April, 2017

• 26 April

  The Trump effect down under

    In Sydney last weekend, Vice President Mike Pence hailed the close economic ties linking the U.S. and Australia. In fact, currently America’s chief export to the Antipodes seems to be bad ideas. Last week, on the same day President Donald Trump took aim at the H-1B visa program in the U.S., Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull abolished Australia’s own skilled-worker ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  North Korean crisis coming to a head

    The US navy flotilla is sailing towards Korean peninsula, the nuclear-powered USS Michigan, one of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines capable of launching cruise missiles, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan, and US forces have begun installing THAAD, a missile-defense system in South Korea. Such military equipment build up is the ominous indicator of possible catastrophic events. Tensions ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  China’s newest aircraft carrier should worry India

  

    The launch of China’s second aircraft carrier, expected as soon as this week, will be an important and depressing moment for India. The ‘Type 001A’—likely to be named the “Shandong”—will give China an edge for the first time in the carrier race with its Asian rival, a literal two-to-one advantage. After decommissioning the INS Viraat earlier this year, the ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  From $51bn of copper to zero in one easy lesson

  

    What’s a mine worth? In theory, valuation could be based on the amount of salable metal it can produce. On that basis, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.’s Grasberg on the island of New Guinea is one of the best mines in the world, with the third-largest reserves of copper and one of the biggest gold deposits, worth more than $100 billion at ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  How to avoid a tech counter-revolution

  

    The story about a $400 internet-connected juicer that turned out to be superfluous since a human could simply squeeze juice from its producer’s proprietary packs by hand was destined to go viral and did, with more than 800,000 hits on the Bloomberg website and strong reactions in other publications. It’s evidence of a growing resistance to Silicon Valley-style innovation. ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  Saudi’s Alawwal, SABB surge on initial merger discussions

  

    Reuters Two Saudi banks soared on Wednesday after saying they were in initial stages of a merger, helping lift the mood in other lenders while first quarter financial results buoyed the shares of two blue chips in other Gulf countries. On Wednesday Saudi’s Alawwal Bank agreed to start talks with Saudi British Bank (SABB) about a tie-up that could ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  Dollar rises as US stock futures fluctuate

  

    Bloomberg The dollar rose while US stock futures fluctuated with Treasuries as investors await details of the Trump administration’s tax cut plan that could breathe new life into flagging reflation trades. French election results, strong first-quarter earnings and speculation President Donald Trump’s plan will further boost corporate profits sparked risk appetite this week, sending US equities within striking distance ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  Etihad Airways A380 goes double daily to Sydney

  

    Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business Etihad Airways on Wednesday announced all 14 weekly flights on the popular Abu Dhabi – Sydney route will be operated with its flagship A380 aircraft, effective October 29. The current daily A380 Sydney flights will be joined by a second daily superjumbo service, upgraded from a 328-seat Boeing 777-300ER. The announcement comes as Etihad ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  Airbus lands $6bn deal from China Southern

  

    Bloomberg China Southern Airlines Co. said it plans to buy 20 widebody aircraft from Airbus SE in a deal worth about $6 billion, according to a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange Wednesday. The Guangzhou-based company said it will acquire the A350-900 jets, each with a list price of $298.9 million. Discounts are customary for such large orders. ...

  Read More »
• 26 April

  US not to expand airline laptop ban to UK airports

    Bloomberg A US aviation security agency said there are ‘no imminent’ plans to add the UK or other nations to airports where passengers are banned from carrying electronic devices in the cabin on flights bound for American cities. The UK’s Times and Guardian had reported that U.S. officials notified the U.K. they were considering such a move, citing unnamed ...

  Read More »