Alibaba (BABA) scraps Cainiao IPO, offers full ownership

The Alibaba Group company logo is displayed on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on February 14, 2024 in New York City.  Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images Alibaba on Tuesday said it was scrapping a planned initial public offering for its smart logistics unit Cainiao, adding to recent woes … Read more

Falling fertility rates pose major challenges for the global economy

Terry Vine | Getty Images Falling fertility rates are set to spark a transformational demographic shift over the next 25 years, with major implications for the global economy, according to a new study. By 2050, three-quarters of countries are forecast to fall below the population replacement birth rate of 2.1 babies per female, research published … Read more

Central banks had a big week. Here’s what happened — and what’s next

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on interest rate policy in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2024. Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters Central banks around the world reached a pivotal point this week, with Switzerland becoming the first major economy to cut interest … Read more

Immigration is boosting the U.S. economy and has been ‘underestimated’

U.S. commuters. Caroline Purser | The Image Bank | Getty Images The recent influx of immigration into the U.S. is helping to bolster the economy despite a raft of global challenges, according to Joyce Chang, chair of global research at JPMorgan. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its U.S. GDP growth projection to 2.1% … Read more

Turkey central bank raises interest rate to 50%

A picture taken on August 14, 2018 shows the logo of Turkey’s Central Bank at the entrance of its headquarters in Ankara, Turkey. ADEM ALTAN | AFP | Getty Images Turkey’s central bank on Thursday raised its key interest rate, the one-week repo rate, from 45% to 50%, citing the continuing need to counter climbing … Read more

Gold prices have hit record highs. Here’s why they could rally further

People browsing gold jewelry in Istanbul. Burak Kara | Getty Images News | Getty Images Gold prices still have room to rise after hitting all-time highs early this month, as several central banks continue to purchase bullion in record amounts.  These purchases have strengthened gold prices despite high interest rates and a strong dollar, market … Read more

What to expect from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting Wednesday

Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Jerome Powell testifies before the House Financial Services Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 06, 2024 in Washington, DC.  Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images The Federal Reserve has a lot to do at its meeting this week, but ultimately may not end up doing a … Read more

The ocean freight market is in standoff as peak contract season hits

March and April are critical months for ocean carriers looking to ink annual freight contracts with shippers, including the world’s biggest retailers, but this year contract season is turning into a waiting game. The $2,500 spread between spot market rates and long-term freight contract rates for Asia to U.S. West Coast containers has reached its … Read more

Fed and others to make ‘major progress’ on rates this year: BIS chief

An eagle tops the U.S. Federal Reserve building’s facade in Washington, July 31, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/ Jonathan Ernst | Reuters The Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank look poised to make “major progress” in cutting interest rates this year, according to the central bank of central banks. Agustín Carstens, general manager of the Bank … Read more

Saudi Arabia wealth fund in talks to acquire national airline Saudia: Report

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Saudi Arabian. Aircraft to Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Fiumicino (Italia), Nov. 11, 2021 Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Saudi Arabia’s behemoth sovereign wealth fund is in talks to buy the kingdom’s national airline Saudia, Bloomberg reported over the weekend, citing people familiar with the matter. The reported move … Read more