Category : Business
China auto output and sales jump in March
BEIJING: China’s automobile industry posted a sharp rebound in March, with production rising to 2.917 million units and sales reaching 2.899 million units, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Output jumped 74.4% from February and sales increased 60.6% from the previous month. From a year earlier, however,......
Bank of Korea keeps rate at 2.5% for seventh hold
SEOUL: The Bank of Korea held its benchmark interest rate at 2.50% on Friday, extending a pause that began in July 2025 and marking a seventh straight policy meeting without a change, as policymakers weighed rising inflation pressure, weaker growth risks and heightened market volatility. The decision by the seven-member Monetary Policy Board......
China inflation hits 1% in March as PPI turns positive
BEIJING: China’s consumer inflation rose 1.0% in March from a year earlier, official data showed on Friday, easing from February’s 1.3% increase as spending cooled after the Lunar New Year holiday period. On a month-on-month basis, the consumer price index fell 0.7%, reversing February’s 1.0% rise. For the first quarter, consumer prices were......
Gold steadies as markets watch US-Iran talks
ISLAMABAD: Gold prices held steady on Thursday as investors weighed a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire, preparations for talks in Islamabad and a fresh round of U.S. inflation data that could shape the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates. The metal stayed range-bound after a volatile week in which easing fears over a wider......
Nikkei falls as caution returns to Tokyo stocks
TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average fell on Thursday as investors pulled back after a powerful relief rally, with renewed concern over Middle East tensions and higher oil prices prompting a more defensive tone across the Tokyo market. The Nikkei 225 closed down 0.73% at 55,895.32, while the broader Topix lost 0.9% to 3,741.47.......
China forex reserves fall in March to $3.34 trillion
BEIJING: China’s foreign exchange reserves fell to $3.3421 trillion at the end of March, official data showed on April 7, as a stronger U.S. dollar and weaker prices for major global financial assets weighed on the value of the country’s reserve holdings. The March total was down $85.7 billion, or 2.5%, from the......
Japan current account surplus hits $24.8 billion in February
TOKYO: Japan posted a current account surplus of 3.93 trillion yen, or about $24.8 billion, in February, as strong returns on overseas investments helped offset softer trade-related gains and a continued shortfall in services. Preliminary balance of payments data released by the Ministry of Finance showed the surplus was nearly unchanged from......
ADB unveils fund to speed ASEAN power grid plans
MANILA: The Asian Development Bank has launched a new multi-partner trust fund with about $25 million in initial backing to accelerate preparation of cross-border energy and transmission projects in Southeast Asia. The new vehicle, called the Regional Connectivity Fund for Energy in Southeast Asia, is aimed at advancing the ASEAN Power......
Shenzhen Port tops 8.52 million TEUs in first quarter
SHENZHEN: Shenzhen Port handled 8.5227 million foreign-trade containers measured in TEUs in the first quarter of 2026, official customs data showed, as one of China’s biggest maritime gateways posted steady year-on-year growth at the start of the year. The quarter’s throughput was up 7.81% from a year earlier, lifting the southern port......
Türkiye raises power and gas prices by up to 25%
ANKARA: Türkiye has raised electricity and natural gas prices for households and several business categories, with the biggest increases reaching 25% and taking effect on April 4. The Energy Market Regulatory Authority said residential electricity tariffs rose 25%, while prices increased 17.5% for public and private services, 5.8% for industrial users and 24.8%......