Showing 1 - 5 of 5
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.
Business, Published on 16/03/2015
» Recap: US and global stock markets climbed for most of last week, propelled by eased worries over a US rate increase following a report of disappointing retail sales in February. In the Thai stock market, the Bank of Thailand's unexpected move to cut its policy rate improved investors' risk appetite but stocks still failed to advance.
Business, Published on 15/12/2014
» Recap: The dive in oil prices to below US$60 a barrel rattled stock markets across the world last week and Thai shares were among those heavily sold.
Business, Published on 13/10/2014
» Recap: The International Monetary Fund's reduction of its forecast for world economic growth jolted global stock markets early last week and also sent oil prices plunging. A dovish tone in US Federal Reserve minutes helped ease worries briefly before markets sank again on Friday. Thai shares were hit by foreign investor selling and profit-taking by local investors.
Business, Published on 22/09/2014
» Recap: Asian stock markets advanced early last week on speculation that China will introduce monetary stimulus measures, but stocks pulled back after the US Federal Reserve surprisingly increased its estimate for its benchmark interest rate by the end of 2015. However, persistent offshore fund inflows helped the Thai market trade in positive territory.