Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
All eyes on Fed next week as global shares steady
Business, Published on 24/07/2021
» Recap: Global stocks had a volatile week before picking up on Friday. The MSCI World Index steadied after three days of gains. The market is looking ahead to next week's Federal Reserve meeting after the European Central Bank pledged on Thursday to continue with heavy stimulus spending. Emerging markets and Asian shares slid, pressured by coronavirus worries.
Oil price rout dims equity sentiment in Asia
Business, Published on 26/06/2017
» Recap: Asian stock markets were subdued last week, weighed down by oil prices that have fallen close to a one-year low as Opec-led efforts to reduce a worldwide glut have stalled. The Thai stock market remained rangebound but investors bought energy stocks on Friday, betting that the oil price fall would be limited.
Hawkish fed tone rattles asia, But only briefly
Business, Published on 19/12/2016
» Recap: Hawkish signals from the US Federal Reserve of a faster pace of policy tightening next year weighed on Asian stock markets last week. Most recovered late in the week after investors concluded the reaction had been overdone. Anticipation of a year-end spending spree by consumers lured by tax breaks kept the Thai bourse steady.
Asian stocks down over Glum manufacturing data
Business, Published on 28/09/2015
» Recap: Downbeat manufacturing data from the US and China stoked fresh worries over the global economy and sent Asian stock markets down. Sahaviriya Steel Industries Plc's debt woes also rattled Thai stocks with its shares and those of its three major lenders coming under a selling spree.
China and Japan data, fed worries depress stocks
Business, Published on 14/09/2015
» Recap: Global stock markets sagged last week on concerns about the economies of China and Japan after their disappointing economic data. Investors also unloaded equities ahead of the US Federal Reserve's much-awaited meeting this week, even though expectations of an interest-rate rate increase appear to have receded for now.
Bank worries depress set as global stocks advance
Business, Published on 20/07/2015
» Recap: Most global stock markets climbed last week after Greek MPs approved austerity measures in exchange for a new bailout, and China's second-quarter economic growth beat forecasts. The Thai market, however, struggled as investors weighed the prospect of higher loan-loss provisions taking a bite out of banks' second-quarter earnings.
Politics key to growth, warns ADB
Business, Published on 07/05/2015
» BAKU: Local politics and external uncertainties are the major threats to Thailand's economic growth, but the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is maintaining its 2015 growth forecast at 3.6% on the expectation that exports will gain pace.
China worries depress stocks as set drifts down
Business, Published on 30/03/2015
» Recap: Asean stocks retreated last week, weighed down by worries over China's economic health after the world's second largest economy reported disappointing manufacturing data. The Thai market succumbed to selling pressure as new data showed the export slump deepening, pushing the main index below 1,500.
Set recovers from manic monday with help from FED
Business, Published on 22/12/2014
» Recap: Global stock markets were jolted by further slide in oil prices early last week, but the US Federal Reserve's assurances on Wednesday that it would be "patient" about raising interest rates revived sentiment. The Thai stock market was also rattled further by an unspecified rumour that sent the SET index plunging 9.2% at one point on Monday — the biggest intraday fall since October 2008 — before bargain-hunting narrowed the loss. The SET said it found no irregularities in the slide, putting it down to panic selling.