Capital Timeshttps://capitaltimes.asia/Markets, business and economic news from Asia.en Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:48:53 +0000 China's Economy Grows 4.5% in Third Quarter, Beating Forecasts as Factories Humhttps://capitaltimes.asia/asia/china/china-third-quarter-gdp-beats-forecasts/https://capitaltimes.asia/asia/china/china-third-quarter-gdp-beats-forecasts/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800AsiaGrowth picked up from the second quarter on manufacturing and exports, while construction shrank and officials flagged weak domestic demand.Hong Kong IPOs Raise Record HK$388 Billion in Nine Months, Putting Best Year in Reachhttps://capitaltimes.asia/asia/hong-kong/hong-kong-ipo-fundraising-record-pace/https://capitaltimes.asia/asia/hong-kong/hong-kong-ipo-fundraising-record-pace/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800AsiaKPMG says full-year proceeds could near HK$500 billion as A+H listings and tech issuers fill a pipeline of more than 600 applicants.Indonesian Stocks Suffer Worst Rout Since 1998 After MSCI Floats 'Standalone' Demotionhttps://capitaltimes.asia/asia/indonesia/msci-standalone-proposal-indonesia-stock-rout/https://capitaltimes.asia/asia/indonesia/msci-standalone-proposal-indonesia-stock-rout/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800AsiaThe index provider says Indonesia no longer fits emerging-market status, putting billions of dollars in passive and active fund holdings at risk.Bank of Japan Expected to Hold at 1.25% but Keep December Hike in Playhttps://capitaltimes.asia/asia/japan/bank-of-japan-hold-december-hike-in-play/https://capitaltimes.asia/asia/japan/bank-of-japan-hold-december-hike-in-play/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800AsiaSources say the board may nudge up its inflation forecast this week as senior officials signal underlying inflation is close to 2%.South Korea's Economy Grows 1% in Third Quarter, Triple the Bank of Korea's Forecasthttps://capitaltimes.asia/asia/korea/south-korea-third-quarter-gdp-beats-forecast/https://capitaltimes.asia/asia/korea/south-korea-third-quarter-gdp-beats-forecast/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800AsiaChip exports and equipment spending drove the expansion, putting full-year growth on course to beat the central bank's 3.3% call.India Clears Fairfax's Takeover of IDBI Bank in INR 529 Billion Stake Salehttps://capitaltimes.asia/business/banking-finance/india-clears-fairfax-idbi-bank-stake-sale/https://capitaltimes.asia/business/banking-finance/india-clears-fairfax-idbi-bank-stake-sale/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800BusinessFairfax will pay INR 81 a share for 60.72% of the lender, but an RBI review, an open offer and a decision on CSB Bank still lie ahead.Pop Mart Revenue Falls Up to 50% in Third Quarter as Labubu Sales Weakenhttps://capitaltimes.asia/business/consumer/pop-mart-third-quarter-revenue-labubu-slump/https://capitaltimes.asia/business/consumer/pop-mart-third-quarter-revenue-labubu-slump/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800BusinessOverseas sales shrank by more than half and online sales in China slumped, deepening a slowdown that first showed in the toy maker's interim results.Bain and LY Top EQT Again in Kakaku.com Fight as Tender Deadline Nearshttps://capitaltimes.asia/business/deals/kakaku-com-bidding-war-eqt-bain-ly/https://capitaltimes.asia/business/deals/kakaku-com-bidding-war-eqt-bain-ly/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800BusinessThe Bain-backed bidder lifted its planned price above EQT's live offer, but it still needs the Tabelog owner's board to change sides.Fed Expected to Hold at 3.75% to 4% as Hot Inflation Keeps December Hike in Playhttps://capitaltimes.asia/economy/central-banks/fed-october-meeting-hold-december-hike/https://capitaltimes.asia/economy/central-banks/fed-october-meeting-hold-december-hike/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800EconomySix weeks after its first increase since 2023, the Warsh-led Fed weighs a pause against September's jump in consumer prices.China's Exports Jump 36% in September as AI Demand Pushes Surplus to 2026 Highhttps://capitaltimes.asia/economy/trade/china-september-exports-surge-trade-surplus/https://capitaltimes.asia/economy/trade/china-september-exports-surge-trade-surplus/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800EconomyShipments beat forecasts by more than 10 percentage points, and the annual surplus is on pace to top $1 trillion again.Hong Kong's Bar Leone Keeps World's Best Bar Title as Asia Takes 13 Spotshttps://capitaltimes.asia/life-arts/food-drink/bar-leone-worlds-best-bar-hong-kong-asia/https://capitaltimes.asia/life-arts/food-drink/bar-leone-worlds-best-bar-hong-kong-asia/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800Life & ArtsHong Kong tied New York and Paris with four bars in the top 50, while venues in Bangkok and Seoul climbed into the top 10.Swiss Watch Exports Rise 11.7% in September as Hong Kong Shipments Edge Uphttps://capitaltimes.asia/life-arts/watches-collecting/swiss-watch-exports-september-hong-kong-china/https://capitaltimes.asia/life-arts/watches-collecting/swiss-watch-exports-september-hong-kong-china/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800Life & ArtsA rebound in US shipments drove a fourth straight monthly gain, while reports differed on whether demand from mainland China rose or fell.Treasury Yields Slip Back Below 5% as Fed Decision Looms After September Routhttps://capitaltimes.asia/markets/bonds/treasury-yields-below-5-percent-fed-decision/https://capitaltimes.asia/markets/bonds/treasury-yields-below-5-percent-fed-decision/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800MarketsThe 10-year yield has fallen for three weeks after touching its highest since 2007, but oil and supply worries still hang over the market.Brent Eases From Near Six-Month High as Saudi-Iran Talks Temper Houthi Supply Scarehttps://capitaltimes.asia/markets/commodities/brent-oil-eases-saudi-iran-talks-houthi-attacks/https://capitaltimes.asia/markets/commodities/brent-oil-eases-saudi-iran-talks-houthi-attacks/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800MarketsDiplomacy in Tehran trimmed oil prices, but attacks on Saudi energy sites and on Hormuz shipping keep a heavy risk premium in place.Jio Platforms Heads for Market Debut After INR 302 Billion IPO Draws 22 Times Demandhttps://capitaltimes.asia/markets/ipos/jio-platforms-ipo-listing-subscription/https://capitaltimes.asia/markets/ipos/jio-platforms-ipo-listing-subscription/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800MarketsReliance's digital arm sold only new shares, will use most of the money to cut debt and starts trading in Mumbai on Wednesday.Indonesia Should Answer MSCI's Downgrade Threat With Enforcement, Not Defiancehttps://capitaltimes.asia/opinion/editorials/indonesia-msci-downgrade-enforcement-not-defiance/https://capitaltimes.asia/opinion/editorials/indonesia-msci-downgrade-enforcement-not-defiance/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800OpinionThe proposed demotion is a verdict on ownership transparency and market abuse. Jakarta has until mid-2027 to prove its reforms work.Singapore Keeps Asia's Only A Grade in Global Pension Index as Indonesia Slipshttps://capitaltimes.asia/personal-finance/retirement/global-pension-index-singapore-hong-kong-indonesia/https://capitaltimes.asia/personal-finance/retirement/global-pension-index-singapore-hong-kong-indonesia/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800Personal FinanceHong Kong edged up to 71.2 points in the 2026 ranking of 55 retirement systems, while Indonesia was the only Asian system to score lower than a year earlier.Singapore Savings Bond Return Rises to 2.45% as T-Bill Yields Climb Toward 2%https://capitaltimes.asia/personal-finance/saving-banking/singapore-savings-bond-t-bill-yields-rise/https://capitaltimes.asia/personal-finance/saving-banking/singapore-savings-bond-t-bill-yields-rise/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800Personal FinanceThe November bond issue and recent Treasury bill auctions show Singapore savers earning noticeably more on cash than they did a year ago.Moonshot AI Weighs Up to $5 Billion Hong Kong IPO After $50 Billion Valuationhttps://capitaltimes.asia/tech/ai/moonshot-ai-hong-kong-ipo-kimi-valuation/https://capitaltimes.asia/tech/ai/moonshot-ai-hong-kong-ipo-kimi-valuation/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800TechThe Kimi developer has closed its last private round and lined up banks for a listing as soon as early 2027, Bloomberg reported.TSMC Profit Jumps 69% to a Record as 2nm Ramp Lifts Fourth-Quarter Outlookhttps://capitaltimes.asia/tech/semiconductors/tsmc-record-profit-2nm-fourth-quarter-guidance/https://capitaltimes.asia/tech/semiconductors/tsmc-record-profit-2nm-fourth-quarter-guidance/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800TechThe contract chipmaker guided fourth-quarter sales as high as US$54.3 billion, well above estimates, as 2-nanometer production ramps up.Asia Startup Funding Holds Near Highs at $38.5 Billion as AI Draws 55%https://capitaltimes.asia/tech/startups/asia-startup-funding-third-quarter-ai-china/https://capitaltimes.asia/tech/startups/asia-startup-funding-third-quarter-ai-china/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800TechChina took about 70% of the third-quarter total, Crunchbase data show, while funding in India and Singapore fell sharply from the previous quarter.Brazilian Stocks Plunge 13.7% and the Real Slides After Lula Wins Runoffhttps://capitaltimes.asia/world/americas/brazil-stocks-plunge-lula-wins-runoff-real/https://capitaltimes.asia/world/americas/brazil-stocks-plunge-lula-wins-runoff-real/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800WorldInvestors had bet on a Bolsonaro victory after the first round. Lula's narrow comeback reversed that trade and put Brazil's debt back in focus.EU and China Reach Hybrid Car Understanding, Pledge Faster Rare Earth Licenseshttps://capitaltimes.asia/world/europe/eu-china-hybrid-vehicles-rare-earths-trade-talks/https://capitaltimes.asia/world/europe/eu-china-hybrid-vehicles-rare-earths-trade-talks/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800WorldTwo days of talks in Beijing pulled both sides back from a trade war, but EV duties stay in place and the hybrid terms remain unpublished.Asia's Central Banks Swing to Tightening in 2026 as Energy Costs Lift Priceshttps://capitaltimes.asia/economy/central-banks/asia-central-banks-tightening-scorecard-2026/https://capitaltimes.asia/economy/central-banks/asia-central-banks-tightening-scorecard-2026/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800EconomyFrom Jakarta to Tokyo, policymakers have raised rates or tightened currency settings this year. China is the main exception.Asia's Currencies Split Into Chip Winners and Oil Losers as the Fed Meetshttps://capitaltimes.asia/markets/currencies/asian-currencies-diverge-chip-exporters-oil-importers/https://capitaltimes.asia/markets/currencies/asian-currencies-diverge-chip-exporters-oil-importers/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800MarketsExport booms have lifted the won and yuan to multi-year highs, while costly oil keeps the rupiah near a record low and the rupee under pressure.Japan Has Spent 27 Trillion Yen Defending Its Currency. Policy Must Do the Resthttps://capitaltimes.asia/opinion/editorials/japan-yen-intervention-boj-fiscal-policy/https://capitaltimes.asia/opinion/editorials/japan-yen-intervention-boj-fiscal-policy/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800OpinionRecord dollar sales have slowed the yen's slide but not reversed it. A December rate increase and restraint on tax cuts would do more.Singapore Prime Office Vacancy Falls to 2.6% as AI Firms Join the Hunt for Spacehttps://capitaltimes.asia/property/commercial/singapore-prime-office-vacancy-ai-firms-cbre/https://capitaltimes.asia/property/commercial/singapore-prime-office-vacancy-ai-firms-cbre/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800PropertyCBRE says Core CBD Grade A rents rose 2% last quarter and could post their strongest annual gain since 2022, with little new supply until 2027.What China's Communist Party Plenum Is and Why Investors Watch Ithttps://capitaltimes.asia/asia/china/china-communist-party-plenum-explained/https://capitaltimes.asia/asia/china/china-communist-party-plenum-explained/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800AsiaThe Central Committee's closed-door meeting this week centers on party discipline, but plenums have long signaled policy direction and personnel shifts.Seoul Apartment Prices Rise for 89th Week as Gangnam Slips and Chip Belt Heats Uphttps://capitaltimes.asia/property/residential/seoul-apartment-prices-89-weeks-gangnam-slips/https://capitaltimes.asia/property/residential/seoul-apartment-prices-89-weeks-gangnam-slips/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800PropertyBuyers priced out of Seoul's richest districts are moving to cheaper neighborhoods and to Gyeonggi towns near chip plants, despite a year of curbs.US-Listed or Irish ETFs? How Fund Domicile Changes What Asian Investors Keephttps://capitaltimes.asia/personal-finance/investing/us-vs-irish-etfs-dividend-withholding-tax/https://capitaltimes.asia/personal-finance/investing/us-vs-irish-etfs-dividend-withholding-tax/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800Personal FinanceWhere an ETF is based can halve the US tax on its dividends for Singapore and Hong Kong investors, but fees, trading hours and fund choice pull the other way.How the USMCA Review Works Now That Washington Has Declined to Extend the Pacthttps://capitaltimes.asia/world/americas/how-usmca-joint-review-works-annual-reviews/https://capitaltimes.asia/world/americas/how-usmca-joint-review-works-annual-reviews/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800WorldThe U.S. did not confirm a 16-year extension in July, setting up yearly reviews. Here is what that means for Asian companies producing in Mexico and Canada.Japan's Nuclear Restarts Explained: 15 Reactors Running and What Comes Nexthttps://capitaltimes.asia/business/energy/japan-nuclear-restarts-explained-reactors-lng/https://capitaltimes.asia/business/energy/japan-nuclear-restarts-explained-reactors-lng/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800BusinessWith Gulf gas supply disrupted, every reactor Japan brings back cuts its LNG bill. Here is where the fleet stands, how restarts work and what has gone wrong.What the Term Premium Is, and Why It Is Pushing Long-Term Bond Yields Higherhttps://capitaltimes.asia/markets/bonds/term-premium-explained-long-term-yields/https://capitaltimes.asia/markets/bonds/term-premium-explained-long-term-yields/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800MarketsInvestors are demanding more to lock up money for decades. Here is how that extra compensation works and why it has lifted U.S. and Japanese yields.How Startup Investors Cash Out in Asia: IPOs, Trade Sales and Share Saleshttps://capitaltimes.asia/tech/startups/how-startup-investors-exit-ipo-acquisition-asia/https://capitaltimes.asia/tech/startups/how-startup-investors-exit-ipo-acquisition-asia/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800TechRecent deals from Zetwerk to Atome show how venture backers turn paper gains into cash, and why timing and deal structure decide how much they keep.What Is in the US-China Trade Truce, and What Happens if It Lapses in Januaryhttps://capitaltimes.asia/economy/trade/us-china-trade-truce-explained-busan-terms/https://capitaltimes.asia/economy/trade/us-china-trade-truce-explained-busan-terms/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:26:39 +0800EconomyThe deal struck in Busan in 2025 paused a tariff war, eased rare earth controls and restarted farm purchases. Here is how it works and where it is fragile.