Share market

SHANGHAI: Share markets in Asia got off to a steady start on Monday as investors tried to catch their breath following another week of escalating trade tensions between the United States and China.In early trade, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan tacked on 0.6per cent after a steep 3per cent loss the previous week. U.S. S&P 500 e-mini futures also turned higher, rising 0.5per cent following losses on Wall Street on Friday.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.38per cent, the S&P 500 lost 0.58per cent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.04per cent.Australian shares jumped 1.4per cent after the center-right Liberal National Coalition pulled off a shock win in federal elections, beating the left-wing Labor Party.Japan's Nikkei stock index added 0.4per cent, after data showed growth in the world's third-biggest economy unexpectedly accelerated in the first quarter.The modest gains on Monday came even as financial markets remained on edge over the … [Read more...] about Asian shares steady after steep losses; Saudi comments lift oil

SYDNEY: Asian share markets were subdued on Friday amid thin holiday trade although the dollar found support as investors pared expectations for a U.S. rate cut this year while oil prices loitered near one-month lows on oversupply fears.Australia's benchmark index was last up 0.2 percent, New Zealand shares were off 0.5 percent while South Korea's KOSPI slipped 0.3 percent. Trading volumes were light across Asia with markets in China and Japan still closed for holidays.Overnight on Wall Street, major indices gave up initial gains and closed in the red, weighed down by energy shares.World stocks have rallied hard this year - the S&P 500 has climbed more than 16 percent so far in 2019 - but further gains will be hard to come by, analysts at Capital Economics said."We are more downbeat on the outlook for the global economy. We forecast that GDP growth in advanced economies will slow from 2.2 percent in 2018 to just 1.0 percent in 2020," they said."As such, we are of the view that … [Read more...] about Asian markets calm as investors await US jobs report

SINGAPORE - Singapore investigators have launched a probe into No Signboard Holdings' recent share buyback and obtained statements from the restaurant group's key executives, the company announced on Monday (April 29) before the market opened. No Signboard said that it is "fully cooperating" with the Singapore Police Force's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) after receiving requests on April 24 to assist investigations into a Jan 31, 2019, purchase by the company of its own shares. Those shares were bought at a price that was above the regulatory limit on share buybacks and purchased during a black-out period. From April 24 to April 26, the company provided CAD with access to and copies of documents in connection with the abortive share buyback, the company said. Chief executive Sam Lim Yong Sim and chief financial officer Voon Sze Yin have also given statements to the CAD to provide information in connection with the matter. Mr Lim's passport has been retained by the CAD, which the … [Read more...] about CAD investigating No Signboard over share buyback; CEO’s passport seized

SHANGHAI -- Asian stock markets edged up on Monday after surprising strong US first-quarter economic growth boosted the S&P 500 index to a record high, but gains were capped by caution over less upbeat aspects in the GDP report which pointed to some weakening ahead. Investors were also awaiting a meeting of the US Federal Reserve this week and Chinese factory data for further clues on policy direction in the world's biggest economies. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up less than 0.1 percent, edging higher after posting its biggest weekly drop in more than a month last week. Australian shares were down 0.26 percent, while Seoul's KOSPI was up 0.4 percent. Japan's financial markets are closed for a long national holiday this week, but Nikkei 225 futures in Singapore were 0.72 percent higher. In contrast with weakness in Asian markets last week, Wall Street ended Friday on a high note following data showing US gross domestic product grew at a faster 3.2 … [Read more...] about News Asian shares rise on strong US GDP, eyes on Fed, China

Bull markets don’t die of old age PHILEQUITY CORNER - Wilson Sy (The Philippine Star) - April 29, 2019 - 12:00am After a disappointing 2018, the year 2019 has proven to be a good year for global stock markets. Last Friday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both hit new all-time highs. On April 26, the S&P 500 hit a record close of 2940, while the Nasdaq ended the day at 8140. Above forecast 1Q19 US GDP growth and strong earnings from some corporates, especially tech heavyweights, gave US equity indices the impetus they needed to notch new milestones. This proves that trying to measure bull markets according to seven or 10-year cycles does not work. The historic highs last week show that bull markets don’t die of old age. Near death experience before new highs Just last December, it would be hard to imagine that US stocks would make new highs this year. In December 2018, the US stock market experienced the worst … [Read more...] about Bull markets don’t die of old age