Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: IonQ, Maplebear, Worthington & more
These are the stocks posting the largest moves premarket.
International
Business and economy news from other publishers, in Malaysia, the region and the world.
Concerns county will not benefit from £2 bus cap
Councillor Justine Peberdy says Yeomans Travel and Sargeants Brothers have not committed to the cap.
Off sick? You need to phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says
Relying on text and email means sick workers disengaged and were less likely to work again, says Sir Charlie Mayfield.
China-US: The efficiency advantage
The iPhone in your pocket? A global masterpiece. Apple's supply chain spans the world, with America's design expertise meeting China's manufacturing strength. Precision, speed and scale turn bold ideas into products in your hands.
AmCham China President: Leaders' meeting boosts confidence in trade
AmCham China President: Leaders' meeting boosts confidence in trade
German auto association: Healthy competition helps all sides develop
Europe and China should deepen two-way investment and learn from each other, said Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, in an interview with CGTN's Michael Wang.
HK inflation stays moderate in August
Hong Kong’s overall inflation situation remained moderate, with the city’s overall consumer prices rising by 1.7 percent in August year-on-year, the same as in July. The latest figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Wednesday also showed that the underlying inflation rate – the rate netting out the effects of all government’s one-off relief measures – rose by 1.9 percent year-on-year, also the same as in the previous month. The cost of electricity, gas and water increased the most with a year-on-year rise of 11.5 percent in August, while the city saw a 3.9 percent increase in transport fares and 1.1 percent rise in the price of meals out and takeaway food. A government spokesman said while inflation of fuel-related items remained high, price pressures on other components were broadly in check, keeping overall inflation at a moderate level. “Looking ahead, consumer price inflation will remain under upward pressure, as elevated international oil prices continue to feed through to fuel-related components,” the spokesman said. “The renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East of late remains a key uncertainty and warrants close monitoring. “Yet, as price pressures on other fronts are expected to remain largely contained, overall inflation should stay moderate.” Edited by Tony Sabine
AI excitement fails to lift HK, China stocks
Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday, with the Hang Seng Index closing one percent down to finish at 24,834 shrugging off an announcement by tech giant Alibaba that it would expand its overseas data centres. The firm, one of the frontrunners in China's AI industry, said the move would target markets across Europe and the Middle East. On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.39 percent to 3,936 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.64 percent lower at 13,636 points Alibaba's announcement follows a renewed burst of confidence in artificial intelligence this week, with Anthropic and OpenAI releasing new, cheaper AI models within hours of each other. Anthropic's release comes a few weeks before its expected stock market debut. OpenAI has delayed its IPO plans until next year. Consumer hunger for AI apps buoyed tech stocks in other parts of Asia. Renewed buzz over AI helped South Korean stocks gain 0.9 percent, with Samsung up nearly one percent. The data hardware sector has been buoyed by strong consumer take-up of Meta's Muse agent, which has topped US app download charts in the past two weeks. Analysts are now keen to see how a similar product from Alphabet's Google Labs, known as CC, will fare with consumers. Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington later on Wednesday amid speculation that a trade truce between China and the United States would be extended, and there could be cooperation over AI. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday, but Nikkei futures were trading at 66,775, about 1,760 points above where the cash Nikkei closed last week. "We expect a strong reopening in Japan tomorrow, with another move lower in crude, calm conditions in rates and Treasuries, and the Nasdaq cash and futures markets printing all-time highs," said Chris Weston, head of research at broker Pepperstone. "Memory stocks have taken the leadership baton, backed by another strong session for semis, which have recorded a sixth consecutive day of gains." Also of note was demand for SoftBank's US$10 billion-plus debt deal which has reportedly drawn more than US$20 billion in indications of interest. That would make it one of the largest junk bond deals ever. (Xinhua/Reuters) Edited by Tony Sabine
UK and US warned to take action on spiralling debt costs by IMF
In an interview with the BBC, Kristalina Georgieva says economic shocks had pushed "debt levels up like a staircase not to heaven".
Sales of Taiwan pomelos on Chinese mainland showcase mutual benefits
Sales of Taiwan pomelos on Chinese mainland showcase mutual benefits
