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Print - 2016-12-25
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Saturday (December 24, 2016) and the forecast for Sunday (December 25, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Bullion Rates

Bullion Rates

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Bullion Rates

Bullion Rates

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Cotton Spot Rates

Cotton Spot Rates

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Lahore Grain Market Rates

Lahore Grain Market Rates

Grain and other commodity rates in rupees on Akbari Mandi on Saturday (December 24, 2016)

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Hides and skins rates

Hides and skins rates

Hides and skin rates in rupees prevailing on the commodity markets in Karachi on Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Automart: car prices in Karachi

Automart: car prices in Karachi

The prices of different makes and models of cars prevailing in Karachi in the week ended Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
World Shipping Schedule

World Shipping Schedule

Karachi Port's world-wide shipping schedule beginning Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
World Shipping Schedule

World Shipping Schedule

Karachi Port's world-wide shipping schedule beginning Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
THE RUPEE: firm trend
Currency

THE RUPEE: firm trend

KARACHI: Firmness prevailed on the money market on Saturday as the rupee managed to hold overnight levels versus the dollar in the process of trading, dealers said. The rupee stayed put against the greenback for buying and selling at Rs 108.20 and Rs 108.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
THE RUPEE: firm trend
Currency

THE RUPEE: firm trend

KARACHI: Firmness prevailed on the money market on Saturday as the rupee managed to hold overnight levels versus the dollar in the process of trading, dealers said. The rupee stayed put against the greenback for buying and selling at Rs 108.20 and Rs 108.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Member to Member

Member to Member

The following transactions member to member subsequently reported on Saturday (December 24, 2016).

Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
M A Jinnah - leadership redefined

M A Jinnah - leadership redefined

When frustration and despondency envelop a period of history like blinding fog, there arises at times a genius among his people, whose confidence in himself and the cause he advocates become the solid foundation on which is built the magnificent mansion o
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Quaid's forgotten values and vision

Quaid's forgotten values and vision

How ironic it is that aside from celebrating Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's birthday on every December 25, we don't portray loyalty to his cherished values-unity, faith, and discipline-that he desired us to practice for our common good.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Jinnah's ideology and political struggle

Jinnah's ideology and political struggle

Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a statesman of extra-ordinary caliber who changed the course of history of Indian Sub-continent by leading the political struggle for the establishment of Pakistan as an independent state. His leadership and political
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Quaid-i-Azam: the last phase

Quaid-i-Azam: the last phase

In the scale of history, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's achievement of Pakistan dominates everything else he did in his long and crowded public life (1904-48). Yet, by any standard, his was an eventful life, his personality multi-faced, his achievemen
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Asian naphtha crack jumps to three-week high

Asian naphtha crack jumps to three-week high

Asia's naphtha crack jumped 11 percent to reach a three-week high of $73.73 a tonne on Thursday, lifted by strong gasoline demand and lower crude oil prices, traders said. Fundamentally, naphtha supplies were ample and sellers continued to release cargoes
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Bangladesh tea prices flat

Bangladesh tea prices flat

Tea prices in Bangladesh were largely flat at the weekly auction on Tuesday on strong demand for good varieties after a steep drop in prices in the previous auction. Bangladeshi tea fetched an average of 178.36 taka ($2.50) per kg at the auction, compared
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Soyameal prices narrowly mixed on European feeds market

Soyameal prices narrowly mixed on European feeds market

Soyameal prices on the European meals and feeds market were offered narrowly mixed on Thursday, adjusting for overnight movements in Chicago futures in a session lacking impetus before the year-end holidays. South American soyameal was mostly offered betw
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
China's November coal imports from Indonesia surge

China's November coal imports from Indonesia surge

Chinese imports of coal from Indonesia surged 160 percent in November from a year earlier, in line with rising shipments to meet a domestic shortfall, but imports from Australia dipped 10 percent. Imports from Indonesia jumped to 5.15 million tonnes, stil
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Argentina's wheat output to spike higher

Argentina's wheat output to spike higher

Argentine farmers will harvest more wheat than expected this season thanks to increased investment in pesticides and fertilizers prompted by new government export policies, the Agriculture Ministry said in its weekly crop report on Thursday. The 2016-17 c
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Two major Asian rice markets seen quiet
Cotton

Two major Asian rice markets seen quiet

Rice export prices in Vietnam widened this week while prices in Thailand were flat in a quiet market ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays, traders said on Wednesday. The prices of Vietnam's 5-percent broken rice widened to $335-$350 a tonne, FOB basis
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Lean business seen on cotton market
Cotton

Lean business seen on cotton market

Leading buyers were conspicuous by their absence on the cotton market on Saturday in the process of lean business, dealers said. The official spot rate was unchanged at Rs 6250, dealers said. In Sindh, seed cotton prices were at Rs 2600 and Rs 3250, they
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US wheat futures fall to three-week low

US wheat futures fall to three-week low

US wheat futures declined to a three-week low on Thursday, extending losses to a fourth straight session in a technical selloff that follows lower-than-expected weekly export sales, traders said. Most-active CBOT March wheat finished near its session low
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Freight rates for large capesize dry cargo to diverge on tight tonnage

Freight rates for large capesize dry cargo to diverge on tight tonnage

Freight rates for large capesize dry cargo ships on key Asian routes could diverge with rates from Brazil to China nudging higher on a shortage of tonnage and those from Australia to China holding firm around current levels on ample cargo, ship brokers sa
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Chinese steel, iron ore futures fall over four percent

Chinese steel, iron ore futures fall over four percent

Chinese steel and iron ore futures slumped more than 4 percent on Thursday as smog that engulfed northern cities of the country this week slowed trading activity. The smog has thinned in some parts including in the port city of Tianjin, but traders say ma
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
India's gold demand stays subdued despite fall in prices

India's gold demand stays subdued despite fall in prices

Gold demand in India remained subdued this week despite a sharp fall in prices to over 10-1/2 month lows as a severe cash crunch and holidays kept buyers away from the market, while premiums in China fell from near 3-year highs touched in the prior week.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
China sets to import record levels of LNG in December

China sets to import record levels of LNG in December

China's state oil and gas majors are set to import record levels of liquefied natural gas (LNG) this month, betting on robust demand during the cold winter months and helping lift Asian prices to their highest in nearly two years. Trade flows data on Thom
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US natural gas futures edge lower on warmer weather

US natural gas futures edge lower on warmer weather

US natural gas futures edged lower on Thursday, after touching a near two-week high earlier in the session, as a bigger-than-expected storage draw was offset by forecasts of warmer than usual weather for the next two weeks. After rising 8 percent on Wedne
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US FOB Gulf corn offers firmer

US FOB Gulf corn offers firmer

Export premiums for corn shipped from the US Gulf Coast were firm on Thursday, rising in tandem with higher CIF barge basis values as higher prices for loadings in the Pacific Northwest boosted demand for Gulf-loaded vessels, traders said. Slumping Chicag
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
European wheat futures edge lower
Currency

European wheat futures edge lower

European wheat futures edged lower on Thursday, curbed by a steady euro and weak Chicago prices as trader adjusted positions in the run-up to the year-end holidays. March milling wheat, the most active contract on the Paris-based Euronext exchange, settle
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Israel on defensive after landmark UN vote

Israel on defensive after landmark UN vote

Israel scrambled Saturday to contain the fallout from the UN Security Council vote to halt settlements in Palestinian territory after lashing out at US President Barack Obama over the "shameful" resolution. The council passed the measure Friday after the
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Trump ally sparks outrage for offensive barbs

Trump ally sparks outrage for offensive barbs

A Donald Trump ally has ignited widespread outrage after wishing for US President Barack Obama's death and making racially charged comments about the first lady. Carl Paladino - a businessman who served as a co-chairman of the president-elect's New York S
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Sisi says military accounts for 1.5-2 percent of economy
Currency

Sisi says military accounts for 1.5-2 percent of economy

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that the military's economic activity accounted for no more than two percent of the country's output, dismissing suggestions that the military could control as much as half of the economy.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Pilgrims in Bethlehem, fears in Europe for Christmas Eve

Pilgrims in Bethlehem, fears in Europe for Christmas Eve

Pilgrims gathered in Bethlehem on Saturday for Christmas Eve as Europeans prepared to mark the holidays under the shadow of the Berlin market attack. Dozens of Palestinians and tourists flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity,
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
South Korean protesters push for president's ouster

South Korean protesters push for president's ouster

Tens of thousands of people, many in Santa Claus outfits, marched through the streets of Seoul Saturday calling for the immediate ouster of impeached President Park Geun-Hye. Parliament voted to impeach Park earlier this month over a corruption scandal in
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
LSE says markets have more work to do

LSE says markets have more work to do

Market participants who want to minimize the impact of sweeping new regulations on securities trading in Europe have more work to do in the last year before the changes take effect, London Stock Exchange said on Wednesday. The Markets in Financial Instrum
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US funds hold portfolios steady

US funds hold portfolios steady

US funds kept their model global portfolio mostly unchanged this month, still favoring stocks, on expectations of fiscal stimulus from President-elect Donald Trump in 2017 and a steeper pace of interest rate increases next year. US stocks have rallied sin
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US funds hold portfolios steady

US funds hold portfolios steady

US funds kept their model global portfolio mostly unchanged this month, still favoring stocks, on expectations of fiscal stimulus from President-elect Donald Trump in 2017 and a steeper pace of interest rate increases next year. US stocks have rallied sin
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
London's biggest hedge funds fall

London's biggest hedge funds fall

The number of senior people registered as working at the 15 largest discretionary hedge funds in Britain fell by 3.5 percent in 2016, one of the toughest for the industry in recent years. Overall, hedge funds employ about 10,000 people in Britain, includi
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
London's biggest hedge funds fall

London's biggest hedge funds fall

The number of senior people registered as working at the 15 largest discretionary hedge funds in Britain fell by 3.5 percent in 2016, one of the toughest for the industry in recent years. Overall, hedge funds employ about 10,000 people in Britain, includi
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US stock funds attract cash

US stock funds attract cash

Investors feasted on stock exchange-traded funds during the latest week while delaying their escape from the stressed bond market, data from the Investment Company Institute showed on Wednesday. Some $26.9 billion flooded into US-based stock ETFs during t
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US stock funds attract cash

US stock funds attract cash

Investors feasted on stock exchange-traded funds during the latest week while delaying their escape from the stressed bond market, data from the Investment Company Institute showed on Wednesday. Some $26.9 billion flooded into US-based stock ETFs during t
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Volvo Cars raises $500 million IPO

Volvo Cars raises $500 million IPO

Geely's Volvo Cars have raised 5 billion Swedish crowns ($532 million) from a group of Swedish institutional investors in a step towards a listing of the Chinese-owned company. The investors bought newly-issued preference shares that would have "an immate
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Volvo Cars raises $500 million IPO

Volvo Cars raises $500 million IPO

Geely's Volvo Cars have raised 5 billion Swedish crowns ($532 million) from a group of Swedish institutional investors in a step towards a listing of the Chinese-owned company. The investors bought newly-issued preference shares that would have "an immate
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Japan fund managers trim stocks in December

Japan fund managers trim stocks in December

Japanese fund managers boosted their portfolio of bonds and trimmed exposure to stocks in December as bond yields surged in the wake of Donald Trump's election victory last month, a Reuters survey showed. The survey of five Japan-based fund managers condu
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Japan fund managers trim stocks in December

Japan fund managers trim stocks in December

Japanese fund managers boosted their portfolio of bonds and trimmed exposure to stocks in December as bond yields surged in the wake of Donald Trump's election victory last month, a Reuters survey showed. The survey of five Japan-based fund managers condu
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Saudi finance minister says local bond issues likely to resume in Q1

Saudi finance minister says local bond issues likely to resume in Q1

Saudi Arabia expects to resume monthly domestic bond sales in the first quarter of 2017 but will ensure private sector borrowing is not crowded out or banking system liquidity strained, finance minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said on Thursday. Jadaan was spea
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Saudi finance minister says local bond issues likely to resume in Q1

Saudi finance minister says local bond issues likely to resume in Q1

Saudi Arabia expects to resume monthly domestic bond sales in the first quarter of 2017 but will ensure private sector borrowing is not crowded out or banking system liquidity strained, finance minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said on Thursday. Jadaan was spea
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Record $97.6 billion pumped into US equity

Record $97.6 billion pumped into US equity

Investors poured a record $97.6 billion into US equity ETFs since the US election, TrimTabs Investment Research reported for the period from November 8 to December 15. "The stampede into US equity ETFs since the election has been nothing short of breathta
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Record $97.6 billion pumped into US equity

Record $97.6 billion pumped into US equity

Investors poured a record $97.6 billion into US equity ETFs since the US election, TrimTabs Investment Research reported for the period from November 8 to December 15. "The stampede into US equity ETFs since the election has been nothing short of breathta
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Nigeria seeks advisers for Islamic bond

Nigeria seeks advisers for Islamic bond

Nigeria is looking for financial and legal advisers and trustee firms to organise its first Islamic bond in the domestic market, the country's Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Monday. The Opec member, which is Africa's largest economy, is working on a
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Nigeria seeks advisers for Islamic bond

Nigeria seeks advisers for Islamic bond

Nigeria is looking for financial and legal advisers and trustee firms to organise its first Islamic bond in the domestic market, the country's Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Monday. The Opec member, which is Africa's largest economy, is working on a
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Brazil states to face conditions in exchange

Brazil states to face conditions in exchange

The Brazilian government will continue to impose conditions on cash-strapped states in exchange for federal support, Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Wednesday, after lawmakers watered down a debt-relief proposal. Meirelles said President Miche
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Brazil states to face conditions in exchange

Brazil states to face conditions in exchange

The Brazilian government will continue to impose conditions on cash-strapped states in exchange for federal support, Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said on Wednesday, after lawmakers watered down a debt-relief proposal. Meirelles said President Miche
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Blackstone Group winds down Senfina hedge fund

Blackstone Group winds down Senfina hedge fund

Blackstone Group is winding down its "big bet" hedge fund Senfina Advisors LLC after it faced mounting double-digit losses on its investments this year, a spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday. It is a rare setback for the private equity titan, which invests r
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Blackstone Group winds down Senfina hedge fund

Blackstone Group winds down Senfina hedge fund

Blackstone Group is winding down its "big bet" hedge fund Senfina Advisors LLC after it faced mounting double-digit losses on its investments this year, a spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday. It is a rare setback for the private equity titan, which invests r
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
British funds see faster growth in 2017

British funds see faster growth in 2017

British investment funds picked up more equities in December on expectations that increased spending by some governments would drive acceleration in economic growth, benefiting everything from banks to construction firms. Reuters' monthly survey of 13 UK-
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
British funds see faster growth in 2017

British funds see faster growth in 2017

British investment funds picked up more equities in December on expectations that increased spending by some governments would drive acceleration in economic growth, benefiting everything from banks to construction firms. Reuters' monthly survey of 13 UK-
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
China battles dual deficits of cash and trust
Currency

China battles dual deficits of cash and trust

China's money markets are bracing for a rough transition into 2017 as a traditional year-end cash deficit coincides with heavy capital outflows and a disruptive bond default that are creating sporadic cash shortages and ramping up counterparty risk.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Nigeria to provide dollars to airlines, fuel marketers
Currency

Nigeria to provide dollars to airlines, fuel marketers

Nigeria's central bank on Monday asked banks to submit bids for a "special currency auction" to clear the backlog of matured outstanding dollar obligations for selected sectors of the economy, traders said on Monday. The central bank instructed commercial
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Gold coin sales soar to five-year peak in 2016

Gold coin sales soar to five-year peak in 2016

American Eagle gold coin sales rose to a five-year high in 2016, the US Mint said on Wednesday, after a volatile year that saw prices soar 30 percent in the first seven months, only to tumble in the wake of US President-elect Donald Trump's election victo
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Sri Lanka finance minister sees stable rupee in 2017
Currency

Sri Lanka finance minister sees stable rupee in 2017

Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said on Tuesday the rupee currency, which is under downward pressure, will recover and be steady next year with expected foreign inflows. The rupee, which has fallen 3 percent this year after a nearly 10 perce
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Yuan weakens, Chinese rush to open foreign currency accounts
Currency

Yuan weakens, Chinese rush to open foreign currency accounts

Zhang Yuting lives and works in Shanghai, has only visited the United States once, and rarely needs to use foreign currency. But that hasn't stopped the 29-year-old accountant from putting a slice of her bank savings into the greenback. She is not alone.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
'Weak yen positive for Japan's economy'
Currency

'Weak yen positive for Japan's economy'

A weak yen is positive for Japan's economy as it helps companies boost wages and investment by increasing their profits, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday. US President-elect Donald Trump's plans for infrastructure spending and tax
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
A volatile calm - the paradox of 2016 financial markets
Currency

A volatile calm - the paradox of 2016 financial markets

Traditional measures of volatility at historic lows and Wall Street stocks at new record highs went hand-in-hand in 2016 with traders fretting about bouts of wild stock-price swings and currency flash-crashes. The past year has been nothing if not paradox
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
A volatile calm - the paradox of 2016 financial markets
Currency

A volatile calm - the paradox of 2016 financial markets

Traditional measures of volatility at historic lows and Wall Street stocks at new record highs went hand-in-hand in 2016 with traders fretting about bouts of wild stock-price swings and currency flash-crashes. The past year has been nothing if not paradox
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
ECB money has failed to boost economy - Rimsevics

ECB money has failed to boost economy - Rimsevics

The European Central Bank's aggressive money-printing has failed to boost growth in the euro zone substantially, Latvia's Ilmars Rimsevics said on Wednesday, the third ECB rate setter to express disappointment about the programme in the past few days. Rim
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Philippine revises FX assumptions
Currency

Philippine revises FX assumptions

The Philippines revised on Tuesday its foreign exchange assumptions for its 2017 and 2018 macroeconomic targets, taking into consideration a weaker peso against the US dollar. The forex assumption is now 48-50 pesos to the dollar for both 2017 and 2018, f
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Dollar changed in light, pre-Christmas trade

Dollar changed in light, pre-Christmas trade

The dollar held steady on Friday in a tight trading range, as traders moved to the sidelines ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend, leaving the greenback about half a percent below a 14-year peak set earlier this week. The dollar will likely resume its r
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Euro zone to unblock Greek short-term debt relief deal in January

Euro zone to unblock Greek short-term debt relief deal in January

Euro zone finance ministers, the Eurogroup, will unblock the now suspended short-term debt relief measures for Greece in January after Athens reassured euro zone lenders it would honour its bailout commitments, Eurogroup sources said on Saturday.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Euro zone to unblock Greek short-term debt relief deal in January

Euro zone to unblock Greek short-term debt relief deal in January

Euro zone finance ministers, the Eurogroup, will unblock the now suspended short-term debt relief measures for Greece in January after Athens reassured euro zone lenders it would honour its bailout commitments, Eurogroup sources said on Saturday.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Campaign raises $170,000 for family of 'heroic' Polish truck driver

Campaign raises $170,000 for family of 'heroic' Polish truck driver

A crowdfunding campaign has raised over $170,000 for the family of Polish truck driver Lukasz Urban who was murdered as he apparently tried to seize back control of his vehicle as it was used in an attack on a Berlin Christmas market on Monday.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Greece economy Christmas-offbeat

Greece economy Christmas-offbeat

The Greek finance minister's Christmas cards this year feature Ebenezer Scrooge, the tight-fisted protagonist of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", in a what is clearly a jibe directed at the country's creditors. Some of Greece's EU partners, especiall
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Iran allows free foreign exchange at banks
Currency

Iran allows free foreign exchange at banks

Iran authorised some banks on Saturday to deal in foreign exchange trading at a free-market rate, the central bank said, as authorities try to unify exchange rates. Iran operates two exchange rates, a free market rate, which was at around 40,140 rials to
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Turkey's Yildiz moves more assets to UK holding company

Turkey's Yildiz moves more assets to UK holding company

Turkish food giant Yildiz Holding said on Friday it has sold a $400 million stake in biscuit maker Ulker to its London-based holding company, to which it has moved its core biscuit, chocolate and confectionery businesses. Outside of Turkey Yildiz is bette
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Kuwait to float Az-Zour North One in mid 2017-KUNA

Kuwait to float Az-Zour North One in mid 2017-KUNA

Kuwait plans to sell shares in Az-Zour North Independent Water & Power Project to the public in mid-2017, state news agency Kuna reported on Saturday. The Az-Zour North One plant has a capacity of at least 1,500 MW and is structured as a public-private pa
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
China fines GM unit $29 million for 'price-fixing'

China fines GM unit $29 million for 'price-fixing'

Beijing has fined the Chinese unit of General Motors nearly $29 million for "infringing on the rights of consumers and its competitors" via price-fixing, Shanghai authorities said.
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Algeria to boost drilling in 2017

Algeria to boost drilling in 2017

Algeria's Sonatrach will drill 290 wells in 2017 in comparison with 265 in 2016, the head of the oil and gas giant's drilling division told Reuters late on Friday. Opec member Algeria has seen a slow rise in energy output this year after years of energy s
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
US housing, sales increase 5.2 percent

US housing, sales increase 5.2 percent

New US single-family home sales rose more than expected in November and consumer sentiment hovered near a 13-year high this month, strengthening the view that the economy will gain further momentum next year. President-elect Donald Trump's plan to cut tax
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Egypt raises purchase price of sugar cane from local farmers
Currency

Egypt raises purchase price of sugar cane from local farmers

The Egyptian government has increased the price it pays local farmers for sugar cane by 25 percent, the Ministry of Supplies said on Tuesday. Sugar companies belonging to the Ministry of Supplies will buy local sugar cane from farmers for 500 Egyptian pou
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
For metals markets it's still all about China: Andy Home

For metals markets it's still all about China: Andy Home

From a year of political upheaval the metals markets can draw one all-important lesson. Beijing's economic policy U-turn around this time last year may not have resonated across the world in the same way as Britain's vote to leave the European Union or th
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
European flax demand shifts to Canada

European flax demand shifts to Canada

Demand for Canadian flax, used in linoleum flooring and health foods, has pushed prices of the oilseed to one-year highs as Europe shuns Russian supplies laced with a herbicide made by Dow Chemical Co. The European Union, the world's second-largest import
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Gold edged higher

Gold edged higher

Gold edged higher on Friday as the dollar retreated from this week's 14-year high and some buyers were tempted to take advantage of prices near a 10-month low after six weeks of decline. Volumes were thin as traders prepared for a long weekend. All floor
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Indonesia cuts copper production outlook

Indonesia cuts copper production outlook

Indonesia has cut its outlook for 2016 copper production to 241,553 tonnes from a previous forecast of 310,000 tonnes, the country's coal and minerals director general said on Tuesday. Bambang Gatot also said the Southeast Asian nation was crimping its ni
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Crude oil imports rise 30 percent in China

Crude oil imports rise 30 percent in China

China's November crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia jumped nearly 30 percent from the year before, customs data showed on Thursday, with the kingdom overtaking Russia to become the largest crude supplier to the world's No 2 economy. Imports from Saudi Ar
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Argentina soy farmers, seed sellers see progress in royalty talks

Argentina soy farmers, seed sellers see progress in royalty talks

Argentine soy farmers and the companies that sell them genetically modified seeds could be close to a breakthrough in negotiations after a months-long deadlock that prompted Monsanto to stop selling new GMO technology in the country. The negotiator repres
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Commodity forecasting is a guessing game on China

Commodity forecasting is a guessing game on China

It's that time of year when crystal balls get taken out and polished up, but forecasting commodity markets for 2017 is less certain than usual given the unpredictability of the three main likely drivers. After a largely stellar year in 2016, the outlook f
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
Copper slides as doubts about Chinese demand surface

Copper slides as doubts about Chinese demand surface

Copper prices slipped as investors took profits on long positions ahead of the Christmas break as growing doubts about demand growth in top consumer China reinforced the idea that recent gains were overdone. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange e
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am
North China cotton mills halt output to fight smog
Cotton

North China cotton mills halt output to fight smog

Cotton mills in two Chinese provinces have suspended output as part of measures to curb smog that has blanketed the north of the country in the past few days, triggering official pollution alerts, according to an industry website. Mills have stopped buyin
Published 25 Dec, 2016 12:00am