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Asian equities see largest monthly foreign inflow in 15 months

Asian equities attracted strong foreign inflows in May as concerns over an immediate economic hit from higher US tariffs eased, prompting a return by investors who had previously exited large and concentrated positions in the region.The inflows marked a sharp reversal after four consecutive months of net foreign selling.According to data from LSEG, foreign investors bought approximately $10.65 billion worth of equities across India, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, registering their largest monthly net purchase since February 2024.US President Donald Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs in...
Currencies

Asian currencies to enjoy long-term appreciation against USD as gross national savings of Asia are higher compared to G7 countries: Jefferies

New Delhi , May 24 (ANI): Asian currencies are likely to appreciate against the US dollar in the long term, according to a recent report by Jefferies.AdvertisementThe report highlighted that the gross national savings in emerging Asian countries are significantly higher than those in developed G7 nations, giving Asian economies a strong foundation for currency strength.It said, "The most likely currency bloc to enjoy long-term appreciation against the US dollar remains Asian currencies in what amounts to a reversal of the dynamic triggered by the Asian Crisis nearly 30 years...
Currencies

Asian travelers sensitive to forex shifts, says study

TRAVELERS from the Asia-Pacific region are more conscious of foreign exchange rate fluctuations compared to their Western counterparts, according to a new study by data and services group Mastercard Economics Institute. Its report, "Travel Trends 2025: Purpose-Driven Journeys," analyzed 24 major tourism markets which account for nearly 80 percent of global gross domestic product.Data showed that inbound tourism — particularly among travelers from Asia — tends to slow down when a destination's currency depreciates. "Travelers from Asia tend to be more sensitive to exchange rate shifts, as such movements can...
Currencies

Asian stocks suffer limited losses as US dollar and bonds buckle

Asian stocks battled to hold ground on Tuesday after a furious flight from US assets undermined Wall Street and the dollar, while concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve piled fresh pressure on Treasuries.Relatively limited losses in Asia did spark talk that funds could be reallocating money to equities in the area, though the impact of tariffs on economic growth remained a major drag.President Donald Trump’s increasingly vocal attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates saw Wall Street indexes shed around 2.4 per cent on...
Currencies

Investors are ramping up option bets for weaker Asian currencies

Currency volatility across the region has jumped ever since the larger-than-expected new US tariffs were announced last week. (EPA Images pic) BEIJING: President Donald Trump’s US tariff whiplash and the Chinese yuan’s trajectory will likely keep Asian currency volatility elevated. Currency volatility across the region has jumped ever since the larger-than-expected new US tariffs were announced last week, while foreign currency options signal increased bearishness. Concerns over economic growth have also driven more aggressive bets that regional central banks will cut interest rates. Uncertainty could remain high, even as Trump...
Currencies

Asian Expat Working at Kuwait’s Central Bank Held for Counterfeiting KD 19,000

KUWAIT CITY, March 26: The Counterfeiting and Forgery Investigations Department of the Criminal Security Sector, under the leadership of Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, has referred an Asian expatriate to the Public Prosecution on charges of counterfeiting Kuwaiti currency. The case file includes 19,000 Kuwaiti dinars in counterfeit banknotes (denominations of 20 and 10 dinars) from the fifth edition of the currency.Details of the CrimeInvestigations revealed that the accused, who worked at the Central Bank of Kuwait, believed his position would enable him to fraudulently exchange the counterfeit fifth-edition notes for authentic sixth-edition currency. According to a security source, the Central Bank initially detained...
Currencies

China stimulus lifts Asian stocks as trade war fears cap …

Asian stocks jumped on Monday on Beijing’s fresh stimulus measures aimed at boosting consumer spending, while regional currencies traded cautiously as investors weighed mounting trade frictions that threaten global economic growth. Seoul’s benchmark climbed 1.6% to their highest since February 27, while stocks in Kuala Lumpur gained 1.1% in its third consecutive winning session. Shares in Taipei added 0.7% after advancing as much as 1.5% earlier in the session. On Sunday, China unveiled sweeping measures to boost domestic consumption, including income hikes and childcare subsidies, just days after financial regulators...