Analysis: Indices

Global equity funds draw fourth weekly inflow on hopes of Fed rate cut

Global equity funds attracted inflows for a fourth straight week through October 15, as dovish comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reinforced expectations that the central bank...

North America's LNG export capacity could more than double by 2029, EIA says

Liquefied natural gas exporters in the U.S. have announced plans to more than double U.S. liquefaction capacity, adding an estimated 13.9 billion cubic feet per day by 2029, the U.S. Energy...

HSBC raises average gold price forecasts for 2025 and 2026

HSBC has raised its 2025 average gold price forecast to $3,355 per ounce from $3,215 due to safe-haven demand driven by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and a weakening U.S. dollar.  ...

Korea at the top

Up 52% since the beginning of the year, the South Korean index is leading the race. And nothing seems to be stopping it at present. On Wednesday, the index rose another 2.7% to set a new closing...

Top South Korean official expresses optimism about US tariff talks, fuelling stock rally

SEOUL -South Korea's chief presidential policy adviser said on Thursday he was optimistic about talks to finalise a trade deal with the U.S., the latest remark by an official pointing to progress in...

Shares up, dollar down as investors renew bets on Fed rate cuts

LONDON -Stocks globally recovered some of their recent losses on Wednesday after comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell boosted investor hopes of further rate cuts this year, pressuring...

Trade group wants to ban export of scrap aluminum cans to China

WASHINGTON -A trade group representing the aluminum industry called on Tuesday for a ban on U.S. exports of used beverage cans to China to support American production of cars, fighter jets, tanks and...

EU presses US to drop tariffs on metals content

HORSENS, Denmark -The European Commission is pressing the United States to remove tariffs on products made from steel as Brussels seeks to advance parts of the EU-U.S. tariff deal that have yet to...

World oil market to see huge glut in 2026, IEA says

LONDON -The world oil market faces an even bigger surplus next year of as much as 4 million barrels per day as OPEC+ producers and rivals lift output and demand remains sluggish, the International...

Frontier debt risks 'going dark' amid high costs and creative deals

LONDON/WASHINGTON -The need for emerging economies to be more transparent about their debt is one issue uniting wealthy countries and multilateral lenders in a fractious, divided world where the...

Copper's rally needs China impetus to reach record

LONDON -Copper prices touched $11,000 per metric ton on October 9, a milestone seen on only two other trading days in the history of the London Metal Exchange - and one that has analysts questioning...

China's exports top forecast but fresh US trade spat raises risks to outlook

BEIJING -China's export growth bounced back in September, but renewed trade threats from Beijing and Washington have rekindled worries about jobs and further deflation in an economy heavily reliant...

Pemex overhauling multiple units at Deer Park, Texas, refinery, sources say

HOUSTON -Mexico's national oil company Pemex completed the shutdown of multiple units at its 312,500-barrel-per-day Deer Park, Texas, refinery on Thursday to begin a multi-unit overhaul, people...

Canada-US sectoral deals likely to persist even if USMCA is revised, Carney says

OTTAWA -The specific deals that Canada is negotiating with the U.S. in key sectors such as steel, aluminum and autos are likely to persist even if the United States-Canada-Mexico trade deal is...

Global equity fund inflows ease on caution over political risks, U.S. shutdown

Global equity fund inflows cooled to a three-week-low in the week to October 8 as investors took a breather after the recent market rally amid risks surrounding the collapse of the French government...

Trump tariff threat pushes oil to five-month low

HOUSTON -Brent and U.S. crude futures fell more than $2 a barrel, or more than 3%, on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose increased tariffs on China cast a shadow over the demand...

Chocolate prices set to remain high this Halloween in the US, report says

NEW YORK -U.S. chocolate consumers will face elevated chocolate prices this coming Halloween period as cocoa costs have more than doubled since early 2024, according to a report released on Thursday...

Gold holds above $4,000 as investors assess Israel-Hamas deal

Gold prices held above the $4,000 level on Thursday, as investors assessed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, while broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty alongside expectations for U.S. rate...

US postpones Wyoming coal lease sale after disappointing Montana auction

The Trump administration has postponed a scheduled sale of coal leases on federal lands in Wyoming two days after a disappointing auction in Montana, an Interior Department spokesperson said on...