Analysis: Indices

Centrica's first-half profit falls due to mild weather, lower energy prices

LONDON -British Gas owner Centrica said on Thursday its adjusted operating profit halved in the first half of this year, due to mild weather, falling wholesale energy prices and weaker returns from...

Anglo American's copper, diamond production falls in first half

LONDON -Global miner Anglo American on Thursday reported a 13% fall in copper production in the first half of the year to 342,200 metric tons, and a 26% fall in rough diamonds, as demand remains...

Nestle's India arm posts profit drop as costs bite; shares fall

Nestle India posted a 12% decline in first-quarter profit on Thursday, as higher raw material costs and expenses tied to its manufacturing expansion weighed on margins, sending shares down more than...

Chinese stock pickers lead global hedge fund gains as markets swing

HONG KONG -Hedge funds focused on Chinese equities posted double-digit returns in the first half of the year, outperforming global peers, fuelled by a rebound in Hong Kong stocks and bets on...

Japan's Topix rallies to record high in trade deal afterglow

TOKYO -Japan's Topix index climbed to a record high on Thursday and the Nikkei share average hit a new one-year peak, as stocks rallied for a second straight session after Tokyo struck a long-awaited...

Tequila giant Becle quadruples profit even as demand dries up

Becle, the world's largest tequila producer, posted a fourfold rise in second-quarter profit on Wednesday, bolstered by foreign currency exchange gains even as thirst for its spirits dipped in its...

Crude finishes with 1% gain on supply concerns and US crude draws

HOUSTON -Oil prices rose 1% on Thursday as U.S. crude draws and expected cuts to Russian gasoline exports overwhelmed news that oil major Chevron will gain U.S. approval to renew production in...

Australia relaxes curbs on US beef imports that angered Trump

CANBERRA/SYDNEY -Australia will ease restrictions on beef imports from the United States, the country's agriculture ministry said on Thursday, potentially smoothing trade talks with U.S. President...

South Africa's parliament passes last major budget bill

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed the last major piece of annual budget legislation, after the two biggest parties in the coalition government found common...

Takeaways of US-Japan deal include potential gains for Trump, Ishiba and EU

An emerging U.S.-Japanese trade deal could unlock major investment, avert a potential shock to the global economy and may deliver political wins for both U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese...

EU heading towards 15% tariff deal with US, EU diplomats say

BRUSSELS -The European Union is heading towards a trade deal with Washington that would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., avoiding a harsher 30% levy slated to be...

Exclusive-In rare move, California steps in to find buyer for Valero refinery to avoid closure, sources say

NEW YORK -California government officials are trying to find a buyer for Valero Energy's Benicia refinery near San Francisco, three sources familiar with the matter said, an unusual effort as the...

WTO reform prospects clouded by investment deal block, sources say

GENEVA -The World Trade Organisation suffered a setback at its General Council meeting in Geneva on Wednesday after a small group of countries again blocked an initiative designed to boost foreign...

Visa opens first Africa data centre in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG -Visa Inc launched its first data centre in Africa on Wednesday, capitalising on the emerging economy's rapid growth in digital payments, company executives said. Speaking...

US lawmakers advance bill that could sanction South Africa over its foreign policy

JOHANNESBURG -United States lawmakers have voted to advance a bill that proposes reviewing the U.S. relationship with South Africa due to objections over its foreign policy and potentially imposing...

Silver's hot streak gathers pace; market at highest since 2011

Silver prices surged to their highest in almost 14 years on Wednesday, aided by worries about U.S. tariff policy, signs of tightness in the spot market and growing investor interest in alternatives...

Space startup iRocket to go public via $400 million SPAC deal

Reusable rocket developer Innovative Rocket Technologies, commonly known as iRocket, will go public in the U.S. through a $400 million merger with special purpose acquisition company BPGC...

Dealmaking in US upstream oil and gas tumbles as volatility rattles investors

HOUSTON -Volatility across energy and equity markets spooked investors in the second quarter, slowing the pace of mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. upstream oil and gas sector, analytics firm...

South Africa's small inflation rise leaves room for rate cuts, analysts say

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's inflation rate edged higher in June, reaching the base of the central bank's target range, but analysts said there was still scope to ease monetary policy. ...