Top headline news this week

Investors are growing nervous about the global outlook as China's economy stutters, while other issues continue to hurt confidence including the US government shutdown at Brexit. (Photo: AFP/Johannes Eisele) The mood remains cautious, with the rally that has characterised the start of the year stuttering owing to a slowing Chinese economy, a softer global outlook and other issues including Brexit and the US government shutdown, which shows no sign of ending soon. US investors turned sellers on Tuesday after the Financial Times and CNBC said Washington had rejected Beijing's offer of preparatory discussions ahead of the next round of high-level negotiations. And while the White House denied the reports, observers said they highlighted the fragility of the talks. They also came a day after Bloomberg News said the two sides were struggling to reach agreement on the crucial matter of intellectual property, a key source of US anger. Hopes that China and the US were on the right track … [Read more...] about Asian markets swing as dealers battle uncertainty

Profit-takers moved in with few catalysts to drive business but investors are watching for developments on issues from China-US trade talks to Brexit. (Photo: AFP/Daniel Roland) While there were few catalysts to drive business and Wall Street was closed for a holiday investors are keeping tabs on developments in various issues including the US government shutdown, Brexit and China's stuttering economy. The optimism surrounding the trade talks was jolted by a Bloomberg News report that said the two sides were struggling to reach agreement on the crucial matter of intellectual property, which is a key source of anger in Washington. Also, China's Xinhua news agency reported that President Xi Jinping had told top provincial leaders the Communist party "is facing long-term and complex tests in terms of maintaining long-term rule, reform and opening-up". The comments suggest he is growing worried about the effects of slowing economic growth. While headlines regarding talks earlier this … [Read more...] about Asian markets turn lower as trade worries seep back