for shares of Randgold Resources on Thursday from 'hold' to 'buy', telling clients they expect the outfit to hike its payout by 50% in 2018 after the company reported record production and increased profits for its most recent trading year.
South Africa's Jacob Zuma reportedly on the cusp of resignation
Jacob Zuma, South Africa's controversial President, was said to be in the middle of talks with the African National Congress' new leader Cyril Ramaphosa over a transition of power, with one source saying Zuma would resign as soon as a list of preconditions had been ironed out.
China FX reserves rise again in January, analysts not sure if Beijing is intervening
China's foreign exchange reserves increased in January for the twelfth month in a row, but analysts are divided on whether Beijing has been intervening to brake recent strength in the yuan.
Asia report: Markets mixed as recovery stalls
Markets in Asia finished mixed on Wednesday, with a number of indices refusing to participate in the global recovery and instead finishing in the red.