News

China inflation under control

Chinese inflation data confirms healthy economyChina inflationChina consumer prices: Consumer prices rose by 1.8 per cent in the year to April (forecast 1.9 per cent), down from 2.1 per cent in the year to March.Chinese consumer prices: Food prices fell 1.9 per cent in April to stand 0.7 per cent higher than a year ago….

Frankfurt bankers expect bigger gains from Brexit

More London banks are expected to pick Frankfurt as a European base as they adjust to post-Brexit restrictions, German financial industry representatives said Monday, even as Britain and the EU hailed progress in divorce talks.‘From April there will be sizeable moves’ by banks setting up shop in the city on the Main river, Hubertus Vaeth…

Latest Monsanto GMO seeds raises worries of monopoly

The rapid growth of Monsanto’s new GMO seeds resistant to the controversial herbicide dicamba has revived worries about the company’s stranglehold over farming during a period of industry consolidation.Long a producer of dicamba, Monsanto last year introduced genetically-modified cotton and soybean seeds that can resist the weed killer. The products took off, amassing more than 20…

EU sets out 10-point plan to rebalance China ties

The EU on Tuesday set out a 10-point plan aimed at rebalancing relations with Beijing as fears grow about Chinese investment and influence on critical infrastructure, including new communication technology.European leaders will be asked to sign off on the proposals at when they meet next week in Brussels, with senior officials urging them to take…

US home construction plunges in December

Construction of new homes unexpectedly nosedived across the United States in December, hitting its lowest level in more than two years, government data showed Tuesday.The Commerce Department data, which were delayed due to the December-January government shutdown, coincided with a sharp drop on Wall Street which economists say could have slowed investment in some sectors.Despite…

Frydenberg to prioritize credit as government prepares Hayne response

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said he will be looking to prioritize credit lines to keep the Australian economy flowing, as the Royal Commission prepares to release its long-awaited Hayne report into the financial misconduct revealed to be widespread across the banking sector. The government is expected to take the weekend to draw up what they…

The Week Ahead

In the US, the economic release schedule remains subject to change – a victim of the government shutdown. The US Federal Reserve meeting, US-China trade talks (January 30-31), the US earnings (profit reporting) season and Brexit discussions are amongst key events and possibly the US State of the Union on January 29.Published by Craig James,…

Sony to shift UK HQ to avoid Brexit disruption

Sony will shift its European headquarters from Britain to the Netherlands to avoid Brexit-related customs issues, but operations at its current UK company will remain unchanged, a company spokesman said Wednesday.‘We are moving the location of our European headquarters’ registration to the Netherlands’ by the end of March, company spokesman Takashi Iida told AFP.The relocation…

CommSec Daily Report Friday

Latest NewsIt has been another positive start for the Aussie market with the ASX 200 higher for a fourth consecutive day and is eyeing a second straight week of gains. Approaching lunch, the index is up 36 points or 0.6% to 5886. US stocks provided another solid lead as Wall Street’s mood was brightened on…

May heads to Brexit-backing city to make last-ditch plea to rebel MPs

Prime Minister Theresa May will on Monday repeat weekend warnings to MPs poised to reject her EU divorce deal that failing to deliver Brexit would be ‘catastrophic’ for British democracy.On the eve of Tuesday’s monumental vote in parliament on her withdrawal agreement – forged from 18 months of gruelling negotiations with European leaders – May…