by admin | Aug 21, 2025 | economics, financial markets, investing market news, news, politics
Asian markets were little changed Tuesday after Wall Street treaded water and US President Donald Trump held what he called “very good” talks with Ukrainian and European leaders on ending the three-year war.
Hopes for a breakthrough rose after Trump said he spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin — whom he met in Alaska last week — after hosting the Europeans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump said.
Oil prices, which have been volatile for several days — Russia is a major crude producer — fell back after gains on Monday.
Tokyo, Sydney, and Seoul saw minor declines, whereas Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore experienced gains.
Shares of SoftBank dropped by two percent following an announcement that the company plans to inject $2 billion into Intel, amid reports that the U.S. government may acquire a 10% ownership interest in the struggling American semiconductor firm.
A new boost for investors might arise from a speech this week by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the yearly gathering of international central bank officials in Jackson Hole.
Investors expect Powell to offer further insights into the Federal Reserve’s future decisions on interest rates during their upcoming meeting, following recent data that presented an inconsistent outlook on inflation.
“Even a nod to easing (by Powell) could be enough to trigger profit-taking, and a hint of caution could set off a scramble for the exits,” Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management said.
Prominent individuals at approximately 0300 GMT
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 percent at 43,652.32
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 25,195.36
Shanghai – Composite: Up 0.2% to 3,733.74
New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 44,946.12 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,157.74 (close)
Euro/U.S. Dollar: Decreased to $1.1652 from $1.1666 on Monday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3498 from $1.3503
Dollar/Yen: Decreased to 147.78 yen from 147.89 yen
Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.33 pence from 86.40 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.5 percent at $63.12 per barrel
Brent crude oil from the North Sea: Decreased by 0.3% to $66.32 per barrel
by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | business, equities, finance news, investing market news, stocks
Mumbai (Maharashtra), India, March 30 (ANI): The governing body of the Indian stock exchange
BSE
limited approved a 2:1
bonus
share issue
, as stated in the filing made on Sunday.
According to the announcement, the
BSE
will grant two
shares
For each person who is detained
shareholders
on the record date.
“Issue of Bonus equity
shares
in the ratio 2:1 i.e. 2 (Two) equity
shares
at Rs 2 per fully paid-up equity share of Rs 2 each, held by the company’s shareholders as of the record date, subject to shareholder approval via postal ballot,”
BSE
said in a filing.
This is the second time this has occurred.
BSE
has announce the
bonus
share issue
Following its debut in 2017, the record date has yet to be set for the most recent update.
bonus
issue.
As per the filing
bonus
shares
will be released from and drawn upon the Capital Redemption Reserves and General Reserve funds that will be available as of December 31, 2024.
As stated in the documents, only investors who hold
shares
Those who hold shares of the company prior to the ex-dividend date will be entitled to receive the dividend.
bonus
shares
.
Bonus
shares
are typically distributed by corporations with the aim of boosting their earnings per share (EPS), expanding their paid-up capital, and utilizing free reserves while reducing reserve levels. Current shareholders are provided with these.
shares
at no further expense.
Based on publicly accessible data, the company declared a dividend of Rs 12 per share in May 2023, setting the ex-dividend date for August 4, 2023. Furthermore, in June 2024,
BSE
declared a final dividend of Rs 15 per share, with the ex-dividend date set for June 14, 2024.
Established in 1875,
BSE
(previously known as Bombay Stock Exchange) is Asia’s initial and the quickest stock exchange globally, boasting a transaction speed of 6 microseconds, and it also ranks among India’s foremost exchange groups.
In the last 143 years,
BSE
has helped expand India’s business industry by offering them an effective avenue for raising capital. It is commonly referred to as
BSE
In 1875, the exchange was founded as ‘The Native Share & Stock Brokers’ Association.’ By 2017,
BSE
be the first stock exchange listed in India. (ANI)
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | economics, financial markets, investing market news, news, stocks
Stocks largely climbed across Asia on Tuesday, continuing the upward trend from Wall Street amid reduced concerns about President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs. Meanwhile, investors were anticipating the upcoming release of crucial U.S. inflation figures.
A surge in tech giants including Tesla and Nvidia helped New York markets higher, with sentiment buoyed by indications from the White House that next week’s glut of levies would be less severe than feared.
Trump has dubbed April 2 “Liberation Day” as he pledges to impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners in an effort to remedy practices that Washington deems unfair.
After returning to power in January, Trump has adopted an aggressive policy stance, targeting both allies and adversaries, which has sent shockwaves through financial markets and heightened concerns over the worldwide economic situation.
Recently, he indicated that certain nations might receive waivers or cuts from the upcoming week’s actions, providing investors with a badly needed boost of hope.
Market-watchers say the final outcome would likely see the tariffs changed after negotiations.
The current surge of pessimistic stories—driven by politically biased consumer confidence reports and an influx of negative opinion pieces—appears more exaggerated than warranted, according to Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management.
Furthermore, IG Market Analyst Tony Sycamore commented: “It’s anticipated that this process will be better organized and structured compared to earlier efforts. The figures set to be disclosed on April 2nd may potentially see reductions following negotiations.”
Nevertheless, the president gave a shock by threatening nations that imported oil and natural gas from Venezuela with significant tariffs, which might affect China and India as well as other countries.
During early trading, markets in Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Wellington increased in value; however, those in Shanghai and Manila declined.
Hong Kong’s index fell over one percent, largely due to a nearly five percent decline in the stock price of major Chinese technology company Xiaomi following its successful raise of $5.5 billion through a substantial share issuance aimed at boosting its electric vehicle endeavors.
Despite a rise of approximately six percent in South Korea’s car manufacturer Hyundai after announcing a $21 billion USD investment, Seoul likewise fell.
Attention is also focused on the release of U.S. personal consumption expenditures data this week, as it serves as the preferred measure of inflation according to the Federal Reserve.
The readings will be carefully observed following warnings that prices may increase due to Trump’s tariffs.
The Atlanta Fed president, Raphael Bostic, indicated that the measures suggest the bank will probably reduce interest rates only one time this year.
“I moved to one mainly because I think we’re going to see inflation be very bumpy and not move dramatically and in a clear way to the (Fed’s) two percent target,” he told Bloomberg Television on Monday.
Since this is getting delayed, I believe the corresponding policy measures will also need to be postponed.
Oil prices maintained their gain from Monday, which was over one percent, following President Trump’s warnings about Venezuelan crude oil.
Prominent individuals at approximately 0230 GMT
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: Increased by 0.7% to reach 37,881.70
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: Down 1.7% at 23,502.90
Shanghai – Aggregate: DECREASED BY 0.1% TO 3,367.17
Euro/dollar: DROPPED to $1.0799 from $1.0805 on Monday
Pound/dollar: DECREASED to $1.2917 from $1.2924
Dollar/Yen: Increased to 150.64 yen from 150.58 yen.
Euro/pound: INCREASED to 83.61 pence from 83.58 pence
West Texas Intermediate remains steady at $69.09 per barrel.
Brent North Sea Crude: REMAINS STEADY AT $72.37 PER BARREL
New York – Dow: Increased by 1.4% to close at 42,583.32 points.
London – FTSE 100: Decreased by 0.1 percent to close at 8,638.01.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, investing market news, investing news, news, stocks
On Monday morning, stocks climbed higher as investors attempted to find their footing amidst an ongoing trade dispute. The S&P 500 surged by 1.1%, marking its first positive week since slipping into a four-week downturn previously. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.5%. Market watchers continue to keep a close eye on potential effects from new tariffs concerning inflation rates, consumer expenditure patterns, and overall economic expansion. Equities have experienced fluctuating sentiment due to alternating announcements about tariff implementations and cancellations. Additionally, shares of genetics-testing firm 23andMe plummeted following news that they were voluntarily filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy during the weekend.
HERE’S THE UPDATED INFORMATION. THE PREVIOUS REPORT FROM AP FOLLOWS BELOW.
Wall Street showed strong gains ahead of the opening bell on Monday, carrying forward the momentum from the previous week.
The future contracts for the S&P 500 jumped by 1.1%, those for the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.9%, and Nasdaq futures rose by 1.4%.
While investors focused on company updates, they also kept an eye on new developments regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, events that have caused significant fluctuations in the markets over the past few weeks.
A genetics testing firm called 23andMe saw its stock price plummet by about 42% during early morning trades following the announcement at the weekend that it would file for voluntary bankruptcy. The financially troubled company had previously cut its workforce by almost half and declared an end to several active clinical studies as they assessed different options for some of their holdings.
The shares of The AZEK Company surged by 20% during pre-market trading on Monday following an announcement that it would be acquired by Australia-based James Hardie Industries through a cash-and-stock transaction worth approximately $8.75 billion.
This marks the second significant transaction within the industry in just seven days, following QXO Inc.’s announcement on Thursday of their purchase of Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., which amounts to approximately $11 billion when accounting for debt.
Regarding tariffs, reports indicated that President Trump might refine his strategy to concentrate specifically on nations with considerable trade surpluses against the U.S., which encompasses numerous Asian countries.
Throughout most of this year, markets have experienced severe turbulence, dramatically fluctuating with every new tariff announcement.
A trade conflict between the United States and major trading allies could exacerbate inflation issues and negatively affect both consumers and companies. These entities have been cautioning investors regarding tariffs, rising prices, and increasing ambiguity surrounding cost impacts.
Trump has set an April 2 deadline to impose more tariffs on trading partners. It follows a series of other deadlines that have been set for tariffs only to be postponed, sometimes at the last minute.
During his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, business leaders and U.S. Senator Steve Daines—a staunch advocate for then-President Donald Trump—heard a more amiable message from the premier. Notably, Sen. Daines was the initial congressional representative to travel to Beijing after Trump assumed office in January.
The relationship between these nations has reached a critical point, Li stated. He emphasized that both parties should opt for dialogue instead of conflict and pursue mutually beneficial collaboration rather than competitive rivalry. Additionally, Li mentioned that China wishes to collaborate with the United States to ensure the consistent and enduring growth of Sino-American ties.
The gathering also included heads from multiple U.S. corporations such as FedEx Corp.’s leader Raj Subramaniam, Brendan Nelson who is the senior VP at Boeing Co., Qualcomm’s chief executive Cristiano Amon, along with Pfizer’s head honcho Albert Bourla.
Recently, officials from the Trump administration have indicated that the list of impacted nations might not apply universally, and current tariffs—like those imposed on steel—may not automatically stack up,” noted Junrong Yeap from IG in his analysis. He further mentioned, “there is growing hope that Trump’s tariff proposals could turn out to be all talk with little action.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advanced by 0.4% to reach 23,787.71, while the Shanghai Composite Index increased by 0.2%, closing at 3,370.03.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 dipped slightly by 0.2% to reach 37,608.49 following an initial report indicating that industrial production declined at its quickest rate over twelve months, with new orders decreasing even faster.
The S&P/ASX 200 index in Australia rose by 1%, finishing at 7,936.90, whereas South Korea’s Kospi declined by 0.4% to end at 2,632.07.
During midday in Europe, most of the major stock markets showed gains. The UK’s FTSE 100 increased marginally by under 0.1%, whereas France’s CAC 40 climbed by 0.5%.
Germany’s DAX rose 0.6% following the nation’s private sector business activities reaching a ten-month peak, despite a lesser-than-anticipated decline in manufacturing.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | financial markets, investing, investing market news, investing news, investors
Trump’s repeated tariff threats have rattled global markets. But in India, the market slump isn’t just about Trump. Millions of small investors are feeling the squeeze — for reasons beyond a potential US trade war.
It was the fear of missing out, or
Fear of Missing Out
That prompted Kanishk K. to begin investing in the stock market.
He informed LIFEHACK that during India’s struggle with the second wave of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, he began observing advertisements on Instagram showcasing social media personalities offering advice on earning money.
“I didn’t want to be left behind as others were making profits. This aspect really drew me towards investing in the market,” Kanishk stated.
He detailed how, following his initial foray into mutual funds, he progressively shifted towards stock market trading.
Similar to many novice investors, he lacked knowledge regarding the basics of investing but stayed updated on market trends, particularly through Reddit, the U.S.-based social media platform, as he mentioned.
Initially, “everything was going well.”
Enthusiasm in the stock market amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Saloni Puj* and Ishan Shah had experiences akin to Kanishk’s.
Puj, a media expert hailing from Kolkata, which serves as the capital of West Bengal, along with Shah, who operates a cultural hub imparting knowledge in art and music within the western metropolis of Ahmedabad, both ventured into stock market investments roughly during the period when pandemic-induced lockdowns were implemented.
Shah mentioned that the market was performing exceptionally well, giving the impression that everyone making profits was doing so through trading. He admitted to purchasing arbitrary stocks, often following suggestions from others. Surprisingly, regardless of his actions, he continued to see gains.
Puj adopted a more cautious strategy.
She stated that she was well-aware the market was experiencing an enthusiastic phase, and she recognized the bubble that was forming at the time.
In September 2024, the situation took a turn for the worse as the excitement surrounding their ventures suddenly deflated. Following an extended period of growth, the markets experienced a correction, which was then succeeded by a prolonged downturn.
New retail investors join the marketplace
For many Indians who entered the stock market following the pandemic downturn, the subsequent upturn proved to be an exciting period. This surge mirrored the approximately €250 billion ($275 billion) economic support package that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration introduced in 2020.
Throughout the lockdown period, numerous individuals found themselves with additional free time and resources at their disposal, leading many to be swayed by the notion of earning fast and effortless profits.
“Sagun Agrawal, a derivatives trader in India’s capital markets and an advocate for financial literacy among women, noted that during the pandemic, individuals found themselves with extra money, leading many younger investors to enter the stock market as retail participants. This influx was beneficial for the market, enhancing liquidity and generating investment funds for capital creation,” he explained.
Online trading has gained popularity due to new firms providing minimal transaction costs and straightforward credit accessibility. An example of this is Margin Trading Facility (MTF), enabling investors to purchase stocks by initially paying just a portion of the total price. In this setup, brokers finance the remaining balance as a loan, accompanied by an interest charge.
What caused the market decline?
According to NSE data, from March 2020 to March 2024, the count of registered investors in India nearly tripled, reaching approximately 92 million.
India’s NIFTY 50 stock market index rose from approximately 8,000 points in March 2020 to unprecedented heights above 26,000 points in September 2024. Retail investors, swept up in the excitement, believed that everything was going well — right up until things took a turn for the worse.
In the six months since September last year, Indian equities have lost more than $1.2 trillion in value. In February, the NIFTY 50 benchmark index was down 16% from its peak, and on its longest losing streak since 1996. It was the worst performing global market.
Among those most severely affected were small retail investors.
“A significant number of these retail investors lacked proper information and pursued overly hyped securities, causing a bubbly environment in the market. Over the past six months, as adjustments occurred, these investors experienced substantial financial losses,” stated Agrawal.
Bijoy Peter, a senior partner at Bangalore-based Germinate Investor Services, noted that one factor behind the market adjustment was the gap between the escalating valuations of Indian corporations and their decreasing profits. He also mentioned that India’s GDP growth had decelerated to 5.4% during the July-September 2024 quarter.
He additionally highlighted insufficient governmental investment in infrastructure and various sectors back then, along with other worldwide influences.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) began withdrawing their funds from India. Meanwhile, China initiated similar actions.
implementing significant stimulus measures
In its marketplace, this attracted capital flows to the area, he mentioned.
The transfer of funds from India had significant consequences.
“When a substantial amount of money leaves, the consequences are significant since investors must offload their assets,” explained Peter. “Such extensive selling greatly influences share values, leading to a decline in the overall market.”
Peter highlighted that numerous beneficial initiatives introduced by the administration have gone unnoticed by the markets—such as raised tax thresholds, actions by the Reserve Bank of India aimed at infusing liquidity into banks, along with the government’s pledge for heightened expenditure on infrastructure projects.
Agrawal pointed out that back in September, the major participants were Indian High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) along with significant investors. According to her, they perceived that the market was overpriced and offered little potential for additional gains.
“One trader, requesting anonymity, stated that when key investors withdrew their funds from the market, it triggered a downturn, leaving minor investors to absorb the financial losses,” as reported by LIFEHACK.
‘Trump offers India an unparalleled chance’
Despite facing turbulent conditions over the past five months, Indian markets are now showing signs of improvement as the stock market saw substantial increases last week.
Nevertheless, investors continue to be wary due to US President Donald Trump’s warnings about implementing reciprocal tariffs on India starting April 2, referring to India as “a major tariff abuser.”
Delhi has stated that it is engaged in talks with the United States aimed at setting up a trade agreement that would tackle tariffs and improve market accessibility.
Dr. Surjit Bhalla, an economist and formerly the executive director for India at the IMF, who also served in the Economic Advisory Council during Prime Minister Modi’s second term, expressed optimism about India’s prospects under President Trump, stating that this administration has offered India a singular chance to implement reforms.
This opportunity is unprecedented, especially when it comes to sectors such as trade, foreign direct investment, and various critical elements influencing GDP expansion and profitability.
“Bhalla stated that this is a vital time for implementing essential changes, covering sectors such as agriculture, both externally and internally. This presents an opportunity for India to progress to the next phase of reforms,” he added.
Small investors smarter now
In the meantime, retail investors such as Kanishk, Shah, and Puj, who have endured challenging periods over the last several months, are preparing for the potential effects of Trump’s proposed tariffs, all while hoping for the best.
Kanishk mentioned that he has become more careful following the downturn, stating that he now “takes the advice from financial influencers with a grain of salt.”
A year ago, Shah ceased operations, occasionally pondering if quitting prematurely. However, now he feels relieved as he observes everyone feeling quite stressed. He mentioned, “I think I may have avoided a major issue.”
Puj has completely overhauled her investment approach; she plans to remain stationary and purchase only modest amounts when the market declines.
After witnessing all her investments lose value just recently, she stated that she has become more knowledgeable now, noting, “Dropping in value isn’t very enjoyable.”
*names changed on request
Edited by: Keith Walker
Author: Shakeel Sobhan (located in New Delhi)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, economics, financial markets, investing market news, news
Asian markets fluctuated on Monday as the White House plans to introduce tariffs on major trade partners starting next week, with concerns that these measures might inflict significant damage on the worldwide economy.
A report indicating that U.S. President Donald Trump was contemplating a more focused strategy for the tariffs scheduled to take effect on April 2nd failed to calm investors’ concerns, as the ambiguity undermined their confidence.
Since regaining power in January, the U.S. president has unsettled financial markets by criticizing longtime allies and implementing or threatening significant tariffs on various imported products such as steel and automobiles.
The upcoming Wednesday has become the center of interest, with Trump dubbing it “Liberation Day” as he gets ready to announce a series of retaliatory actions aimed at responding to what other nations have implemented.
“Ahead of Trump’s ‘Freedom Day’ scheduled for April 2nd, along with the subsequent wave of tariff-related statements expected in the coming days or weeks, anticipation and preparedness will increasingly influence market prices, investor sentiments, and trading volumes this week,” noted Chris Weston from Pepperstone.
As the sky turns darker and starts to show signs of bruising, with increasing atmospheric pressure felt across the capital markets, participants wonder whether they should prepare for an approaching storm of uncertainty by securing their positions.
Last week, the Federal Reserve cautioned that “the uncertainty surrounding the economic forecast has grown.” Similarly, the central banks of Japan and Britain expressed concerns regarding the effects of the White House’s policies.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said at the weekend that Beijing was readying for “shocks that exceed expectations” ahead of the latest measures, adding that “instability and uncertainty are on the upswing”.
As he held meetings with leaders from several of the globe’s largest corporations, such as Apple, Qualcomm, FedEx, and Pfizer, his remarks were made public.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers informed Bloomberg News that the actions taken by Trump are “not unexpected, yet they are transformative.”
According to Bloomberg News, the U.S. administration was contemplating a more selective strategy regarding tariffs, where certain nations would be affected more significantly than others, and the actions were anticipated to be less harsh compared to initial expectations.
This followed when the president informed reporters on Friday that he would show “flexibility” in his proposals.
Nevertheless, Asian investors found it difficult to kick-start the week on a positive note as markets seesawed throughout the morning.
Tokyo was flat, while Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei were slightly higher.
Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, and Wellington saw slight declines.
Gold traded near $3,025 after reaching several all-time highs the previous week, peaking above $3,057 due to increased demand for safe-haven assets.
Prominent individuals at approximately 0230 GMT
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 37,676.97
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: Down 0.1% at 23,660.67
Shanghai – Aggregate: Increased by 0.1% to reach 3,369.57
Euro/dollar: Increased to $1.0831 from $1.0815 on Friday
Pound/dollar: Increased to $1.2930 from $1.2918
Dollar/Yen: Increased to 149.75 yen from 149.36 yen
Euro/pound: INCREASED to 83.76 pence from 83.72 pence
West Texas Intermediate: Down 0.2% at $68.13 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: Down 0.3% at $71.97 per barrel
New York – Dow: Increased by 0.1% to close at 41,985.35 points.
London – FTSE 100: Decreased by 0.6 percent to close at 8,646.79 points.
