Posts by Kim Browne
Oil climbs after Trump extends EU trade talks deadline to July
[SINGAPORE] Oil prices gained in early Asian trade on Monday after US President Donald Trump extended a deadline for trade talks with the European Union, easing concerns about US tariffs on the bloc that could hurt the global economy and fuel demand. Brent crude futures rose 37 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to US$65.15 a barrel…
Read MoreSingapore’s STI down 0.1% after Trump’s Apple tariff salvo; Asian markets mixed
[SINGAPORE] Singapore shares were down at Monday’s (May 26) open as regional markets traded mixed after US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened tariffs on Apple. In the latest trade war salvo, Trump announced potential levies of 25 per cent for iPhones made outside of the US via a Friday social media post, before extending…
Read MoreShipping bottlenecks in Europe send a warning signal to US, Asia
[LONDON] Port congestion is worsening at key gateways in northern Europe and other hubs, according to a new report which suggests trade wars could spread maritime disruptions to Asia and the US and push up shipping rates. Waiting times for berth space jumped 77 per cent in Bremerhaven, Germany, between late March and mid-May, according…
Read MoreInterest costs fall for S-Reits in Q1, but US tariffs cloud outlook
[SINGAPORE] Interest costs eased for more Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) in the first quarter of FY2025, even as looming US tariffs cast a shadow over their prospects for the second half of the year. Nearly three-quarters of S-Reits saw flat to moderate interest cost declines in Q1 compared to a year ago, said…
Read MoreUS risks losing ‘reliable investment’ status, Allianz Global Investors manager says
[LONDON] Inside one of Europe’s biggest asset managers, there’s growing concern that Republican efforts to gut legislation supporting key industries such as clean energy may result in the US losing its status as a destination for investor capital. “For investors, the message is clear: The US may no longer offer the reliable investment runway it…
Read MoreMore margin calls and stopouts in April as Trump tariffs rattle markets
[SINGAPORE] Several brokerages across Singapore observed up to double the number of margin calls and stopouts on such trades in April after US President Donald Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs roiled markets globally. Margin trading allows investors to borrow funds from brokerages to buy more stocks than they can afford with their own capital, using…
Read MoreThailand widens EV perks as Japan-China auto rivalry heats up
[BANGKOK] With Thailand’s auto sales plunging by more than 25 per cent amid geopolitical headwinds and regional rivals nipping at its heels, Bangkok is racing to secure its status as South-east Asia’s electric vehicle (EV) hub – rolling out broader tax incentives to keep both Chinese and Japanese carmakers onside. The Thai government recently sweetened…
Read MoreChina publishes draft guidance for online-platform merchant fees
The Chinese regulator has published draft guidelines for fees that online platforms charge third-party merchants, an important source of revenue for companies including JD.com, Meituan and PDD Holdings. Companies that operate online platforms should charge reasonable fees and take into account factors such as the operational status of merchants with which they do businesses, the…
Read MoreTrump’s “Golden Dome” Won’t Work—but It’ll Make Elon Musk Richer
This is all nonsense, of course. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a Golden Dome system would cost as much as $831 billion over two decades. Scientists warn that even if all the complex technology and computer software works flawlessly, an adversary could defeat the defenses by simply launching a salvo of missiles that would…
Read MoreUS dollar tumbles as Trump’s EU tariff talk spurs investor flight
[NEW YORK] The US dollar dropped across the board on Friday (May 23), as investors dumped the currency after US President Donald Trump once again ratcheted up his trade war, recommending that the European Union (EU) be hit with 50 per cent tariffs beginning Jun 1. That rekindled concern about the impact of duties on…
Read MoreEU weighs cutting 20 banks from Swift in new Russia sanctions
The European Union (EU) is considering cutting more than 20 banks from Swift, the international payments system, as well as lowering a price cap on Russian oil and banning the Nord Stream gas pipelines as part of a new sanctions package that aims to increase pressure on Moscow to end its war against Ukraine. The…
Read MoreRiverstone and Ho Bee Land chairmen make fresh share purchases
[SINGAPORE] Over the five trading sessions from May 16 to 22, institutions were net sellers of Singapore stocks, with net institutional outflows of S$65 million, adding to net outflows of S$55 million for the preceding four sessions. This brings the net institutional outflow for the 2025 year to May 22 to S$1.73 billion. The stocks…
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