China’s top securities regulator to crack down on market manipulators

China’s top securities regulator to crack down on market manipulators

Wu Qing, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, answers a question at a press conference during the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 6, 2024. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images) Wang Zhao | Afp | Getty Images BEIJING — … Read more

China’s PBOC governor says there’s room to cut banks’ RRR

China’s PBOC governor says there’s room to cut banks’ RRR

China’s central bank governor said there was room to further cut banks’ reserve requirements, and pledged to utilize monetary policy to prop up consumer prices. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s central bank governor said there was room to further cut banks’ reserve requirements, and pledged to utilize monetary policy to “mildly” … Read more

China says military spending growth in 2024 to stay the same as last year at 7.2%

China says military spending growth in 2024 to stay the same as last year at 7.2%

Missiles on the background of the Chinese flag Anton Petrus | Moment | Getty Images China is set to increase its defense spending by 7.2% in 2024, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing an official government work report released as part of the country’s annual parliamentary meetings in Beijing. This year’s military budget announcement comes against the … Read more

China sets GDP target of ‘around 5%’ for 2024

China sets GDP target of ‘around 5%’ for 2024

China’s Premier Li Qiang speaks during the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2024.  Denis Balibouse | Reuters BEIJING — China set a growth target of “around 5%” for 2024, according to the “Government Work Report” released Tuesday. The targets for GDP and other economic indicators were published … Read more

Japan’s Nikkei hits all-time high on reforms, robust corporate earnings

Japan’s Nikkei hits all-time high on reforms, robust corporate earnings

Pedestrians walking across with crowded traffic at Shibuya crossing square. Jaczhou | E+ | Getty Images Japan’s Nikkei 225 hit a record high on Thursday as robust corporate profitability and steps aimed at boosting investor returns fuel a blistering rally in Japanese equities this year. The Nikkei 225 hit 38,924.88, surpassing the previous record high … Read more

Feds charge Japanese Yakuza leader with nuclear materials trafficking

Feds charge Japanese Yakuza leader with nuclear materials trafficking

The DOJ alleges that a high-ranking member of the Yakuza, Takeshi Ebisawa, was the central figure in a plot to funnel American weapons to ethnic militias in Myanmar in exchange for heroin and meth. Ebisawa is charged with narcotics importation, money laundering, and conspiracy to acquire surface to air missiles, if convicted he could face … Read more

HSBC pre-tax annual profit jumps 78%, misses market estimates

HSBC pre-tax annual profit jumps 78%, misses market estimates

Customers use automated teller machines (ATM) at an HSBC Holdings Plc bank branch at night in Hong Kong, China, on Saturday, Feb 16, 2019. Anthony Kwan | Bloomberg | Getty Images HSBC reported on Wednesday its full year 2023 pre-tax profit climbed about 78% to $30.3 billion from a year ago, missing median estimates of … Read more

expects surplus; household, business support

expects surplus; household, business support

Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s deputy prime minister and finance minister. Kiyoshi Ota | Bloomberg | Getty Images SINGAPORE — Singapore’s budget deficit widened more than expected in 2023 but the country expects a small surplus in the 2024 financial year, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said in his budget speech on Friday. The … Read more

2023 GDP revised lower amid manufacturing slowdown

2023 GDP revised lower amid manufacturing slowdown

A general view of the skyline of the Singapore Central Business District, the Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum and the seating platform at Marina Bay on August 1, 2015 in Singapore. Suhaimi Abdullah | Getty Images SINGAPORE — Singapore lowered its full-year growth for 2023, as official data on Thursday showed the economy grew … Read more

Japan’s economy unexpectedly slips into recession, hurt by weak domestic demand

Japan’s economy unexpectedly slips into recession, hurt by weak domestic demand

An editorial picture of the Japan flag set against an economic trend graph and images associated with the stock market, finance and digital technology. Manassanant Pamai | Istock | Getty Images Japan’s economy dipped into a technical recession, after unexpectedly contracting again in the October-December period, provisional government data showed Thursday. High inflation crimped domestic demand … Read more