Hong Kong’s January-March unemployment eases to 3.1%

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate eased to 3.1% in the January to March period, improving for the eleventh consecutive quarter as economic activity continued to pick up, the government said on Monday. In the December to February period, the unemployment rate stood at 3.3%. “The labour market should improve further…

Read More

Citigroup’s Asia Q1 wealth revenue jumps 20% amid new clients, investment gains

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Citigroup’s Asia wealth revenue surged 20% in the first quarter of 2023, backed by investment gains, insurance revenue and a jump in new private banking clients, according to a company spokesperson. The wealth market in Asia has been undergoing a shakeup as some rich clients fled Credit Suisse amid a banker exodus…

Read More

Thai central bank chief sees growth at 3.6% this year, inflation risks

By Kitiphong Thaichareon and Orathai Sriring BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s economy is still seen growing at 3.6% this year, driven by tourism and domestic consumption, the central bank chief said on Monday, in spite of turbulence in the first half of the year and global financial uncertainty. As the country’s economic recovery remains intact, there…

Read More

Philippines sticks to its 5-year GDP growth targets on economic momentum

By Neil Jerome Morales MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines on Monday maintained its economic growth targets over the next five years, citing momentum from increased domestic demand and better labour conditions that would allow its economy to withstand external challenges. Gross domestic product (GDP) is targeted to grow by 6.0% to 7.0% this year, slower…

Read More

Factbox-What’s on the agenda at the South Korea-US summit?

By Ju-min Park (Reuters) – South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol will be seeking U.S. assurances on deterring North Korea when he meets President Joe Biden this week, while the Americans will likely be looking for Yoon’s support for U.S. interests related to China and Russia. The conservative Yoon has made bolstering South Korea’s alliance…

Read More

HSBC investors hold talks as proxy advisors oppose Asia spinoff

LONDON (Reuters) -HSBC’s most vocal individual activist shareholder Ken Lui on Monday said he had spoken for the first time with the bank’s largest investor, Ping An, about their controversial proposals to spin off the lender’s Asia business. Top management executives of Ping An Asset Management, an investment unit of the Chinese insurer, exchanged views…

Read More

Analysis-China rebound buoys hopes for stronger-than-expected US, Europe earnings

By Joice Alves LONDON (Reuters) – A big splurge in spending in China after Beijing lifted COVID-19 lockdowns will help cushion quarterly results of the world’s biggest companies, investors say, even as forecasts suggest the United States and Europe are heading into a corporate recession.     Concerns are growing that tightening credit will dent the…

Read More

Factbox-Global offshore wind tenders including floating techology

By Susanna Twidale and Nina Chestney LONDON (Reuters) – Floating wind is viewed as the final frontier for offshore wind as turbines can be installed in deeper waters than fixed-bottom foundations, harnessing stronger and more continuous wind to generate more power. There are two main types of tender for traditional and floating wind projects. Governments…

Read More