Turkish inflation continued to ease as the third quarter progressed, clearing the way for the country’s central bank to keep trimming interest rates despite still-hot growth in the economy, the Wall Street Journal reported. Consumer prices were 33% higher on year in August, a rate of annual inflation that eased from 33.5% in July, figures from statistics office Turkstat showed Wednesday. Turkey’s central bank at its last meeting renewed cutting interest rates as inflation eases, having earlier in the year been forced to lift rates in response to market concerns over Turkish politics.
Pulp and paper manufacturer Celulosa Argentina SA filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, blaming the government of President Javier Milei for creating a bad business environment for local industry, the Buenos Aires Times reported. After missing bond payments, Celulosa, based in agricultural export hub Rosario, is now seeking protection from creditors in Argentina’s equivalent of a Chapter 11 process, according to an investor filing. Its locally traded shares slumped by as much as 17 percent on Monday and are down nearly 80 percent so far this year.
China Evergrande, a real estate developer that once represented the pinnacle of China’s economic prowess, was formally removed from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday, the New York Times reported. Evergrande, which made its financial debut in Hong Kong 16 years ago, had once been the fastest growing property developer in a country brimming with promise of profits for investors. It will be remembered as one of the world’s most indebted companies whose collapse brought China’s financial system to the brink.
The global economy appears to have taken a sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and increased uncertainty about the future of the international trading system in its stride, but faces stronger headwinds as tax rates continue to climb, the Wall Street Journal reported. As more countries release figures for economic growth that cover the second quarter of this year, a clear pattern has emerged. Those that grew rapidly in the first quarter as U.S. businesses raced to build up inventories ahead of higher tariffs slowed in the second quarter as those duties were imposed.
Crypto users might be tempted to cash in on near-peak prices in the Land of Smiles as early as this month, as regulators plot out a new payments sandbox, DLNews reported. Thailand’s government is reportedly preparing to unveil the TouristDigiPay initiative that would allow foreign visitors to convert digital assets into Thai baht for use at local merchants. Crypto users might be tempted to cash in on near-peak prices in the Land of Smiles as early as this month, as regulators plot out a new payments sandbox.
In a key development under Jet Airways’ ongoing insolvency proceedings, global alternative investment major Brookfield Asset Management has acquired an additional office floor in commercial tower Godrej BKC in Mumbai's business district Bandra-Kurla Complex for Rs 370.25 crore, the Economic Times of India reported. The sale was conducted under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and overseen by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
Administrator of the East African Cables PLC (EAC), a key player in the region’s electrical cable manufacturing industry, is looking for potential investors to help revive its operations after being placed under administration due to financial distress, the Kenyan Times reported. In a notice issued on Friday, July 25, by its joint administrators, the administrator has invited expressions of interest (EOIs) from strategic or financial investors willing to participate in its rescue or acquisition process.
Europe’s exports to the U.S. fell for the second consecutive month in May after a first-quarter boom, but remained higher than a year earlier, a sign of resilience that will be tested as higher tariffs look set to become a settled feature of trans-Atlantic trade, the Wall Street Journal reported. Exports to the U.S. from the European Union edged down to 46.2 billion euros, or around $53.6 billion, in May from 47.7 billion euros a month earlier, statistics agency Eurostat said Wednesday. Overall exports fell 0.8%, with the EU’s overall trade surplus rising to 13.4 billion euros.
Mexico's banking regulator slapped three financial institutions, which had been sanctioned by the U.S. for alleged money laundering, with more than 185 million pesos ($9.81 million) in fines in June, local media reported on Tuesday, Reuters reported. The U.S. Treasury last month prohibited certain transactions with Mexico's CIBanco, Intercam Banco and Vector Casa de Bolsa as part of fentanyl sanctions. The fines were largely related to money-laundering prevention, local media reported, citing data published by the regulator.
Much higher U.S. tariffs on imports from the European Union would further weaken already anemic growth in the eurozone, and likely prompt the European Central Bank to lower borrowing costs, the Wall Street Journal reported. President Trump on Saturday threatened to raise the duty charged on imports of a wide range of goods to 30% from 10% if the European Union doesn’t drop all of its tariffs on U.S. goods. The U.S. already charges higher tariffs for imports of automobiles and metals, and is considering additional duties on pharmaceuticals and other goods.