The Association of Thai Travel Agents is urging the government to postpone the implementation of a new tourism fee until the sector has fully recovered. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn says Thailand has averaged around 3,000 – 4,000 foreign tourists per day, since re-opening on November 1. According to a Bangkok Post report, he says confidence is low ahead of the coming high season as many target market countries are battling new waves of Covid-19. Added to this is the high cost of PCR testing on arrival. Sisdivachr says the cost in Thailand is often much higher than in countries tourists are arriving from, citing India as an example, where a PCR test costs between 250 and 400 baht. He says the high price Thailand is charging risks deterring tourists. Meanwhile, his colleague, Adith Chairattananon, says tourism operators want more clarity around how the tourism fund will be managed and who will benefit from it. Adith says that to ensure transparency, the government should … [Read more...] about Travel agents call for tourism fee to be postponed until industry recovers
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Stock markets struggle as fears over economy grow
- A + A LONDON (May 16): European stocks slipped on Monday and Wall Street was set for a lower open, as investor sentiment struggled to recover from last week's sell off amid fears of a slowdown in economic growth. Global shares hit their lowest point in 18 months last week, with investors worried that rising interest rates to counter high inflation will damage the global economy. Unexpectedly weak economic data kept from China kept those worries in centre stage on Monday. April retail sales plunged 11.1% on the year, almost twice the fall forecast, as full or partial Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed in dozens of cities. Industrial output dropped 2.9% when analysts had looked for a slight increase. At 1104 GMT, the MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 50 countries, was up around 0.1% on the day, struggling to recover from last week's lows. Europe's STOXX 600 was down 0.2%, while London's FTSE 100 was down flat. US stock index futures pointed to a … [Read more...] about Stock markets struggle as fears over economy grow
Stocks Mixed as Retail Sales Drop Most in 10 Months
U.S. stocks again started the day mixed after a report said that U.S. retail and food services fell more than expected last month. Investors are also digesting a slew of quarterly earnings reports from banks, as JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( JPM ) and Citigroup Inc. ( C ) recorded income declines, while Wells Fargo & Company ( WFC ) said that profit jumped. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the S&P 500 are poised to finish the week lower, while the Nasdaq may end up higher for the week. All three major indexes finished lower yesterday. Key Takeaways Stocks are mixed again this morning, with the Nasdaq gaining and the Dow and S&P 500 falling. Retail and food sales sank 1.9% in December, marking the biggest drop in 10 months. JPMorgan and Citigroup reported falling quarterly profit, while Wells Fargo reported fourth quarter profit that beat analysts' forecasts. The University of Michigan will release its Consumer Sentiment Index for … [Read more...] about Stocks Mixed as Retail Sales Drop Most in 10 Months
Stocks Gain as Tech Rallies and Investors Await Fed Rate Decision
U.S. stock futures are moving higher, led by technology shares on the Nasdaq exchange, after another volatile day of trading ahead of an announcement from Federal Reserve policymakers about the future of monetary policy . Key Takeaways U.S. stock futures are moving sharply higher, led by technology shares on the Nasdaq exchange. Traders are awaiting a 2 p.m. Eastern time announcement from Federal Reserve policymakers about the future of monetary policy. Cryptocurrencies' rally continued. Oil again marched higher, and the dollar strengthened against the euro. Bond yields fell. Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) helped lead tech shares higher after reporting fiscal second quarter results that beat expectations while forecasting better-than-expected quarterly sales for the current quarter. Tesla, Inc. ( TSLA ), scheduled to report earnings after markets close today, is also gaining. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down more than 800 points … [Read more...] about Stocks Gain as Tech Rallies and Investors Await Fed Rate Decision
Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell told Congress while the Fed still plans to hike interest rates to combat inflation, the economic impact from the invasion of Ukraine remains “highly uncertain,” and policymakers will need to be “nimble” in responding to new information. Key Takeaways Stocks are moving higher, gaining back ground lost yesterday, despite the Federal Reserve saying interest rates will move higher this month. ADP reported private-sector jobs jumped more than anticipated last month. Ford, Chevron, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, and AutoZone are among companies gaining today. Solid economic and corporate news is edging stocks higher. All three major indices are up more than 1%, clawing back some of yesterday's losses. Almost all of the stocks in the Dow are rising. Shares of Chevron Corp. ( CVX ) and other energy companies are higher as the fighting in Ukraine increases concerns about disruptions in oil supplies. Oil futures reached the highest … [Read more...] about Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
JetBlue Goes Hostile In Takeover Bid Of Spirit Airlines
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin H ell hath no fury like an airline scorned. Two weeks after its merger proposal was rejected, JetBlue is going hostile in its effort to acquire Spirit Airlines. Today JetBlue made a direct appeal to Spirit shareholders to vote against the “inferior, high risk and low value” Frontier deal and embrace its own all-cash offer of $30 per share. “This represents a 60% premium to the value of the Frontier transaction as of May 13, 2022 – a very compelling offer and higher than the premium implied by JetBlue’s original proposal,” according to a JetBlue statement. The airline added that it was willing to discuss a $33-per-share deal if Spirit will stop withholding diligence information about its business. MORE FROM FORBES JetBlue Sweetens Its Bid-But Spirit Airlines Says It Still Prefers Its Other Suitor By Suzanne Rowan Kelleher Earlier this month, Spirit rejected an offer from JetBlue in favor of the less … [Read more...] about JetBlue Goes Hostile In Takeover Bid Of Spirit Airlines
Markets Mixed as Amazon, Snap Fuel Tech, Dow Drops on Rate Worries
U.S. equity markets are mixed following strong earnings from Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) that lifted the Nasdaq while a blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Key Takeaways Tech shares are rising, boosted by Amazon and Snap, as the Nasdaq aims for its first weekly gain this year. A blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Crude oil's price surge continued, with the price crossing $93 per barrel. The Nasdaq , helped by Snap Inc. ( SNAP ) and Amazon, is set for its first weekly close higher this year. The S&P 500 is also higher, while the Dow Jones is little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is skyrocketing nine basis points (BPS) to 1.92% after the Labor Department reported that many more jobs were created in January than expected (more below). That's prompting speculation that … [Read more...] about Markets Mixed as Amazon, Snap Fuel Tech, Dow Drops on Rate Worries
Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries
U.S. equity markets are sinking as Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine, raising concerns about disruptions of oil and other commodities. The Dow at one point was down more than 600 points, while crude oil approached $107 a barrel. Key Takeaways The Dow Jones fell more than 600 points as crude oil surged past $105 a barrel and financial and travel company shares slumped. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters, with wheat hitting prices not seen since 2008. Retailers including Target and Walmart are trading higher. Oil prices are soaring to more than $105 a barrel, the highest they’ve been since 2014. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters. Wheat prices are at levels not seen since 2008. Investors continued to put money into haven investments. Bond prices are rising with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note falling another 11 basis points (BPS) to 1.72%. Gold and … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries
Dollar starts week on strong footing on firm safe-haven bid
HONG KONG: The dollar started the week just off a 20-year high against peers on Monday, as investors sought safety due to fears about global growth while cryptocurrency markets appeared to find some stability after last week's turmoil. The dollar index was at 104.54, having briefly crossed the 105 level on Friday, its highest since December 2002, after six successive weeks of gains. Investors have flocked to the safe-haven currency on concerns about the U.S. Federal Reserve's ability to dampen inflation without causing a recession, along with worries about slowing growth arising from the Ukraine crisis and the economic effects of China's zero-COVID-19 policy. "Broad USD strength is being supported by a mounting global growth concern," said Barclays analysts. They said events to watch this week included U.S. retail and production data due Tuesday, as well as public remarks from several Fed officials. "Focus will be on any potential reiteration/pushback on the notion that … [Read more...] about Dollar starts week on strong footing on firm safe-haven bid
Disney (DIS) Falls on Guggenheim Downgrade
Shares for The Walt Disney Company ( DIS ) fell by almost 3% after analysts at investment firm Guggenheim Partners downgraded the stock over concerns for the company's future profit growth. Disney, which reports earnings on Feb. 9, closed trading at $155.44 on Jan. 13. As of this writing, the stock is changing hands for $151.13. Key Takeaways Disney stock is falling because it was downgraded to Neutral from Buy by investment firm Guggenheim Partners. The firm cited the threat of new COVID variants disrupting operations and the entertainment behemoth's increased content spend as reasons for its downgrade. Out of 17 analysts covering Disney, 14 have still rated it a Buy for 2022. Why Did Guggenheim Downgrade Disney? Analysts at Guggenheim downgraded Disney stock to Neutral from their earlier Buy rating. They also cut the firm's price target on Disney shares to $165 from $205 due to "broader business pressure." Elements of this pressure include higher wages … [Read more...] about Disney (DIS) Falls on Guggenheim Downgrade