Business deals
Sumitomo Mitsui leasing firm to buy Singapore private funds for $270m
SMFG company aims to tap Asian markets with new deal
Markets
Thai SEC sets curbs on foreign-dominated short-selling
Head of regulator says it will 'not soon' allow cryptocurrency ETFs
China People's Congress
China NPC takeaways: Five 'no's' from the legislative 'two sessions'
Premier's presser nixed amid no signs of shift on economy, security, diplomacy, Xi loyalty
Markets
Japan stocks fall 3% at one point as yen rallies ahead of BOJ meeting
Shares expected to continue dropping in near term if yen keeps climbing
Finance
Singapore steps up scrutiny of China wealth after money laundering case
At least two family office applications with mainland ties rejected this year
Market Spotlight
Malaysian ringgit's fall puts central bank, government on alert
Country 'ready' to intervene after currency hits lowest level since Asian crisis
China People's Congress
China housing chief pledges 'reasonable' aid for distressed developers
Ni Hong says some should be 'declared bankrupt or undergo restructuring'
IPO
Big Four's share of Japan IPO audits dips below 50% on accountant crunch
Deloitte, EY, PwC and KPMG lose ground to smaller auditors with lower fees
Markets
Nvidia stock on meteoric rise. Will earnings keep up?
Analysts predict faster profit growth than Apple's during iPhone boom
China debt crunch
China's debt-servicing costs to top $170bn on growing bond issuances
Struggling regional governments cast shadow over country's credit rating
Currencies
Yen reaches one-month high against dollar on U.S. jobs data
Fed rate cut speculation weighs down greenback against key currencies
Markets
Japan's GPIF to resume lending foreign shares
World's largest pension fund will hold onto voting rights
Property
China can't simply let crisis-hit developers fail: economic adviser
Yin Yanlin cites lack of alternatives to real estate's contribution to GDP
Bank of Japan
Speculation on BOJ ending negative rates in March jolts yen, stocks
Japanese currency touches 1-month high against dollar
IPO
Japan's Pocketalk interpreter preparing for 2025 IPO in Tokyo
Mobile translation devices popular with tourists, hospitals and schools
Economy
Malaysia maintains key rate at 3.0% amid falling ringgit
Central bank says local currency 'undervalued' as economy expected to improve
Commodities
Indonesian palm oil output pressured by weak global economic growth
China, India, U.S., EU expected to buy less from major producers, experts say
China debt crunch
China work report pledges to tackle local debt, without specifics
Annual document avoids contentious proposal to raise retirement age
China tech
JD.com shares surge 16% on $3bn buyback plan, Q4 revenue beat
Chinese e-commerce group vows to boost price competitiveness but stay 'disciplined'
Markets
Fed's Powell warns cutting rates too soon could backfire
Central bank chief's remarks in line with markets' dialed-down expectations
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin market cap approaches silver with latest rally
SEC approval of ETFs and safe-haven demand among factors spurring rise
China People's Congress
China central banker sees full toolbox as planners vow to hit GDP goal
Top economic officials hold rare joint news conference in attempt to shore up confidence
Opinion
Cleanup of China Evergrande collapse calls for coordination and clarity
HNA and GITIC bankruptcies underscore value of transparent resolution process
Markets
Japan's stock market has room to go even higher, analysts say
Experts split on whether tech space is overheating
Markets
Japan stock rally spreads beyond chip sector to construction
Obayashi leads way with 21% gain after upgrading capital efficiency plans