NEW YORK (REUTERS) – The number of Americans voluntarily quitting their jobs rose to a record high in September while job openings stayed stubbornly above pre-pandemic levels, a sign that businesses may have to continue to raise wages in order…
Internet economy investments in South-east Asia at all-time high in 2021
SINGAPORE – Investments in South-east Asia’s (SEA) internet economy hit an all-time high this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic. An internet economy research report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company that was released on Wednesday (Nov 10) found that…
Striking truckers in Asia threaten to add to supply chain snarls
SINGAPORE (BLOOMBERG) – Truckers are striking against surging diesel prices across Asia’s emerging economies, threatening to add pressure on snarled global supply chains. The latest protest is taking place in Bangladesh, where truck owners and staff have stopped work since…
US Fed announces plan to slow its bond-buying programme
NEW YORK (NYTIMES) – Federal Reserve officials took their first major step towards withdrawing monetary policy support as the economy heals from pandemic disruptions and inflation remains sharply elevated, laying out a plan to slow their asset buying programme. “In…
Singapore's central bank 'ready to act' against inflation risks: Ravi Menon
SINGAPORE (BLOOMBERG) – Singapore’s top central banker has said the monetary authority is watching for signs of accelerating inflation and is ready to act, underscoring how policymakers globally are refocusing attention on rising prices after their extraordinary efforts to weather…
World's most consumed edible oil also facing supply crunch
KUALA LUMPUR (BLOOMBERG) – Palm oil production in Malaysia is on course for its weakest showing in five years as planters grapple with the worst-ever labour shortage in the second-biggest grower, and the low yields are likely to last through…
Singapore is No. 2 in the world for attracting and developing talent: Insead
SINGAPORE – Singapore has moved up one notch to second place in a global ranking of how well countries attract, develop, support and retain talent – behind Switzerland but ahead of the United States. The yearly global talent competitiveness index,…
UPDATE 1-McConnell says Republicans will not again aid Democrats in raising debt limit
(Adds background, details from letter) WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) – One day after the Senate approved a temporary lift to the U.S. debt ceiling, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden that he would…
Global interest rates set to rise along with market volatility
SINGAPORE – The latest message from the United States Federal Reserve is crystal clear – asset purchase tapering will be sooner and faster than previously thought and interest rates could rise next year. At the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)…
Singapore factory output grows 11.2% in August; chip production recovers
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s factory growth eased in August, on the back of a drop in biomedical manufacturing output, but still came in better than expected, according to data out on Friday (Sept 24). Manufacturing output expanded 11.2 per cent year-on-year last…