Hong Kong

China must stabilize grain and edible oils production, improve 'grain varieties' and enhance quality. This was the message of state-run news agency Xinhua on Tuesday following a meeting of the annual Central Rural Work Conference held from December 29-30. The group that sets China's agricultural priority has pledged to "enhance capacity for diversified supply" and promote high-quality development through?zoned- and categorised-planning". China relies heavily on imports to feed the population. Tensions with U.S.A., its'major trading partner in agriculture, have led it to invest more in seed technology and machinery. A Xinhua report on the meeting stated that "we must not...

Wall Street's major indexes closed at record highs on Monday for the second consecutive day as investors were optimistic about the prospects of a U.S. China trade deal. They also looked forward to an exciting week that will include high-profile earnings from the technology sector and the widely anticipated U.S. rate cut. U.S. president Donald Trump and his Chinese equivalent Xi Jinping will meet on Thursday in order to decide on a plan that could pause the tougher U.S. duties and China's export restrictions on rare earths. This would ease market jitters about a possible trade war, and send Wall...

The week will be dominated by trade talks between Washington and Beijing, and Canada, as well as central bank decisions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Meanwhile, Argentina's stock markets are digesting the results of a decisive election for President Javier Milei. Dhara Ranasinghe, Alden B. Bentley, Lewis Krauskopf, and Rodrigo Campos in New York and Kevin Buckland, in Tokyo, give you all the information about what to expect in the world markets this week. 1/ A MIDTERM DRAMA Argentina’s bonds and shares are expected to rise on Monday, after President Javier Milei’s party won a decisive victory in...

The week will be dominated by renewed trade tensions, talks between Washington and Beijing, and decisions made by the central banks of the United States, Canada, and Europe. Meanwhile, Argentina's voters go to the polls. Dhara Ranasinghe, Alden B. Bentley, Lewis Krauskopf, and Rodrigo Campos in New York and Kevin Buckland, in Tokyo, give you all the information about what to expect in world markets this week. 1/ A MIDTERM DRAMA The mid-term elections in Argentina on Sunday will be a crucial moment for the biggest reform story of emerging markets. Right-wing president Javier Milei wants to consolidate his minority...

The oil prices rose by about 5% after Washington imposed new sanctions against major Russian companies for the war in Ukraine. Major stock indexes also edged up as gains from U.S. energy stocks and European energy shares offset some disappointing earnings reports. The sanctions were announced late on Wednesday and targeted major Russian suppliers Rosneft, Lukoil. The U.S. announced it was ready to take additional action, as it urged Moscow to immediately agree to a ceasefire. Energy was the leading sector to gain on Wall Street, according to the S&P 500 index. Energy was the last sector to gain 1.2%....

The global stock market got a boost Thursday thanks to a series of positive earnings reports that helped offset some of the gloom in Wall Street due to a lacklustre performance by tech megacaps. Oil prices also rose following U.S. sanction against Russia. After the U.S. placed sanctions on Rosneft, and Lukoil, two major Russian oil companies over the Ukraine conflict. The STOXX 600 index rose 0.3% for the day, as positive earnings helped to boost the domestic indexes. The MSCI All-World Index, however, has slipped into the negative zone, and is on its way to its third consecutive day...

In Australia, the biggest buyouts in 15 years have failed this year. Misaligned valuations and regulatory risks are adding to the challenges of navigating a regulatory environment that is becoming increasingly strict. The ADNOC-led group's decision to withdraw from its bid of $18,7 billion for Santos (Australia's second-largest gas producer) is the latest high-profile deal to fail in Australia in this year. Sources reported that the ADNOC bid, via its investment vehicle XRG was shelved because of disagreements between the parties on potential capital gains taxes relating to a Santos property. Analysts said that the deal would also have had...

Hong Kong's gateway to China is strengthened by the influx of mainland Chinese investors. This investment boosts market liquidity and depth, while also strengthening its position. This capital flow could be slowed by short-term headwinds, but the market's diversification and innovation will likely propel it over time. Stock Connect, launched in November 2014 by the Hong Kong Shanghai and Shenzhen Exchanges, allowed mainland Chinese investors trade certain stocks listed in Hong Kong. This is known as "Southbound Stock Connect", while also facilitating flow in the other direction. Between 2017 and 2023, the Connect programme expanded to include interest rate swaps,...

Hong Kong's chief executive has said that the stock exchange will be attracting listed companies from Southeast Asia and Middle East for second listings, as it looks to improve its global reputation. Bonnie Chan, a spokesperson for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. (HKEX), said that the number of mainland China listed companies seeking to list in Hong Kong in order to raise capital in order to fund their global expansions is also increasing. Chan, the first woman CEO of HKEX, said that they are now focusing on companies who have already been listed on other markets, but may have...

Shell Indonesia announced on Friday that it has sold its gas station business ownership to a joint-venture between Citadel Pacific Limited, Sefas Group and Citadel Pacific Limited. The company will retain its lubricant division. Shell has said that the deal will be finalized by the end of next year. It includes 200 gas stations and a fuel terminal in Gresik. The move is part of its strategy to transform the company's portfolio. The company stated in a press release that "after completion, Shell will remain in Indonesia via brand licensing agreements." Citadel Pacific, a private holding company based in the...

Sinopec, a Chinese oil company, is seeking to raise HK$7.75billion ($994.42m) via an exchangeable bond. This was revealed in a termsheet seen by us on Tuesday. The term sheet stated that the bond will have a zero to 0.99% coupon and be issued by an affiliate of Sinopec Group. The term sheet stated that the bonds would be exchangeable for shares of Sinopec's Hong Kong-listed subsidiary. The bond's exchange price is HK$6, which is 47.1% higher than Sinopec Hong Kong's closing price of HK$4.08 for Tuesday. Sinopec failed to respond to a request for comments sent by fax outside normal...

According to the prospectus it filed on Monday, Chinese battery manufacturer CATL aims at raising at least HK$31.01bn ($3.99bn) through its Hong Kong listing. This is the largest new share sales in the city for this year. According to documents filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the maker of batteries used in electric vehicles will sell 117.9 millions shares at a maximum price of HK$263 each. If the offer size adjustment and greenshoe options are used, then the size of this deal could reach $5.3 billion. The prospectus revealed that more than 20 cornerstone shareholders, including Sinopec, Kuwait Investment...

BlueScope Steel's investors are hoping for a A$13.2 Billion ($8.92 Billion) buyout offer from SGH and U.S. based Steel Dynamics to gain their support to sell Australia’s largest steelmaker. BlueScope closed Wednesday with a 1.12% increase in its shares at A$29.87. This is a fractional amount below the A$30 offer that was made public on Monday. The BlueScope board has yet to deliver an official recommendation on the all-cash bid, which was the fourth approach from Steel Dynamics put to the Melbourne-headquartered firm since late 2024. SGH, owned by Australian billionaire Kerry Stokes would purchase BlueScope, and then sell the...

Hong Kong's anti graft agency announced on Friday that 21 people were arrested on suspicion of corruption relating to renovations at two residential estates. Hong Kong has intensified a 'crackdown on corruption related to building renovations after a fire in November which destroyed seven high-rise buildings and killed over 160 people. John Lee, Hong Kong's leader, set up an independent panel last month to investigate the fire, the construction industry and determine if there was any bid-rigging. In a press release, the Independent Commission Against Corruption said it had conducted enforcement operations against a triad corruption syndicate involved in building...

Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department reported on Monday that China's net imports of gold via Hong Kong rose 101.5% in November compared to October. Why it's important China is the world's largest gold consumer. Its buying activities can have a significant impact on?global?gold markets. Hong Kong's data might not be a complete view of Chinese gold purchases as it is also imported through Shanghai and Beijing. By the Numbers The net imports from Hong Kong into China in November were 16.16 metric tonnes, up from 8.02 tons for October. China's total gold imports via Hong Kong in November increased...

Silver rose above $80 per ounce on Monday for the first-time, fueled by a strong industrial and investment market, persistent shortages of supply, its recent designation as "a U.S. Critical Mineral" and a wave momentum-driven purchases. Prices fell 4.2% at 0830 GMT, after a record high of $83.62 was reached earlier in the day. Investors booked profits and a easing of geopolitical tensions reduced demand for safe havens. Spot silver is up more than 160% in the last year, outpacing gold’s rise of over 70%. How does silver trade work? Over the Counter London is the largest marketplace for physical...

This week, gold discounts in India reached their highest level in over six months as a relentless price rise curbed retail purchases. Meanwhile,?discounts? in China shrank sharply after reaching five-year highs last week. A jeweller in Kolkata, eastern India said: "People are in festive moods and are travelling so they're not interested in buying at these record high prices." On Friday, domestic gold prices reached a new record of 139.286 rupees (1,550.34 dollars) per 10 grams, after a rise in spot gold rates internationally. Spot gold reached a new high of $4.530.60 an ounce due to speculative buying and momentum-driven...

This week, gold?discounts widened in India as demand declined despite the?wedding?season after prices reached record highs. Meanwhile, Chinese demand was muted amid high spot prices and volatility. Indian dealers are offering a discount This week, official domestic prices will be discounted by up to $34 per kilogram, including 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes. This is a larger discount than the $22 last week. A Mumbai-based dealer of bullion with a private banking firm said that jewellers had not been purchasing (gold), as the footfall in their stores has dropped due to a?price rise. On Friday, the price of...

Ningbo Jintian Copper, a Chinese rare earth producer, announced on Wednesday that it had obtained streamlined export?licences. After a meeting in late October between Donald Trump, the U.S. counterpart of President Xi Jinping, and Xi's Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the?new general licences? are intended to allow individual customers more exports with year-long permits. On an investor interactive platform, Ningbo Jintian Copper said that its rare earth magnets are used in electric cars, wind turbines and robots as well as consumer electronics, medical equipment, and consumer electronic products. Last week, it was reported that three Chinese rare-earth magnet manufacturers including JL...

Gold prices in India rose to near a record high this week. This slowed physical demand, as buyers waited on a correction in price. Demand in China was also relatively low, despite the volatility and high spot gold prices. This week, Indian dealers offered a discount Discounts of up to $18 per ounce on official domestic prices have been increased by as much as $22. Gold is getting more expensive as the rupee falls, and jewellers find it difficult to decide how much and when to buy, said a Mumbai bullion dealer working for a private bank. On Friday, domestic...

The Asian equity capital market will be boosted by a strong pipeline of high profile IPOs from companies in China and India that are looking to take advantage of the diversification trend among investors. However, concerns over rising tech valuations may slow down momentum. LSEG data shows that Asian equity capital markets (ECMs) have been awash with $267 billion in deals this year. This is up 15% on 2024 and the first annual increase since 2021. Data shows that Hong Kong, which is the preferred listing destination of Chinese companies, has dominated regional ECM transactions with 75 billion dollars raised...

London Metal Exchange announced on Friday that it will reduce transaction fees to its customers in order to increase liquidity on the LMEselect platform and support physical market trading. The LME announced that the electronic trading system's client trading and clearing fees will be reduced by 7.4% to 8.5 percent. The bourse announced that member electronic transaction fees would be subject to a "inflationary" increase of between 3.4% and 3.7%. However, it added that "all-in transaction costs" for an outright client trade on LMEselect will fall by 4.5%. The 148-year old exchange announced that the new fees would take effect...

The demand for gold was muted across the major Asian markets during this week. High prices slowed retail purchases even as India began its wedding season. In China, the elimination of tax exemptions on gold purchases lowered consumer interest. This week, Indian dealers offered a discount The discount is now up to $18 an ounce, inclusive of import duties and sales taxes. This is a smaller discount than the one of last week of up $21. On Friday, domestic gold prices traded at around 126.100 rupees for 10 grams, an increase of 4.4% over the previous week's lowest price of...

The Chinese embassy in Central African Republic (CAR), has warned that its citizens could become "mining slaves", in the gold trade of the politically insecure nation. Chinese workers are now looking to sub-Saharan Africa for work as gig economies in Asia dry up. The embassy released a statement Thursday stating that Chinese nationals were killed or kidnapped, and some even scammed of large sums and deported because they illegally mined. China has sent workers to resource-rich sub Saharan Africa in search of fortune. Gold prices have soared amid massive Chinese state purchases, while factory and construction jobs are disappearing as...