https://www.scmp.com/rss/521881/feed Moody’s: A prominent entity in the financial services sector, New York City-headquartered Moody’s Corporation specialises in credit ratings and integrated risk assessment. It operates primarily through Moody’s Ratings, providing creditworthiness assessments for debt obligations, and Moody’s, offering financial analysis software, data, and risk management tools. Serving institutional investors, banks, corporate issuers, and governments globally, Moody’s is recognised as one of the "Big Three"... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Asian economies reliant on energy imports are bracing themselves not just for a spike in oil prices but for the possibility that the Iran war could trigger a prolonged period of energy market disruption. While markets have already priced in the initial disruption to shipping and energy infrastructure linked to the conflict, economists warn that a war lasting several weeks could leave Asian importers facing persistently higher fuel costs, widening trade deficits and slower economic... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3346262/asias-energy-reliant-economies-face-existential-threat-prolonged-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3346262/asias-energy-reliant-economies-face-existential-threat-prolonged-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:45:45 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia could face a sharp fiscal squeeze if the US-Israel war on Iran pushes oil prices higher, analysts warn, as this risks inflating the country’s fuel subsidy bill at a time when global ratings agencies and investors are already scrutinising Jakarta’s budgetary discipline. A prolonged war could force policymakers into a difficult choice: maintain fuel subsidies and risk breaching the legal deficit ceiling – potentially unsettling investors further – or cut funding to keep the budget within... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3345705/indonesia-faces-fiscal-squeeze-iran-war-drives-oil-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3345705/indonesia-faces-fiscal-squeeze-iran-war-drives-oil-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:03:50 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji The biggest challenges that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has to tackle following its recent victory in the general election are the country’s sluggish economy, high inflation and unemployment. Speaking at a webinar, panellists said voters would judge the new government on its ability to create jobs, tame inflation and steady relations with key partners, even as they commended the peaceful election. Zafar Sobhan, editor of Counterpoint, said: “Let us not forget this was a key driver in... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/3344168/bangladesh-faces-daunting-post-election-challenges-economy-garment-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/3344168/bangladesh-faces-daunting-post-election-challenges-economy-garment-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:25:11 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Bangladesh has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in as the country’s next leader, a gesture analysts say could help steady relations after months of strain between the neighbours. Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured victory in last week’s national polls, paving the way for the long-time opposition leader to take office after years on the political sidelines. Modi will not attend Tuesday’s ceremony because of prior commitments, but... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343731/bangladeshs-outreach-india-good-beginning-easing-strained-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343731/bangladeshs-outreach-india-good-beginning-easing-strained-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:19 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse US job growth beat expectations in January while unemployment crept down, official data showed on Wednesday, defying immediate concerns about labour market fragility on the back of US President Donald Trump’s economic policies. The United States added 130,000 jobs last month, the Department of Labour said, significantly higher than the 55,000 predicted in surveys by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. The jobless rate dropped to 4.3 per cent from 4.4 per cent in December. Trump... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343229/us-adds-130000-jobs-january-amid-trump-policy-fallout-and-fed-rate-freeze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343229/us-adds-130000-jobs-january-amid-trump-policy-fallout-and-fed-rate-freeze?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:49:38 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim As sovereign wealth funds are increasingly deployed as geopolitical tools, Indonesia’s new state-backed vehicle is setting itself apart by operating with transparency and professional discipline, according to one of its top executives. Pandu Sjahrir, chief investment officer of Danantara Indonesia, said the sovereign wealth fund was being run for profit rather than politics, even as governments around the world tapped heavily into such stashes to pursue strategic goals. “In the new geopolitical... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3343078/danantara-indonesia-chief-vows-keep-politics-out-trillion-dollar-fund?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3343078/danantara-indonesia-chief-vows-keep-politics-out-trillion-dollar-fund?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:40:20 +0000 Bloomberg,Reuters Bloomberg,Reuters Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa pushed back at Moody’s Ratings’ decision to lower the country’s outlook, saying that the nation’s improving growth and controlled deficit were unlikely to result in a credit rating downgrade. “Our economy is improving, deficit is still under control – compared to other countries, we are still in a better position,” Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta on Friday. “There are not strong enough reasons for a downgrade. In fact, we should gradually see... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342597/danantara-indonesia-urges-reform-policy-consistency-after-moodys-warning-shot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342597/danantara-indonesia-urges-reform-policy-consistency-after-moodys-warning-shot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:01:02 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s newly unveiled budget signals a bid to cement its status as a global manufacturing powerhouse through a raft of policy measures, but analysts say the US$630 billion allocation will still require supplement as the country seeks new markets to diversify its trade. The measures, rolled out in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech on Sunday, are seen to have addressed two critical issues – creating jobs for young workers, comprising the world’s largest youth pool, as well as... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342124/india-eyes-global-manufacturing-powerhouse-status-budget-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342124/india-eyes-global-manufacturing-powerhouse-status-budget-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:06:04 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings The Taiwan government has cleared Nvidia to establish a NT$3.3 billion (US$105 million) headquarters on the island that produces most of the world’s advanced semiconductors, which the Silicon Valley chip designer will need to feed the red-hot global artificial intelligence sector. Nvidia would use the Taipei site for a “commercial office” building and the acquisition of land for a “comprehensive business park”, the island’s Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Wednesday. The approval came a... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3341644/nvidia-wins-approval-taiwan-headquarters-secure-ai-chip-supply?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3341644/nvidia-wins-approval-taiwan-headquarters-secure-ai-chip-supply?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:17 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Chinese short-video platform Kuaishou Technology is pitching its debut offshore bond sale to professional investors, joining a wave of domestic tech companies raising funds in the global debt market. The Beijing-based company, which is offering senior unsecured notes in US dollars and Chinese yuan, said on Wednesday that it planned to use the proceeds from the issuance for general corporate purposes. The two offerings were separate and not inter-conditional, meaning each could proceed... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3339826/chinese-short-video-giant-kuaishou-taps-global-debt-market-us-dollar-yuan-bonds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3339826/chinese-short-video-giant-kuaishou-taps-global-debt-market-us-dollar-yuan-bonds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:07:41 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been a crucial pillar of China’s economy since it opened up, drawing in trillions and helping fuel its rise as the “world’s factory”. But outbound direct investment (ODI) has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, transforming the country into a major exporter of capital. Today, China’s outbound investments exceed inflows, and the country has consistently ranked among the top three global investors in recent years. In this explainer, the Post examines the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3339333/how-chinas-global-investment-model-changing-and-what-it-means-yuan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3339333/how-chinas-global-investment-model-changing-and-what-it-means-yuan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:00:19 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s largest airline is experiencing its toughest crisis in years after cancelling thousands of flights amid a severe pilot shortage – a result of its failure to hire enough staff to meet new government rules designed to combat pilot fatigue. Analysts say the turmoil at IndiGo highlights the structural challenges faced by a fast-growing aviation market currently dominated by just two carriers. About 3,000 IndiGo flights were cancelled last week, including more than 1,000 on Friday, accounting... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3335742/indigo-flight-chaos-exposes-risks-indias-aviation-duopoly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3335742/indigo-flight-chaos-exposes-risks-indias-aviation-duopoly?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Dec 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Developer China Vanke reported a deeper third-quarter loss, highlighting mounting challenges as the prolonged property market downturn continues to weigh on its sales. The Shenzhen-based company posted a loss of 16.1 billion yuan (US$2.3 billion) in the three months ended September 30, roughly doubling its loss from a year earlier. That brings its combined losses for the first nine months of the year to 28 billion yuan, according to a statement to the Shenzhen exchange on Thursday. Persistent... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3330983/developer-china-vanke-reports-us23-billion-loss-amid-sales-slowdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3330983/developer-china-vanke-reports-us23-billion-loss-amid-sales-slowdown?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:47:44 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong Meituan expects to raise US$3 billion from a dual-currency bond offering, as the Chinese on-demand delivery giant looks to bolster its war chest to stave off the challenge from rivals led by Alibaba Group Holding and JD.com. The Beijing-based company will offer US$1.99 billion in greenback-denominated bonds and 7.08 billion yuan (US$1 billion) of notes in the local currency, according to its statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Meituan said it had signed an agreement with... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3330895/chinese-delivery-giant-meituan-eyes-us3-billion-bond-issue-amid-intense-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3330895/chinese-delivery-giant-meituan-eyes-us3-billion-bond-issue-amid-intense-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:56:29 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced its second consecutive quarter-point rate cut to bolster the flagging labour market, in a move that highlighted the growing division in its ranks. Policymakers voted 10-2 in favour of lowering the bank’s key lending rate to between 3.75 per cent and 4.00 per cent, the Fed said in a statement. Opposed to the action were Fed governor Stephen Miran, who backed a bigger half-point cut, and Kansas City Fed president Jeff Schmid, who “preferred no change... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3330827/us-fed-lowers-key-rate-powell-says-december-cut-not-guaranteed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3330827/us-fed-lowers-key-rate-powell-says-december-cut-not-guaranteed?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:20:17 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao Shares in China’s clean-energy companies, driven by policy tailwinds, show signs of catching up with a global rally that has lifted renewable equities into the ranks of this year’s top trades. The Hang Seng Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Clean Energy Index rose about 30 per cent over the past six months, in line with the broader China market. The S&P Global Clean Energy Transition Index has jumped nearly 50 per cent over the same span, compared with 35 per cent gains in both the S&P 500 index and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328683/chinas-clean-energy-stocks-closing-gap-global-peers-renewables-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328683/chinas-clean-energy-stocks-closing-gap-global-peers-renewables-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:30:12 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Chinese search engine giant Baidu will issue a 4.4 billion yuan (US$618 million) dim sum bond aimed at securing lower financing costs and operational flexibility amid an aggressive artificial intelligence expansion. The bond carries an annual coupon of 1.9 per cent and will mature in 2029. Baidu priced the bond on Tuesday, with the offering expected to close on or about September 15, 2029. It is the second dim sum bond – denominated in yuan and issued outside mainland China – that the company... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3324866/baidu-us618-million-dim-sum-bond-will-bolster-ai-ambitions-amid-weak-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3324866/baidu-us618-million-dim-sum-bond-will-bolster-ai-ambitions-amid-weak-results?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:23:56 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse President Emmanuel Macron will accept the resignation of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Tuesday after his government was ejected in a confidence vote, with the French leader rushing to find a successor and stave off a new political crisis. On Monday, Bayrou suffered a crushing loss in a confidence vote he had himself called, plunging France into fresh uncertainty. The French presidency said in a statement that Macron “took note” of the outcome and said Macron would name a new premier “in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3324801/french-pm-bayrou-loses-confidence-vote-toppling-his-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3324801/french-pm-bayrou-loses-confidence-vote-toppling-his-government?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:44:25 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s tech sector could risk further US scrutiny over a plan to deepen ties with Chinese semiconductor firms, as it looks to move up the value chain while maintaining access to the world’s biggest consumer market, according to analysts. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently on a four-day official visit to China, held high-level talks in Beijing on Tuesday with senior leaders in the Chinese tech sector. Anwar earlier said the meeting aimed to “discuss and work on the formula” to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3324076/malaysia-looks-china-escape-its-chipmaking-rut-what-cost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3324076/malaysia-looks-china-escape-its-chipmaking-rut-what-cost?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:30:07 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Shanghai aims to complete at least five new large-scale data centres by the end of the year to meet rising demand for computing power, as China enhances its digital infrastructure to support its artificial intelligence ambitions. The initiative is expected to elevate the city’s AI computing capacity beyond 100 exaflops, according to a recent plan from the Shanghai Communications Administration, made public on Friday. Exaflop is a measuring unit for computer speed, equivalent to 1 quintillion... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3320813/shanghai-targets-5-new-data-centres-2025-china-boosts-ai-computing-capacity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3320813/shanghai-targets-5-new-data-centres-2025-china-boosts-ai-computing-capacity?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:00:11 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma China’s consumer prices eked out a 0.1 per cent annual gain in June, providing some respite after four months of deflation caused by overcapacity, slowing exports and overzealous austerity compounding domestic demand concerns. Prices fell 0.1 per cent in the first six months of the year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, even with the unexpected June increase. Producer prices dropped 3.6 per cent in June, the biggest fall in almost two years, and the 32nd decline in a row. The... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3317509/overzealous-austerity-worsens-chinas-demand-woes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3317509/overzealous-austerity-worsens-chinas-demand-woes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:00:19 +0000 Desmond Lachman Desmond Lachman When he was France’s finance minister in the 1960s, former French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing famously complained about the “exorbitant privilege” that the dollar’s position as the world’s leading reserve currency conferred on the United States. This meant, essentially, that the US could borrow at low interest rates, run persistently large trade deficits and print money to finance its budget deficits. He never could have imagined the US would end up letting these advantages slip through... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3317284/trump-single-handedly-slaughtering-americas-exorbitant-privilege?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3317284/trump-single-handedly-slaughtering-americas-exorbitant-privilege?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:30:11 +0000 Leopold Chen,Mandy Zuo Leopold Chen,Mandy Zuo With the US Senate voting to move an updated version of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping budget legislation – the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” – forward in the legislative process, the controversial bill now comes closer to becoming law. It has also brought the country’s mounting debt back into the spotlight. Rife with spending increases, tax cuts and no additional revenue sources to compensate, the bill has been estimated to add US$3.3 trillion to the nation’s debt over the next decade; a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3316399/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-debt-bomb-can-pennsylvania-plan-defuse-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3316399/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-debt-bomb-can-pennsylvania-plan-defuse-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Jun 2025 11:00:01 +0000