China’s stocks rebounded on Monday from a brutal sell-off in October as speculation gathered pace that Beijing would double down on efforts to stem a rout that sent its benchmark into a bear market. The CSI 300 Index rose 1.3 per cent to 4,035.72 at the trading break. The Star Market 50 Index, which is dominated by the nation’s biggest chipmakers, rallied 3 per cent, and Shenzhen’s ChiNext gauge of tech start-ups surged more than 3 per cent. Speculation was mounting that China would bolster a...

MANILA, Philippines — Consumer prices may have risen at their fastest pace in more than three years in October, driven by higher food and oil costs as well as increased transport fares, adding to pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates further. Inflation likely accelerated to 7.6 percent year-on-year last month, based on the

MANILA, Philippines — Business sentiment improved slightly in September, though companies remained pessimistic as stubbornly high inflation, a weakening peso and geopolitical tensions continued to weigh on confidence, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. A nationwide survey of 515 companies showed the business confidence index rose to -8.4 percent from -10.9 percent in August.

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine manufacturers are left with no choice but to put expansion plans on hold as they face a delicate balancing act between raising prices to offset mounting costs and preserving consumer demand, according to the country’s umbrella group of producers. Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) chair Elizabeth Lee said manufacturers were grappling with

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Corp.’s efforts to cut losses and tighten capital spending are gaining traction, with improving results from its newer businesses strengthening its turnaround prospects, according to conglomerate analyst Klark Gaba. In a research note, Gaba said changes under president and CEO Cezar “Bong” Consing had eliminated P3 billion in recurring portfolio losses through

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese businesses have raised concerns over a controversial asset-surrender provision introduced ahead of the planned coal mine site bidding, warning that the rule may spoil investor confidence in the Philippine market. In a position paper dated Oct. 30 submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine stocks may face cautious trading this week as peso weakness, elevated oil prices and the prospect of further interest rate increases weigh on investor sentiment, according to F. Yap Securities Inc. In its outlook for Nov. 2 to Nov. 6, the brokerage said investors would also scrutinize corporate earnings guidance for

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines can no longer afford to mistake economic growth for economic transformation. The International Monetary Fund in 2024 reported that Philippine labor productivity remained below its prepandemic trend, while medium-term potential growth was revised downwards from 6.5 percent before the pandemic to 6.0-6.3 percent. The 2024 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas study on

(First of a series) In the modern economic landscape, mental health is no longer merely a public health concern or an employee welfare benefit; it is an imperative driver of national productivity and macroeconomic resilience. For the Philippines, a country whose growth trajectory is fueled heavily by a young, tech-savvy workforce, the business process outsourcing

Hong Kong’s initial public offering (IPO) momentum has cooled sharply in the fourth quarter amid market volatility and tighter regulatory scrutiny, but industry players say a year-end rush of listings could still help the city secure a top-three global ranking for 2026. The market has slowed significantly since October, with only three new listings, all of which closed below their offer prices on debut. Two other IPO candidates shelved their listings after completing procedures, testing Hong...

Binance customers pulled $3.64 billion, or 2.1% of its assets, as the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange went back online on Sunday after hackers the FBI links to North Korea stole billions from the platform last week.

When hundreds of global finance leaders converge in Hong Kong this week, the question on their minds will be whether traditional investment strategies remain viable against escalating geopolitical friction and the rapid ascent of artificial intelligence. Investors have been keen for an answer – or at least clear clues – given that US President Donald Trump has been threatening a new round of strikes on Iran, and after Friday’s sharp sell-off in technology stocks elevated concerns about the...

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Hong Kong has been a home market for HSBC since the bank was founded 161 years ago. It is now also a base for the bank’s AI investment and delivery, with capabilities developed in the city intended for use across other markets. The city is also expanding the regulatory and market infrastructure needed to support digital finance at scale. HSBC returns as a Strategic Partner of Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK for the...

Binance customers pulled US$3.64 billion, or 2.1 per cent of ⁠its assets, as the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange went back online on Sunday after hackers the FBI links to North Korea stole billions from the platform last week. Binance said withdrawals were stabilising after an initial spike and deposit volumes had remained “substantial”. The exchange said it had now covered 95 per cent of the US$6.3 billion of stolen assets. The theft, which analysts believe may be the biggest financial...

Economic risks and climate challenges demand agile policymaking, credible communication, and targeted measures. Regional and global cooperation is crucial for effective financial support and cybersecurity readiness amid converging crises. Navigating Economic Challenges The unpredictability of economic shocks presents a persistent challenge for nations striving for stability. Just as economies recover from one crisis, others often […]

On November 4 last year, Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoral election on a promise to make the city more affordable, with expanded social programmes funded in part by raising taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents and most profitable corporations. Nearly a year since his upset victory, he has secured one major piece of that agenda: a surcharge on high-end second homes. He also continues to push for higher corporate and income taxes. The proposals have intensified criticism of Mamdani, a...

China’s central bank and securities regulator are expected to meet with financial institutions on Monday to discuss measures to bolster the country’s stock market, following a sell-off in October that heightened concerns over market stability, according to mainland media reports. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) will meet representatives from major banks alongside the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) to discuss measures to...

Brunei is diversifying its economy by expanding the agri-food sector, focusing on high-value niche products to strengthen food security and economic development, while addressing structural challenges. Pursuing Economic Diversification Through Agri-Food Brunei Darussalam is embarking on a strategic initiative to diversify its economy beyond its traditional reliance on oil and gas. Central to this effort […]

BANGKOK, Oct. 31, 2026 — Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comments on draft rules that would allow digital assets to serve as underlying assets for derivatives. The proposals cover licensing requirements for derivatives exchanges, clearing houses and intermediary businesses. They would allow digital asset business operators to apply for derivatives licenses […]

Japanese businessmen have raised concerns over provisions of a joint order issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) governing the bidding process for mining and other natural resource contracts in the Philippines.

An expected 0.25 percentage point rate increase by the US Federal Reserve in December is unlikely to dampen Hong Kong family offices’ interest in European, US and Japanese property investments, according to industry insiders. Ken Peng, chief investment officer at Raffles Family Office, said there were currently no signs of a large-scale sell-off in the US real estate market, with some local markets in the US even seeing supply shortages. “I believe the Federal Reserve’s current rate-hiking cycle...

The Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2026 offers free celebrations featuring cultural performances, ceremonies, and cuisine across three provinces.

Argentina is the latest country seeking to lure investors with an investment-for-citizenship programme, providing another residency and diversification option for the wealthy, including those from mainland China and Hong Kong, according to analysts. Buenos Aires in October announced two principal investment routes for applicants. One is a US$350,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Treasury and a subscription to a US$800,000 government bond created specifically for the programme,...

MANILA, Philippines — All that Shiela Marie Castillo really wanted when she relocated in 2019 to Ligao City, Albay, was to lead a less stressful life in the hometown of her husband, John Jerick, and finally have a baby. Little did she know that she would eventually bring into the world not just her son, Lucas

MANILA, Philippines — I remember a poster hanging in the Human Resources interview room at Kraft. It carried a rather amusing warning: “Don’t ask about work-life balance. There ain’t any.” READ: The myth of work-life balance We laughed about it then. We worked long hours, traveled a lot and measured success by results. There were

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ newest Michelin-starred restaurant couldn’t get any fresher than this. Not even a year after opening, Flow, a fine-dining restaurant in Makati serving a Philippine-Peruvian tasting menu, has joined the country’s culinary elite with its first Michelin star, one of the most coveted distinctions in international dining. Run by young chefs Kevin

MANILA, Philippines — Making an impact should not be an afterthought but a priority for businesses that aim for sustainable social development. Leaders from various business organizations and civil society organizations came together to explore how businesses can operate with social responsibility at its core in the Business as a Force for Good Summit 2026, organized

Thailand’s central bank raised its GDP forecasts to 2.4% for 2026 and 2.1% for 2027, citing stronger technology exports and private investment

Foreign ministers from the US, Australia, India and Japan on Saturday pledged to work on building reliable global supply chains and expressed grave concerns about what they called "economic coercion" through export restrictions and non-market practices, but stopped short of calling out China.

The proportion of secondhand residential property transfers in Bangkok and its surrounding areas has continued to increase from 38% in 2019 to 56% of the total residential property transfers in the first half of 2026.