Market Pulse - Asia
Sinovac researchers 99% sure Covid-19 vaccine will be 'effective'
Scientists at Chinese biotechnology form Sinovac are 99% sure that their Covid-19 vaccine candidate will be effective.
Sberbank launches physical commodities trading arm in Zug, Switzerland
Russia's largest lender has opened a commodities trading company in Switzerland focused on oil, base metals and bulk commodities.
Asia report: Markets mixed after Beijing approves HK security bill
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Friday, as investors took a wait-and-see approach to the global reaction to Beijing’s approval of its controversial security bill for Hong Kong, which happened late on Thursday.
Huawei CFO denied right to immediate release in extradition fight with US
Huawei finance director Meng Wanzhou lost a major battle in her fight against extradition to the US with Canadian authorities refusing to immediately release her and ensure her return to China.
Asia report: Markets mixed amid ongoing US-China tensions
Markets in Asia finished mixed on Thursday, with Japan’s benchmark rising more than 2%, as tensions between the US and China remained in focus for investors.
Asia report: Markets finish mixed as US-China tensions rise
Markets in Asia closed in a mixed state on Wednesday, as investors looked at the gradual easing of coronavirus-related restrictions in various jurisdictions, as well as an increase in tensions between the US and China.
Petropavlovsk FY profits slip despite sharp revenue growth
Russian oil and gas explorer Petropavlovsk posted a slight drop in full-year profits on Wednesday as a result of increased one-off expenses throughout 2019.
Sunday newspaper round-up: Hong Kong, Air bridges, Vaccine
Hong Kong democracy activists yesterday made frantic plans to cover their tracks amid fears of a brutal crackdown by the world’s most powerful surveillance state. Many deleted politically sensitive online postings, wiped social media accounts and turned to proxy servers that mask their identities after China announced sweeping national security laws for the territory. - Sunday Times.
Oxford University enrolling 10,260 more volunteers for late stage Covid-19 vaccine trials
Oxford University and its partnership institutions have begun enrolling volunteers across Britain in the next phase of clinical trials for its vaccine against Covid-19.
Europe open: Stocks dip on geopolitical concerns
Stocks in Europe are under slight selling pressure after the Chinese government apparently upped the ante on the geopolitical front by announcing it would impose national security laws, bypassing the city's legislature and therefore potentially in effect reneging on promises to respect its one state, two-systems policy.
Asia report: Stocks fall as China axes growth targets
Markets in Asia fell across the board on Friday, as investors watched tensions between the US and China continue to simmer, and as Beijing axed its growth targets amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Asia report: Most markets lower as daily Covid cases hits record high
Most markets in Asia finished in the red on Thursday, amid concerning reports from the World Health Organization that the daily number of new Covid-19 coronavirus cases globally hit a record this week.
Huawei claims its operating system could rival Google or Apple
Huawei said its operating system HarmonyOS could rival Google or Apple despite experts’ concerns over its lack of high-profile apps.
Alibaba group to invest $1.41bn in AI system
Alibaba Group is set to invest $1. 41bn (10bn yuan) in an artificial intelligence and Internet of Things system centered around its Tmall Genie smart speaker, the company announced on Wednesday.
Asia report: Markets mixed as China stands pat on interest rates
Markets in Asia closed in a mixed state on Wednesday, as China’s central bank stood pat on its main interest rates, as markets had been expecting.
JP Morgan reiterates BHP and Anglo American as its 'top picks' in European mining
Analysts at JP Morgan reiterated their preference for shares of BHP and Anglo American in the European mining space, citing a host of factors.
Disney streaming chief to become TikTok CEO
Disney’s top streaming executive, Kevin Mayer, is set to become the chief executive officer of video app TikTok.
Asia report: Markets rise on positive Covid vaccine developments
Markets in Asia were sparkling green across the board as they closed on Tuesday, as investors cheered positive phase one results for a potential Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine from US firm Moderna Therapeutics overnight.
Jack Ma set to resign from SoftBank's board of directors
SoftBank Group said on Monday that Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba Group, will step down from its board of directors after 13 years.
China's Xi pledges $2bn to coronavirus fight
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that his country will provide $2bn over two years to help other countries respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.