China’s Sinopec posts $6 bln H1 profit on rebounding oil prices, better demand

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (600028.SS) on Sunday reported a 39.15 billion yuan ($6.05 billion) net profit for the first six months of 2021 on the back of renewed fuel demand and a rebound in oil prices amid a recovery from the impact of COVID-19.
Australian economy likely already slowing in Q2 before Delta downturn

Australia’s economy was likely already slowing before wide-scale coronavirus restrictions shuttered swathes of business and jobs, setting the stage for a vicious contraction this quarter.
Asian shares rise on dovish Fed prospects but China caps gains

Asian shares perked up and the dollar fell to two-week lows on Monday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell struck a dovish tone at the central bank’s long-awaited symposium, although investors remained cautious about prospects in China.
Kroger plans for 1 million Covid-19 booster shots a week, including in nursing homes

U.S. grocery chain Kroger Co (KR.N) is gearing up to administer 1 million COVID-19 booster shots a week once they are available to the general public, and plans to offer vaccines in nursing homes for those who cannot go to its stores.
S.Korea lifts interest rates from record low as debt threats grow

The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate for the first time in almost three years on Thursday, becoming the first major Asian central bank to shift away from pandemic-era monetary settings as ballooning consumer debt created new threats for the economy.
After summer of stock market highs, signs of unease emerge

Stock markets are heading into September near record highs but the fast-spreading Delta coronavirus variant is making some investors reassess how so-called reflation trades could perform in coming months.
The S&P 500 nabs another all-time closing high ahead of Jackson Hole

Wall Street gained ground on Wednesday, with chipmakers and financials helping to push the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to record closing highs as investors look to the upcoming Jackson Hole Symposium for assurances that Federal Reserve’s timeline for policy tightening remains intact.
Taiwan c.bank says economy not overheating, inflation stable

TAIPEI, Aug 25 (Reuters) – Taiwan’s economy is not overheating and inflation is well under control, central bank governor Yang Chin-long said on Wednesday, as he responded to lawmakers’ questions about prospects for an interest rate rise.
EXCLUSIVE Toshiba in talks with four investment firms for strategic ideas -sources

Toshiba Corp (6502.T) is in talks with at least four global private equity firms including KKR & Co Inc (KKR.N) and Blackstone Inc (BX.N) to seek their ideas for its new strategy, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Global corporate profits to fall 8% in Q3 after record Q2 – data

Global corporate profits in the third quarter are likely to fall for the first time in 18 months after record earnings in April-June, Reuters calculations showed, as the spreading COVID-19 Delta variant squeezes supply chains and raises labour costs.