Asian Firms
'Underweight' on India, China to lead Asian outperformance in 2023: Nomura
The key risks identified by the brokerage are stretched government finances and oil prices going past $120 a barrel
 "'Underweight' on India, China to lead Asian outperformance in 2023: Nomura")
Asian businesses embrace work from home but bosses say no to four-day week
Attitudes vary across the region. Singapore, Australia and New Zealand are most likely to embrace flexible working. China, Japan and India are the least receptive to it
 "Asian businesses embrace work from home but bosses say no to four-day week")
US sanctions Asian firms over N.Korean fuel shipments amid missile launch
In the midst of increasingly aggressive North Korean missile launches this week, the US on Friday imposed sanctions on people and firms in Asia accused of helping North Korea procure fuel in violation of UN sanctions. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted two people and three firms from Singapore, Taiwan and the Marshall Islands. The US accused them of moving fuel through an "illicit ship-to-ship transfer" that circumvents United Nations sanctions restricting the import of petroleum products and supports the development of North Korea's weapons programmes and military. The sanctions are the first directed toward the isolated Asian country since the start of its most recent round of missile launches six rounds of tests in less than two weeks. North Korea also flew 12 warplanes near its border with South Korea on Thursday, prompting the South to scramble 30 military aircraft in response, Seoul officials said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said North Korea continu
 "US sanctions Asian firms over N.Korean fuel shipments amid missile launch")
Google to allow merchants add 'Asian-owned' label on Search, Maps
With an aim to help Asian-owned businesses, tech giant Google has announced the launch of a new Asian-owned attribute that will be available on Search and Maps for business owners in the US
 "Google to allow merchants add 'Asian-owned' label on Search, Maps")
Asian unicorns are trading 40% cheaper than 6 months ago in private markets
"For some of the unicorns, we are seeing very limited demand," Patel said, adding that bid offers are 25% to 50% lower compared with the firms' latest fundraising valuations.
 "Asian unicorns are trading 40% cheaper than 6 months ago in private markets")
HSBC Holdings plans to split oversight of Asia between two co-heads
Europe's largest lender plans to appoint Wong's protege, David Liao, and the chief executive of its Indian business, Surendra Rosha, as joint heads of its Asian arm this year
 "HSBC Holdings plans to split oversight of Asia between two co-heads")
'Govts allowing failures': Why credit default risks are higher in Asia
A record $282 billion of dollar bonds are due in Asia ex-Japan in the two years through 2020
 "'Govts allowing failures': Why credit default risks are higher in Asia")
