Oil prices drop amid faltering demand outlook in China

Oil prices fell by about 2% on Monday, dropping for a third session, after official data showed that refining throughput and economic activity slowed in China in an indication that COVID-19 outbreaks are crimping the world’s second-largest economy.
Sydney Airport rejects improved $16.8 bln buyout bid, open to higher offer

Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (SYD.AX) on Monday rejected an improved A$22.80 billion ($16.81 billion) bid from a group of infrastructure investors, saying that it undervalued the airport operator, but that it was open to a higher offer.
Japan’s economy rebounds in Q2, COVID clouds outlook

Japan’s economy rebounded more than expected in the second quarter after slumping in the first three months of this year, data showed, a sign consumption and capital expenditure were recovering from the coronavirus pandemic’s initial hit.
Asia stocks slip as China’s economy stumbles

Asian shares slid on Monday after a raft of Chinese data showed a surprisingly sharp slowdown in the engine of global growth, just as much of the world races to stem the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 with vaccinations.
Aramco in advanced talks on up to $25 bln Reliance deal – Bloomberg News

Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) is in advanced talks to acquire a roughly 20% stake in Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RELI.NS) oil refining and chemicals business for about $20 billion to $25 billion in Aramco’s shares, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.
Dollar languishes near one-week low after consumer sentiment blow

The dollar held near a one-week low versus major peers on Monday, after slumping the most in almost seven weeks on Friday as diving U.S. consumer confidence hurt bets for an early tightening of Federal Reserve policy.
UK employers have strongest hiring plans in over 8 years, survey shows

British employers plan to increase staff numbers by the most in more than eight years over the coming months and few intend to make staff redundant when government furlough support ends next month, a survey showed on Monday.
Marketmind: Muddied Waters

Investors can be forgiven for being nonplussed on the data front this week. A day after U.S. consumer inflation data showed early signs of price pressures peaking, readings from the producer perspective showed inflationary readings remained firm.
Malaysia c.bank slashes 2021 growth outlook on COVID-19 surge, lockdowns

Malaysia’s economy expanded more quickly than expected on an annual basis in the second quarter, but the central bank slashed its 2021 growth forecast as rising COVID-19 cases and new lockdown measures weighed on the outlook.
Dubai Expo in focus as UAE racks up $700 mln of trade with Israel since normalisation

Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations a year ago, are looking to Dubai’s Expo world fair in October to boost bilateral trade, which now stands at around $712 million.