Hong Kong-US WTO dispute sparks friction amid hurt civic pride
(ATF) The World Trade Organisation’s decision to proceed with a dispute hearing on the new US rule that all goods imported from Hong Kong must be stamped "Made in China" has reignited trade tensions and split the territory’s community.This week, the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body accepted a second request from …
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Suzuki chairman's exit signals start of a new electric era
(ATF) Suzuki Motor Corporation will step into a new era this year when its 91-year old chairman Osamu Suzuki retires in June, as the Japanese carmaker confronts a shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and heightened competition with non-traditional tech companies.Suzuki, who headed the family company for more than four decades …
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For Japan, Abenomics isn’t going away - it will just get better
(ATF) “Suganomics” might just succeed in Japan where “Abenomics" failed. Each are easy cliches, used to describe the country’s prevailing and preceding economic eras under two successive prime ministers, but like most overworked sayings, the two terms encapsulate a truth.In this case it’s the fact that Japan is in desperate …
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Declarations of force majeure over Texas storm freeze Asia supply chain
(ATF) US chemicals giant Celanese declared force majeure on Thursday February 18, saying it was unable to deliver to Asia because of the severe weather conditions in Texas, becoming the latest victim of a storm system disrupting global supply chains.A long list of companies around Texas and New Mexico have …
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Yuan hits 2-1/2 year high on China inflows
(ATF) HONG KONG: Vaccine rollouts and economic recovery expectations drove the reflation trade further in Asia.Japan’s Nikkei 225 index leapt 1.3%, Australia’s S&P ASX 200 added 0.7% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index outperformed, jumping 1.9%. Regionally, the MSCI Asia Pacific index advanced 0.81%.Bitcoin was trading at $49,323.56 in the …
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Companies need to talk about the negatives of their business
(ATF) With every new trend comes the counterfeiters. Those that want to reap the benefits of the increased interest in sustainability but not do the actual work. In the ESG world this is known as… greenwashing.The term “greenwashing” was created in the 1980s when companies professed – via media and …
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Toyota sees share surge after unveiling EVs for US market
(ATF) Toyota Motor Corporation shares rose after the Japanese carmaker said it would unveil two new electric vehicles (EVs) for the US market.Tokyo-listed company’s stock rose 1.7% to 8,130 yen at the close of trading. But the Japanese bourse is shut on Thursday February 11 for National Day.The carmaker is …
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Reflation trade boosts Asia
(ATF) Hong Kong: Asian markets were broadly higher on Tuesday as the reflation trade propelled assets to new highs with cryptocurrencies grabbing centre-stage.“The reflation trade is alive and well if you look at rates (bear steepening), commodities (oil and copper at highs), stocks, bitcoin, or inflation expectations,” wrote Stephen Innes, …
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Markets rally before Yellen speech
(ATF) Hong Kong: Financial markets rallied on the eve of US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration as investors eyed a solid $1.9 trillion fiscal stimulus seen confirmed by Janet Yellen's Treasury Secretary confirmation speech later in the day.“History teaches us that we can expect the markets to react favourably to the …
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SoFi $8.65-billion deal could kickstart fintech SPAC flow
(ATF) US online lender SoFI is going public via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in a deal that values the fintech firm at $8.65 billion. The hefty price tag could encourage other SPAC deals in the fintech space, where Asian firms are market leaders.SoFi has seen …
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