Asia

Reliance Jio Platforms, owned by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is preparing to apply for regulatory approvals to list in Mumbai. This is expected to be the largest-ever stock offering in India. Jio Platforms is the second largest telecom company in the world by number of users, after China Mobile. TELECOM BUSINESS Reliance Jio Platforms is part of Ambani’s oil-to retail conglomerate,?Reliance Industries. Reliance Jio Infocomm is its most well-known business. It has more than 500,000,000 subscribers and is the largest telecom company in the country. In 2016, when Jio was launched, it offered free voice and data to rivals like...

Sources say that Mukesh ambani's company Reliance Jio has shifted to a pure fundraiser for its planned Mumbai listing, selling 2.5% of the shares and abandoning earlier plans which would have allowed shareholders to exit. Investors include Alphabet, Google, and Vista Equity Partners, as well as Indian billionaire Ambani’s Jio Platforms. Jio Platforms is the second largest?telecom company in terms of users, after China Mobile. One source said that investors were not interested in selling and wanted to remain invested for the long-term. The company 'had earlier held discussions with 'its foreign investors to each sell 8% their individual holdings...

The Russian Victory Day Parade will be the smallest in recent years due to the threat of an attack by Ukraine. Moscow's forces have been unable to win the war, which has been the deadliest European conflict for more than four years. The parade on Red Square, which takes place May 9, is Russia's most revered national holiday. It's an opportunity to commemorate the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany, and pay tribute to the 27,000,000 Soviet citizens who died, many of whom were Ukrainians. The parade, which was once used to display Russia's military might, including its intercontinental missiles...

China announced on Friday that it would raise the price caps of gasoline and diesel, one month after it curbed the price increases. The country is trying to control the inflationary effects of the Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The?country’s state planner announced on Friday that maximum retail gasoline prices and 'diesel will rise by 320 Yuan ($47.05), per metric tonne, as part of an ongoing price review. Retail diesel prices will also increase by 310 Yuan per metric tonne. China is the world's?second-largest consumer of oil. It has a diversified oil supply network and...

Russia and Ukraine both accused each other of a violation of a ceasefire that was announced by Moscow to cover the celebrations marking the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany. Sergei Sobyanin, the Moscow mayor, said that the city had been targeted. Officials also said that the Urals region of Perm was attacked by drones. Russia has announced a ceasefire from May 8 to 10, when they celebrate the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany. They will also hold a military parade in Moscow. Russia warned that any attempt to disrupt the celebrations by Ukraine would result in a massive'missile...

Semafor reported that the Trump administration has invited CEOs of Nvidia, Apple, Exxon, Boeing, and other large 'companies' to join him on his trip to China next week. According to the report, executives from Qualcomm, Blackstone Citigroup and Visa were also present. Citigroup, Visa, Nvidia and Apple did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Qualcomm confirmed the invitation, but declined to provide any further comment. Blackstone and Boeing declined comment. As Donald Trump prepares to visit 'Beijing' next week for a meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping, the media is buzzing about possible deals. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg...

Treasury Department: The United States sanctioned?Iraq’s deputy 'oil minister? and militias on Thursday for their support of Iran. The Treasury Department accused Iraqi deputy minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, of abusing his "position to facilitate the diversion" of oil for sale to the Iranian regime and their proxy militias in Iraq. The deputy oil minister and the Iraqi oil ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Hayan Abdel Ghani, Iraq's Oil Minister in March, said that Iranian oil tankers stopped by U.S. Forces in the Gulf used forged Iraqi papers. ?Tehran denied using such documents. The United States and Iran...

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on 'Thursday' that Iran has reduced its oil production by about 400,000 barrels per day and will likely reduce it further as the storage units fill up. It looks like they have already reduced their production by maybe 400,000 barrels per day. Wright told Fox News that?they'll continue to ramp down production as their storage fills up and they are unable to export oil. Shipping data and analysts say that a U.S. navy blockade against Iranian ports has slowed down Tehran's oil production, leaving a growing stockpile on tankers, as Iranian storage facilities are...

Serbia won't allow a newly formed 'local company' to buy a majority stake in its Russian owned NIS oil firm, said President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday. KFT Senator Treasury G.T.7 Two LLC, run by Ranko Mimovic and founded in August last year, said Wednesday it had offered to buy a 51.16 percent stake?in NIS for 2.35 billion euros. The bid would be a challenge for Hungary's MOL, which is negotiating to buy a majority stake of NIS. This purchase is a condition that the United States must meet before lifting sanctions against the company operating Serbia's only oil refinery. Vucic,...

Lanxess predicts that oil prices will remain high for the next few months, and warns that the soaring energy costs are likely to continue to impact the chemical sector after the Middle East conflict disrupted the fuel and feedstock market. CEO Matthias Zachert stated that the company expects oil prices to stay in the $100 to $110 range per barrel for the next few months. He added that Lanxess would pass on the higher costs by increasing the price. He also said that the pressure of Chinese competition in Europe is starting to?ease as higher energy prices?hit Asia more than?Europe....

Moeve, the Spanish energy company, reported on Thursday a 7% rise in its first-quarter earnings. The company cited strong performance across its core businesses and soaring profits in its energy division due to the Iran War which caused a spike in oil and fuel prices globally. The?company that was formerly Cepsa, one of Spain's biggest refiners, booked a net profit of 147 million euros ($173million) in the third quarter. This compares to 138 million euro a year earlier. In a press release, CEO MaartenWetselaar stated that "Moeve delivered a solid quarter of results shaped by heightened geopolitical uncertainties?and volatile oil...

Lanxess reported on Thursday a'muted' quarterly core profit, which was? broadly?in line with the market expectations. However, it said that March saw a slight improvement as customers began to turn to European chemical manufacturers to avoid any supply risks. The German specialty chemicals company stated that "a persistently weak economy, geopolitical uncertainty and last year's divestments" characterized the first quarter of 2026. It said that cheaper raw materials and pressure from?Asia on prices in certain segments also drove down selling prices. Since March, we've seen a slight improvement in the momentum. Due to the Middle East conflict, many Asian competitors'...

Analysts and traders predict that China's imports will increase in the second quarter of this year due to a strong demand for refined copper, as well as a possible decrease in domestic production resulting from smelter repairs. Analysts said that the demand for copper in the 'world's largest consumer of metal used in powerlines and wiring in electric cars has increased due to increasing grid investment and growing EV purchases. The price of benchmarks may be supported by higher Chinese imports. On Friday, they reached their highest level since January 29 when?they hit an all-time record of $14,527.50. State media...

Toyota, the world's largest automobile manufacturer, warned on Friday that the fallout of the Iran War would cost the company $4.3 billion in this fiscal year. This is one of the most serious warnings to date about the impact of the crisis. Toyota has reported a nearly 50% decline in quarterly earnings, and expects to see a full-year loss of 5% in the just-started year. This is due to rising costs from the war and supply problems. These factors outweighed the surge in demand for hybrid cars. This year, the automaker anticipates hybrid sales to surpass 5 million for the...

The Russian property agency Rosimushchestvo announced 'on Thursday that it will 'launch an auction for the sale of a 67.2% stake in gold producer Uzhuralzoloto, which the state confiscated last. The agency stated that the stake was worth 140.44 billion Russian roubles, or $1.88 billion. The agency will accept applications up until May 15 with results due by May 18. It was announced that the total value of assets and the starting bid price would be 162.02 billion rubles, with a 2% bidding increment and a 20% deposit required by auction participants. A Russian court ruled in July 2025 that...

Iron ore futures extended gains for the fourth day in a row?on Thursday. Demand was steady as hot metal production remained high, and the Singapore 'iron ore' contract declined on lower energy costs. The contract for September iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was 0.62% higher, at 817 Yuan ($120.10) per metric ton. As of 0704 GMT the benchmark June iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange fell 0.12% to $109.9 per ton, marking its seventh consecutive day of gains. According to data compiled and a report from the Shanghai 'Metals Market, hot metal production is expected to peak...

On 'Wednesday', copper prices reached their highest level in almost two weeks on hopes that Iran and the U.S. are nearing a deal to end the Middle East?war. The benchmark three-month 'copper' on the London Metal Exchange increased 2.1% to $13,410 per metric ton during official open-outcry trade for a third consecutive session. It had earlier reached its highest level since April 23, at $13,462. Sources said that the United States and Iran were close to an agreement over a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of one page in order to end the Gulf War. Robert Montefusco, broker at?Sucden financial, said...

The Group of Seven Trade Ministers met in Paris on Wednesday to find common ground for securing vital?mineral? supplies that are dominated primarily by China. However, the United States' recent tariff threats against European Union made cars could strain unity. As ministers prepare to hold a summit of leaders in mid-June, Nicolas Forissier, the French Foreign Trade Minister said that France wanted critical minerals supplies among its most tangible deliverables. He said: "I think we'll make concrete progress in rare earths, critical minerals and supply chain security. We won't be held hostage to certain countries." There was a broad consensus...

Nickel prices reached $20,000 for the first time since about two years as U.S. president?Donald Trump hinted at a possible peace agreement that would end the war with Iran. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange increased 1.1% to $13,284.50 a metric ton at 0804 GMT. This is its highest level since March 27. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract was up 1.6% to 102,660 Yuan ($15.029.98) a ton. The Chinese markets resumed trading Wednesday after the May Day holiday. LME nickel rose 1.4% to $19 915 per ton, after reaching $20,000, the last time...

Gold prices rose?more?than 2% on Tuesday after the?U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that a possible deal could be made with Iran. This sent the dollar and crude prices lower, as inflation fears waned. As of 0811 GMT, spot gold rose 2.7% to $4680.91 an ounce. This is the highest it has been since April 28. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose?2.7%, to $4693.20. U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will temporarily pause a mission to help escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He cited progress towards a comprehensive deal with Iran. Iran's foreign minister said...

The gold price rose by 2% Wednesday due to a weaker dollar. Meanwhile, lower oil prices eased concerns about inflation and interest rates that would be higher for longer, in anticipation of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran. As of 0415 GMT, spot gold was up by 2% to $4,647.09 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose 2% to $4 658. U.S. president Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will temporarily halt an operation to help escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He cited progress towards a comprehensive deal with Iran. The gold price rose as...

The chief executive of Australia's Lynas Rare Earths?said that new government?regulations?in the U.S.and Europe?are helping to?push customers?to buy rare earth products?from suppliers?outside China?. China has been the world's leading and cheapest producer of metals and magnets, which are used in industries ranging from automotive to defense. It is also the default supplier for many years. Last year, China's restrictions on some exports in response to U.S. Tariffs left automakers and other industries vulnerable. Washington has since pledged to support higher?earths prices for its top rare?earths producers to spur non-Chinese supplies, but convincing customers to pay more, when there are cheaper...

Iron ore futures rose on Wednesday, as China returned from its May Day holiday break. Demand for steelmaking feedstock is expected to increase in the summer when construction activities will re-start and blast furnaces will resume production. As of 0221 GMT, the most traded September iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was up 2.33% to 812 yuan (US$119.08) per metric ton. The benchmark June Iron Ore at the Singapore Exchange is 1.19% higher, $109.8 per ton. Galaxy Futures, a Chinese broker, said that after the five-day holiday, steel demand will likely pick up in China. After completing maintenance...

Prices of copper rebounded on Wednesday after they hit a?three-week low, as investors benefited from lower prices. Meanwhile, U.S. prices rose on speculations about possible tariffs on the metal. Benchmark 'three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange increased 0.4% to $13,053 a metric ton, in open-outcry official trading after reaching its lowest level since March 13 at $12 780. Shanghai Futures Exchange was closed on Labour Day, which has a pronounced impact on trading. Since the Iran War, copper prices have been on the decline. The slowing of economic growth may affect demand for metals used in construction and electric...