Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to effectively halve food rations to the poor ahead of state polls next year and a general election in 2024 is fiscally sound, but politically much depends on whether the charismatic leader can sell it to voters. Subsidised food and other items are key to winning elections in India,
READ MOREToyota Motor (NYSE:TM) Corp reported on Monday a 1.5% rise in November global vehicle output, reaching a new record of 833,104. domestic production slid 3.3% to 266,174 vehicles, while overseas output rose 3.8% to an all-time high of 566,930 for the month. Global sales and production in November exceeded last year’s levels due to solid
READ MOREOil prices extended gains into a fourth straight session on Thursday after inventory data showed that U.S. supplies remained tight ahead of a demand-heavy holiday season, although caution ahead of key economic readings kept gains limited. Data on Wednesday showed that U.S. crude inventories shrank far more than expected in the previous week, with decreases
READ MOREMost Asian currencies fell slightly on Tuesday as fears of a potential recession persisted, while the Japanese yen rallied past its peers after the Bank of Japan tweaked its ultra-dovish policy, drumming up hopes for an eventual pivot. The yen jumped 2.7% to 133.14 – its strongest level against the dollar in four months. The
READ MOREMost Asian currencies moved little on Monday as fears of a potential recession and rising COVID-19 cases in China weighed on sentiment, while the Japanese yen gained on bets that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) could eventually tighten policy amid rising inflationary pressures. The yen rose 0.4% to 136.18 against the dollar after a report
READ MOREJapan logged a trade deficit for a 16th straight month in November as imports surged to a record level, while subdued growth in exports to China fanned concern about how COVID disruptions there could impact other economies. The trade deficit came in at 2 trillion yen ($14.8 billion) – the fourth month in a row
READ MOREMost Asian currencies kept to a tight range on Wednesday in anticipation of an interest rate hike and more cues on monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, although sentiment was somewhat lifted by softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data. Most regional units rose on Tuesday after data showed U.S. consumer price index (CPI) inflation eased more than
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