Singapore’s annualized retail sales for November rise at a slower pace
Singapore’s retail sales rose 6.2% in November from a year ago, less than the 10.3% growth recorded in October, according to the latest figures released by the Statistics Department.
The reading marked an easing from the past seven consecutive months of double-digit annualized growth.
Excluding motor vehicles, Singapore’s total retail sales were $4 billion, of which 14.8% was made up of online sales.
“The higher proportion of online retail sales was primarily attributed to increased sales recorded during year-end online shopping events,” the report said.
—Lee Ying Shan
Oil prices rebound after two days of decline in China’s pent-up travel demand
Oil prices climbed more than 1% after two days of declines as China’s reopening added optimism for an economic rebound and support for demand.
Brent crude futures rose 1.08% to $78.68 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures gained 1.19% to $73.71 a barrel.
Investors appear to have shrugged off concerns of a possible global recession due to fragile economic growth prospects in the United States and China, leading to a more than 9% drop in oil prices over the past two days.
– Lee Ying Shan
CNBC Pro: Bank of America Sees 50% Rise in This Global Fertilizer Stock Due to Global Shortage
Bank of America sees a 50% rise in shares of a global fertilizer maker due to a global shortage.
The Wall Street bank says the company has a 55% profit margin because it is insulated from rising natural gas prices.
CNBC Pro subscribers can learn more here.
Chinese Caixin Services Data Shows Improvement and Remains in Contraction Territory
The Caixin China General Services Purchasing Managers Index showed an easing of pressure on the sector for the month of December, with a reading of 48, holding in contraction territory.
The print rose after seeing a six-month low the previous month with a reading of 46.7.
The 50 point mark separates growth from contraction. PMI readings are sequential and represent month-to-month expansion or contraction.
“Optimism has improved significantly,” said Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group, adding that the gauge of expectations for future activity rose nearly 4 points from a month ago.
“Service providers have expressed strong confidence in an economic recovery following the easing of Covid containment measures,” Wang said.
– Jihye Lee
CNBC Pro: Tech had a brutal year. But four stocks have a bright future, investor says
The tech sector took a beating in 2022.
But investment professional Jason Ware is unfazed. He remains bullish on technology and named four stocks he likes.
Pro subscribers can learn more here.
— Zavier Ong
Hong Kong’s S&P Global PMI indicates slight private sector contraction
The S&P Hong Kong Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 49.6 in December from 48.7 in November, although it remained in contraction territory for the fourth consecutive month.
S&P said a slower contraction seen in the city’s private sector was due to a pick-up in business activity in the last month of 2022, supported by the easing of Covid restrictions.
Demand in the city remains subdued, S&P said, adding that overall new orders are declining due to deteriorating economic conditions.
— Lee Ying Shan
CNBC Pro: Citi is bearish on lithium – at least for the near future. But it gives some stocks a big advantage
Citi is bearish on lithium – at least for the foreseeable future. Lithium is an essential component of electric vehicle batteries.
But the bank remains bullish on its long-term outlook and names three stocks to watch.
CNBC Pro subscribers can learn more here.
—Weizhen Tan
Fed officials expect higher rates for ‘some time’, minutes say
The Federal Reserve released the minutes of its Dec. 13-14 meeting, which showed central bank officials expect rates to be higher for “some time.”
“Participants generally observed that tight policy should be maintained until incoming data provided assurance that inflation was on a sustained downward path to 2%, which should take some time,” says the summary of the meeting. “Given the persistent and unacceptably high level of inflation, several participants said historical experience cautions against premature easing of monetary policy.”
“A number of participants stressed that it would be important to communicate clearly that a slowdown in the pace of rate increases was not an indication of a weakening of the Committee’s resolve to achieve its goal of price stability or of a judgment that inflation was already on a persistent downward path,” the minutes read.
—Jeff Cox
November JOLTS better than expected
Job vacancies in November were 10.5 million, according to the latest Job Vacancies and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS.
The report is slightly better than expected, although little changed from the previous month. Analysts expected JOLTS to be around 10 million in November.
The number of hires and the total number of departures were also little changed, at 6.1 million and 5.9 million, respectively. There were also 4.2 million resignations and 1.4 million layoffs and layoffs during the month.
—Carmen Reinicke
Chinese ADRs rise in pre-market trading
Chinese ADRs soared in premarket trading after Ant Group received approval to raise its share capital, a sign that Chinese regulators may be loosening their grip on the country’s tech sector.
Shares of JD.com and Ali Baba each increased by more than 6%. NetEase, Baidu and Trip.com other stocks made notable upward moves.
Ant Group, which previously had its own IPO plans scuttled by regulatory concerns, was allowed to double its share capital under the new plan.
—Jesse Pound
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