QUINTANA ROO, Mexico (Reuters) — The heads of global airlines are meeting in Cancun, Mexico for the general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), with the aviation body predicting robust earnings for the sector. Forecasting a third straight year of robust earnings, IATA raised its 2017 industry profit outlook on Monday (June 05) to $31.4 billion dollars, up from a previous forecast of $29.8 billion dollars. The IATA also raised its outlook for […]
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World Bank sees improving global economy but risks remain
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The global economy is set to post solid growth this year, amid improving world trade and better performance by large emerging markets, but key risks could still threaten the outlook, the World Bank said Sunday. Rising trade protectionism and policy uncertainty, primarily in the United States under President Donald Trump, pose important cautions for the outlook. For the first time in four years, the latest edition of the World Bank’s […]
Tokyo stocks opens down as yen remains firm
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo shares opened slightly down Monday as the yen remained stronger after a lackluster United States jobs report late Friday and the London attack escalated political uncertainties. The dollar fetched 110.39 yen in early Asian trade, down modestly from 110.44 yen late Friday in New York, as weak US jobs data weighed on US Treasury yields. “The numbers were solid enough to keep the Fed on track for a June hike, […]
Tokyo’s Nikkei index sitting above 20,000 mark at the break
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended above the 20,000 level on Friday morning, topping the psychologically important mark for the first time in a year and half after a record close on Wall Street. The Nikkei jumped 1.41 percent, or 279.28 points, to 20,139.31 by the lunch break, the first time it crossed 20,000 since December 2015. Tokyo’s broader Topix index of all first-section shares gained 1.25 percent, or 19.87 points, […]
Eyeing growth boost, Kenya opens Chinese-built railway
by Raphael Ambasu MOMBASA, Kenya (AFP) — Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday inaugurated a Chinese-built railway, the country’s biggest infrastructure project since its independence. The boxy red-and-white diesel train left from a gleaming new terminal in the port city of Mombasa, carrying Kenyatta, Chinese dignitaries and citizens from around the country on its maiden journey to Nairobi. The five-hour journey will take less than half the time to drive between the two cities, a […]
Tokyo shares open lower after Wall Street slips
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo shares opened lower Wednesday as a firm yen weighed on exporters and Wall Street and crude prices slipped. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell 0.25 percent, or 49.60 points, to 19,628.25 in early trade while the Topix index of all first-section issues lost 0.28 percent, or 4.33 points, to 1,568.34. © Agence France-Presse
Japan’s factory output rises 4.0 percent in April: govt
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese factory output rose 4.0 percent in April from the previous month, official figures showed Wednesday, bolstering data indicating the world’s third-largest economy is finally seeing moderate expansion. However, the figure was slightly down on market expectations of a 4.2 percent rise and came a day after data showed consumer demand remains weak despite years of government efforts to boost spending. The positive reading comes after it factory output fell 1.9 percent […]
Vanguard establishes first subsidiary on Chinese mainland
BEIJING, China (Reuters) – Vanguard, the world’s biggest mutual fund, launched its first wholly-owned subsidiary on the Chinese mainland last week. The group’s chairman and chief executive officer William McNabb III said the move was aimed at a greater penetration of the Chinese market. Headquartered in Shanghai, the subsidiary will conduct business ranging from investment management, research to consultation in China. McNabb said they tend to achieve two things with the new company. One is […]
Tokyo shares slip by noon
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo shares slipped Tuesday morning with few concrete trading cues, as investors eye a widening scandal over possible ties between Russia and US President Donald Trump’s associates. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell 0.54 percent, or 106.38 points, to end the morning session at 19,576.19, while the broader Topix index of all first-section shares retreated 0.44 percent, to 6.98 points, to 1,563.23. © Agence France-Presse
Spotify agrees to fund to settle copyright suits
by Shaun Tandon Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States – Music streaming leader Spotify has agreed to set up a $43.45 million fund to settle a potentially costly pair of United States copyright lawsuits from artists, lawyers said Monday. The move marks the latest effort by the Swedish company to turn the page on messy disputes as it considers a public listing amid the soaring growth of streaming. The settlement would end lawsuits spearheaded by […]
Asian markets brush off North Korean missile launch
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Stock markets in Japan and South Korea rose Monday morning as investors brushed off Pyongyang’s missile launch, and after record gains on overseas bourses. The short-range projectile flew for several minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) — the latest in a series of launches that have ratcheted up tensions over the North’s bid to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States. The political reaction in Asia […]
Tokyo stocks flat after North Korea missile launch
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks opened flat on Monday after North Korea’s latest missile launch. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.05 percent, or 10.34 points, to 19,697.18 at the start, while the Topix index of all first-section issues edged up 0.04 percent, or 0.70 points, to 1,570.12. © Agence France-Presse