Stoxx 600 gains, S&P 500 chases high

LONDON — European stocks started the final session of 2023 higher, marking a positive end to a solid year. The regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.18% shortly after the open, with all sectors in the green except oil and gas, which slipped 0.2%. Thin trade is expected, while London markets close early. The blue-chip … Read more

Global stocks search for new highs

The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, November 13, 2023. Staff | Reuters LONDON — European stocks were little changed on Thursday as global markets search for new record highs to close out the year. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index hovered around the flatline after an … Read more

With all eyes on Gaza and Ukraine, analysts fear these conflicts could erupt

Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sit atop a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023. – | Afp | Getty Images With the eyes of the world on the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, an unprecedented number of potentially “catastrophic” conflicts are going … Read more

Tencent, NetEase shares rebound after China regulator’s assurance on new rules

A mobile phone is displaying the screen of Tencent Games company’s stock plunge in Suqian, Jiangsu Province, China, on December 22, 2023. Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Chinese online gaming stocks rose Wednesday, recovering some losses from the previous session after the country’s top gaming regulator said it will “carefully study” the concerns of … Read more

Coffee chains are crowding Singapore to jumpstart their global expansions

Group of friends at a restaurant Santiago Nunez | Klaud9 | Getty Images The Singapore coffee market is already crowded, but brands continue to open new locations in the city-state in hopes success on the island will kickstart international expansions. In the last few months, at least five players – China’s Luckin Coffee, Indonesia’s Kenangan … Read more

How much does it cost to Aman’s new brand Janu hotels?

Few names exude “quiet luxury” like the ultra-luxe Aman Resorts. Its hotels bear its moniker: from Amanoi in Vietnam, to Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro and the hotel that started it all — Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand. Fans of the brands — known as ‘Aman Junkies’ — are accustomed to paying its top-dollar rates, which … Read more

Tencent loses over $43 billion in market value after China proposes new online gaming rules

Tencent lost about $43.5 billion in market value on Friday after China surprised financial markets with a fresh set of rules aimed at curbing excessive gaming and spending. The draft guidelines from China’s National Press and Publication Administration sank the Hong Kong-listed shares of Tencent, NetEase and Bilibili — among the largest online gaming-related counters … Read more

Top China, U.S. military leaders hold first meeting in more than a year

U.S. Air Force F16 fighter jets fly in formation during U.S.-Philippines joint air force exercises dubbed Cope Thunder at Clark Air Base on May 09, 2023 in Mabalacat, Pampanga province, Philippines. Ezra Acayan | Getty Images News | Getty Images The chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Brown, spoke virtually with his Chinese … Read more

India’s LGDs are cheaper but natural diamonds will still be in demand

Similar to a natural diamond, a lab-grown diamond is graded based on the 4Cs — clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Lionel Bonaventure | Afp | Getty Images Demand for lab-grown diamonds in India has grown steadily, but naturally mined diamonds won’t be losing their sparkle any time soon, industry experts say. India currently has … Read more