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Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension, the <keyword id="19904988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-sector" source="keywords">energy sector</keyword> will continue to face challenge while the <keyword id="20468174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-goods" source="keywords">consumer goods</keyword>, automotive, healthcare is set to expand in 2025, highlighted a report 'Industry Outlook 2025' by <keyword id="20618515" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economist-Intelligence-Unit" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economist Intelligence Unit" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economist Intelligence Unit">Economist Intelligence Unit</keyword>. The report noted that the Fossil fuel markets will continue to face risks from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> will remain strong, especially in China, as the world pushes toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The report said "Fossil-fuel markets will continue to face <keyword id="20064250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-risks" source="keywords">geopolitical risks</keyword> amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but investment into renewables will remain strong, particularly in China." It also added that the financial sector faces a mixed outlook with falling interest rates anticipated to narrow bank profit margins, potentially leading to smaller dividend payouts for shareholders. Yet, regulatory easing could provide relief, with the Basel III endgame likely seeing further delays, softening the impact on banking institutions amid a challenging economic landscape. For the consumer goods and retailing the report added that the Global retail volumes are forecast to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025, thanks to easing inflation. However, stricter regulations on online retailing will target high-volume, low-price retailers, to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. It said "Global retail volumes will expand by 2.2 per cent, helped by disinflation, but regulations around online retailing will tighten further" As per report, the <keyword id="20359760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automotive-sector" source="keywords">automotive sector</keyword> is set for a record year, it said "After a difficult few years, annual new-vehicle sales will reach a record 97.2m units in 2025. This includes a 2 per cent rise in new car sales, a 4 per cent increase in commercial vehicle sales, and a significant 16 per cent growth in <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword>, reflecting the sector's recovery and the shift toward cleaner mobility. In technology the report added more countries will adopt satellite internet, although the primary users will be enterprise clients, including military and maritime sectors. Amazon's Project Kuiper will challenge the existing market dominance of Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, offering more competition and potential growth in satellite connectivity. The resulting tensions will continue to affect investment into production and market entry, with companies taking advantage of government incentives to build out more flexible supply chains. <keyword id="23684177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-technology" source="keywords">Investment in technology</keyword>, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will also be strong as projects gather pace. However, technology companies will face pressure from several directions as regulations tighten (particularly in Europe), investors become more impatient for profits and their energy usage comes under more scrutiny.

Consumer goods, auto and healthcare sector to expand but energy may face challenge in 2025: Report

Climate Action 15: 2024's top global innovators powering green solutions

Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords">SEBI</keyword> has proposed expanding the <keyword id="22367248" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-finance-framework" source="keywords">sustainable finance framework</keyword> in the <keyword id="20922662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="securities-market" source="keywords">securities market</keyword> by introducing a new category of financial instruments. This category will include <keyword id="20518791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Social-Bonds" source="keywords">social bonds</keyword>, <keyword id="22623575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sustainable-Bonds" source="keywords">sustainable bonds</keyword>, and <keyword id="22623576" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sustainability-linked-Bonds" source="keywords">sustainability-linked bonds</keyword>, in addition to the current <keyword id="22819966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-debt-securities" source="keywords">green debt securities</keyword>. It aims to provide issuers with flexibility in raising funds for projects that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. In a consultation paper released on Friday, SEBI proposed that issuers, in addition to existing green debt securities, should be allowed to raise funds through issuance of social bonds, sustainable bonds, and sustainability-linked bonds. These bonds will collectively be known as ESG Debt Securities. This will enable issuers to raise money for more sustainable projects, assisting in closing the funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals. SEBI said it received representations from market participants including the Confederation of Indian Industry to expand the scope of the regulatory framework pertaining to sustainable finance to include social bonds, in addition to existing green debt securities as a mode of raising sustainable finance, in line with global practices. As per the consultation paper, SEBI said, it "proposed to introduce the concept of sustainable securitised debt instruments for the purpose of providing originators of the underlying credit facilities which are within such international or domestic frameworks for sustainable finance, and thereby provide investors as well an opportunity to participate in the sustainable securitised debt instruments". The consultation paper also addressed the initial and continuous disclosures for sustainable securitised debt instruments that would be based on international frameworks. Initial disclosures could be made in the offer document for the securities, while continuous disclosures might be included in annual reports or other mandated formats. The markets watchdog also suggested that issuers of ESG debt securities and sustainable securitised debt instruments appoint an independent external reviewer or certifier, to facilitate transparency and credibility. The review could take various forms including, second-party opinions, verification, certification, or scoring/ rating. The <keyword id="19901204" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Securities-and-Exchange-Board-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Securities and Exchange Board of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Securities and Exchange Board of India">Securities and Exchange Board of India</keyword> (SEBI) has invited comments and suggestions from the public on the consultation paper by September 6.

SEBI proposes expansion of sustainable financial framework in securities market

Cloud-based software giant <keyword id="20128940" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Salesforce" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Salesforce" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Salesforce">Salesforce</keyword> is thinking of growing its presence in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>, according to a PTI report quoting senior company officials. PTI reports that the company is actively seeking additional office space to support its expanding operations in the country, as revealed by Salesforce’s Chief Operating Officer, <keyword id="23233615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brian-millham" source="keywords">Brian Millham</keyword>, during an interview on Wednesday. Salesforce currently operates major centres in <keyword id="19895037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengaluru" source="keywords">Bengaluru</keyword> and Hyderabad, which are integral to the company’s global functions. However, the company is now looking to scale up even further. "We are searching for new office spaces in India as part of our expansion strategy," Millham told PTI. He talked about the critical role that the Indian workforce plays in supporting Salesforce’s worldwide operations. In addition to its role as a key hub for global operations, Salesforce’s business serving the Indian market has experienced unprecedented growth. For two years running, the company's Indian arm has been the fastest-growing among all the countries it operates in, making it a significant driver of Salesforce’s overall success. “India has delivered extraordinary growth for us,” Millham noted, adding that the rapid expansion of its employee base in the country is equally impressive. "What we see in terms of employee contribution here is remarkable, and it’s a key part of our global strategy," he said, highlighting the dual importance of both growth and talent coming from India. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113054026" title="Salesforce joins the AI race, announces plans to acquire AI startup Tenyx" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Salesforce’s commitment to India is further reinforced by plans to continue investing in its innovation hubs located in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Srini Tallapragada, the company’s Chief of Engineering, elaborated on these plans, stating that these centres will be central to the company’s innovation efforts moving forward. Arundhati Bhattacharya, the Chairperson and CEO of <keyword id="4767524" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="salesforce-india" source="Orion">Salesforce India</keyword>, shared further insights into the company’s growth trajectory. She revealed that the number of Salesforce employees in India has more than doubled over the past two years, surpassing 13,000. While she stopped short of providing exact targets for future hiring, Bhattacharya indicated that the company plans to keep adding talent based on market demand. Bhattacharya also clarified that Salesforce does not approach its Indian workforce from a cost-saving perspective. Instead, the company focuses on the abundant talent available in the country. "We don't see any talent shortages here, and we’re committed to growing our team in India," she said. Additionally, Salesforce has been working to expand its ecosystem in India through various initiatives. One key initiative includes nurturing over 2 million "Trailblazers" — Salesforce-certified professionals in the country. Another major effort is a partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), through which Salesforce plans to train more than 200,000 individuals via internships. This initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to grow a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and supporting Salesforce’s growing influence in the Indian market. (With PTI inputs)

"Searching for new office spaces in India, committed to growing our team": Salesforce eyes expansion

The global semiconductor industry is heading into a strong recovery phase, with revenue anticipated to reach $630 billion in 2024, a 19% rise over the previous year, as noted by the latest <keyword id="21638387" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gartner-report" source="keywords">Gartner report</keyword>. This growth trend follows a challenging 2023 and appears to be set for continued momentum, with projections estimating an additional increase to $717 billion by 2025. The boost comes as <keyword id="20176122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-technologies" source="keywords">AI technologies</keyword>, data-processing advancements, and a return in electronics manufacturing drive market demand. AI-related chips, in particular, have become essential as applications expand across sectors—from high-performance computing to everyday consumer electronics. As a result, memory components such as <keyword id="23726596" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NAND-flash" source="keywords">NAND flash</keyword> and DRAM are experiencing increased demand, addressing more specialised computing needs and supporting AI-intensive workloads. Gartner highlights that NAND flash, essential in AI systems, is set to see significant gains, with a 12% revenue increase by 2025, driven partly by persistent undersupply and soaring demand in AI applications. The demand surge is similarly benefiting GPUs, which are vital to AI development, particularly in model training and deployment. After experiencing a dip in 2023, the <keyword id="23292216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GPU-market" source="keywords">GPU market</keyword> is expected to rebound strongly, potentially growing by 27% in 2025 and reaching $51 billion. The specialised memory segment, especially high-bandwidth memory (HBM), has also seen increased investment to support the high-capacity needs of modern AI hardware, with manufacturers scaling production and enhancing memory packaging. DRAM is also seeing a resurgence, driven by the production of high-bandwidth memory and rising adoption of DDR5 technology, which offers faster and more efficient data processing. Analysts note that these advances are contributing to a recovery for DRAM, with revenues projected to rise from $90.1 billion in 2024 to $115.6 billion by 2025, as supply issues ease and technology progresses. This robust growth in semiconductors reflects the sector’s adaptation to AI and data-processing needs, as memory technologies evolve to match these rising demands. While the market for automotive and industrial applications has seen slower growth, the trajectory in consumer electronics and AI-powered solutions keeps the semiconductor industry on track for a dynamic, technology-driven period of expansion. With AI, memory technologies, and GPU enhancements leading the way, the semiconductor market appears well-positioned for sustained growth. (With ANI inputs)

Global semiconductor sector expected to grow due to AI demand, new report says

<ul><li><keyword id="19901379" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Xiaomi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Xiaomi" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Xiaomi">Xiaomi</keyword> has taken the second spot in <keyword id="21305568" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-smartphone-shipments" source="keywords">global smartphone shipments</keyword> in August 2024.</li><li>This is the first time in three years that Xiaomi has claimed the second spot.</li><li><keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword> reported a slowdown in sales in August as it prepared to launch the iPhone 16 in September.</li></ul>Xiaomi has emerged as the second biggest <keyword id="20770075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smartphone-brand" source="keywords">smartphone brand</keyword> in the world in August 2024, after a period of three years. The company has beaten Cupertino tech giant Apple to claim the position. Apple’s sales usually slow down in August as the company launches its new flagship devices in the month of September. This allowed Xiaomi to take the second spot, despite the company’s sales remaining flat month-on-month. August is reportedly the weakest month in any year for Apple. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113204340" title="iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with bigger displays, A18 Pro chipset launched starting at ₹1,19,900" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> As per a Counterpoint Research report, Xiaomi has emerged as one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in 2024. Despite the market slowing down in August, Xiaomi was able to outperform the market. While even Xiaomi’s sales reported a decline in its key markets, the company was able to offset it by promotions-led growth in Latin America. “Xiaomi has adopted a leaner product strategy this year, focusing its energies to create one hero model per price band, rather than launching multiple devices in one segment. Besides, it has also re-energized its sales and marketing focus while continuing expansion into newer markets and consolidating its position in existing markets,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Counterpoint Research. “While entry-to-mid-tier devices continue to show strong performance for Xiaomi, it has also made inroads into the premium segment with foldable and ‘ultra’ devices,” Pathak added. As per the report, Xiaomi has been able to change its product, sales and channel strategy after a weak performance in 2022 and the first half of 2023. While Apple took the third spot, Samsung is back on the top, after being dethroned by Apple. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="106922358" title="Apple beats Samsung for the first time since 2010, tops global smartphone shipments" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> In 2023, Apple had beaten Samsung for the first time to become the top smartphone maker in the world since 2010. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-will-force-teenagers-to-have-a-private-account-enable-sleep-mode-after-10-pm/articleshow/113449313.cms">Instagram will force teenagers to have a private account, enable sleep mode after 10 PM</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-to-begin-on-september-27/articleshow/113445238.cms">Amazon Great Indian Festival sale to begin on September 27</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-16-series-allows-users-to-wirelessly-restore-the-firmware-using-an-iphone-or-ipad/articleshow/113455048.cms">iPhone 16 series allows users to wirelessly restore the firmware using an iPhone or iPad</a>

Xiaomi emerges as the world’s second-biggest smartphone brand in August

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Inflation won't stay contained for long, T. Rowe Price analyst Tomasz Wieladek said.</li><li>Central bank policy might actually miss the mark, he wrote for the Financial Times.</li></ul>Don't mistake the world's ability to rein in inflation as a permanent victory, a T. Rowe Price analyst wrote for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/696d6f5f-2691-44cb-9a77-3774e3795aa0">Financial Times</a>."Everyone seems to believe that inflation will return to its boring old normal," said Chief European economist Tomasz Wieladek. "I disagree. Changes in central bank policy, expectations, labor markets, and globalization mean that inflation will likely stay volatile going forward."Still, current inflation levels — close to the 2% target rate for the US and Europe — support market optimism.However, Wieladek noted that both monetary and fiscal policy works with a lag: down the road, it may turn out that central banks under or overshot their targets. If that happens, this would dent inflation expectations, amplifying future price shocks."The degree that policy was overtightened or remains too loose will determine how large this deviation from target will be," he wrote. "But when inflation persistently deviates from target in the future, central banks will likely act again. Depending on circumstances, this could set the scene for another large inflation target miss."Meanwhile, investors should brace for inflation shocks in the years ahead.Some of the market's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dimon-solomon-fink-economy-inflation-recession-stocks-real-estate-outlook-2024-4">heaviest hitters</a> have made this argument before. For instance, JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jamie-dimon-inflation-soft-landing-recession-outlook-china-interest-rates-2024-5">repeated warnings</a> of a pricey future, as global militarization and the green transition stoke inflation.Wieladek pointed to other factors as well.For instance, tighter labor supply conditions mean that workers have gained greater bargaining power, he noted. As employees demand higher wages, Wieladek expects inflation to become more entrenched.Meanwhile, although trade openness has helped keep inflation stable, it's at risk of fading. Globalization is no longer a given in the years ahead, as geopolitical risks come to supply chains, Wieladek said. A potential resurgence of tariffs, as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tariff-plan-inflation-policy-impact-trade-war-china-rates-2024-5">touted by former president Donald Trump</a>, could deepen this trend.Finally, heavy US investment in AI requires a vast energy expansion, Wieladek noted. As this happens, the US may become a net energy importer."This would have adverse inflation consequences for European countries, which rely on US LNG imports," he wrote. "While AI will likely have a disinflationary effect in the medium term, the associated energy consumption could contribute to higher short-term inflation."

Why the global fight against inflation is nowhere near over

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Luckin Coffee, which has put up a strong fight against Starbucks in Asia, is looking to the US.</li><li>The Chinese coffee brand, known for its heavy discounts, reported a strong third quarter.</li></ul>Luckin Coffee is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luckin-coffee-chinese-chain-making-starbucks-nervous-singapore-2023-11">putting up a strong fight against Starbucks</a> in Asia. Now, it's planning to bring that rivalry into the US.Here's the state of play: Starbucks is trying to pull itself out of a rut. In its quarter ending September 29, Starbucks reported a 7% decline in sales worldwide. In China, the company's sales slid by 14% compared to the same period last year, to $783.7 million.In August, it appointed Brian Niccol as its new CEO. Niccol has said <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-ceo-to-lay-out-strategy-to-fix-coffee-chain-2024-10">his plan</a> to turn around the coffee chain involves faster orders, adding a human touch to the ordering process, and positioning the brand's outlets as "third spaces."Luckin reported a strong third quarter. Its sales rose 41.4% year over year, and its quarterly revenue was $1.452 billion. The chain is known for its aggressive deals, unusual flavors like a Big Cheese coffee drink, and mobile ordering.Both brands are well established in Singapore, with multiple outlets in the city-state's Central Business District. On a recent weekday around lunchtime, I stopped by both a Luckin and a Starbucks to see how they compare in price, menu options, and vibe.<h2 id="efd5eecf-2a86-4a4e-b481-4b74f8bf8a7d">Luckin versus Starbucks</h2>I started at Luckin Coffee.When I walked in, I found people waiting around the collection counter for their drinks. Others were sitting around at tables drinking coffee.But most customers seemed to be in a rush, ready to grab their drinks and go.To order any menu item at Luckin, customers have to download the brand's app and place their order digitally. Staff members at the counter don't take orders.The app was easy to use, though it hit me with numerous pop-ups for discount vouchers. Because I was a new user, every drink on the menu was half off for me.<div type="image" title="A Luckin Coffee outlet in Singapore's Central Business District." height="3024" width="4032" msid="115040697" hostid="261" sizebytes="788852"></div>The most expensive drink on the menu was an Iced Oat Shakerato listed for 8 Singapore dollars, or $6. With the discount, it cost me SG$4.There were at least five orders waiting for collection before me. Still, my drink was ready in under five minutes, ready to be collected as soon as I scanned the QR code on my app. I didn't have to speak to a single person throughout the process.<div type="image" title="Luckin's ordering process was entirely digital, requiring no communication with the staff." height="768" width="1024" msid="115040695" hostid="261" sizebytes="75736"></div>After that, I walked about 100 feet to the nearest Starbucks, which had a large seating area. Some people in business clothes were taking lunch meetings there, while others hung around working on laptops.<div type="image" title="The interior of a Starbucks outlet in Singapore's business district." height="2835" width="3780" msid="115040693" hostid="261" sizebytes="737442"></div>The barista was friendly when I asked about the most expensive drink on their menu. It turned out to be one of their seasonal holiday drinks.I chose the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Oatmilk Latte, which came out to SG$10.20.Unlike Luckin, there was no one in line. I was out with my coffee, a venti-sized drink topped with crushed pretzels, in under three minutes, slightly faster than at Luckin.Overall, Starbucks' most expensive drink was more expensive than Luckin's. Luckin had more customers, so the wait time was slightly longer than in Starbucks.<h2 id="e3e55b2a-ebe2-4754-a009-07c30921fd35">The battle for coffee domination</h2>Luckin Coffee was founded in Beijing in October 2017. It filed for bankruptcy in the US in 2021 after the fallout of an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luckin-coffee-fabricated-310-million-in-sales-investigation-2020-4">accounting fraud scandal</a>, in which it was revealed that it had faked nearly half of its roughly $732 million sales from 2019.Today, it has 21,343 stores globally.Luckin launched its first international stores in Singapore in March 2023, and the city-state now has more than 40 outlets. Now, it's eyeing the US market for expansion opportunities."We are also actively evaluating opportunities in the United States and other markets," Luckin wrote in its Q3 earnings report.Representatives for Luckin Coffee didn't respond to a request for comment from BI for this story.Starbucks has 40,199 outlets globally — nearly twice as many as Luckin does. Of that count, 7,596 stores are in China, an increase from the 6,806 it had a year ago.When asked for comment, a Starbucks representative in China directed BI to the remarks made by Niccol and the brand's finance chief, Rachel Ruggeri, in its Q4 earnings call.In the call, Ruggeri said sales in China were "weighed down by intensified competition and a soft macro environment that impacted consumer spending."Luckin isn't Starbucks' only rising competition in the US. It's also contending with the likes of Dutch Bros. and 7 Brew."There are concerns about speed of service and operational complexity, and new menu innovation has been lacking," R.J. Hottovy, the head of analytical research at Placer.ai, told BI about Starbucks."Starbucks' decline in visits also comes at a time when other coffee and beverage chains are seeing year-over-year visit increases, reinforcing that new product innovations aren't connecting with consumers," he added.<h2 id="998c3bea-c071-471c-a5fb-74f3f2be2403">Analysts say Starbucks should be worried about Luckin Coffee</h2>Luckin's pricing and focus on technology gives it an edge over Starbucks, consumer analysts say.David Yu, a finance professor from NYU, told BI Luckin is "all about technology." By comparison, he said Starbucks' use of technology, such as ordering on its app, is "pretty weak."Yaling Jiang, a China consumer research expert behind the newsletter "Following the Yuan," published an article on Monday about Starbucks' performance in China. In it, Jiang said Starbucks has continually failed to "meet Chinese consumers' changing perception about product price."Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, a consumer and equity analyst at Aletheia Capital in Singapore, told BI that he thinks Luckin "has an edge over Starbucks at the moment" because of its novelty.However, he said Luckin may still be in an uphill battle in the US."Luckin Coffee's plans in the US may not go as smoothly as one would expect because the US is a very complex market, where Starbucks is much better entrenched than in Asia," said Tiruchelvam.He said it's also cheaper to set up outlets in Asian markets than in the US."The expansion costs, in terms of the cost of rolling out an outlet versus the payback from it, are actually far more challenging in the US than in Asia," Tiruchelvam added.Yu echoed those sentiments, saying aggressive discounting is not a sustainable approach for Luckin."I always say discounting is never a great long-term strategy. It could be used effectively for short-term purposes," he said.However, Starbucks' increasingly expensive price tag has created an "opening" for Luckin, Yu said."So I think that's good timing for Luckin's perspective if they're willing to go and discount and price aggressively under to gain customers," Yu added.

Starbucks and Luckin are in a fight for the global coffee market. I visited both to see how they stack up on price, menu, and vibe.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The AI boom will nearly double demand for copper, mining firm BHP told the Financial Times.</li><li>BHP predicts demand will reach 52.5 million tons a year, 72% higher from 2021 levels.</li></ul>A rising <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/copper-price?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">copper</a> shortage is set to intensify as artificial intelligence boosts demand for the red metal by as much as 72% in the coming decades, according to mining giant BHP.Chief Financial Officer Vandita Pant told the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/da407b47-4133-470a-9574-508cee43e107">Financial Times</a> that AI data centers will account for 6% to 7% of copper demand by 2050. These centers currently make up less than 1%, she noted, but there increasing buildout requires more of the red metal.By another measure, BHP expects global demand for copper to rise 52.5 million tons a year by the mid-century, compared to 30.4 million tons in 2021.In recent years, a shortfall in the red metal has sparked concern among industries that depend on it, and commodity experts have forecast the demand-supply imbalance to hike prices through the years to come. Copper is a key material in various economic sectors, used in everything from construction to machinery.Global inventory <a target="_blank" href="https://africa.businessinsider.com/markets/copper-prices-could-soar-33-in-the-next-year-as-global-inventories-hit-lowest-since/2e3c17j?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">hit its lowest levels since 2008 last year</a>, with existing projects failing to keep up with demand. Meanwhile, new mines are not coming online fast enough — it typically takes <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/copper-price-outlook-forecast-record-supply-shortage-metal-demand-commodities-2024-5">15 years to open one.</a>These conditions caused copper prices to peak to a record high in May, though China's economic tumble has helped deflate prices to $9,207 a ton. However, some analysts see the commodity <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/copper-price-best-investment-jeff-currie-commodity-metal-shortage-industry-2024-5?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">rising $15,000</a> to $40,000 as the shortage becomes more apparent.The industry has turned to mergers and acquisitions to increase output. BHP, for example, partnered with Lundin Mining in July to purchase exploration firm Filo for $3 billion, FT reported.But AI will compound demand for copper moving forward, as the metal is a key ingredient in electrifying the data centers that run the technology.Meanwhile, the chips that power the tech are extremely power-intensive, adding to the situation. Bank of America projects that an additional <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/ai-power-grid-demand-utility-bill-outlook-electricity-ev-2024-7">18 to 28 gigawatts of electric capacity will needed by 2026</a>.Previously, the bank also considered copper prices to <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-price-copper-oil-cocoa-commodities-inflation-interest-rates-economy-2024-4">benefit from the expansion of AI data centers.</a> It predicted that the metal could hit $5.44 a pound by 2026, indicating 27% upside from current levels.

AI will nearly double demand for copper, which is already facing a global shortage

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China welcomed African leaders to a lavish summit in Beijing on Monday.</li><li>It's a sign of China's influence on the continent, where it has extensive trade links</li></ul>China's leader Xi Jinping playing the lavish host to leaders from Africa this week — burnishing its credentials as a world power.The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, held in Beijing, is the biggest diplomatic summit in China in recent years, with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202409/1319052.shtml">53 African heads of state in town</a>.China declared the theme of the summit, the first since 2018, as "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future."As they arrived, leaders were greeted by dancers, lines of Chinese troops, and cheering flag-waving children.Xi himself hosted the delegations at an opening banquet and ceremony on Wednesday, before discussions begin in earnest.Analysts say the event is about cementing Chinese influence on the continent, and chipping away at the US.In recent decades China has struck trade, infrastructure, and security deals worth billions as part of its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-belt-and-road-china-infrastructure-project-2018-1">global Belt and Road Initiative.</a>But China's investment in Africa has dropped sharply in recent years amid domestic economic woes, while the US seeks to catch up amid in an intensifying race for global dominance."This summit occurs amid intensifying strategic frictions between China and the West, especially the United States," Ali Wye of the US think tank Crisis Group told Business Insider.<h2 id="1ba31662-aa21-48fd-a0be-484ed5b7b8fc">China fuels African growth, but not for free</h2>For decades, China's rulers built alliances with African nations, portraying them as engaged in a common struggle against the legacy of Western colonialism.As China's economy grew at a ferocious pace from the 1990s, it engaged in extensive infrastructure projects in Africa, securing deals for lucrative minerals vital for its growing tech and renewable-energy sectors.In 2017, China opened its first overseas People's Liberation Army base in Djibouti, on the horn of Africa, adding a military dimension to its expansion.China is now Africa's biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $167.8 billion in the first half of this year, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2024/08/15/china-africa-trade-edges-higher-in-the-january-july-period/">China's state media.</a>But its presence in Africa has also attracted criticism, with China's leaders accused of saddling African countries with vast debts in the form of loans to fund infrastructure projects.The US, China's chief rival for overseas influence in Africa, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/g-20-summit-politics-covid-china-government-united-states-46a01f4190fae4ca260f0ab5beaa59a5">has accused Beijing</a> of seeking to exploit African countries and ensnare them.<h2 id="270efc91-6046-4c91-bee6-d4eb073e0b7c">Seeking Xi's favor</h2>It hasn't stopped African leaders from lining up to do business with China, even as they take on the costs.Some are likely to push this week for deals to lighten their debt burden and address concerns over global warming, said Wyne.Among the leaders granted special one-to-one meetings with Xi are Cyril Ramaphosa, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/african-leaders-likely-to-table-funding-dilemma-as-they-gather-in-china/fszgr2e">president of South Africa</a>, and William Ruto, the president of Kenya. The economies are among Africa's biggest, though Kenya has, in recent months, been rocked by riots over economic instability caused by its debts.China's economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic saw its investment in Africa dip sharply.According to data from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bu.edu/gdp/tag/chinese-loans-to-africa/">Boston University's Global Development Policy Center,</a> China's loans to Africa rose to $4.6 billion in 2023, an increase from the $1 billion loaned in 2022, but a massive reduction of the nearly $30 billion in 2016.Instead of the major projects it pitched around a decade ago, China will likely propose smaller deals to African leaders."Given the concerns of some African countries over the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on their indebtedness and environments, China will seek to pitch smaller, more sustainable investments across the continent," said Wyne.<h2 id="e1da025b-79be-4f13-860d-4a1414905ac2">China portrays itself as leader of the 'Global South'</h2>Africa remains vital to China's strategy of portraying itself as the champion of the "global south" of non-Western nations.Tensions between China and the West have increased in the wake of the Ukraine war, in which China has provided support to Russia. And leaders in Western countries are increasingly alarmed by China's growing global assertiveness.The conference this week presents China with an opportunity to present itself as a global power broker."[China] will also aim to demonstrate that, even as advanced industrial democracies increasingly align to contest its influence, it is far from diplomatically isolated, especially in the developing world. In" said Wyne.

China is hosting African leaders in a lavish display of its global ambition

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US economy looks strong, judging by GDP growth, profits, productivity, and the labor market.</li><li>JPMorgan Asset Management is upbeat heading into 2025, but a major risk looms.</li></ul>It looks like the most obvious threats to the economy have been neutralized for now, but a veteran strategy chief fears that an under-the-radar risk poses a threat to the global expansion.This economic backdrop bears little resemblance to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-stagflation-disaster-high-prices-inflation-high-unemployment-2022-3">so-called stagflationary environment</a> of 2022, a year where <a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/188185/percent-change-from-preceding-period-in-real-gdp-in-the-us/">US GDP shrank in the first two quarters</a> as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-cpi-price-growth-june-2022-7">inflation hit multi-decade highs</a>.Fast forward to late 2024, and GDP has grown by at least 3% for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product">three of the last four quarters</a> and is expected to do so again in the third quarter, according to JPMorgan Asset Management. The firm estimates that consumer spending, which <a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DPCERE1Q156NBEA">accounts for about two thirds of US GDP</a>, also likely accelerated to 3.5% on an inflation-adjusted basis last quarter, up from 2.8% in Q2.Meanwhile, price growth is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-september-cpi-consumer-price-index-federal-reserve-interest-rates-2024-10">remarkably close to the Federal Reserve's 2% target</a>, which allowed the US central bank to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fed-cuts-interest-rates-how-much-september-fomc-powell-inflation-2024-9">start the interest rate easing cycle with a bang</a> in mid-September.Perhaps most encouraging is that the labor market appears to be healthy. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/september-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-nonfarm-payroll-growth-federal-reserve-2024-10">Job additions easily exceeded estimates</a> in September, and the unemployment rate is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">in check at 4.1%</a>.Corporate earnings growth, productivity growth, and business fixed investment all seem to be headed in the right direction as well. The same is true of wage growth, which JPMAM found has topped inflation for the last 17 months, underpinning solid consumer spending in the process.These signals have given David Kelly, JPMAM's chief global market strategist, great confidence.The economic outlook "seems remarkably benign with solid economic growth, low unemployment, resilient profits, a slow drift down in inflation, and gradual easing from the Federal Reserve," Kelly said in written commentary on October 28. The market veteran added that there aren't "signs of an imminent change in the economy's path."<h2 id="59ff7859-06ea-46e1-a918-af568c5cb476">A 'tariff'ying risk</h2>That seemingly picturesque backdrop helps explain why the S&amp;P 500 has risen 22% this year and is near record highs. But Kelly believes investors can't let their guards down."Investing has always been as much about risk as about return, and the key to long-term success is being prepared for both," Kelly said in his commentary.Kelly said to be wary of elevated stock valuations — which he and his colleagues at JPMAM <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-strategy-real-estate-stocks-bonds-portfolio-jpmorgan-asset-management-2024-10">said last week</a> could put a lid on future returns — and the market's heavy tilt toward mega-cap growth companies, even though <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-stocks-to-buy-strong-growth-market-outlook-garp-bmo-2024-10">that has been changing</a> in recent months.However, neither of those overhangs is more serious than the potential fallout from a domestic or international political shock. When asked last week about the biggest risk to his long-term outlook, Kelly quickly arrived at an answer: a fierce global trade war marked by escalating tariffs."No matter which set of economists you have sitting here, every one of 'em will tell you that tariffs are not a good idea," Kelly said at JPMAM's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-strategy-real-estate-stocks-bonds-portfolio-jpmorgan-asset-management-2024-10">annual long-term capital market assumptions conference</a> on October 21. "You can use it as a threat, though it's kind of like a nuclear threat — the whole point is, if you actually end up using it, you kind of screwed up somewhere."Economists usually disapprove of tariffs, which are taxes on foreign imports, in most cases. Tariffs promise to generate revenue for the home country while aiding domestic industries, but they can drive up consumer prices and prompt counter-tariffs that lead to trade wars.In a worst-case scenario, tariffs would result in higher prices and lower growth due to the waste and inefficiency that they create while hurting importers and exporters in both countries."A trade war could cause us to push up our inflation forecast and push out our growth forecast at the same time," Kelly said at the conference.While Democrats and Republican presidents have leaned on tariffs in the past, it's former President Donald Trump who's <a target="_blank" href="https://thehill.com/business/4945577-trump-tariffs-economy-trade/">promising to implement substantial tariffs</a> in this election cycle.While some say the threat of aggressive tariffs would help the US secure better trade terms, others are skeptical — if not outright scared.Such tariffs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-trump-harris-economy-inflation-stock-market-volatility-risk-orlik-2024-10">would cause "seismic shocks to the US economy,"</a> Tom Orlik, the chief economist at Bloomberg Economics, said earlier this month. Charles Schwab global investment strategy chief Jeffrey Kleintop <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-stock-market-international-investing-strategy-charles-schwab-2024-6">cited tariffs as a top risk</a> back in June. The nonpartisan Peterson Institute <a target="_blank" href="https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economics/2024/trumps-proposed-blanket-tariffs-would-risk-global-trade-war">spoke out against Trump's tariff proposals</a>, as did the right-leaning <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-tariffs-economy-2024-election-kamala-harris-robert-lighthizer-29c07e94">Wall Street Journal editorial board</a>.Although investors may want to take the possibility of tariffs more seriously, Kelly noted that even if they're a major headache, stocks and the economy should still be fine in the long term."I could have said 'pandemic' five years ago, if I'd been incredibly prescient," Kelly said at the conference. "But oddly enough, the global economy bounced back anyway. And so it wouldn't actually have been a very good thing to worry about."

The economy seems to be firing on all cylinders — but a veteran JPMorgan strategy chief says one underappreciated risk could cause a serious global slowdown

If you’ve ever wondered whether fish can suffocate in water, the answer is yes. Our planet's waters, from the tiniest pond to the vast expanse of the ocean, are experiencing a silent crisis: a rapid and dramatic decline in <keyword id="21181078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oxygen-levels" source="keywords">oxygen levels</keyword>. This "<keyword id="22526914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aquatic-deoxygenation" source="keywords">aquatic deoxygenation</keyword>," as scientists call it, poses a major threat not just to marine ecosystems, but to the very fabric of human society and the stability of life on Earth. An international study in Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, involving researchers from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, urges world leaders to recognise this oxygen loss as a new planetary boundary. <keyword id="22526915" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="planetary-boundaries" source="keywords">Planetary boundaries</keyword> are critical thresholds that, if crossed, can trigger large-scale and irreversible environmental damage. Just like we need oxygen to breathe, so do <keyword id="22526918" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aquatic-ecosystems" source="keywords">aquatic ecosystems</keyword> — from microscopic plankton to bigger fish. The decline in <keyword id="21809938" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dissolved-oxygen" source="keywords">dissolved oxygen</keyword> (DO) threatens the survival of countless species at all levels of the food chain. The study reveals a disturbing trend. Across all aquatic environments, from lakes and rivers to coastal waters and the open ocean, dissolved oxygen levels have dropped substantially in recent decades. <keyword id="22526916" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oceanic-oxygen-loss" source="keywords">Oceanic oxygen loss</keyword> may seem small at 2% since 1960, but due to the ocean's vast volume, this translates to a significant loss. Even more alarming is the case of specific regions, like the midwaters off Central California, where oxygen levels have plummeted by 40% in just a few decades. The research team warns that this isn't just an environmental concern; it's an economic and social one too. Billions of people rely on healthy aquatic ecosystems for food, income from fisheries and tourism, and clean drinking water. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111566431" title="June warmest on record; every month since July 2023 breached 1.5 deg C threshold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The culprit behind this oxygen depletion is a combination of factors. <keyword id="19942740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming" source="keywords">Global warming</keyword>, fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, raises water temperatures, decreasing the amount of oxygen water can hold. Additionally, nutrient runoff from land use changes stimulates massive <keyword id="22526917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="algal-blooms" source="keywords">algal blooms</keyword>. These blooms, while initially appearing productive, consume vast amounts of oxygen as they decompose, creating oxygen-depleted dead zones. Dr Rose, lead author of the study from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, emphasises the urgency of addressing this issue. Adding aquatic deoxygenation to the list of planetary boundaries will focus global efforts on monitoring, research, and policy changes to protect our vital aquatic ecosystems and, in turn, human society. The root causes are global warming and nutrient runoff from land use, explains co-author Dr Andreas Oschlies of GEOMAR. Warmer water hinders oxygen exchange between deep and surface layers, and nutrient influx fuels algal blooms that deplete oxygen further. These oxygen-depleted zones aren't just lifeless wastelands; they have a ripple effect that threatens our planet's health. Microbes in these zones produce potent greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide and methane, contributing further to global warming and exacerbating the very problem they were created by. We are approaching critical thresholds, warns Professor Rose. Aquatic deoxygenation disrupts the delicate balance of Earth's climate system. Addressing the root causes, like climate change and unsustainable land practices, is crucial. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111609639" title="Groundwater temperatures could rise several notches by 2100, making it too hot to drink for millions!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

You Searched For "global expansion" and got 12 results

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