Breaking News: Asia
Japan’s inflation rate climbs to a 2-year high of 4% in January, supporting rate hike calls from BOJ members
A customer visits a store at Togoshi Ginza shopping street in Tokyo on January 23, 2025. Philip Fong | Afp | Getty Images Japan’s inflation in January climbed 4% year-on-year, hitting its highest level since January 2023, further strengthening the case for rate hikes by the central bank. The core inflation rate — which excludes […]
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Chinese giant Alibaba posts profit and revenue beat in December quarter amid strength in cloud unit
Signage at the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. offices in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Alibaba’s overhaul could serve as a template for a restructuring of China Tech itself: a shake-up that achieves Beijings aim of carving up the countrys tech titans while unlocking potentially billions of dollars in pent-up shareholder value. Bloomberg | […]
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China keeps benchmark lending rates steady as PBOC prioritizes financial stability
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has set up a fintech committee. Zhang Peng | LightRocket | Getty Images China kept its key lending rates unchanged Thursday, as Beijing prioritizes financial stability over interest rate easing to bolster the economy. The People’s Bank of China held the 1-year loan prime rate unchanged at 3.1%, and […]
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Asia-Pacific markets were mostly down as Trump tariff threats dent sentiment
Cityscape of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Georgeclerk | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were mostly down Thursday, as investors weigh U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs of about 25% on autos, semiconductors and pharmaceutical imports. Trump, who said the duties could be implemented as soon as April 2, did not specify whether they will be […]
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HSBC announces share buyback of up to $2 billion as annual profit jumps 6.5%
A view of the logo of HSBC bank on a wall outside a branch in Mexico City, Mexico June 14, 2024. Henry Romero | Reuters Europe’s largest lender HSBC on Wednesday reported annual pre-tax profit of $32.31 billion, marginally missing analysts’ estimates, as the bank’s net interest income declined by $3.1 billion from a year […]
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New Zealand slashes rates for a fourth straight time in bid to boost a slowing economy
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) building in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Mark Coote | Bloomberg | Getty Images New Zealand’s central bank on Wednesday slashed benchmark rates by 50 basis points to 3.75%, marking its fourth straight cut, as easing inflation offers the central bank room to boost a […]
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Japan stocks set to rise after Wall Street gains as investors look beyond tariffs
Japan’s Osaka is the 43rd most expensive city to live in, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. Mlenny | E+ | Getty Images Japan stocks were set to rise Wednesday, after Wall Street gained overnight with the S&P 500 closing at a record high as investors looked past tariffs and inflation headwinds. Futures for Japan’s […]
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Australia’s central bank cuts interest rate for the first time in more than four years
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) at the central bank’s building in Sydney, Australia on May 2, 2022. Brendon Thorne | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday cut benchmark interest rates for the first time in over four years, joining ranks with other major global central banks, as softening inflation allows […]
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Asia markets open mixed as investors assess Chinese President Xi’s comments in a meeting with top executives
Australia, New South Wales, Sydney Scott E Barbour | The Image Bank | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Tuesday, a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled support to the country’s private sector and urged businesses to “show their “talents.” Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.43%, ahead of the Reserve Bank […]
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Singapore court finds opposition party leader guilty of lying to parliament
Pritam Singh, leader of Singapore’s main opposition Workers’ Party, arrives at its State Courts on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Lionel Ng | Bloomberg | Getty Images A court in Singapore on Monday found opposition Workers’ Party leader Pritam Singh guilty of two counts of lying to parliament, a verdict that could see him barred from contesting a general election this year. Singh had pleaded not guilty and his sentencing was due […]
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