Market Pulse - Asia
BHP Billiton to return $10.4bn to shareholders
BHP Billiton will begin returning the proceeds from the sale of its onshore US oil and gas assets immediately.
Asia report: Bourses in the green at end of red October
Most markets in Asia ended a tough month on a high note on Wednesday, finishing October’s last session in the green.
China trims currency peg as economy slows
Beijing fixed its currency at a new 10-year low to the dollar as manufacturing activity in the People's Republic unexpectedly fell to its lowest level in over two years.
US may extend tariffs to cover all Chinese exports by December
The US administration may impose fresh tariffs on the People's Republic of China in little over a month.
Commodities: Copper, Brent under pressure as Greenback notches-up 52-week high
A widely-followed gauge for the commodities complex was trading near 52-week lows on Wednesday evening as the US dollar spot index printed a fresh one-year high - possibly paving the way for an even bigger move higher.
Nintendo quarterly profits jump less than expected
Nintendo grew operating profits 30% in the second quarter but this was much less than analysts had estimated due to a stumble in software sales for its Switch console.
Asia report: Most markets higher as Beijing encourages markets
Most markets in Asia finished in the green on Tuesday, with stocks in China recovering from steep losses on Monday after Beijing issued some sentiment-boosting guidance, though there was also some concern about further deteriorations in the country’s already-faltering trade relationship with the US.
FX round-up: Sterling drifts lower, Chinese yuan and US inflation in focus
Sterling began the week trading on the backfoot as investors bid their time ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee's decision on Bank Rate and the release of the quarterly Inflation Report, both on Thursday.
Asia report: Markets mixed as traders take stock of negative month
Markets in Asia ended in a mixed state on Monday, with bourses in China recording some serious slides.
SOVA Capital still sees upside potential for Brent in 2019
While crude oil futures may remain under pressure in the near-term, it is possible that they will see new highs next year, Sova Capital's Head of Quantitative Investment Strategies Group, Konstantin Brownstein, told WebFG UK when queried on the outlook for crude oil prices.
Russian central bank stays put on rates, says inflation risks remain elevated
Rate-setters in Moscow stayed put on interest rates at the end of the week and appeared to sound a tad less strident regarding inflationary risks and the possible need for more interest rate hikes.
ZTE crippled by sanctions, expects to report full-year loss
Chinese manufacturer ZTE saw profits tumble in the third quarter of its trading year as White House sanctions hit the telecommunications equipment maker where it hurt.
Asia report: Markets fail to fire despite Wall Street rebound
Most markets in Asia finished in the red on Friday, after a turbulent day on most of the region’s bourses as traders shrugged off Wall Street’s overnight recovery.
Opec considers cutting 2019 oil output
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said on Thursday it has reviewed how much oil should be produced in 2019 to not slip into oversupply and prevent the prices from falling.
Asia report: Markets fall on back of Wall Street losses
Markets in Asia finished in the red on Thursday, following on from some deep losses on Wall Street overnight.
FX round-up: Pound weakens further on political uncertainty, Brazil and Argentine peso weaker
Sterling reeled on Wednesday, amid another wave of buying in the US dollar and talk in markets that the Prime Minister might be about to face a leadership challenge over her Brexit strategy.
Asia report: Markets finish mixed amid sell-off in energy stocks
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, after a choppy session across the region in which energy stocks saw some significant sell-offs.
Commodities: Crude futures tank as Saudi says OPEC in 'produce as much as you can mode'
Crude oil futures tanked on Tuesday, after Saudi Arabia's energy minister said that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies were in "produce as much as you can mode".
Asia report: Markets fall as global tensions continue to rise
Markets in Asia finished their Tuesday sessions in the red, with investors keeping their wallets closed amid signs of rising geopolitical tension globally.
US missile treaty withdrawal could aggravate tensions with China
US President Donald Trump’s threats to pull out from a nuclear arms treaty with Russia could open new options to counter Chinese advances in missile technology but may also risk an arms race that would further escalate tensions with the Asian giant.