Analysis: Indices

Data centres to drive energy storage 'boom cycle' in next five years, UBS says

BEIJING -AI data centre-fuelled power demand growth in the U.S. is likely to drive a boom cycle for energy storage in the next five years as more storage is needed to smooth out fluctuations from...

Why are multilateral development banks under pressure to reform?

BELEM, Brazil -The World Bank and other multilateral development banks are under pressure to offer more help to poor countries being hammered by energy challenges and climate disasters. Here is what...

South African rand steady before mid-year budget review

JOHANNESBURG -The South African rand was stable in early trade on Wednesday, before a mid-year review of public finances that is widely expected to contain positive news for investors. ...

Asian equities witness over $10 billion foreign outflows in November as AI rally stalls

Asian equities witnessed steep cross-border outflows in the first week of November as investors booked profits on caution over lofty tech valuations and uncertainty about the sustainability of an...

Trump to host JPMorgan's Dimon, other Wall Street CEOs at White House dinner

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to host a private dinner at the White House on Wednesday with several top business executives, including JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon, an...

UK to ban maritime services for Russian LNG exports

LONDON -Britain plans to ban companies from providing services such as shipping and insurance for Russian liquefied natural gas exports, in its latest attempt to help Ukraine in its war against...

Stocks shine as foreigners add $27 billion to EM portfolios in October, says IIF

NEW YORK -A pick-up in flows into stocks led the way as non-resident investors added $26.9 billion to their emerging markets' equities and debt portfolios in October, data from a banking trade group...

S&P 500, Nasdaq slip as tech valuation jitters resurface; federal reopening eyed

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq opened lower on Tuesday with concerns around elevated technology valuations resurfacing, while markets monitored progress toward the end of the longest government shutdown...

South Africa's unemployment rate falls, helped by construction

PRETORIA -South Africa's unemployment rate fell slightly in the third quarter of this year, as jobs were added in construction, social services and trade, the statistics agency said on Tuesday. ...

India's cotton imports to hit record high on duty exemption, low output

MUMBAI -India's cotton imports are forecast to climb 9.8% in the new season to a record high, driven by New Delhi's move to allow duty-free overseas purchases and a drop in local output to a 17-year...

Global securities watchdog says 'tokenization' creates new risks

PARIS -Crypto tokens linked to mainstream financial assets could create new risks for investors, the global securities regulator IOSCO said in a report on Tuesday, as the finance industry remains...

Japan's rice prices on rise again in test for new prime minister 

KISARAZU, Japan -At a farmer's market not far from Tokyo, more than 100 shoppers queued for a chance to get a kilo or so of Japanese rice for 500 yen by carefully heaping as much of the grain into a...

Botswana taking steps to acquire majority stake in De Beers, president says

GABORONE -Botswana is working on acquiring a majority stake in De Beers, President Duma Boko said on Monday, after Angola announced a rival bid to control the giant diamond company. ...

Mercedes-Benz South Africa CEO-designate resigns

Mercedes-Benz South Africa said on Monday CEO-designate Abey Kgotle has resigned for personal reasons, less than a month before he was set to take on the role. Kgotle, who joined...

Chile's Codelco-SQM lithium deal clears last major hurdle after China greenlight

BEIJING/SANTIAGO -A planned tie-up between Chilean state copper giant Codelco and local producer SQM to produce lithium has won approval from China's antitrust regulator, the entity said on Monday,...

Wall Street advances on hopes of government reopening

Wall Street's main indexes opened higher on Monday, with risk sentiment aided by signs of progress in Washington to end a record U.S. government shutdown that has stalled economic data releases and...

Aluminium premium hits record in US on tariffs, global squeeze

LONDON -Premiums for consumers buying aluminium on the physical market in the U.S. have hit record highs, driven by steep import tariffs and tight supplies globally. President Donald...

South Africa's Tiger Brands forecasts higher earnings on margin gains, cost-cutting

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's Tiger Brands expects an up to 15% rise in annual headline earnings, as improved operating margins and cost-cutting offset pressure on consumer spending and commodity...

US lawmakers urge Starbucks CEO to restart union talks

Twenty-six U.S. senators and 82 House representatives have written to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, urging the company to resume talks with its workers union, the lawmakers said on...