Banking

China’s key banks eye 520b yuan via placements

China's major State-owned commercial banks plan to raise up to 520 billion yuan ($71.7 billion) via private placements from investors, including the finance ministry,

Economy

Asia's factory activity weakens as US tariffs sap confidence

TOKYO: Asia's factory activity mostly weakened in March as an intensifying U.S. tariff war and slowing global demand hurt business sentiment, private sector surveys showed on Tuesday, darkening the outlook for the region's economy.

Energy

Oil extends climb on supply fears, trade war concerns cap gains

Economy

Malaysia should take advantage of unilateral agreements to prepare for possible impact of Trump's tariffs

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should take advantage of all unilateral free trade agreements to further expand market potential as an early preparatory measure to face any possible impact from the implementation of tariffs by United States (US) President Donald Trump.

Economy

South Korea March exports rise for second month, misses expectations

SEOUL: South Korea's March exports grew for a second month but missed market expectations, as a global trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs raises uncertainty for manufacturers, government data showed on Tuesday.

Corporate News

Tan Kean Soon resigns as T7 Global executive deputy chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: T7 Global Bhd has announced that Tan Sri Tan Kean Soon has tendered his resignation as executive deputy chairman from the group with immediate effect, citing personal reasons.

Corporate News

OpenAI to raise $40 billion to boost AI efforts

OpenAI said on Monday it would raise $40 billion in a new funding round led by SoftBank Group at a $300 billion valuation to advance AI research, expand computational infrastructure and enhance its tools.

Markets

Wall Street closes out bruising quarter as outlook remains murky

NEW YORK: As Wall Street draws the curtain on a tumultuous quarter in which stocks logged a record high before tumbling into correction, investors are faced with a mountain of policy uncertainty that clouds the outlook for coming quarters.

Energy

Oil prices ease despite Trump warning of possible tariffs on Russian buyers

Oil prices eased on Monday and headed for a modest quarterly loss, despite a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that he may impose secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian oil if he feels Moscow is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Business

Trump's tariffs should herald a 'march towards independence' for Europe, says ECB's Lagarde

PARIS: The likely implementation of tariffs imposed by the United States on April 2 should mark the beginning of a march towards independence for Europe, European Central Bank (ECB) head Christine Lagarde said on Monday.

Business

China to become a global energy storage powerhouse

CHINA's energy storage industry is set to experience significant growth through 2027, fueled by a combination of growing market demand and supportive government policies, according to industry experts and company executives.

Markets

Asian stocks tumble as US tariffs spark recession concerns

Asian share markets tumbled on Monday as traders moved away from risk assets in trade-reliant emerging economies, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the reciprocal tariffs to be announced this week would essentially affect all countries.

Business

China's manufacturing hits 12-month high, driven by strong orders

BEIJING: China's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in a year in March, a factory survey showed on Monday, with new orders boosting production, giving the world's No. 2 economy some reprieve as it deals with an intensifying U.S. trade war.

Retail

Pop Mart eyes bigger footprint worldwide

Pop Mart International Group Ltd expects annual revenue to reach 20 billion yuan ($2.75 billion) in 2025, reflecting a 50 percent year-on-year rise, and anticipates growth in overseas markets to exceed 10 billion yuan as the company pushes to become a global cultural and consumer brand, its top executive said.

Commodities

Gold surges past US$3,100 as US tariffs, uncertainty propel safe-haven flows

Gold prices on Monday soared above $3,100 per ounce for the first time as concerns around U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and the potential economic fallout, combined with geopolitical worries, drove a fresh wave of investments into the safe-haven asset.

Business

China's manufacturing activity speeds up in March, PMI shows

BEIJING: China's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in a year in March, an official factory survey showed on Monday, in a positive sign for the world's second-largest economy as it deals with an escalating U.S. trade war.

Markets

South Korean shares hit near two-month low after short-selling ban fully lifted

SEOUL: South Korea shares fell to the lowest level in nearly two months on Monday in the first day of trading after it fully lifted a five-year ban on short-selling that has hindered its inclusion in MSCI's developed market index.

Economy

Trump says reciprocal tariffs will target all countries

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that reciprocal tariffs he is set to announce this week will include all nations, not just a smaller group of 10 to 15 countries with the biggest trade imbalances.

Economy

Holistic approach needed to fight inflation

PETALING JAYA: Complementary tools besides monetary policy is needed to control inflation, say economists, who believe that interest rate hikes by themselves may be ineffective to combat rising prices.

Insight

Taking inspiration from CEOs key for companies

THERE is nothing worse than a company that has to keep changing its chief executive officer (CEO).