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Stock markets struggled for direction Wednesday as traders awaited key US inflation data with the Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates next week.Traders were also keeping tabs on China to see if it will announce further measures to support its struggling economy.Seoul extended Tuesday’s rebound, though political uncertainty after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law kept the won around two-year lows against the dollar.All three main Wall Street indexes ended in the red Tuesday, with analysts pointing to profit-taking from a string of records, with the focus now on the consumer price index release due later in the day.”Today’s US CPI print for November is pivotal for markets,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB. The reading is expected to show a slight pick-up in inflation but there is still a strong expectation the US central bank will cut rates for a third straight meeting next week.Brooks added that higher-than-expected inflation could lead to questions over future rate cuts, especially with the possibility that US president-elect Donald Trump’s planned policies could reignite inflation.Beijing’s attempts to kickstart growth are also in view, with China’s leaders gathering for a conference aimed at hammering out next year’s agenda.President Xi Jinping and other top leaders on Monday announced their first major shift in policy for more than a decade, saying they would “implement a more active fiscal policy and an appropriately relaxed” strategy.The remarks sparked hopes for more interest rate cuts and the freeing up of more cash for lending.The announcement comes as officials prepare for a second term for Trump, who has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fuelling fears of another standoff between the superpowers.Shares in Shanghai rose Wednesday but Hong Kong gave up an early rally to end in the red.Paris and Frankfurt stocks edged up awaiting Thursday’s expected rate cut from the European Central Bank as it seeks to help boost eurozone growth.Investors are also eyeing political developments in France, where officials said President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new prime minister “within 48 hours” as he seeks to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier.In company news, shares in German retail giant Zalando shed around five percent on Frankfurt’s DAX index, after it acquired domestic rival About You in a deal worth around 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion).Shares in Zara owner Inditex slid six percent after a record quarterly profit for the group fell short of market estimates.Oil prices gained one percent on supply worries, as the US considers new sanctions against Russia, the world’s second largest oil producer.- Key figures around 1100 GMT -London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 at 8,285.07 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.1 percent at 7,404.20 Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.1 percent at 20,347.47Tokyo – Nikkei 225: FLAT at 39,372.23 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 20,155.05 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,432.49 (close)Seoul – Kospi: UP 1.0 percent at 2,442.51 (close)New York – Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,247.83 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0497 from $1.0529 on TuesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2724 from $1.2773Dollar/yen: UP at 152.63 yen from 151.92 yen Euro/pound: UP at 82.49 from 82.42 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.0 percent at $72.91 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 percent at $69.31 per barrel

Markets diverged on Wednesday ahead of US inflation data that could play a key role in the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week, while traders were also keeping tabs on Beijing hoping for more economic support measures.Seoul extended Tuesday’s rebound rally, though political uncertainty after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law kept the won under pressure around two-year lows against the dollar.Investors were taking a breather after a run of volatility in recent weeks fuelled by a range of issues including Donald Trump’s re-election, the crisis in South Korea, upheaval in the Middle East and ongoing worries about China’s economy.All three main Wall Street indexes ended in the red Tuesday, with analysts pointing to profit-taking from a string of records, with the focus now on the consumer price index release due later in the day.While the reading is expected to show a slight pick-up, there is still a strong expectation the US central bank will cut rates for a third straight meeting next week.”The holiday season is in full swing, and like countless children around the world wishing for something special from jolly old Saint Nick, equity markets are hoping the US Federal Reserve will bring them a comfy-cosy interest rate cut,” said Saira Malik, chief investment officer at asset manager Nuveen.However, there is speculation that monetary policymakers will not make as many reductions next year as previously expected amid fears that Trump’s planned tax cuts, deregulation and tariff hikes will reignite inflation.Beijing’s attempts to kickstart growth are also in view, with leaders expected to gather Wednesday for a two-day Central Economic Work Conference aimed at hammering out the agenda for next year.President Xi Jinping and other top leaders announced on Monday their first major shift in policy for more than a decade, saying they would “implement a more active fiscal policy and an appropriately relaxed” strategy.The remarks represented a move away from their previous “prudent” approach, sparking hopes for more rate cuts and the freeing up of more cash for lending.The announcement comes as officials prepare for a second term for Trump, who has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fuelling fears of another standoff between the superpowers.Shares in Shanghai rose but Hong Kong gave up an early rally to end in the red.There were gains in Wellington, Mumbai and Jakarta, but Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei and Manila fell. Tokyo was flat.Seoul rose one percent to build on Tuesday’s advance of more than two percent, which came after tumbling in the wake of Yoon’s December 3 martial law bid. London, Paris and Frankfurt all opened lower.Traders are now tracking developments as Yoon faces a second impeachment vote on Saturday. On currency markets, the euro dropped ahead of the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting on Thursday, when it is expected to cut rates as it seeks to boost the struggling eurozone growth.Investors are also eyeing Paris, where French officials said President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new prime minister “within 48 hours” as he seeks to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier.- Key figures around 0810 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: FLAT at 39,372.23 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 20,155.05 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,432.49 (close)Seoul – Kospi: UP 1.0 percent at 2,442.51 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 percent at 8.253,96Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0490 from $1.0529 on TuesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2733 from $1.2773Dollar/yen: DOWN at 151.66 yen from 151.92 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.38 from 82.42 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at $68.71 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.2 percent at $72.32 per barrelNew York – Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,247.83 (close)

Nippon Steel on Wednesday slammed the “inappropriate” influence of politics on its planned takeover of US Steel after a media report said President Joe Biden would block it.The deal worth $14.9 billion including debts is being reviewed by a body in Washington that assesses foreign takeovers of US firms.Bloomberg News, citing people close to the matter, said Biden planned to kill the sale on national security grounds when the review is finished later this month.”It is inappropriate that politics continue to outweigh true national security interests — especially with the indispensable alliance between the US and Japan as the important foundation,” a Nippon Steel statement said.”We have engaged in good faith with all parties to underscore how the transaction will bolster American economic and national security by countering the threats posed by China,” it added.”Nippon Steel still has confidence in the justice and fairness of America and its legal system, and — if necessary — will work with US Steel to consider and take all available measures to reach a fair conclusion.”The takeover was agreed by the companies around a year ago.US Steel says it needs the Nippon deal to ensure sufficient investment in plants in Pennsylvania, which it warns it may have to shutter if the sale is blocked.But the buyout has been fiercely condemned by the United Steelworkers union — even as Nippon promised investments to keep Pennsylvania factories competitive and newer “mini mills” in the American South.- Trump ‘totally against’ deal -After the deal was first announced, Biden said it was “vital” that US Steel be “domestically owned and operated”.”I told our steelworkers I have their backs, and I meant it,” he also said in March.Even so, days after the November US election, Nippon Steel said it expected to close its takeover of the company before the end of the year, while Biden was still in office.President-elect Donald Trump — who is to be inaugurated on January 20 — has also vowed to block the deal, pledging to bolster US Steel through tax incentives and tariffs instead.”I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company,” Trump wrote earlier this month on his Truth Social platform.In reaction to the Bloomberg report, the White House said Biden was awaiting the outcome of the ongoing review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), helmed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.”The president’s position since the beginning is that it is vital for US steel to be domestically owned and operated,” spokeswoman Robyn Patterson said.”We have not received any CFIUS recommendation. The CFIUS process was and remains ongoing.”US Steel shares closed down 9.7 percent Tuesday on Wall Street following the report. Nippon was down 0.4 percent in Tokyo on Wednesday.Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to comment directly on the deal but said Japan and the United States would continue “broad” discussions on economic matters.”It is essential for both sides to strengthen Japan-US economic ties, including the expansion of mutual investment,” Hayashi said.

China’s leadership will gather Wednesday to hammer out plans to boost the economy next year, reports said, as they look to address weak domestic demand and the possibility of a deepening trade war with the United States.The annual Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC) is being closely watched by investors for signs of coming stimulus to kickstart growth, which has been hampered by sluggish consumption and a protracted crisis in the property sector.Beijing is also strapping in for four more years of tensions with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to impose stinging tariffs on China.The closed-door economic meeting is expected to run through Thursday, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.Beijing is yet to confirm the conclave will take place, but it typically convenes in the final month of the year and is attended by President Xi Jinping.The gathering follows a meeting on Monday of the Politburo — the country’s top decision-making body — at which officials urged “vigorous” support for consumers next year.The top leadership also called for a “moderately loose” monetary policy in 2025, in what analysts said marked a key shift from the “prudent” approach adopted for more than a decade.Beijing has in recent months unveiled a string of measures intended to boost the economy as they race to achieve an annual growth target of around five percent this year.Xi on Tuesday said the country was “fully confident” it would hit that goal.The measures include key rate cuts, the easing of certain homebuying restrictions and trade-in programmes intended to boost consumption.The readout of Monday’s meeting “leaves little doubt that the shift toward a more supportive policy stance that began back in September is still alive and well”, Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics, said in a note.”We do expect the (central bank) to step up the pace of rate cuts next year,” he added.But he warned “it is unlikely that they will cut rates anywhere near as aggressively as they did during the (global financial crisis)”.Beyond monetary policy, some analysts believe Chinese leaders might move more aggressively to shore up demand at home.”Monetary stimulus will only work if Beijing lifts broader business and household confidence,” Shehzad Qazi, managing director of consultancy firm China Beige Book, told AFP.While the Politburo meeting aided a bump in Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks on Tuesday, many observers say they are still waiting to see specific policy announcements on how Beijing plans to boost growth in the coming year.”So far there is still no focus on major household side stimulus, which would actually help lift consumer spending in 2025 and beyond,” said Qazi.

Ex-employees of a Japanese textile company in Ecuador told Tuesday of their dire living and working conditions, after the country’s constitutional court ruled the firm kept its staff in a slave-like setting.Some gave birth to children in unsanitary and overcrowded camps, while others were denied proper medical attention after work-related injuries, according to testimonies given at a news conference in Quito. Justices last week ordered the company, Furukawa, to pay $120,000 to each of the 342 victims — a total of around $41 million. It will also have to make a public apology to them. As of 2021, Furukawa’s plantations for abaca — a fine plant fiber — covered almost 23,000 hectares spread over three provinces on the Pacific coast, where the majority of the population is Black.”We have been confronting the monster that is Furukawa,” Segundo Ordonez, a 59-year-old farmer, told Tuesday’s meeting at the headquarters of Ecuador’s Ecumenical Human Rights Commission (CEDHU).He recalled a lack of medical attention on the plantations, where nine people died in work-related accidents.”A friend was cut, we were working in a downpour. That was the most anger I felt, seeing him shedding blood like an animal and nobody doing anything,” Ordonez said.Maria Guerrero recounted that her parents took her and six siblings to the Furukawa crops when she was two years old. She knew no other place for three decades and met her husband there, with whom she had seven children.”I gave birth to all my children in the company, I did not have a postpartum check-up or a medical check-up during my pregnancy. It is something I will always carry in my heart as a wound,” the 39-year-old said.Furukawa contested the constitutional court’s decision, arguing that there were inconsistencies and asking for a downward revision of the financial compensation ordered, which it deemed impossible to comply with.

Global stock markets mostly retreated Tuesday as traders eyed looming US inflation data and a key European interest rate call amid global political upheaval.After winning numerous records in the weeks since the November 5 US presidential election, US stocks fell for the second straight day as analysts pointed to profit-taking.But Alphabet jumped more than five percent after Google showed off a new quantum computing chip that it described as a significant breakthrough in the field, arguing it could lead to advances in drug discovery, fusion energy and other areas.The Paris stock market retreated as French party leaders gathered at President Emmanuel Macron’s Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government.The euro also fell ahead of the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting on Thursday. The ECB is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points amid weak eurozone growth.Independent analyst Andreas Lipkow said traders were taking a cautious approach ahead of the ECB meeting. The main US indexes struggled as traders eyed US consumer price inflation (CPI) data due Wednesday, which could play a role in whether the US Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates next week.On Wall Street, “tomorrow’s CPI report is in full focus with a looming rate-decision from the Fed coming,” analyst Bret Kenwell of trading platform eToro said in a note.Following recent spending and jobs data “traders have felt even more emboldened to bet on a December rate cut, while the Fed has done little… to quiet that expectation,” he added.Earlier, stock markets weighed “concerns that China’s economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect”, noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fueling fears of another standoff between the economic superpowers.The Shanghai stock market ended higher but Hong Kong fell.Seoul’s Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3.On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose around one percent on the Paris stock exchange after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain.Walgreens Boots Alliance soared 17.7 percent following reports that it could be acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners.Boeing jumped 4.5 percent as it announced it was resuming production at two Seattle-area plants that had been shuttered for nearly three months due to a labor strike.- Key figures around 2130 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,247.83 (close)New York – S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,034.91 (close)New York – Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 19,687.24 (close)Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 1.1 percent at 7,394.78 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,329.16 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.9 percent at 8,280.36 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close)Seoul – Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0529 from $1.0554 on MondayPound/dollar: UP at $1.2773 from $1.2757Dollar/yen: UP at 151.92 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.42 from 82.73 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $68.59 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $72.19 per barrelburs-jmb/nro

Global stock markets diverged Tuesday as traders eyed looming US inflation data and a key European interest rate call amid global political upheaval.Commodity markets were steadier after oil and gold won strong support Monday owing to uncertainty over Syria’s impact on the wider crude-rich Middle East.The Paris stock market retreated as French party leaders gathered at President Emmanuel Macron’s Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government.The euro also fell ahead of the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting on Thursday when it is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points amid weak eurozone growth.Independent analyst Andreas Lipkow said traders were taking a cautious approach ahead of the ECB meeting. The main US indexes marked time as traders eyed US consumer price inflation (CPI) data due out on Wednesday, which could play a role in whether or not the US Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates next week.On Wall Street, “tomorrow’s CPI report is in full focus with a looming rate-decision from the Fed coming,” analyst Bret Kenwell of trading platform eToro said in a note.Following recent spending and jobs data “traders have felt even more emboldened to bet on a December rate cut, while the Fed has done little… to quiet that expectation,” he added.US inflation has remained stuck around three percent, however, higher than the Fed’s two percent target.”The Fed is likely to cut interest rates by 25 basis points regardless of the inflation reading, though a hotter-than-expected print could certainly raise some questions,” said Matthew Weller, Global Head of Research at FOREX.com and City Index.The markets are expecting a headline 2.6 percent annual inflation rate and 3.3 percent in “core” inflation which excludes highly variable food and energy prices.Earlier, stock markets struggled “amid concerns that China’s economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect”, noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fuelling fears of another standoff between the economic superpowers.The Shanghai stock market ended higher but Hong Kong fell.Seoul’s Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3.On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose around one percent on the Paris stock exchange after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain.Shares in Ashtead slumped 13 percent in London after the industrial-equipment hire group warned over profits and said it plans to switch its main stock listing to key market the United States.- Key figures around 1630 GMT -New York – Dow: UP less than 0.1 percent at 44,442.29 pointsNew York – S&P 500: FLAT at 6,053.62New York – Nasdaq Composite: FLAT at 19,744.54Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 1.1 percent at 7,394.78 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: DOWN less than 0.1 percent at 20,329.16 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.9 percent at 8,280.36 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close)Seoul – Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0509 from $1.0555 on MondayPound/dollar: UP at $1.2749 from $1.2746Dollar/yen: UP at 152.03 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.43 from 82.78 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.9 percent at $68.98 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $71.05 per barrelburs-rl/sbk

Global stock markets were mixed Tuesday as traders eyed looming US inflation data and a key European interest rate call amid global political upheaval.Commodity markets were steadier after oil and gold won strong support Monday owing to  uncertainty over Syria’s impact on the wider crude-rich Middle East.The Paris stock market retreated and the euro fell versus the dollar, as French party leaders were set to gather at President Emmanuel Macron’s Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government.The main US indexes were little changed as traders eyed US consumer price inflation (CPI) data due out on Wednesday.Interest rate decisions are also due from the European Central Bank on Thursday and the US Federal Reserve next week.In Europe, independent analyst Andreas Lipkow said traders were taking a cautious approach ahead of the ECB meeting. The bank is expected to lower rates by 0.25 basis points amid weak eurozone growth.On Wall Street, “tomorrow’s CPI report is in full focus with a looming rate-decision from the Fed coming,” analyst Bret Kenwell of trading platform eToro said in a note.Following recent spending and jobs data “traders have felt even more emboldened to bet on a December rate cut, while the Fed has done little… to quiet that expectation,” he added.Earlier, stock markets struggled “amid concerns that China’s economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect”, noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fuelling fears of another standoff between the economic superpowers.The Shanghai stock market ended higher and Hong Kong fell.Seoul’s Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3.On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose slightly on the Paris index after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain.Shares in Ashtead slumped 12 percent in London after the industrial-equipment hire group warned over profits and said it plans to switch its main stock listing to key market the United States.- Key figures around 1500 GMT -Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.8 percent at 7,419.92 pointsFrankfurt – DAX: UP 0.08 percent at 20,363.19London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.7 percent at 8,291.23New York – Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 44,315.37New York – S&P 500: UP 0.1 percent at 6,058.66New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 19,841.57 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close)Seoul – Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0513 from $1.0555 on MondayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2732 from $1.2746Dollar/yen: UP at 151.86 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.58 from 82.78 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at $68.49 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $71.05 per barrel

Car giant Stellantis and Chinese manufacturer CATL said Tuesday they would build a $4.3-billion factory to make electric vehicle batteries in Spain, the latest bid to boost Europe’s troubled EV drive.They said they aim to start production by the end of 2026 at the site in the northern city of Zaragoza.It “could reach up to 50 GWh capacity, subject to the evolution of the electrical market in Europe and continued support from authorities in Spain and the European Union”, the companies said in a statement.The two firms signed an agreement in 2023 to produce battery parts for the manufacture of electric vehicles in Europe.CATL, which has received robust financial support from Beijing, has launched two other European factories, in Germany and Hungary.Its chief executive Robin Zeng met late on Monday with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, ahead of the announcement of the 4.1-billion-euro deal.In a message on X, the Socialist premier thanked the presidents of the two firms for their “firm commitment” to Spain, adding he was “very pleased”.During a visit to China in September, Sanchez urged the European Union to “reconsider” a plan to impose tariffs on Chinese electric cars, calling for a “compromise” between the economic powerhouses.Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo called the announcement “excellent news for industry and employment in our country”.Spain has been playing a growing role in European vehicle production, assembling 1.87 million cars in 2023 — the second-biggest producer in the continent after Germany, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.- Bumpy patch for carmakers -The announcement comes at a turbulent time in the car industry as countries seek to switch to low-carbon electric vehicles to curb the climate crisis.Sweden’s financially strained electric car battery maker Northvolt last month announced the resignation of its chief executive Peter Carlsson.That came hours after the company sought bankruptcy protection in the United States.The company said in September it was slashing 1,600 jobs — a quarter of its staff — and suspending the expansion of its site as it struggled with strained finances and a slowdown in demand.The company had been seen as a cornerstone of European attempts to catch up with China and the United States in the production of battery cells, a crucial component of lower-emission cars.Stellantis’s former chief executive Carlos Tavares also resigned on December 1, with the company signalling differences over how to save the group’s slumping profits.Like other auto groups, Stellantis has blamed competition from China and the difficult transition to electric cars for much of its troubles.It announced on November 26 that it was closing a factory at Luton in England with the loss of 1,100 jobs.- ‘High-quality’ EVs -Founded in 2011 in Ningde, eastern China, CATL produces more than a third of the electric vehicle batteries sold in the world.Italian-US-French company Stellantis produces 14 brands including Fiat, Peugeot-Citroen, Opel, Maserati, Chrysler, Ram and Jeep.The Zaragoza plant will make lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are cheaper to produce but less powerful compared with nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) ones, the other current mainstream technology.The companies said the factory, which will be designed to be completely carbon neutral, would enable Stellantis “to offer more high-quality, durable and affordable battery-electric passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs”.Stellantis chairman John Elkann said in the statement that the venture “will bring innovative battery production to a manufacturing site that is already a leader in clean and renewable energy”.Zeng said CATL’s goal was “to make zero-carbon technology accessible across the globe”.The deal is expected to be closed in 2025, subject to regulation.

European stock markets dropped Tuesday after Seoul rebounded as traders focused on political upheaval in France and South Korea in addition to China’s latest stimulus plans.Commodity markets were steadier after oil and gold won strong support Monday owing to an uncertain future for Syria and the wider crude-rich Middle East.The Paris stock market retreated and the euro fell versus the dollar, as French party leaders were set to gather at President Emmanuel Macron’s Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government.Wall Street on Monday pulled back from all-time highs as investors awaited key US inflation data this week.Stock markets struggled “amid concerns that China’s economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect”, noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell.Official data Tuesday showed Chinese exports rose in November at a slower rate than expected while imports shrunk further, reinforcing the need for more support a day after top officials pledged to bolster the stuttering growth.Following the data’s release, Chinese President Xi Jinping said: “China has full confidence to achieve this year’s economic growth target and will continue to play its role as the biggest engine of world economic growth.”The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fuelling fears of another standoff between the superpowers.Leaders have battled for almost two years to kickstart China’s economy, which has been battered by weak domestic consumption and a debilitating property sector crisis.”Beijing kept its stimulus measures very modest in 2024, because the goal was to stabilise the economy and rehabilitate confidence,” said Shehzad Qazi, managing director at consultants China Beige Book.”Now, Beijing is almost singularly focused on protecting China from the onslaught of forthcoming Trump tariffs.”The Shanghai stock market ended higher and Hong Kong fell.Seoul’s Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3.The South Korean won currency steadied against the dollar Tuesday, though it remains stuck near two-year lows as uncertainty keeps investors on edge.On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose slightly on the Paris index after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain.Shares in Ashtead slumped 12 percent in London after the industrial-equipment hire group warned over profits and said it plans to switch its main stock listing to key market the United States.- Key figures around 1100 GMT -Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 percent at 7,432.92 pointsFrankfurt – DAX: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,335.96London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.6 percent at 8,302.48Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close)Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close)Seoul – Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close)New York – Dow: DOWN 0.5 percent at 44,401.93 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0526 from $1.0555 on MondayPound/dollar: UP at $1.2756 from $1.2746Dollar/yen: UP at 151.63 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.54 from 82.78 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.9 percent at $67.79 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.8 percent at $71.59 per barrel