Initial claims for unemployment benefits in the United States fell more than expected in early January, offering fresh evidence that companies are continuing to retain workers even as signs of cooling emerge in the broader labour market.Data released on Thursday showed there were 198,000 initial claims in the week ending…

Most commodities were in the red on Thursday as the market took a breather from ongoing rallies in precious metals and oil.Gold prices fell after weaker economic data from the US strengthened the dollar, making the precious metal more expensive for overseas buyers.Silver prices also declined more than 1%, but…

Silver’s importance as an industrial metal and the tight supply situation present a positive backdrop for prices.However, risks from trade policy and macro sentiment are likely to remain the focal point of pricing, according to ING Group.Silver prices, after initially plummeting over 7% on Thursday from an all-time high of…

Europe enters the week with a mix of economic resilience and geopolitical strain.Britain’s stronger-than-expected growth has lifted market confidence, offering rare optimism amid cost pressures and policy uncertainty.On the diplomatic front, tensions with Russia have sharpened following a high-profile expulsion, while the Arctic is emerging as a new arena of…

Global markets and politics are colliding as power, technology, and capital flow come under renewed strain.In the United States, escalating federal threats over civil unrest raise constitutional stakes, while automakers confront hard realities about the pace of electrification.In Asia, blockbuster semiconductor earnings underscore AI’s economic pull even as geopolitics loom…

Three US House Democrats are accusing the Securities and Exchange Commission of stepping back from its enforcement role in the cryptocurrency sector and are demanding explanations from SEC Chairman Paul Atkins over the agency’s dismissal or pause of several high-profile crypto cases, including one involving Tron founder Justin Sun.In a…

Global markets and geopolitics set the tone on Friday, with Asian equities advancing on renewed optimism surrounding artificial intelligence, the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. striking a landmark US shale acquisition, and US President Donald Trump making headlines regarding Venezuela and Gaza.Asian markets advance as AI optimism returnsAsian stocks moved higher…

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, recognised as China’s preeminent jewellery seller, commands a vast retail network encompassing thousands of stores throughout mainland China and Hong Kong. With its dominance well-established in its domestic markets, the Group is strategically beginning to look beyond its traditional borders for new avenues of growth and…

US household wealth is booming. Net worth crossed $181 trillion in late 2025, driven by soaring stock markets and still rising home values. The President recently declared the start of an “economic” boom in the United States. He also celebrated the “defeat” of inflation. But at the same time, the majority of…