Food prices gained 0.2% in July, matching June's rise.
Economy

U.S. consumer prices rise moderately; annual increase slows to below 3%

Expectations of Fed rate cut strength on downward inflation trend

14 August 2024
Amid surging labor demand in an AI boom, Vietnam aims to train at least 50,000 chip engineers and designers by 2030 as industry giants look to offset severe staff shortages in their home markets. (Illustration by Yoshiko Kawano)
The Big Story

Vietnam turns chip sector magnet with affordable, quality talent pool

US, Taiwan, South Korean players beat path to Vietnam though boom strains resources

14 August 2024
Net profit is expected to fall 1% this fiscal year for companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime market. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Business trends

Japan Inc. projects 1% net profit dip on yen uptick and U.S. worries

Outlook for fiscal year improves slightly, but slump continues in autos and steel

14 August 2024
France's TotalEnergies sold its stake in a network of 800 fueling stations in Pakistan.
Business trends

TotalEnergies' Pakistan exit stirs company exodus fears

French energy major latest Western multinational to quit crisis-hit Asian nation

13 August 2024
Singapore's economy grew 2.9% in the April-June quarter from a year earlier. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Singapore upgrades full-year GDP growth forecast to 2-3%

Trade ministry says manufacturing sector will recover gradually in second half

13 August 2024
The dollar is coming down from a prolonged period of strength, boosting Asian currencies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Ringgit, baht gain against dollar on speculation of U.S. rate cut

Asian central banks seen weighing own moves as inflationary pressures ease

13 August 2024
Though the majority of Asian countries did not join in the West's sanctions against Russian oil, they are expected to abide by them.
Opinion

'Dark fleet' of oil tankers risk more maritime disasters in Asia

The West needs to bring Russian oil shipping out of the shadows

12 August 2024
According to the International Monetary Fund, as of March 2024, the total balance of global foreign reserves stood at $12.3499 trillion, with the dollar accounting for 58.9% based on currency allocation.
Currencies

Central banks dump dollars and yuan in favor of gold

The 'stateless currency' shines as a haven amid geopolitical tension

10 August 2024
An electric vehicle from China's Dongfeng Motor. The European Union has imposed provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on EVs made in China, saying they unfairly benefit from government subsidies.
Electric vehicles

China files WTO complaint against EU over tariffs on EVs

Beijing says it will 'safeguard the development rights and interests' of industry

9 August 2024
The head of Turkey's presidential investment office, Burak Daglioglu, speaks to Nikkei Asia in Istanbul. (Photo by Kana Watanabe)
Interview

Turkey expects more investments from Chinese EV makers

BYD's $1bn decision gives other companies 'comfort,' says investment office head

8 August 2024
Goldman Sachs in a note said investors typically profit when they buy after a 5% selloff in the S&P 500 index.
Markets

Wall Street bounces back after global stocks rout

Fed officials push back on bearish sentiment about U.S. economy

7 August 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris' jump to the top of the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential election ticket caught many Washington diplomats off guard. While they weigh whether she will extend President Joe Biden's current Asia policies, they must also prepare for the prospect of a new, unpredictable term for former President Donald Trump.
The Big Story

Harris takes on Trump: Asia braces as U.S. heads toward poll

As diplomats weigh policy hints, VP picks Walz and Vance vie for working class votes

7 August 2024
People shop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Turkey's fragile economy is suffering from high inflation and exchange rate volatility.
Opinion

Japan must wake up to the potential of boosting economic ties with Turkey

PM Kishida should use this 100th anniversary year of relations to visit Ankara

6 August 2024
A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. All three major U.S. indexes sank in morning trading.
Markets

Nasdaq, S&P 500 fall 3% each amid U.S. recession fears, Apple drop

Investors bett on aggressive Fed rate cuts; Wall Street 'fear gauge' spikes

6 August 2024
The Malaysian ringgit had dropped in February to its lowest level against the dollar in data going back to 1971.
Currencies

Malaysian ringgit hits 16-month high against dollar

Country's strong economy fuels rebound amid greenback sell-off

6 August 2024
U.S. stocks fell sharply during the day on Aug. 2 following the release of weaker-than-expected jobs data.
Economy

Dow drops 600 on weak jobs data as global sell-off whips back to Wall Street

Investors worry U.S. economy is slowing under high interest rates

3 August 2024
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin ride in a car together in Pyongyang on June 19. (KCNA via Kyodo)
Comment

North Korea faces limits of economic boon from Russia 'alliance'

For Moscow, long-term partnership with Pyongyang may have little upside

3 August 2024
The dollar dropped to a four-month low on Friday after a weaker-than-expected employment report for July raised expectations for a September rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Economy

Dollar hits four-month low as weak U.S. jobs data boosts rate cut bets

Japanese yen strengthens to 146.42 against greenback at one point

3 August 2024
The U.S. hiring data in July suggests the labor market's strength is fading. 
Economy

U.S. job growth misses expectations in July; unemployment rises to 4.3%

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 114,000 jobs in sign of slowdown

2 August 2024
Federal Reserve officials have been gaining confidence that price pressures are moderating, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said.
Economy

Fed holds rates steady, nods to possible September cut

Powell says U.S. economy 'moving closer' to appropriate point for lower borrowing costs

1 August 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on July 9. (Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters)
Trade

India and Russia look to boost bilateral trade by 50% by 2030

Target of $100bn set during Modi's Moscow visit comes amid U.S. concerns

28 July 2024
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen attends a Group of 20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro on July 25.
Interview

Yellen suggests Japan's yen intervention differs from typical manipulation

Exclusive: U.S. treasury chief says 'beggar thy neighbor' policies should not be used

27 July 2024
David Lammy was received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his first overseas trip as U.K. foreign minister. 
Trade

India and U.K. eye early FTA under new Starmer government

New British FM calls ties 'indispensable' after signing tech security pact

26 July 2024
The U.S. economy grew an annualized 2.8% in the second quarter in a sign of resilience despite high interest rates. 
Economy

U.S. economy grows at 2.8% annualized rate, topping forecast

GDP growth regains steam in 2nd quarter; inflation slows

25 July 2024
Japan led investment in the U.S. with $783 billion in mergers and acquisitions and greenfield purchases in 2023.
25 July 2024