Blue is the new green in Xiamen
JP Morgan has announced plans to include Saudi Arabia and the Philippines in its emerging market debt index starting in 2027. The Saudi riyal-denominated sukuk and Philippine peso-denominated government bonds will be integrated over a ten-month period. The index is expected to adjust the maximum country weight limit from 10% to 9%. Saudi Arabia's weight will reach 2.71%, while the Philippines will have a weight of 1.64%.
The average long-term mortgage rates in the U.S. decreased for the third consecutive week, offering some respite. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined to 7.18% from 7.24%, according to Freddie Mac. Additionally, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgages saw a drop to 6.57%, slightly down from last week. These lower rates help to alleviate the financial burden on prospective homebuyers facing increased costs.
Mehul Mohanka, Chairman, CII Eastern Region said, "The policy is a progressive and forward-looking framework that reinforces the State’s commitment to industrial growth and advanced manufacturing and sends a strong signal to investors.”
Jai Balaji Group has announced an investment proposal of around Rs 6,000 crore in West Bengal. This investment focuses on specialized steel for railways, defense and aerospace applications, along with renewable energy initiatives. The expansion is expected to create over 20,000 employment opportunities in the region. Additionally, the company aims to enhance its production capabilities in precision engineering and specialized copper products.
As geopolitical tensions change the landscape, US Treasuries are witnessing a spike in demand while equity markets take a hit and oil prices show volatility. Investors are reassessing their outlook on the US-Iran relations following new election results. The labor market remains resilient with dropping unemployment claims and heightened productivity levels, pointing towards ongoing inflation risk.
The 78-0 vote marked a stunning repudiation of Pena by lawmakers from his long-ruling Colorado Party, who joined the opposition in backing his impeachment after three days of demonstrations rocked the capital, Asuncion.
Chinese scientists have chilled atoms aboard the Tiangong space station to the lowest temperature ever measured, smashing US and German records and paving the way for ultra-precise space sensors that could find hidden minerals, track climate change and test Einstein’s theory of gravity. Researchers from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences brought thousands of rubidium atoms, packed into a cloud smaller than a grain of sand, to less than 10 trillionths of a degree above absolute...
The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) generated the most shareholder value over the last 10 years. According to a Morningstar report, it created $263.1 billion in wealth for investors. Meanwhile, the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) followed with $195.2 billion created for investors. Conversely, the ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) lost $10 billion during the same decade. Smaller funds often struggled with losses due to market conditions and high-risk categories.
SanDisk stock: SanDisk shares plunged more than 19% on Thursday, extending a six-session slide despite strong quarterly earnings and an upbeat forecast. Growing attention on China’s CXMT, pressure across memory stocks and concerns about data-centre expansion have added to the sell-off.
The Centre has asked states and Union Territories to strengthen fodder security, pasture development and livestock infrastructure under the VB-G RAM G Act, identifying 22 permissible works. These include fodder banks, silage units, grazing lands and livestock shelters, aimed at addressing shortages and supporting rural households dependent on animal husbandry.
India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri communicated support for Nepal's infrastructure rebuilding after the recent floods. During meetings in Kathmandu, Nepal's PM Balen Shah thanked India for its disaster response assistance. Discussions also focused on expanding energy cooperation, with Nepal seeking new investments in various sectors. Several India-funded projects are set to be inaugurated during Shah's upcoming visit to India. This visit marks Shah's first bilateral overseas engagement as Prime Minister.
