Showing 1 - 10 of 15
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.
A shortcut to convenience and cash
Spectrum, Erich Parpart, Published on 25/03/2018
» Pakdee Tanapura, head of the Thai Canal study team at the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, argued that because of current congestion in the Malacca Strait, the Thai Canal would provide another channel for ships.
Getting fatter faster
Asia focus, Published on 23/10/2017
» Most people tend to associate obesity with "being rich" -- as incomes rise, so too do opportunities to consume more. However, the causes of this growing public health problem are more complex, while finding solutions is a growing challenge.
Worries about korea and france keep trade subdued
Business, Published on 24/04/2017
» Recap: Global stock markets were subdued earlier last week amid concerns over mounting geopolitical tension on the Korean peninsula and Sunday's first-round presidential election in France. However, sentiment for risk assets improved later as optimism spread about US tax reform. The Thai stock market moved back and forth amid a dearth of positive catalysts.
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.
Opec output-cut deal provides lift for equities
Business, Published on 03/10/2016
» Recap: Global stock markets see-sawed last week with news developments. The relief rally that followed the previous week's Fed meeting ebbed, but Hillary Clinton's strong performance against Donald Trump in the first US presidential debate cheered investors. Also buoying sentiment was Opec's surprise agreement to cut oil output, but worries about the health of Deutsche Bank, which faces huge US fines for dodgy business practices, capped gains. The Opec decision helped the energy-heavy Thai stock market recoup some earlier losses.
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.
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.