The South Korean government can increase its spending without borrowing more money, thanks to a surge in tax receipts, said the finance minister during a parliamentary debate. Tax income rose by 6 trillion won in January compared with the same month last year, a jump that gives lawmakers more roo
Big life insurance firms in Japan are still planning to boost their private loan holdings next year, even though worries about the sector’s health are rising. A recent survey shows that Nippon Life, Meiji Yasuda and Dai‑ichi Life have decided to stick with their current investment strategies. Sumito
Inflation data released in February shows a modest uptick, matching what many economists had predicted. The consumer price index climbed overall by 0. 2 percent, with food prices up 0. 4 percent and energy surging 0. 6 percent. Housing costs added another 0. 2 percent, while a core measure that stri
JPMorgan has tightened its lending rules for private credit groups, trimming the value of certain loans that these funds use as collateral. The bank’s move signals growing caution among traditional lenders toward the fast‑growing private credit market, especially when backing software companies that
The U. S. inflation rate stayed flat in February, matching what economists had predicted. Prices climbed 2. 4 percent compared with a year earlier, leaving the rate unchanged from January and just above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent goal. Fuel costs, however, jumped sharply as traders braced fo
The U. S. stock market began the day without a clear direction, as futures traded sideways while oil prices edged up to about $90 per barrel. A highly anticipated drop in U. S. crude inventories did not lift investor mood, partly because tensions over shipping lanes in the Middle East continued to l
The day began with a clear signal from the energy sector: crude oil prices pushed higher, nudging investors to sell some of their holdings in the Dow. The index slipped by about 0. 5 percent, reflecting worries that rising fuel costs could squeeze corporate profits across many industries. Meanwhile
JPMorgan Chase has lowered the value of loans it holds as collateral, mainly those given to software companies, in its private‑credit financing arm. The change means that firms using these loans for “back‑leverage” will have less room to borrow and may need to lock up more assets. The bank’s move
Bank of America has added Ligand Pharmaceuticals to its list of stocks it recommends buying, setting a new price target at $244. The move comes as the bank highlights Ligand’s business model, which focuses on high‑margin products and a lower level of risk compared to many other biopharma companies.
The company’s shares rose in early trading as investors heard it plans to turn a profit next year. Analysts say the firm expects revenue to jump between 80 % and 100 % from last year’s numbers, reaching roughly $200 million by 2026. Its forecast covers several business lines: artificial‑intellig
