Analysis: Indices

S.African business confidence slips further in third quarter amid tariff pressure, survey shows

South African business confidence slipped a point further sequentially in the third quarter of 2025, weighed down by hefty U.S. tariffs on the country's exports, a survey showed on Wednesday. ...

HSBC lifts S&P 500 year-end target on strong tech earnings

HSBC raised its year-end S&P 500 forecast to 6,500 from 6,400, citing stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings and resilient macro conditions, with tech and financials driving momentum. ...

South Africa's Aspen aims for profit turnaround with insulin, GLP-1 drugs

JOHANNESBURG -Aspen Pharmacare's manufacturing division aims to grow profit by 2027 by commercializing an insulin deal and producing GLP-1 drugs, after the ending of a major contract led to a...

Exclusive-Britain's FCA asks Mercuria about its LME aluminium holding

LONDON -Britain's financial watchdog has approached commodity trader Mercuria inquiring about its large London Metal Exchange aluminium holding, which has distorted prices for contracts with short...

Etihad first-half profit best yet on global expansion, passenger growth

Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways first half was its most profitable yet, the company said Wednesday, as its net profit reached 1.12 billion UAE dirham , up 32% year-on-year. Etihad carried...

Deutsche ReGas secures LNG regasification deals with BASF, Equinor

BERLIN -Deutsche ReGas on Wednesday said it had signed long-term agreements with German chemical producer BASF and Norway's energy major Equinor for liquefied natural gas regasification capacity at...

Kenya's private sector activity contracts at slower pace in August, PMI survey shows

NAIROBI -Kenya's private sector activity contracted in August but at a slower pace than the previous month, with improved performance in the manufacturing and wholesale and retail sectors cushioning...

South Africa's business activity edges up as cost pressures ease in August, PMI shows

JOHANNESBURG -South African businesses experienced a very modest improvement in operating conditions in August as cost pressures eased, the S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers' Index showed...

EU to propose Mercosur trade deal, facing France-led opposition

BRUSSELS -An EU trade accord with South America's Mercosur bloc will be presented by the European Commission on Wednesday for approval, pitting Germany and other countries that want new markets to...

Indian shares muted ahead of tax council meeting as IT offsets broader gains

India's equity benchmarks were muted on Wednesday, as a drop in IT stocks on weak U.S. economic data offset broader gains, ahead of a meeting of the Goods and Services Tax Council, where tax cuts are...

Colombia's 2025 natural gas investment seen up 35% to $1.1 billion, Naturgas association

BOGOTA -Investment in Colombia's natural gas industry is expected to increase by 34.6% to $1.1 billion in 2025, driven by exploration and production efforts to reduce the fuel deficit, association...

Blockchain lender Figure seeks up to $4.1 billion valuation in US IPO

Figure Technologies is targeting a valuation of up to $4.13 billion in its initial public offering, the blockchain lender said on Tuesday, becoming the latest crypto firm to capitalize on revived...

Oil settles up 1% after US imposes sanctions targeting Iranian oil

HOUSTON -Oil prices settled up more than 1% a barrel on Tuesday after the U.S. imposed sanctions targeting Iran's oil revenue stream, and ahead of an OPEC+ meeting on Sunday where analysts expect the...

Retailer and farmer groups ask India to shun Amazon's plea to ease investment rules

NEW DELHI -Groups backing millions of small Indian retailers have urged the government to shun Amazon's request to ease strict foreign investment rules for exports, a letter shows, as opposition to a...

Cafe chain Black Rock Coffee Bar targets $861 million valuation in rare US consumer IPO

Black Rock Coffee Bar is targeting a valuation of up to $860.7 million in its New York initial public offering, the cafe chain said on Tuesday, setting the stage for a rare consumer sector listing...

Sweden's Klarna targets up to $14 billion valuation in long-awaited US IPO

Sequoia Capital-backed Klarna said on Tuesday it was aiming for a U.S. listing valuing the fintech at up to $14 billion, moving it closer to its long-awaited market debut as investor appetite in...

Mubadala-backed Corient to acquire two European wealth managers in $214 billion asset deal

DUBAI -Corient, one of the largest U.S. wealth advisory firms, said on Tuesday it would acquire Stonehage Fleming and Stanhope Capital Group, bringing more than $214 billion in client assets under...

India eyes record cotton buying as imports, US tariffs dampen prices

MUMBAI -India is expected to purchase a record volume of cotton from farmers in the upcoming season, as domestic prices face pressure from cheaper imports and weakening demand following hefty U.S....

Gold climbs to record high of over $3,500 on bets of US rate cuts, economic risks

Gold rose over 1% on Tuesday, surging to an all-time high above $3,500 per ounce, with investors piling into the metal on growing conviction of a Federal Reserve rate cut and lingering political and...