Analysis: Indices

Exclusive-Ukraine's 2025 grain harvest may fall 10%, minister says

KYIV -Ukraine's 2025 grain harvest may decrease by 10% to around 51 million metric tons compared to 56.7 million tons in 2024, according to the most pessimistic estimates, Ukrainian agriculture...

Japan's gas industry allows gas with carbon capture in 2050 net zero plan

TOKYO -The Japan Gas Association said on Tuesday it would take a more flexible approach in its drive to become carbon neutral by 2050, allowing greater use of natural gas in combination with carbon...

US-India nearing trade deal as talks progress, commerce secretary says

NEW DELHI -Trade negotiations between the United States and India are making progress and a deal could be finalised soon, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Monday, as both sides push to...

Deutsche Bank lifts S&P 500 year-end target amid Wall Street upgrade wave

Deutsche Bank has raised its year-end target for the S&P 500 to 6,550 from 6,150, citing lower tariff-related earnings drag and a resilient economy, in a move that comes amid a broader wave of target...

Vietnam firms to sign MoUs to buy $2 billion of US farm produce

HANOI -Vietnamese firms will sign memorandums of understanding with U.S. partners to buy $2 billion worth of American farm produce, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday, part of efforts to seal a...

Egypt's non-oil private sector contraction slows in May, PMI shows

Activity in Egypt's non-oil private sector edged closer to stability in May, with softer contractions in new business and output, according to an S&P Global survey released on Tuesday. ...

EU says it will make strong case for US tariff cuts this week

BRUSSELS -The European Commission said on Monday it would make a strong case this week for the United States to reduce or eliminate tariffs even after Donald Trump said he would double import duties...

US LNG exports declines in May from April's record

HOUSTON -U.S. liquefied natural gas exports fell in May due to plant outages and maintenance at the country's largest export facility, preliminary LSEG ship tracking data show. The U.S....

Botswana to slash growth forecast amid prolonged diamond market downturn

GABORONE -Botswana will cut its 2025 economic growth forecast to almost zero due to a prolonged downturn in the global diamond industry, a senior financial ministry official said Monday, with the...

Astronomers fear impact of Musk's Starlink on South Africa mega-telescope observations

CAPE TOWN -Astronomers working with South Africa's SKA telescope are pushing authorities to ensure that any licensing agreement with Elon Musk's Starlink will protect their groundbreaking...

Digital banking startup Chime targets $11.2 billion valuation in US IPO

Digital banking startup Chime Financial said on Monday it was targeting a valuation of up to $11.2 billion on a fully diluted basis in its long-awaited New York initial public offering, underscoring...

India's monsoon stalls after early start; to pick up again around June 11

MUMBAI -Rainfall over India is likely to remain subdued for over a week as the annual monsoon's progress has stalled after its earliest onset in 16 years, though it is likely to pick up again from...

Polish stocks fall as eurosceptic Nawrocki elected president

Polish equities slipped on Monday after nationalist opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki won the second round of the country's presidential election. According to the data from the...

China rejects Trump's accusation that it breached Geneva trade deal

China said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump's accusations that Beijing had violated the consensus reached in Geneva trade talks were groundless, and promised to take forceful measures to...

Egypt plans desert city supplied with diverted Nile water

CAIRO -Egypt unveiled plans on Sunday to build a desert city that will see about 7% of Egypt's annual Nile River quota rerouted from fertile delta land to pass by upscale glass-fronted housing units...

IATA expects sustainable aviation fuel production to double in 2025

The International Air Transport Association said on Sunday it expects the amount of sustainable aviation fuel produced to double in 2025 to reach 2 million tonnes, representing 0.7% of airlines' fuel...

Canadian oil sands company evacuates workers due to wildfire threat

CALGARY -Canadian oil sands company MEG Energy said on Friday it evacuated all nonessential workers from its Christina Lake production facility in northern Alberta due to wildfires burning in the...

Botswana's ODC to start contract diamond sales in September

Botswana's state-owned Okavango Diamond Company plans to start contracted gem sales in September, managing director Mmetla Masire said on Friday, as it diversifies its sales channels under the...

European shares trim gains after Trump comments on China tariffs

LONDON -Europe's benchmark STOXX 600 index trimmed its gains on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump said China had violated an agreement on tariffs with the United States. The...