Explainer: Western sanctions on banks only scratch surface of Fortress Russia
The United States, the European Union and Britain announced new sanctions on Russia on Tuesday after Moscow’s recognition of two separatist regions in Ukraine as independent entities.
Markets brace for heavy falls as Russia-Ukraine crisis escalates
Investors were bracing for a torrid day for Russian, Ukrainian and wider global markets when they reopen on Tuesday, after Vladimir Putin upped the ante in a crisis the West fears could unleash a major war.
Singapore to hike taxes on rich as it winds down COVID-19 spending
Singapore will begin implementing a long-flagged increase to its goods and services tax next year, its finance minister said in his budget speech on Friday, while also announcing a slew of tax hikes aimed at higher income groups.
Singapore announces 2022 budget proposals
Following are some excerpts taken from Singapore’s 2022 budget proposals announced by Finance Minister Lawrence Wong to parliament on Friday.
NatWest earnings soar but rising prices bite
British bank NatWest (NWG.L) swung to a hefty profit on the back of the country’s economic recovery but said rising prices will make it harder to cut overheads, prompting it to lower its cost-cutting target.
Orange sees return to core profit growth in 2022
Orange (ORAN.PA), France’s biggest telecoms operator, expects a return to core profit growth in 2022 after lower returns from co-financing deals and high competition in the Spanish market hit earnings last year.
StanChart bets on rate hikes to hit lofty goals as profit disappoints
Standard Chartered (STAN.L) has raised its core profitability goals and promised shareholders extra payouts, despite full year profit undershooting expectations, as it banks on inflation-battling rate hikes worldwide to boost lending.
Analysis: UAE corporate tax may dilute competitive edge, as Saudi Arabia steps up
The United Arab Emirates’ plans for a corporate tax risk eroding one of its main attractions as the Gulf’s premier destination for foreign firms, at a time when Saudi Arabia is opening up and pressuring multinationals to shift regional headquarters there.
G20 must push relief to avoid debt crises – experts, campaigners
Wealthy nations must improve their floundering flagship debt relief initiative or face a spate of debt crises in the developing world, experts and campaigners say as a meeting of finance chiefs of G20 major economies opened on Thursday.
Stocks rally, seizing on Ukraine de-escalation signs
World stocks crept higher on Wednesday for the second day in a row, while safe-haven assets such as government bonds and gold lost ground, despite Western scepticism over Russian claims of a troop pullback from Ukraine’s borders.
