Japan's core consumer prices rose in December from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, nudging up from the previous month, but inflation was still well short of the central bank's elusive 2% target. The tame data, which was also boosted by a sales tax increase last October, underscored the challenge faced by the country's central bank, which was expected to maintain its current stimulus policy, analysts said. The core consumer price index (CPI), which includes oil costs but excludes volatile fresh food prices, rose 0.7% in December from a year earlier, the government data showed, matching a media forecast.

Japan's core consumer prices rose in December from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, nudging up from the previous month, but inflation was still well short of the central bank's elusive 2% target. The tame data, which was also boosted by a sales tax increase last October, underscored the challenge faced by the country's central bank, which was expected to maintain its current stimulus policy, analysts said. The core consumer price index (CPI), which includes oil costs but excludes volatile fresh food prices, rose 0.7% in December from a year earlier, the government data showed, matching a media forecast.

Oil prices were steady on Friday, but on track for a fall of up to 5% for the week on growing concern that fuel demand will weaken as the spread of a respiratory virus from China that has killed 25 so far dents travel and darkens the economic outlook. Brent crude futures were 4 cents lower to $62 a barrel by 0225 GMT, its lowest since Dec. 4, after falling 1.9% the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down by 1 cent to $55.58 a barrel, its lowest since Nov. 29.

Oil prices were steady on Friday, but on track for a fall of up to 5% for the week on growing concern that fuel demand will weaken as the spread of a respiratory virus from China that has killed 25 so far dents travel and darkens the economic outlook. Brent crude futures were 4 cents lower to $62 a barrel by 0225 GMT, its lowest since Dec. 4, after falling 1.9% the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down by 1 cent to $55.58 a barrel, its lowest since Nov. 29.

Oil prices were steady on Friday, but on track for a fall of up to 5% for the week on growing concern that fuel demand will weaken as the spread of a respiratory virus from China that has killed 25 so far dents travel and darkens the economic outlook. Brent crude futures were 4 cents lower to $62 a barrel by 0225 GMT, its lowest since Dec. 4, after falling 1.9% the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down by 1 cent to $55.58 a barrel, its lowest since Nov. 29.

Oil prices were steady on Friday, but on track for a fall of up to 5% for the week on growing concern that fuel demand will weaken as the spread of a respiratory virus from China that has killed 25 so far dents travel and darkens the economic outlook. Brent crude futures were 4 cents lower to $62 a barrel by 0225 GMT, its lowest since Dec. 4, after falling 1.9% the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down by 1 cent to $55.58 a barrel, its lowest since Nov. 29.

There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although Amazon.com...

There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although Amazon.com...

So far, many Republicans have fended off calls for Hunter Biden to testify in the trial, explaining it would create a spectacle.

So far, many Republicans have fended off calls for Hunter Biden to testify in the trial, explaining it would create a spectacle.

A man had just received his settlement from a race discrimination lawsuit. But when he went to the bank to deposit the checks, the police were called.

A man had just received his settlement from a race discrimination lawsuit. But when he went to the bank to deposit the checks, the police were called.

Hedge funds currently command some $3 trillion in assets under management. They're where millionaires and even billionaires put their cash to work. That alone makes them worth keeping an eye on - and one thing that's fairly consistent is their love for blue-chip stocks.Sure, hedge funds aren't what they used to be. Wall Street's former masters of the universe have lagged the performance of the S&P; 500 throughout the bull market. And as the ultimate example of active management, they charge exorbitant fees. But hedge funds' heavy investments in research helps managers lay claim to being Wall Street's "smart money."The folks at WalletHub keep regular tabs on stocks that hedge fund managers are buying, selling and holding every quarter. Combing through regulatory filings, WalletHub looks at the positions of more than 400 hedge funds, tallies their positions in individual stocks, then ranks those stocks by their total holdings value.These are primarily massive blue-chip stocks, ranging from the hundreds of billions of dollars to more than $1 trillion. Indeed, their very size helps attract more institutional interest. Unsurprisingly, then, most of these stock picks are big, stable names known to most Americans. A substantial number happen to belong to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway portfolio.Here are hedge funds' 25 favorite blue-chip stocks to buy now. All these stocks likely appeal to the smart money because of their size and strong track records. But we'll delve into a few specifics that make each company special. SEE ALSO: The 20 Best Stocks to Buy for 2020

Hedge funds currently command some $3 trillion in assets under management. They're where millionaires and even billionaires put their cash to work. That alone makes them worth keeping an eye on - and one thing that's fairly consistent is their love for blue-chip stocks.Sure, hedge funds aren't what they used to be. Wall Street's former masters of the universe have lagged the performance of the S&P; 500 throughout the bull market. And as the ultimate example of active management, they charge exorbitant fees. But hedge funds' heavy investments in research helps managers lay claim to being Wall Street's "smart money."The folks at WalletHub keep regular tabs on stocks that hedge fund managers are buying, selling and holding every quarter. Combing through regulatory filings, WalletHub looks at the positions of more than 400 hedge funds, tallies their positions in individual stocks, then ranks those stocks by their total holdings value.These are primarily massive blue-chip stocks, ranging from the hundreds of billions of dollars to more than $1 trillion. Indeed, their very size helps attract more institutional interest. Unsurprisingly, then, most of these stock picks are big, stable names known to most Americans. A substantial number happen to belong to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway portfolio.Here are hedge funds' 25 favorite blue-chip stocks to buy now. All these stocks likely appeal to the smart money because of their size and strong track records. But we'll delve into a few specifics that make each company special. SEE ALSO: The 20 Best Stocks to Buy for 2020

Passive investing in index funds can generate returns that roughly match the overall market. But you can significantly...

Passive investing in index funds can generate returns that roughly match the overall market. But you can significantly...

It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. Unfortunately, there are also...

It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. Unfortunately, there are also...

(Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin traders appear to be heeding a warning of a demand slowdown ahead of China’s lunar New Year.The largest cryptocurrency slumped as much as 4% to $8,281, while altcoins such as Ethereum Classic tumbled more than 11% to $8.18 in New York trading.Arthur Hayes, co-founder and chief executive officer of BitMex, a cryptocurrency exchange, predicted in a post on Twitter late Wednesday that it’s time for “volatility and volumes to nose dive.”Cryptocurrencies have been under pressure this week. The price of Bitcoin has dropped more than 6% since Friday, while the Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index -- which tracks some of the major digital currencies -- has slumped about 5.7%.“Bitcoin and the entire crypto space are under pressure as uncertainty over regulatory scrutiny is expected to intensify and investor skepticism grows for the short-term outlook for risky assets,” said Ed Moya, a market analyst with OANDA. Investors “saw central banks unite and begin a review on digital currencies, fading optimism that a Bitcoin ETF will occur, and amid the China coronavirus worries, a flight-to-safety to the bond markets and not cryptocurrencies.”Twenty of the top 50 crypto exchanges are based in the Asia-Pacific region and accounted for about 40% of Bitcoin transactions in the first half of last year, according to data from Chainalysis. Within the region, the most exchanges are in China, the research firm found.A number of technical indicators are flashing sell signals. Earlier this week, for instance, a measure of upward and downward movements of successive closing prices flashed a sell signal, the first such sign since Bitcoin’s peak in June of last year. Should Bitcoin’s price drop further, the GTI Vera Convergence-Divergence indicator could also generate such a signal.(Updates prices)\--With assistance from Kenneth Sexton.To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Vildana Hajric in New York at vhajric1@bloomberg.net;Claire Ballentine in New York at cballentine@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Dave Liedtka, Randall JensenFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin traders appear to be heeding a warning of a demand slowdown ahead of China’s lunar New Year.The largest cryptocurrency slumped as much as 4% to $8,281, while altcoins such as Ethereum Classic tumbled more than 11% to $8.18 in New York trading.Arthur Hayes, co-founder and chief executive officer of BitMex, a cryptocurrency exchange, predicted in a post on Twitter late Wednesday that it’s time for “volatility and volumes to nose dive.”Cryptocurrencies have been under pressure this week. The price of Bitcoin has dropped more than 6% since Friday, while the Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index -- which tracks some of the major digital currencies -- has slumped about 5.7%.“Bitcoin and the entire crypto space are under pressure as uncertainty over regulatory scrutiny is expected to intensify and investor skepticism grows for the short-term outlook for risky assets,” said Ed Moya, a market analyst with OANDA. Investors “saw central banks unite and begin a review on digital currencies, fading optimism that a Bitcoin ETF will occur, and amid the China coronavirus worries, a flight-to-safety to the bond markets and not cryptocurrencies.”Twenty of the top 50 crypto exchanges are based in the Asia-Pacific region and accounted for about 40% of Bitcoin transactions in the first half of last year, according to data from Chainalysis. Within the region, the most exchanges are in China, the research firm found.A number of technical indicators are flashing sell signals. Earlier this week, for instance, a measure of upward and downward movements of successive closing prices flashed a sell signal, the first such sign since Bitcoin’s peak in June of last year. Should Bitcoin’s price drop further, the GTI Vera Convergence-Divergence indicator could also generate such a signal.(Updates prices)\--With assistance from Kenneth Sexton.To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Vildana Hajric in New York at vhajric1@bloomberg.net;Claire Ballentine in New York at cballentine@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Jeremy Herron at jherron8@bloomberg.net, Dave Liedtka, Randall JensenFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- Oil is heading for the longest run of weekly losses since May on fears China’s coronavirus outbreak may dent demand amid plentiful global supplies, even as U.S. crude inventories unexpectedly declined.Futures in New York are down 5.1% this week as officials widened their travel ban beyond the epicenter of the outbreak. S&P Global Ratings warned that the virus could hit Chinese consumption following a prediction from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. earlier in the week that oil demand may drop. Broader market sentiment was mixed, with mainland China shut for Lunar New Year holidays.That fast-spreading virus is the latest challenge for a market that’s been buffeted this year by geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the phase-one trade deal between Beijing and Washington. While the International Energy Agency says the world is “awash with oil,” a surprise 405,000-barrel decrease in U.S. crude stockpiles offered some relief.“The coronavirus has clearly taken many of the more fundamental issues off the market and is clearly impacting sentiment,” said Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Sydney. “Issues that could negatively impact demand seem to have a greater sort of sensitivity.”West Texas Intermediate futures for March delivery lost 2 cents to $55.57 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 10:09 a.m. in Singapore. It’s poised for a third weekly drop after closing at the lowest level since Nov. 29 on Thursday. Brent crude fell 4 cents to $62, also set for a third weekly decline.More deaths were reported in China from the SARS-like disease, even as the World Health Organization stopped short of calling the infection a global health emergency. Goldman predicts the virus may crimp global demand by 260,000 barrels a day this year, if the SARS epidemic in 2003 is any guide.\--With assistance from James Thornhill.To contact the reporter on this story: Saket Sundria in Singapore at ssundria@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Serene Cheong at scheong20@bloomberg.net, Ben Sharples, Andrew JanesFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- Oil is heading for the longest run of weekly losses since May on fears China’s coronavirus outbreak may dent demand amid plentiful global supplies, even as U.S. crude inventories unexpectedly declined.Futures in New York are down 5.1% this week as officials widened their travel ban beyond the epicenter of the outbreak. S&P Global Ratings warned that the virus could hit Chinese consumption following a prediction from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. earlier in the week that oil demand may drop. Broader market sentiment was mixed, with mainland China shut for Lunar New Year holidays.That fast-spreading virus is the latest challenge for a market that’s been buffeted this year by geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the phase-one trade deal between Beijing and Washington. While the International Energy Agency says the world is “awash with oil,” a surprise 405,000-barrel decrease in U.S. crude stockpiles offered some relief.“The coronavirus has clearly taken many of the more fundamental issues off the market and is clearly impacting sentiment,” said Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Sydney. “Issues that could negatively impact demand seem to have a greater sort of sensitivity.”West Texas Intermediate futures for March delivery lost 2 cents to $55.57 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 10:09 a.m. in Singapore. It’s poised for a third weekly drop after closing at the lowest level since Nov. 29 on Thursday. Brent crude fell 4 cents to $62, also set for a third weekly decline.More deaths were reported in China from the SARS-like disease, even as the World Health Organization stopped short of calling the infection a global health emergency. Goldman predicts the virus may crimp global demand by 260,000 barrels a day this year, if the SARS epidemic in 2003 is any guide.\--With assistance from James Thornhill.To contact the reporter on this story: Saket Sundria in Singapore at ssundria@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Serene Cheong at scheong20@bloomberg.net, Ben Sharples, Andrew JanesFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

A significant global upturn will remain elusive this year as many economies still face an array of daunting risks, despite improved sentiment from an initial U.S.-China trade deal and ebullience in financial markets, Reuters polls showed. The global economy in 2019 may have been near its weakest since the financial crisis thanks to trade protectionism and political uncertainty, but world stocks had a blowout year with several indexes repeatedly setting record highs. With easy policy from central banks set to continue, that split between markets and events on the ground may extend into this year, according to surveys of over 500 economists covering 46 major economies conducted Jan. 10-22.

A significant global upturn will remain elusive this year as many economies still face an array of daunting risks, despite improved sentiment from an initial U.S.-China trade deal and ebullience in financial markets, Reuters polls showed. The global economy in 2019 may have been near its weakest since the financial crisis thanks to trade protectionism and political uncertainty, but world stocks had a blowout year with several indexes repeatedly setting record highs. With easy policy from central banks set to continue, that split between markets and events on the ground may extend into this year, according to surveys of over 500 economists covering 46 major economies conducted Jan. 10-22.

Roberto Guidetti has been the CEO of Vitasoy International Holdings Limited (HKG:345) since 2013. This report will...

Roberto Guidetti has been the CEO of Vitasoy International Holdings Limited (HKG:345) since 2013. This report will...

Shares of Singapore-based internet company Sea Limited (SE) took off last year, rocketing higher by a massive 255%. Although the company is relatively unknown in the west, it is a wildly successful growth story in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.If you’re wondering if it is worth getting in after such a mercurial run up, then according to Goldman Sachs analyst Miang Chuen Koh, 2020 will provide further upside, though nowhere near the levels seen in 2019. The analyst added SE to Goldman's Conviction List, while maintaining a Buy rating and raising the price target from $42.50 to $50.Sea operates through three segments: Digital Entertainment, E-Commerce, and Digital Financial Services.The digital entertainment segment is represented by Garena, a gaming and eSports platform which counts as the dominant platform in the region. Apart from licensing games from publishers such as Tencent and Activision Blizzard, Sea has also started publishing its own games. The first one to be released, Free Fire, has grossed more than $1 billion since launching two years ago. The move into producing the company’s own content is a smart one, as no royalties need to be paid out to third parties, therefore increasing profit margins. For The last 12 months the gaming platform’s year-over-year growth has increased by 86.7% with revenue almost doubling from $462 million to $863 million.Although Garena is extremely successful and currently provides the bulk of cash flow, the sector that is exciting Koh the most is Sea’s ecommerce platform; Shopee is the top e-commerce platform in the Southeast Asian region and Koh believes it will take center stage in 2020. While Garena’s growth rate has been impressive, Shopee’s growth curve has been even mightier; Last quarter’s revenue grew year-over-year by 261%, and the platform is on its way to becoming a $1 billion business less than 5 years after being founded. The company’s ambitious growth plan, though, means Shopee is still a way off from profitability.Nevertheless, Koh expects revenues and EBITDA to slightly beat consensus expectations in Sea’s 4Q19 results. The analyst noted, “Although the stock has more than tripled last year, we see further upside as we expect it to be a key beneficiary of the growing ASEAN/Taiwan internet space, supported by 1) strong content support from Tencent (30% shareholder); 2) a growing competitive position in the high-growth e-commerce market; and 3) ability to diversify/scale into the high-growth payments sector… We believe 2020 is the year for Sea’s e-commerce business to demonstrate its path to profitability alongside high GMV growth.”The Street is unanimous when it comes to the ASEAN platform’s future prospects. 5 Buy ratings add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. At $45.92, though, the average price target presents only modest upside of 2.6%. Either the analysts have yet to update their models or they believe Se has soared high enough for now. (See Sea Limited stock analysis on TipRanks)

Shares of Singapore-based internet company Sea Limited (SE) took off last year, rocketing higher by a massive 255%. Although the company is relatively unknown in the west, it is a wildly successful growth story in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.If you’re wondering if it is worth getting in after such a mercurial run up, then according to Goldman Sachs analyst Miang Chuen Koh, 2020 will provide further upside, though nowhere near the levels seen in 2019. The analyst added SE to Goldman's Conviction List, while maintaining a Buy rating and raising the price target from $42.50 to $50.Sea operates through three segments: Digital Entertainment, E-Commerce, and Digital Financial Services.The digital entertainment segment is represented by Garena, a gaming and eSports platform which counts as the dominant platform in the region. Apart from licensing games from publishers such as Tencent and Activision Blizzard, Sea has also started publishing its own games. The first one to be released, Free Fire, has grossed more than $1 billion since launching two years ago. The move into producing the company’s own content is a smart one, as no royalties need to be paid out to third parties, therefore increasing profit margins. For The last 12 months the gaming platform’s year-over-year growth has increased by 86.7% with revenue almost doubling from $462 million to $863 million.Although Garena is extremely successful and currently provides the bulk of cash flow, the sector that is exciting Koh the most is Sea’s ecommerce platform; Shopee is the top e-commerce platform in the Southeast Asian region and Koh believes it will take center stage in 2020. While Garena’s growth rate has been impressive, Shopee’s growth curve has been even mightier; Last quarter’s revenue grew year-over-year by 261%, and the platform is on its way to becoming a $1 billion business less than 5 years after being founded. The company’s ambitious growth plan, though, means Shopee is still a way off from profitability.Nevertheless, Koh expects revenues and EBITDA to slightly beat consensus expectations in Sea’s 4Q19 results. The analyst noted, “Although the stock has more than tripled last year, we see further upside as we expect it to be a key beneficiary of the growing ASEAN/Taiwan internet space, supported by 1) strong content support from Tencent (30% shareholder); 2) a growing competitive position in the high-growth e-commerce market; and 3) ability to diversify/scale into the high-growth payments sector… We believe 2020 is the year for Sea’s e-commerce business to demonstrate its path to profitability alongside high GMV growth.”The Street is unanimous when it comes to the ASEAN platform’s future prospects. 5 Buy ratings add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. At $45.92, though, the average price target presents only modest upside of 2.6%. Either the analysts have yet to update their models or they believe Se has soared high enough for now. (See Sea Limited stock analysis on TipRanks)

Dividend paying stocks like Sino-Ocean Group Holding Limited (HKG:3377) tend to be popular with investors, and for...

Dividend paying stocks like Sino-Ocean Group Holding Limited (HKG:3377) tend to be popular with investors, and for...

Investar (ISTR) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -18.75% and -3.49%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 2019. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

Investar (ISTR) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -18.75% and -3.49%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 2019. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

Today we'll look at Win Hanverky Holdings Limited (HKG:3322) and reflect on its potential as an investment...

Today we'll look at Win Hanverky Holdings Limited (HKG:3322) and reflect on its potential as an investment...

A number of people involved in the trial, including President Donald Trump, have made some not-quite-accurate claims.

A number of people involved in the trial, including President Donald Trump, have made some not-quite-accurate claims.

There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although...

There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although...

Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is...

Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is...

We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is...

We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is...

The euro hovered near a seven-week low against the dollar on Friday after the European Central Bank was seen as more dovish than expected, while anxiety over China's coronavirus outbreak propped up the safe-haven yen. The euro stood at $1.1055 , touching a seven-week low of $1.1036 hit in U.S. trade on Thursday after the ECB held interest rates steady and launched a broad review of its policy. ECB President Christine Lagarde on Thursday sought to redefine the ECB's main goal and how to achieve it, as years of the central bank's experiment with negative interest rates and quantitative easing have failed to deliver targeted inflation levels.

The euro hovered near a seven-week low against the dollar on Friday after the European Central Bank was seen as more dovish than expected, while anxiety over China's coronavirus outbreak propped up the safe-haven yen. The euro stood at $1.1055 , touching a seven-week low of $1.1036 hit in U.S. trade on Thursday after the ECB held interest rates steady and launched a broad review of its policy. ECB President Christine Lagarde on Thursday sought to redefine the ECB's main goal and how to achieve it, as years of the central bank's experiment with negative interest rates and quantitative easing have failed to deliver targeted inflation levels.

Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. We'll apply a basic...

Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. We'll apply a basic...

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks were mixed as investors mulled updates on the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Treasuries dipped, while oil steadied after its recent slide.Early gains in Tokyo fizzled and Hong Kong opened flat, while shares in Sydney ticked higher. U.S. stock futures were steady after the S&P 500 eked out a small advance helped by gains for big tech companies. As officials in China widened their travel ban beyond the epicenter of the outbreak, the World Health Organization stopped short of calling the virus a global health emergency, saying it remains a local crisis. The yuan edged up while the yen held Thursday’s rise.Markets in mainland China and South Korea are shut, and Hong Kong closes early, for lunar new year holidays.While investors remain cautious with global stocks trading close to all-time highs, corporate earnings are topping expectations and slew of data this month has validated forecasts for a recovery in the global economy. Still, traders remain cognizant of the chance the virus develops into a more devastating pandemic like the SARS illness that emerged in China 17 years ago.“The scare should eventually prove to be a buying opportunity, but the market would first need evidence that the situation is stabilizing,” wrote Citgroup Inc. emerging market strategists including Dirk Willer in a note Thursday. “ In spite of the Chinese authorities being more open and proactive this time, we are probably closer to the beginning than to the end of the outbreak.”Elsewhere, the euro held losses seen in wake of a suggestion from policy makers that they will need to maintain ultra-loose stimulus settings for the foreseeable future. These are the main moves in markets:StocksFutures on the S&P 500 Index added 0.1% as of 10:25 a.m. in Tokyo. The underlying gauge rose 0.1% on Thursday.Japan’s Topix index dipped 0.1%.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.1%.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 0.3%.CurrenciesThe yen was at 109.52 per dollar, little changed.The offshore yuan rose 0.1% to 6.9264 per dollar.The euro bought $1.1054, little changed.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries edged up to 1.74%.Australia’s 10-year yield dipped one basis point to 1.09%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude oil added 0.1% to $55.62 a barrel.Gold slid 0.2% to $1,559.92 an ounce.\--With assistance from David Wilson.To contact the reporter on this story: Adam Haigh in Sydney at ahaigh1@bloomberg.netTo contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.netFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks were mixed as investors mulled updates on the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Treasuries dipped, while oil steadied after its recent slide.Early gains in Tokyo fizzled and Hong Kong opened flat, while shares in Sydney ticked higher. U.S. stock futures were steady after the S&P 500 eked out a small advance helped by gains for big tech companies. As officials in China widened their travel ban beyond the epicenter of the outbreak, the World Health Organization stopped short of calling the virus a global health emergency, saying it remains a local crisis. The yuan edged up while the yen held Thursday’s rise.Markets in mainland China and South Korea are shut, and Hong Kong closes early, for lunar new year holidays.While investors remain cautious with global stocks trading close to all-time highs, corporate earnings are topping expectations and slew of data this month has validated forecasts for a recovery in the global economy. Still, traders remain cognizant of the chance the virus develops into a more devastating pandemic like the SARS illness that emerged in China 17 years ago.“The scare should eventually prove to be a buying opportunity, but the market would first need evidence that the situation is stabilizing,” wrote Citgroup Inc. emerging market strategists including Dirk Willer in a note Thursday. “ In spite of the Chinese authorities being more open and proactive this time, we are probably closer to the beginning than to the end of the outbreak.”Elsewhere, the euro held losses seen in wake of a suggestion from policy makers that they will need to maintain ultra-loose stimulus settings for the foreseeable future. These are the main moves in markets:StocksFutures on the S&P 500 Index added 0.1% as of 10:25 a.m. in Tokyo. The underlying gauge rose 0.1% on Thursday.Japan’s Topix index dipped 0.1%.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.1%.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 0.3%.CurrenciesThe yen was at 109.52 per dollar, little changed.The offshore yuan rose 0.1% to 6.9264 per dollar.The euro bought $1.1054, little changed.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries edged up to 1.74%.Australia’s 10-year yield dipped one basis point to 1.09%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude oil added 0.1% to $55.62 a barrel.Gold slid 0.2% to $1,559.92 an ounce.\--With assistance from David Wilson.To contact the reporter on this story: Adam Haigh in Sydney at ahaigh1@bloomberg.netTo contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.netFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD; "Prologis") and Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LPT; "Liberty") today announced early results from the offers to exchange outstanding notes (the "Liberty Notes") of the two series described in the table below issued by Liberty Property Limited Partnership ("Liberty OP") for corresponding notes of two series to be issued by Prologis, L.P. ("Prologis OP," and such notes the "Prologis Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $750 million. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 23, 2020 (the "Early Expiration Date") and as indicated in the table below, $373,514,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes and $311,010,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes had been validly tendered for exchange (and not validly withdrawn), such that the requisite consents applicable to each series of Liberty Notes to adopt the Proposed Amendments (as defined below) have been received (such consents may not be revoked after the Early Expiration Date by the terms and conditions of the exchange offers and consent solicitations as described in the corresponding prospectus). In light of having received the requisite consents to modify the terms of the Liberty Notes (the "Proposed Amendments"), the Proposed Amendments to the indenture (such indenture, as amended and supplemented, the "Liberty Indenture") governing the Liberty Notes will be adopted, assuming the merger with Liberty is completed. The following table shows the principal amount of each such series tendered by the Early Expiration Date.

Prologis, Inc. (NYSE: PLD; "Prologis") and Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LPT; "Liberty") today announced early results from the offers to exchange outstanding notes (the "Liberty Notes") of the two series described in the table below issued by Liberty Property Limited Partnership ("Liberty OP") for corresponding notes of two series to be issued by Prologis, L.P. ("Prologis OP," and such notes the "Prologis Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $750 million. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 23, 2020 (the "Early Expiration Date") and as indicated in the table below, $373,514,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes and $311,010,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes had been validly tendered for exchange (and not validly withdrawn), such that the requisite consents applicable to each series of Liberty Notes to adopt the Proposed Amendments (as defined below) have been received (such consents may not be revoked after the Early Expiration Date by the terms and conditions of the exchange offers and consent solicitations as described in the corresponding prospectus). In light of having received the requisite consents to modify the terms of the Liberty Notes (the "Proposed Amendments"), the Proposed Amendments to the indenture (such indenture, as amended and supplemented, the "Liberty Indenture") governing the Liberty Notes will be adopted, assuming the merger with Liberty is completed. The following table shows the principal amount of each such series tendered by the Early Expiration Date.

Amanda Breaud said she was told the comments included that Muslims were "disgusting" and "most of them are terrorists," according to the lawsuit.

Amanda Breaud said she was told the comments included that Muslims were "disgusting" and "most of them are terrorists," according to the lawsuit.

Heritage Commerce (HTBK) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 8.00% and -0.07%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 2019. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

Heritage Commerce (HTBK) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 8.00% and -0.07%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 2019. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly...

We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly...

Stocks made a barely positive start in early Asian trade on Friday after the world's health body called it a little too early to declare a coronavirus outbreak a global emergency. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> rose a marginal 0.1%, while Japan's Nikkei <.N225> stood flat and Australian stocks <.AXJO> added 0.4%. Trade in Asia is already slowing down for the Lunar New Year holiday, with financial markets in China, Taiwan and South Korea closed on Friday.

Stocks made a barely positive start in early Asian trade on Friday after the world's health body called it a little too early to declare a coronavirus outbreak a global emergency. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> rose a marginal 0.1%, while Japan's Nikkei <.N225> stood flat and Australian stocks <.AXJO> added 0.4%. Trade in Asia is already slowing down for the Lunar New Year holiday, with financial markets in China, Taiwan and South Korea closed on Friday.

Stocks made a barely positive start in early Asian trade on Friday after the world's health body called it a little too early to declare a coronavirus outbreak a global emergency. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose a marginal 0.1%, while Japan's Nikkei stood flat and Australian stocks added 0.4%. Trade in Asia is already slowing down for the Lunar New Year holiday, with financial markets in China, Taiwan and South Korea closed on Friday.

Stocks made a barely positive start in early Asian trade on Friday after the world's health body called it a little too early to declare a coronavirus outbreak a global emergency. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose a marginal 0.1%, while Japan's Nikkei stood flat and Australian stocks added 0.4%. Trade in Asia is already slowing down for the Lunar New Year holiday, with financial markets in China, Taiwan and South Korea closed on Friday.

The main aim of stock picking is to find the market-beating stocks. But every investor is virtually certain to have...

The main aim of stock picking is to find the market-beating stocks. But every investor is virtually certain to have...

Some say volatility, rather than debt, is the best way to think about risk as an investor, but Warren Buffett famously...

Some say volatility, rather than debt, is the best way to think about risk as an investor, but Warren Buffett famously...

The external fund manager backed by Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger, Li Lu, makes no bones about it when he says...

The external fund manager backed by Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger, Li Lu, makes no bones about it when he says...

This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll look at...

This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll look at...

Could National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NAB) be an attractive dividend share to own for the long haul? Investors...

Could National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NAB) be an attractive dividend share to own for the long haul? Investors...

Today we'll look at Shun Ho Property Investments Limited (HKG:219) and reflect on its potential as an investment. In...

Today we'll look at Shun Ho Property Investments Limited (HKG:219) and reflect on its potential as an investment. In...

In 2013 Reinhold Schmidt was appointed CEO of Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX:YAL). This analysis aims first to contrast...

In 2013 Reinhold Schmidt was appointed CEO of Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX:YAL). This analysis aims first to contrast...

Daimler on Thursday said it plans to build 50,000 Mercedes EQC electric cars this year, denying a report in Manager Magazin that claimed it had been forced to pare back its 2020 production targets due to battery supply problems. Manager Magazin said Mercedes had slashed its production target to 30,000 from about 60,000 because of a shortage of battery cells from LG Chem. Daimler wanted to sell around 25,000 EQC vehicles in 2019, but only managed to build around 7,000 for the same reason, Manager Magazin said.

Daimler on Thursday said it plans to build 50,000 Mercedes EQC electric cars this year, denying a report in Manager Magazin that claimed it had been forced to pare back its 2020 production targets due to battery supply problems. Manager Magazin said Mercedes had slashed its production target to 30,000 from about 60,000 because of a shortage of battery cells from LG Chem. Daimler wanted to sell around 25,000 EQC vehicles in 2019, but only managed to build around 7,000 for the same reason, Manager Magazin said.

It certainly was a quite a shock to see the Pine Care Group Limited (HKG:1989) share price fall -50% in the last week...

It certainly was a quite a shock to see the Pine Care Group Limited (HKG:1989) share price fall -50% in the last week...

The Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged up to a seasonally adjusted 49.3 from a final 48.4 in December. Weak exports and factory activity have been a source of concern for Japanese policymakers. Separate data showed activity in Japan's services sector expanded at the quickest pace in four months, likely keeping alive policymakers' hope for a domestic demand-led recovery.

The Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged up to a seasonally adjusted 49.3 from a final 48.4 in December. Weak exports and factory activity have been a source of concern for Japanese policymakers. Separate data showed activity in Japan's services sector expanded at the quickest pace in four months, likely keeping alive policymakers' hope for a domestic demand-led recovery.

Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX and NASDAQ: MPVD) today announces production and sales results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 ("the Quarter" or "Q4 2019") from the Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine ("GK Mine"). The Company also releases the details for its Q4 2019 earnings conference call and webcast. All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX and NASDAQ: MPVD) today announces production and sales results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 ("the Quarter" or "Q4 2019") from the Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine ("GK Mine"). The Company also releases the details for its Q4 2019 earnings conference call and webcast. All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Change is imminent in the travel industry: 56 million potential travelers have a disability—and 2020 is the year to begin showing them they are important to you. "A generation of Baby Boomers who refuse to accept age as a barrier will create a new category of products, disrupt the transportation industry and more," says Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility Summit. "If we're accessible for people who are disabled today, we'll all be accessible for the 75 million Baby Boomers who will be aging into a disability tomorrow."

Change is imminent in the travel industry: 56 million potential travelers have a disability—and 2020 is the year to begin showing them they are important to you. "A generation of Baby Boomers who refuse to accept age as a barrier will create a new category of products, disrupt the transportation industry and more," says Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility Summit. "If we're accessible for people who are disabled today, we'll all be accessible for the 75 million Baby Boomers who will be aging into a disability tomorrow."

(Bloomberg) -- CBC Group, a private equity firm focused on the health-care industry, is preparing more of its portfolio companies for the capital markets on the back of growing investor demand.Chinese drug developer I-Mab raised $104 million in an initial public offering in U.S. this month and the stock has since risen about 8%. Singapore-based CBC Group, which manages more than $2 billion, is one of the early investors in I-Mab.“We have a strong portfolio of companies across our three core health-care sectors: pharma, medtech and services, many of which are progressing well,” Fu Wei, the founder and chief executive officer of CBC Group, said in an interview. “Looking at the year ahead, we expect to see more capital market activities.”Everest Medicines, a biopharmaceutical company backed by CBC Group, is exploring an IPO, Bloomberg News first reported in June. The buyout firm has also invested in Chinese health-care firms including AffaMed Therapeutics, Innovent Biologics Inc. and Lu Daopei Medical Group, Fu said.CBC Group was formerly known as C-Bridge Capital. Fu, founded the private equity firm in 2014 after working at various places including Far East Horizon Ltd.’s investment group and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.The private equity firm is mostly interested in taking control of businesses that are not performing well so that it can turn them around, Fu said, adding that it’s also incubating startups to try help them grow since its early days.To contact the reporter on this story: Manuel Baigorri in Hong Kong at mbaigorri@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Fion Li at fli59@bloomberg.net, Philip GlamannFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- CBC Group, a private equity firm focused on the health-care industry, is preparing more of its portfolio companies for the capital markets on the back of growing investor demand.Chinese drug developer I-Mab raised $104 million in an initial public offering in U.S. this month and the stock has since risen about 8%. Singapore-based CBC Group, which manages more than $2 billion, is one of the early investors in I-Mab.“We have a strong portfolio of companies across our three core health-care sectors: pharma, medtech and services, many of which are progressing well,” Fu Wei, the founder and chief executive officer of CBC Group, said in an interview. “Looking at the year ahead, we expect to see more capital market activities.”Everest Medicines, a biopharmaceutical company backed by CBC Group, is exploring an IPO, Bloomberg News first reported in June. The buyout firm has also invested in Chinese health-care firms including AffaMed Therapeutics, Innovent Biologics Inc. and Lu Daopei Medical Group, Fu said.CBC Group was formerly known as C-Bridge Capital. Fu, founded the private equity firm in 2014 after working at various places including Far East Horizon Ltd.’s investment group and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.The private equity firm is mostly interested in taking control of businesses that are not performing well so that it can turn them around, Fu said, adding that it’s also incubating startups to try help them grow since its early days.To contact the reporter on this story: Manuel Baigorri in Hong Kong at mbaigorri@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Fion Li at fli59@bloomberg.net, Philip GlamannFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- The era of the white, all-male board is coming to an end.Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer David Solomon issued the latest ultimatum Thursday from Davos. Wall Street's biggest underwriter of initial public offerings in the U.S. will no longer do business with a company lacking a director who is either female or diverse.The mandate is the latest in a series of signals that non-diverse boards and management are unacceptable. BlackRock Inc. and State Street Global Advisors are voting against directors at companies without a female director. Public companies with all-male boards based in California now face a $100,000 fine under a new state law. “It’s pretty amazing,” said Fred Foulkes, a management professor at the Boston University Questrom School of Business. “It's a seismic change. I was quite amazed and I wonder what's going to happen at JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley.”The corporate board has become a rare bright spot for gender and racial diversity at the highest echelons of corporate America. Almost half of the open spots at S&P 500 companies went to women last year, and for the first time they made up more than a quarter of all directors. In July, the last all-male board in the S&P 500 appointed a woman. Still, new boards are less diverse: Among the top 25 IPOs by value each year from 2014 through 2018, 10 companies had no female directors, said Malli Gero, co-founder and senior adviser to 2020 Women on Boards, an organization that pushes for the Russell 3000 index to have at least 20% women directors on its boards. Last year, Goldman Sachs was hired to underwrite WeWork’s IPO, which only added a female director after its initial prospectus prompted criticism of its all-male board.After July, Goldman Sachs won’t work on a company’s IPO unless the board has at least one person who is not white, male or straight. Next year, the bank will raise the threshold to two diverse directors, Goldman said in a statement. The bank said the decision came after it learned more than 60 U.S. and European companies in the last two years went public without a woman or person of color on the board. Goldman Sachs has four women on its 11-member board.Among the IPOs where Goldman Sachs was an underwriter over the last two years in the U.S. and Europe, fewer than 10% currently have a board lacking a diverse candidate, the company said. Data was not available for the composition of those boards at the time of the IPO, the company said. “We realize that this is a small step, but it’s a step in a direction of saying, ‘You know what, we think this is right, we think it’s the right advice and we’re in a position also, because of our network, to help our clients if they need help placing women on boards,’” Solomon told CNBC Thursday. “So this is an example of us saying, ‘How can we do something that we think is right and help moves the market forward?’”JPMorgan Chase & Co. doesn’t have a similar policy to the Goldman Sachs rule, but since 2016 has had a director advisory service that works to help companies find diverse candidates for their board, the company said in a statement. Morgan Stanley did not respond to requests for comment. “It’s what big investors are looking for these says,” said Boston University’s Foulkes, who was previously a director at Panera Bread Co. and Bright Horizons Family Solutions. “If the board has all white males, that’s a big negative.”To contact the author of this story: Jeff Green in Southfield at jgreen16@bloomberg.netTo contact the editor responsible for this story: Rebecca Greenfield at rgreenfield@bloomberg.netFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- The era of the white, all-male board is coming to an end.Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer David Solomon issued the latest ultimatum Thursday from Davos. Wall Street's biggest underwriter of initial public offerings in the U.S. will no longer do business with a company lacking a director who is either female or diverse.The mandate is the latest in a series of signals that non-diverse boards and management are unacceptable. BlackRock Inc. and State Street Global Advisors are voting against directors at companies without a female director. Public companies with all-male boards based in California now face a $100,000 fine under a new state law. “It’s pretty amazing,” said Fred Foulkes, a management professor at the Boston University Questrom School of Business. “It's a seismic change. I was quite amazed and I wonder what's going to happen at JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley.”The corporate board has become a rare bright spot for gender and racial diversity at the highest echelons of corporate America. Almost half of the open spots at S&P 500 companies went to women last year, and for the first time they made up more than a quarter of all directors. In July, the last all-male board in the S&P 500 appointed a woman. Still, new boards are less diverse: Among the top 25 IPOs by value each year from 2014 through 2018, 10 companies had no female directors, said Malli Gero, co-founder and senior adviser to 2020 Women on Boards, an organization that pushes for the Russell 3000 index to have at least 20% women directors on its boards. Last year, Goldman Sachs was hired to underwrite WeWork’s IPO, which only added a female director after its initial prospectus prompted criticism of its all-male board.After July, Goldman Sachs won’t work on a company’s IPO unless the board has at least one person who is not white, male or straight. Next year, the bank will raise the threshold to two diverse directors, Goldman said in a statement. The bank said the decision came after it learned more than 60 U.S. and European companies in the last two years went public without a woman or person of color on the board. Goldman Sachs has four women on its 11-member board.Among the IPOs where Goldman Sachs was an underwriter over the last two years in the U.S. and Europe, fewer than 10% currently have a board lacking a diverse candidate, the company said. Data was not available for the composition of those boards at the time of the IPO, the company said. “We realize that this is a small step, but it’s a step in a direction of saying, ‘You know what, we think this is right, we think it’s the right advice and we’re in a position also, because of our network, to help our clients if they need help placing women on boards,’” Solomon told CNBC Thursday. “So this is an example of us saying, ‘How can we do something that we think is right and help moves the market forward?’”JPMorgan Chase & Co. doesn’t have a similar policy to the Goldman Sachs rule, but since 2016 has had a director advisory service that works to help companies find diverse candidates for their board, the company said in a statement. Morgan Stanley did not respond to requests for comment. “It’s what big investors are looking for these says,” said Boston University’s Foulkes, who was previously a director at Panera Bread Co. and Bright Horizons Family Solutions. “If the board has all white males, that’s a big negative.”To contact the author of this story: Jeff Green in Southfield at jgreen16@bloomberg.netTo contact the editor responsible for this story: Rebecca Greenfield at rgreenfield@bloomberg.netFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will...

One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will...

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the city state’s economy could improve in 2020 only if any number of global risks don’t materialize, particularly emanating from the U.S.Lee said in an interview with Bloomberg’s Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait that he’s “relieved” that Singapore’s economy escaped recession in 2019. The government’s growth forecast for this year -- anywhere from 0.5%-2.5% -- indicates “we really don’t know” how things will pan out, he said.“That’s the range of what our economy is capable of, but whether we realize that capability, that potential, depends on international conditions,” Lee said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. “If there’s a blowout between China and America, or if there’s something happening in the Middle East, either with Iran or with Syria, then all bets are off.”Singapore is poised to rebound from 2019, when a potent mix of trade-war disruption and an electronics-cycle slowdown pulled growth in the export-reliant economy to its weakest level in a decade. There have been some recent signs of recovery: the December purchasing managers index signaled an expansion in factory output after seven straight months of contraction, while exports gained for the first time in 10 months.“The electronics cycle seems to be turning, which is an important part of our manufacturing industry,” Lee said. “But it depends on the global economy, and particularly on the U.S.”Lee, 67, said U.S. growth has been better than many had expected, noting comments from U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos earlier this week that the economy is “marvelous.” Lee warned, though, that it wasn’t clear whether imbalances might build up, and that it’s “not a negligible chance that you could have a change of direction within a year or two years.”Singapore’s position among the world’s most trade-reliant economies has left it vulnerable to each twist and turn of the trade war, but Southeast Asia more broadly has seen some benefits as businesses shift their supply chains. Vietnam has been one of the region’s biggest gainers.Ultimately, businesses will probably opt for a “China-plus-one strategy,” Lee said: maintaining a presence in China as well as other locations, for example in Southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh or East Africa.Read More: U.S., China Must Adjust for Stable World, Singapore Leader SaysSingapore’s gains from these supply-chain moves probably won’t be significant, Lee said, given the limited overlap with China on the kinds of industries that are shifting away from there. However, Singapore sees a unique role for itself as China’s presence in the region continues to grow.“It could be manufacturing presence, it could be infrastructure, it could be part of their Belt and Road projects,” he said. “We have a role in financing it, in hosting regional headquarters for it, in working with them, providing expertise, making sure that the projects go well.”\--With assistance from Joyce Koh.To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Jamrisko in Singapore at mjamrisko@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Nasreen Seria at nseria@bloomberg.net, Michael S. ArnoldFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the city state’s economy could improve in 2020 only if any number of global risks don’t materialize, particularly emanating from the U.S.Lee said in an interview with Bloomberg’s Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait that he’s “relieved” that Singapore’s economy escaped recession in 2019. The government’s growth forecast for this year -- anywhere from 0.5%-2.5% -- indicates “we really don’t know” how things will pan out, he said.“That’s the range of what our economy is capable of, but whether we realize that capability, that potential, depends on international conditions,” Lee said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. “If there’s a blowout between China and America, or if there’s something happening in the Middle East, either with Iran or with Syria, then all bets are off.”Singapore is poised to rebound from 2019, when a potent mix of trade-war disruption and an electronics-cycle slowdown pulled growth in the export-reliant economy to its weakest level in a decade. There have been some recent signs of recovery: the December purchasing managers index signaled an expansion in factory output after seven straight months of contraction, while exports gained for the first time in 10 months.“The electronics cycle seems to be turning, which is an important part of our manufacturing industry,” Lee said. “But it depends on the global economy, and particularly on the U.S.”Lee, 67, said U.S. growth has been better than many had expected, noting comments from U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos earlier this week that the economy is “marvelous.” Lee warned, though, that it wasn’t clear whether imbalances might build up, and that it’s “not a negligible chance that you could have a change of direction within a year or two years.”Singapore’s position among the world’s most trade-reliant economies has left it vulnerable to each twist and turn of the trade war, but Southeast Asia more broadly has seen some benefits as businesses shift their supply chains. Vietnam has been one of the region’s biggest gainers.Ultimately, businesses will probably opt for a “China-plus-one strategy,” Lee said: maintaining a presence in China as well as other locations, for example in Southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh or East Africa.Read More: U.S., China Must Adjust for Stable World, Singapore Leader SaysSingapore’s gains from these supply-chain moves probably won’t be significant, Lee said, given the limited overlap with China on the kinds of industries that are shifting away from there. However, Singapore sees a unique role for itself as China’s presence in the region continues to grow.“It could be manufacturing presence, it could be infrastructure, it could be part of their Belt and Road projects,” he said. “We have a role in financing it, in hosting regional headquarters for it, in working with them, providing expertise, making sure that the projects go well.”\--With assistance from Joyce Koh.To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Jamrisko in Singapore at mjamrisko@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Nasreen Seria at nseria@bloomberg.net, Michael S. ArnoldFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

Today we are going to look at Snack Empire Holdings Limited (HKG:1843) to see whether it might be an attractive...

Today we are going to look at Snack Empire Holdings Limited (HKG:1843) to see whether it might be an attractive...

Analysts at Westpac Banking Corp now expect the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will cut interest rates in April, rather than February, following a second month of surprisingly upbeat jobs data. In a note to clients, chief economist Bill Evans said the dip in unemployment to a nine-month low of 5.1% in December was probably enough to delay a cut. "It is sufficiently strong a signal for the Board, which has emphasised the labour market as a key policy driver, to opt for a deferment of the rate cut process pending further information," said Evans.

Analysts at Westpac Banking Corp now expect the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will cut interest rates in April, rather than February, following a second month of surprisingly upbeat jobs data. In a note to clients, chief economist Bill Evans said the dip in unemployment to a nine-month low of 5.1% in December was probably enough to delay a cut. "It is sufficiently strong a signal for the Board, which has emphasised the labour market as a key policy driver, to opt for a deferment of the rate cut process pending further information," said Evans.

Analysts at Westpac Banking Corp now expect the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will cut interest rates in April, rather than February, following a second month of surprisingly upbeat jobs data. In a note to clients, chief economist Bill Evans said the dip in unemployment to a nine-month low of 5.1% in December was probably enough to delay a cut. "It is sufficiently strong a signal for the Board, which has emphasised the labour market as a key policy driver, to opt for a deferment of the rate cut process pending further information," said Evans.

Analysts at Westpac Banking Corp now expect the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will cut interest rates in April, rather than February, following a second month of surprisingly upbeat jobs data. In a note to clients, chief economist Bill Evans said the dip in unemployment to a nine-month low of 5.1% in December was probably enough to delay a cut. "It is sufficiently strong a signal for the Board, which has emphasised the labour market as a key policy driver, to opt for a deferment of the rate cut process pending further information," said Evans.