Latest news with #tradeflows
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
HSBC Pulls Plug on Geopolitical Risk Team--Just as Global Tensions Boil Over
HSBC Holdings Plc (NYSE:HSBC) is winding down its geopolitical risk team, a group once tasked with helping top executivesand occasionally clientsnavigate rising global instability. The decision affects fewer than 10 roles across Asia and Europe, but its timing has raised eyebrows. It comes just as tensions between the U.S. and China are again flaring, and President Donald Trump's return to power adds fresh uncertainty to global trade flows. HSBC says existing teams will now absorb the risk advisory function as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and cut costs under CEO Georges Elhedery. This move puts HSBC on a different path from some of its competitors. JPMorgan recently launched a Center for Geopolitics offering insights on the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine, and other hot-button regions. Goldman Sachs and Lazard have also been expanding geopolitical advisory offerings, aiming to give clients a strategic edge in a volatile landscape. Meanwhile, investment banking revenue across the top five U.S. banks remains nearly 40% below 2021 levelsdragged down by deal inertia tied to geopolitical uncertainty. The demand for sharper political intelligence isn't slowing down. In fact, it could be accelerating. HSBC insists it's not backing away from helping clients manage global riskjust doing it differently. We continue to focus on supporting our clients as they navigate a complex and fast-moving international environment, the bank said in a statement. But paired with Wells Fargo's recent move to halt travel to China after a senior banker was blocked from leaving the country, the sector's anxiety is palpable. Whether streamlining pays offor leaves HSBC exposedwill be one of the more interesting banking stories to watch in the months ahead. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
HSBC Pulls Plug on Geopolitical Risk Team--Just as Global Tensions Boil Over
HSBC Holdings Plc (NYSE:HSBC) is winding down its geopolitical risk team, a group once tasked with helping top executivesand occasionally clientsnavigate rising global instability. The decision affects fewer than 10 roles across Asia and Europe, but its timing has raised eyebrows. It comes just as tensions between the U.S. and China are again flaring, and President Donald Trump's return to power adds fresh uncertainty to global trade flows. HSBC says existing teams will now absorb the risk advisory function as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and cut costs under CEO Georges Elhedery. This move puts HSBC on a different path from some of its competitors. JPMorgan recently launched a Center for Geopolitics offering insights on the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine, and other hot-button regions. Goldman Sachs and Lazard have also been expanding geopolitical advisory offerings, aiming to give clients a strategic edge in a volatile landscape. Meanwhile, investment banking revenue across the top five U.S. banks remains nearly 40% below 2021 levelsdragged down by deal inertia tied to geopolitical uncertainty. The demand for sharper political intelligence isn't slowing down. In fact, it could be accelerating. HSBC insists it's not backing away from helping clients manage global riskjust doing it differently. We continue to focus on supporting our clients as they navigate a complex and fast-moving international environment, the bank said in a statement. But paired with Wells Fargo's recent move to halt travel to China after a senior banker was blocked from leaving the country, the sector's anxiety is palpable. Whether streamlining pays offor leaves HSBC exposedwill be one of the more interesting banking stories to watch in the months ahead. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Globe and Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
PACTL and LCSLM Forge Strategic MOU to Strengthen the China-Mexico Air Cargo Corridor
Collaboration Aims to Enhance Freighter Operations, Trade Flows, and Terminal Infrastructure Munich, Germany--(Newsfile Corp. - June 11, 2025) - Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd. (PACTL) and Lufthansa Cargo Servicios Logísticos De México, S.A. DE C.V. (LCSLM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the transport logistic 2025 exhibition in Munich, marking a significant step forward in advancing cross-continental connectivity, trade efficiency and logistics innovation. Under the MOU, the two parties will collaborate to strengthen the air cargo supply chain between China and Mexico, with a focus on e-commerce exports and key import commodities. The strategic collaboration will focus on the following key areas: Increasing freighter operations: PACTL and LCSLM intend to jointly support the increase of freighter flight frequencies between China and Mexico by engaging key national and multinational carriers, supporting favourable regulatory conditions, and exploring synergies under the joint shareholder, Lufthansa Cargo AG. Facilitating trade flows: The partnership will enhance export-import logistics between China and Mexico, enabling more reliable cargo movement and supporting bilateral trade growth. Special emphasis will be placed on facilitating the e-commerce supply chain between the two countries and improving the handling of key imports to China, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value goods. Joint marketing and promotion: The two companies will carry out joint branding and business development initiatives to increase visibility and unlock new market opportunities. Cargo terminal cooperation: Both sides will exchange expertise and cooperate in the terminal planning, construction, and operations to improve ground handling efficiency and infrastructure development. Executives from PACTL and LCSLM celebrate their strategic partnership to strengthen China-Mexico air cargo trade at the transport logistic 2025 exhibition in Munich To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Frank Nozinsky, CEO-Managing Director of LCSLM, addressed: "We are pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with PACTL to strengthen airfreight connectivity between Mexico and China. In recent months, we have witnessed a significant rise in trade volumes between our two countries, driven by shifting global supply chains and evolving geopolitical dynamics. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting this growth through enhanced terminal cooperation and operational synergy." Carsten Hernig, Deputy General Manager VP Sales & Marketing and Production, PACTL, added: "Partnering with LCSLM is a significant step in expanding our international footprint. Together, we aim to build a faster and more reliable cargo channel to support the evolving needs of global trade and deliver lasting value to our customers. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring." About PACTL Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd. (PACTL) is a German-Chinese joint venture founded in 1999, specializing in air cargo handling at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. With shareholders including SAA Logistics Development Co., Ltd. (51%), Lufthansa Cargo AG (29%), and JHJ Logistics Management Co., Ltd. (20%), PACTL operates four terminals across two Shanghai airports, offering more than 210,000 square meters of storage and a truck service network spanning mainland China. Equipped with advanced facilities and comprehensive certifications, PACTL ensures seamless and reliable handling of diverse cargo types. Currently, PACTL serves more than 70 airline companies and over 300 forwarders, with a global network spanning five continents. PACTL's long-term trusting customer relationships and its service excellence make it one of the world's leading air cargo terminals. About LCSLM Lufthansa Cargo Servicios Logísticos de México (LCSLM) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Cargo AG, established in 2007 and based at Mexico City International Airport (AICM). As the leading airfreight warehouse handler at AICM, LCSLM is CEIV-certified and specializes in air cargo handling, including consolidation and deconsolidation services. While the company has been operating since 2007, it began a process of professionalization and business expansion in 2021. Today, LCSLM is powered by a growing team of over 150 employees, providing high-quality logistics solutions and serving as a critical link in Lufthansa Cargo's global network.
CNA
13-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Indonesia's plan to cut fuel imports from Singapore could disrupt trade flows, but fallout likely minimal: Analysts
SINGAPORE: Indonesia's plan to cut fuel imports from Singapore could pressure trade flows amid tariff talks with the United States, but observers said they believe the broader impact on Singapore's economy will be limited. Analysts told CNA that diversification of the economy into areas such as technology and manufacturing will continue to prop up growth. However, they cautioned that there may be indirect impact on the transport and storage services and wholesale trade sectors. This comes as Indonesia is looking to change the source of some of its fuel imports from Singapore to the US. It is currently negotiating the 32 per cent tariffs that the US wants to impose on Indonesian goods. These tariffs have been paused until July. ADDRESSING TRUMP TARIFFS Singapore is a major global refining hub and supplier of fuel. In the first four months of 2025, it exported more than 54,000 barrels of gasoil and 8,300 barrels of jet fuel daily to Indonesia. Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said last Friday (May 9) that it could shift as much as 60 per cent of its total fuel imports from Singapore to the US in the early stages. Jakarta is looking to ramp up fuel imports from the US, as part of a wider proposal to address US President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs. Despite this, experts believe the impact on Singapore's economy would be minimal. "Even if Indonesia were to scale back their imports, Singapore is resourceful,' said John Driscoll, director of energy market intelligence provider JTD Energy Services. 'They've got an infrastructure, refineries, storage terminals, support services, and besides that, they are the major pricing point east of Suez,' he added, referring to areas located east of the Suez Canal. 'You've got all of the major technology companies setting up the offices out here - Facebook, Google, Amazon. Singapore is not as dependent on oil, and I think that's been a deliberate strategy on their part. They want to diversify away from a reliance on oil.' EXCESS OIL SUPPLY The oil industry makes up around 5 per cent of Singapore's overall gross domestic product (GDP). This is smaller compared to other sectors such as manufacturing, which contributes about 20 per cent of the economy. However, analysts warned that if other countries follow in Indonesia's footsteps, the impact could be multiplied. "There could be second-round effects on the transport and storage services sectors, the wholesale and retail trade sectors could also be affected, because the activity drops. That could also limit the port activities,' said Mr Jeff Ng, head of Asia macro strategy at SMBC. 'When you have less demand, the manufacturing sector and the services sector may also be impacted.' Other potential short-term challenges include excess oil supply that could push prices down, said experts. Even then, they said the market is likely to stabilise over time. 'Singapore most likely will be stuck with a little more oil because there is no buyer of it,' said economics professor Sumit Agarwal of the NUS Business School. 'That should provide downward pressure on Singapore oil that they are selling to, say Malaysia and other countries. So profitability will go down for the refining business for Singapore. 'But in the medium term, Singapore will find other buyers who could be suitable buyers for Singapore's refined oil, and things will be fine.' Potential players in Singapore's market could include countries from the Middle East, said observers. There may also be interest from investors like hedge funds and banks.
CNA
12-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Impact from Indonesia's plan to cut Singapore fuel imports limited: Analysts
Indonesia's plan to cut oil imports from Singapore amid US tariff talks may pressure trade flows, but experts here say the impact will be limited. This is as diversification of the economy into areas like technology and manufacturing will still prop up growth. Still, they caution that spare capacities may have secondary effects on the transport and storage services and wholesale trade sectors. Nadirah Zaidi has more.
