Through a surprise move, Bank of Japan has adopted negative interest rate aiming to force the banks in investment. Meanwhile, the negative economic outlook has compelled the commercial banks to squeeze their investment portfolios while diminishing the BOJ move. Analysts have forecast for unchanged monetary policy in Tuesday’s meeting while predicting for a major change in April.
Legal & Regulatory
India's New Jewelry Tax Poses Major Threat To Gold Market, Sparks Protest From Jewellers
India’s gold market is threatened as the government revealed a new jewelry tax regulation, requiring a 1 percent sales tax on gold jewelry. Import taxes has not been changed, even though jewellers have expected the government to eliminate the 10 percent import duty.
Uniform Law For Driverless Cars: Manufacturers Urge Promulgation, Lawmakers Opts For More Scrutiny
Executives of all pioneer manufacturers have called for promulgation of uniform federal law ahead of a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday. Several states in the US have enacted own law prohibiting the driverless cars which has been cited as the reason for their advocacy. However, lawmakers and analysts prefer more scrutiny before initiating a uniform law.
World’s Largest Coal Miner Peabody’s Warning For Bankruptcy Doesn’t Indicate End of Coal Era
Series of bankruptcy decisions indicates the decaying market stake of coal industry and Peabody appears as the latest to file chapter 11 with the New York Stock Exchange. Many coal mining companies are still operating with profits. So warning of bankruptcy by the world’s largest private coal miner doesn’t indicate possible extinction of the coal industry.
SEC slaps fine on AIG units over higher charges
US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has slapped penalties on AIG's three affiliates for steering customers to high-fee products. AIG is also offloading its brokerage unit owing to stringent norms. AIG has agreed to pay $9.5 million for settling the regulator's claims.
Latest News
George Osborne has over-shoot the borrowing forecast due to weak economic outlook and poor tax receipts. In order to achieve his self imposed goal, he has been left with only two options for his 2016 budget- cut public expenses or increase taxes. However, the UK chancellor has hinted opting for reducing public expenses while addressing the BBC’s Marr Show.
Australian tech companies are heading to Singapore to support their businesses. Some tech companies are expecting Singapore to be one of the startups landing pads established by the Australian government to help companies access the global business network.
China’s property market keeps on growing even amid the country’s economic slowdown and weak exports. The surge in the real estate sector is contributing positively to the country’s economy as a new economic driver.
Scottish First Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in an interview that the country’s economy remains strong even amid challenges that she acknowledges. She expects that the huge deficit would be manageable after separation.
Due to a cyanide spill in a mine in Argentina, Canadian-owned Barrick Gold is facing a fine of $9.3 million imposed by the local government. Nine current and former employees are also being held as defendants over accusations of negligence that caused the spill.
Treasure Department published monthly budget report on Thursday. This year a 0.1% increase is reported from last year. This full-year's deficit is forecasted to be much higher than 2015.
MMB patented gene modified seeds are capable of secreting anti pest protein. However, the seed giant is accused of charging higher royalty fees exerting undue dominance in the seed market. Upon complaints from respective trade body, the Indian agriculture ministry has imposed ceiling for royalties on gene modified cotton seeds.
A sample test conducted by Uttar Pradesh food safety officials found that Nestle’s Maggi noodles contain more percentage of ash than permitted by the regulations. However, the company has denied the accusation, stating that the claim is based on the wrong standard.
Diagio Plc, British liquor major, says it paid $40 million to trouble-ridden Indian businessman Vijay Mallya. This comes close on the heels of an order by Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) not to pay Mallya any amount.
