Indices

Philippines cenbank sees inflation rising toward target, rate cut cycle near end

The Philippines' central bank will keep weighing a feeble growth outlook against gradually rising inflation to set monetary policy in a balancing act that could bring an end to its easing cycle soon,...

World food prices dip in December but still up in 2025, UN's FAO says

World food prices declined for a fourth consecutive month in December, mostly pressured by dairy, meat and vegetable oil prices, marking the lowest average since January 2025, the United Nations' Food...

EU states back record South America trade deal after 25 years

STORY: EU states gave a provisional go-ahead on Friday for the bloc to sign its largest ever free trade accord with South American group Mercosur. Although it came amid protests in some...

Elevated prices strain retail demand in India; China gold premiums widen

Elevated prices further restricted physical gold buying in India this week, while dealers in China hiked premiums over international rates as retail interest renewed after the holiday period. ...

US October trade deficit lowest since 2009 as imports decline

The U.S. trade deficit contracted sharply in October, hitting the lowest level since mid-2009 as imports declined, a trend that if sustained could see trade again adding to economic growth in the...

Egypt expects remaining 4 billion euros in EU financial package by 2027

Egypt expects the remaining 4 billion euros of a previously announced 5 billion macro-financial assistance package from the European Union to be disbursed in three tranches by 2027, Foreign Minister...

CANADA FX DEBT - Canadian dollar weakens, benchmark yield climbs

The Canadian dollar weakened against the greenback on Thursday, and the yield on benchmark government debt climbed.  The loonie was trading 0% lower at C$1.3864 to the greenback, or...

Goldman Sachs raises first-half copper price forecast

Goldman Sachs raised its copper price forecast for the first half of 2026 to $12,750 a metric ton from $11,525 a ton on Thursday, citing a scarcity premium amid limited inventory coverage outside the...

AFRICA-FX-Most currencies under pressure from dollar demand

The Ghanaian, Ugandan and Zambian currencies could lose ground against the dollar in the week ahead, while Kenya's shilling is expected to be little changed, traders said. GHANA ...

India's NSE in talks with IGX to launch natural gas futures contract

India's National Stock Exchange is in discussions with Indian Gas Exchange, or IGX, to develop and launch Indian natural gas futures, the country's largest bourse said on Thursday. The...

Zambia seeks new IMF programme rather than extension

Zambia will work on a new programme with the International Monetary Fund instead of seeking to extend its loan agreement that expires at the end of the month, the finance ministry said on Thursday. ...

Indonesia mulls palm oil export levy hike to support biodiesel mandate

Indonesia will likely increase its palm oil export levy to support the country's biodiesel mandate, energy ministry official Eniya Listiani Dewi told reporters on Thursday, citing tightening funds. ...

African states, business groups eyeing stake in De Beers, CEO says

De Beers has attracted interest from several business groups and African governments as parent Anglo American looks to offload its stake in the firm, the diamond giant's CEO told Reuters. ...

TSX pulls back from record high as commodity prices fall

Canada's main stock index pulled back on Wednesday from a record high as commodity prices declined and investors weighed the need for Canada to diversify its trading partners. The...

South Africa eases anti-trust rules for firms facing high power costs

South Africa has softened its anti-trust regulations to allow firms battling high power costs to jointly build energy infrastructure and collectively negotiate supply contracts. South...

India expects strong economic growth despite US tariff hit

India's economic growth is estimated to surge past most initial private and official forecasts, backed by robust domestic demand and government spending, helping New Delhi cope with punitive U.S....

HSBC raises average silver price forecasts to $68.25 for 2026

HSBC on Wednesday raised its silver price forecasts to $68.25 per ounce for 2026 from $44.50 earlier, and to $57 for 2027 from $40 earlier, citing a weaker U.S. dollar and mild supply-demand...

South African rand subdued as dollar rebounds, December PMI contracts

The South African rand was subdued in early Wednesday trade, pressured by a rebounding U.S. dollar and a contraction in December's local Purchasing Managers' Index, the sharpest drop in business...

Musk's xAI raises $20 billion in upsized Series E funding round

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI announced Tuesday it raised $20 billion in an upsized Series E funding round, exceeding its $15 billion target as it ramps up development of new AI...