Starmer risks resurrecting Cameron’s failed China script November 19, 2024 The Prime Minister has been mingling with world leaders in Brazil, and while his government continues to face an array of domestic challenges (from tractor protests to debates on assisted dying) he has managed to pick up a hefty endorsement from one of the world’s most powerful people. “The new UK government is working to [...]
Taiwan is being excluded from international climate agreements – against its will November 17, 2024 As world leaders and delegates gather this month in Baku, Azerbaijan, for Cop29 to address the global threat of climate change, Taiwan – with its proactive net-zero policies, invaluable climate adaptation experience and demonstrated commitment to climate action – remains excluded from participating in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for political [...]
Elon Musk and Fox News host chosen for Trump cabinet and advisory roles November 13, 2024 Tech billionaire Elon Musk and Fox News host Pete Hegseth have been asked to serve as advisors and in Donald Trump’s cabinet. Musk is set to lead a new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which will advise the President on how to reform and make savings in the government, after he previously claimed he [...]
Baillie Gifford says shareholders can ditch China trust if underperformance persists November 13, 2024 Baillie Gifford has pledged to allow investors to refund their money from its £133m China-focused growth trust if it continues to underperform the wider market over the next four years. The trust’s share price has dropped by more than 33 per cent in the last five years, compared to a drop of just nine per [...]
Smith & Nephew slashes guidance as China slowdown continues October 31, 2024 Hip and knee implant maker Smith & Nephew has cut its full-year guidance as it continues to grapple with a slowdown in China. It booked third quarter revenue of $1.4bn (£1.08bn), up four per cent year on year, but Chinese sales dragged as the region experienced “worse than expected headwinds” across the surgical businesses. The [...]
Jonathan Reynolds ‘open to reviving China trade talks’ October 29, 2024 Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said he is “open to having a conversation” about reviving trade talks with China. The cabinet minister told Politico he was “certainly” prepared to discuss reopening the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO), which was set up to improve bilateral trade and investment between the two nations. It was [...]
HSBC shares pop as bank beats profit estimates and launches $3bn buyback October 29, 2024 HSBC has unveiled its latest share buyback after beating profit estimates in the third quarter as the Asia-focused bank gears up for a major restructuring.
Burberry, LVMH and Kering: Rebound of travel and China to boost luxury market October 22, 2024 Analysts have stressed the problems in the luxury market are cyclical, not structural, and predicted an upswing at brands like Burberry, LVMH and Kering as international travel looks set to rebound past pre-pandemic levels. The downturn in the luxury market, which has been suffering from the cost-of-living crisis in the West and a slowdown in [...]
UK needs ‘more diplomacy’ with China, says Lammy October 19, 2024 The UK approach to China needs “more diplomacy, not less”, the Foreign Secretary has said on his first official visit to the country. David Lammy said the Government would bring “consistency” to relations with China, adding there had not been “sufficient contact” between London and Beijing under his predecessors, particularly on human rights issues. His [...]
Oil prices slide on Israel vow to avoid Iran refineries with retaliation October 15, 2024 Oil prices tumbled by over four per cent on Tuesday after soft economic readings from China and reports that Israel has assured the US it would avoid oil and nuclear facilities in its expected retaliation on Iran. The price of Brent crude dropped 4.4 per cent – or $3.42 (£2.61) a barrel – and WTI [...]