The financial landscape in South Korea is currently under significant stress, attributed largely to the recent political upheaval surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol. On Wednesday, the South Korean markets opened lower, with the Kospi index plummeting by 1.8% and the Kosdaq witnessing a steeper decline of 2.4%. The political discontent is palpable, with protesters and
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The semiconductor industry has seen a significant shift as U.S. policy takes a more aggressive stance towards export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to advanced chip technology. Despite a new wave of measures introduced by the Biden administration which targets a range of companies, major chip stocks in Asia have largely defied this trend,
In November, a beacon of hope flickered for China’s manufacturing sector, thanks largely to smaller manufacturers. According to a private survey by Caixin/S&P Global, there was an expansion in manufacturing activity, indicated by a purchasing manager’s index (PMI) score of 51.5. This figure exceeded expectations and demonstrated the impact of recent government stimulus efforts aimed
Over the weekend, the capital city of Tbilisi, Georgia, became a focal point for anti-government protests following a controversial decision to suspend negotiations for European Union (EU) membership. The protests marked a third consecutive night of unrest, culminating in a significant toll on public safety and health, with 44 individuals requiring hospitalization. Eyewitness accounts described
The city of Aleppo, once a bustling epicenter of culture and trade in Syria, has once again found itself at the heart of conflict. Recent reports indicate that insurgents have breached the government’s defenses, marking a significant escalation in violence that has not been witnessed since the exit of opposition forces from the city in
India’s recent economic performance has raised eyebrows, particularly following a modest 5.4% growth in the second fiscal quarter ending in September. This figure falls significantly short of the anticipated 6.5% growth predicted by economists and marks a stark contrast to the 6.7% growth experienced in the preceding quarter. Such sluggishness not only indicates a worrying
On Thursday, the Bank of Korea (BOK) surprised markets by reducing its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points. This move comes in the context of ongoing economic challenges and is notable for being the second consecutive rate cut, a rarity not observed since 2009. Previously, the BOK lowered rates by 25 basis points in
In a troubling continuation of economic setbacks, China’s industrial profits witnessed a significant decline of 10% in October compared to the previous year. This downturn marks the third consecutive month of profitability decreases, following a staggering 27.1% drop in September—the most pronounced decline since March 2020. The downward trend in industrial profits serves as a
The economic landscape between the United States and its trading partners has evolved dramatically under the Trump administration, particularly with regard to tariffs. On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Trump announced ambitious plans to impose significant tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada. This potential policy shift is not just a matter of
The financial markets experienced a robust rally recently as major stock indices, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500, achieved new highs. This surge can largely be attributed to investor confidence in the appointment of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary under President-elect Donald Trump. As the founder of Key Square Group and