Analysis: Indices

South African finance minister not planning to lower inflation target yet

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said on Friday that an expectation had been created that he would announce a lower inflation target for the central bank at the mid-term...

TSX posts biggest decline since April as US jobs data spooks investors

TORONTO -Canada's main stock index fell for a third straight day on Friday as investors weighed disappointing U.S. jobs data and an escalation in the U.S. trade war with Canada. The...

AngloGold Ashanti raises dividend after 151% jump in second-quarter profit

AngloGold Ashanti's second-quarter profit jumped 151% on record gold prices and increased output, allowing the company to bump up its quarterly dividend, it said on Friday. The gold...

South Africa factory mood lifts in July, Absa PMI shows

JOHANNESBURG -South African manufacturing sentiment improved in July, a survey showed on Friday, pointing to improved business conditions in the sector for the first time in nine months. ...

China 2025 copper output set to hit record high despite feedstock shortages

BEIJING -China's refined copper output is set to hit a record high in 2025, analysts say, as its giant smelting sector powers through a global shortage of copper ore that is forcing some overseas...

South Africa plans measures to support exporters hit by Trump tariffs

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa said on Friday it would draft measures to support exporters hit by U.S. President Donald Trump's new 30% tariff, which is expected to trigger widespread job losses in the...

Gold demand in key Asian hubs improves amid price correction

Physical gold demand in key Asian markets improved slightly this week as a pullback in prices sparked buying interest, though volatility kept some buyers cautious. Spot gold hit its...

Hindustan Unilever hits nine-month high on gradual earnings recovery hopes

India's Hindustan Unilever extended gains on Friday to climb as much as 8%, hitting a nine-month high, after it reported a higher first-quarter profit, with growth in revenue and sales volume...

Sempra, Japan's JERA enter into 20-year LNG supply deal

Sempra Infrastructure, a unit of U.S. energy company Sempra, will supply 1.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year to Japan's biggest power generator JERA in a 20-year deal, it said on...

South African central bank lowers inflation goal without minister's sign-off

PRETORIA -South Africa's central bank said on Thursday it would now aim for 3% inflation, not 4.5%, despite the finance minister not yet signing off on a formal target change, as it lowered its main...

Zimbabwe on track for 6% growth as economy recovers from drought

Zimbabwe is on track to achieve a forecasted 6% economic growth in 2025 helped by good agricultural output and strong commodity prices, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said on Thursday. ...

What impact will US plans to restrict copper scrap exports have?

LONDON -The United States is planning to restrict scrap copper exports from 2027, requiring that at least 25% of so-called high-quality scrap be retained for domestic use. In the...

EU considers pooling demand from companies to buy more US gas

BRUSSELS -The European Commission could pool demand from European companies to buy more U.S. liquefied natural gas, as part of its efforts to reach a pledge to buy $250 billion in U.S. energy per...

South Africa readying last-minute trade offer to avoid US tariff

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa is preparing a last-minute enhanced trade proposal at the urging of U.S. officials in hopes of avoiding a 30% tariff which kicks in on Friday, its trade minister said on...

Indian miner Vedanta misses quarterly profit estimates on weak aluminium prices

Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta missed quarterly profit estimates on Thursday, as lower aluminium and copper prices and higher tax expenses overshadowed the impact of strong local demand. ...

Vodacom wins appeal in 17-year compensation case

JOHANNESBURG -South African telecoms operator Vodacom won a partial court victory on Thursday in a 17-year legal battle over compensation potentially worth millions of dollars claimed by an...

CAC 40: Volatility persists as results come in

The finalization of trade agreements introducing tariffs and generally positive results are enabling indices to continue their upward trend over the summer. Europe is struggling to pick up speed for...

ArcelorMittal South Africa says on course to close long steel plants in September

ArcelorMittal South Africa said on Thursday it is still on track to close its loss-making long steel operations in September, as talks with the government have not provided a solution. ...

South Africa's Woolworths flags 29% decline in annual profit

JOHANNESBURG -South African fashion retailer Woolworths expects an up to 29% decline in full-year headline earnings, due to the weaker-than expected performance of its Australian clothing chain...