The need to know
The need to know for the week ending 21st April 2023
The need to know from Reuters’ global network of journalists
At China's largest trade fair, exporters worry about world economy
Chinese exporters exhibiting their products at the country's largest trade fair said the weak global economy was hurting their businesses, with many freezing investments and some cutting labour costs in response.
Warehousing firm Segro says demand high amid limited supply
Warehousing specialist Segro (SGRO.L), said on Thursday it was witnessing strong demand from a diverse range of customers amid limited supply in the market, sending its shares as much as 4% higher.
West Coast port union, employers reach tentative agreement on some issues
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) said on Thursday it had reached a tentative agreement with an association representing the U.S. West Coast employers of port laborers on some key issues.
French shipper CMA CGM offers $5.5 bln for Bollore logistics unit
French shipping group CMA CGM (CMACG.UL) is offering 5 billion euros ($5.48 billion) for the logistics unit of Bollore, the family-run conglomerate said on Tuesday.
Brazil plans 'digital tax' on shipments from e-commerce giants
Brazil's finance minister said on Thursday the country would implement a "digital tax" on shipments from e-commerce giants, after backtracking earlier this week from a decision to tax individual-to-individual shipments of up to $50.
Analysis: Planemakers talk up 'surge capacity' amid industrial woes
Planemakers have signalled a shift in production strategy to make factories more resilient to recent supply disruptions by adding "surge capacity," even where that means extra cost.
China takes swipe at Western 'friend-shoring' efforts
China's central bank governor on Friday took a swipe at efforts by Western economies to trade more with allies and rely less on the world's largest goods-exporting country, saying such "friend-shoring" attempts could prevent global supply chain tension from easing.
US economic activity little changed, Fed report shows
U.S. economic activity was little changed in recent weeks as employment growth moderated somewhat and price increases appeared to slow, according to a Federal Reserve report published on Wednesday.
German engineering production rises at the start of 2023 - VDMA
Production in Germany's engineering sector rose by 3.2% in the first two months of 2023 compared with the same months last year as supply chain bottlenecks eased considerably, the VDMA engineering association said on Monday.
Amazon to expand in business supplies after pandemic boosts sales in Europe
Amazon plans to expand its business selling office supplies in Europe and internationally after the pandemic helped boost sales as companies shopped more online and looked for bulk discounts.
UK regulator probes Amazon's planned purchase of iRobot
Britain's competition regulator said on Tuesday it has launched a "Phase 1" probe into Amazon.com Inc's (AMZN.O) planned $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot Corp (IRBT.O), which makes the Roomba vacuum cleaner.
California's port truck-charging plan gets a jolt from big investors
California's bustling seaports, dominated by massive container vessels and soaring cranes, may seem an unlikely setting for investors seeking to capitalize on the "green" revolution.
CSX quarterly results beat estimates on higher freight rates
U.S. railroad operator CSX Corp (CSX.O) posted better-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue on Thursday, as higher shipment rates had helped offset the impact of a 1% drop in volumes.
Union Pacific posts higher quarterly revenue on price hikes
Union Pacific Corp (UNP.N) posted a 3% rise in first-quarter revenue on Thursday as the U.S. railroad operator benefited from price hikes and higher fuel surcharge revenue.
J.B. Hunt misses estimates on weak freight demand and higher maintenance expenses
J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc reported lower-than-expected quarterly earnings on Monday, hurt by weak shipping demand, high driver wages and maintenance expenses.
Ukraine faces grain export problems despite resumption of ship inspections
Inspections of ships carrying Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea resumed on Wednesday under a U.N.-brokered deal but Kyiv faces a struggle to secure an extension of the agreement, as well as a widening import ban in eastern Europe.
EU Parliament backs overhaul of Europe's biggest climate policy
The European Parliament on Tuesday approved sweeping reforms to make EU climate change policies more ambitious, including an upgrade of the bloc's carbon market that is set to hike the cost of polluting in Europe.
EU passenger car sales up 28.8% to over 1 million units in March, ACEA says
Passenger car registrations in the European Union rose 28.8% in March to more than one million units, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported on Wednesday.
Chinese EV makers should brace for protectionist policies abroad - Nio CEO
Chinese electric vehicle makers should brace for the possibility of protectionist policies being leveled against them by foreign governments as they seize on their cost advantages to expand exports, the founder of Chinese EV maker Nio said.
Column: North America wind power sector needs cost cuts and supply chain revamp: Maguire
Wind power may generate roughly 40% of North America's electricity by 2050, and solar power another 32%, if current and projected capacity development plans proceed as expected, data from risk assessment firm DNV shows.
Exclusive: Airbus delays some 2024 deliveries, keeps output goals
Airbus (AIR.PA) has started notifying airlines about delivery delays in 2024 for its best-selling A320neo family of jets, with several hundred of the single-aisle planes set to be postponed by as much as three months, industry sources said on Tuesday.
Column: Tin spooked by threat of supply disruption in Myanmar
Tin prices leapt higher on Monday on news of a possible production halt in Myanmar, the world's third-largest producer of the soldering metal.
Copper industry warns of looming supply gap without more mines
The world's appetite for copper to build most electronic devices will exceed supply over the next decade and imperil climate targets unless dozens of new mines are built, executives and analysts said this week at a key industry conference.
Tesla to feel commodity cost pain until second half of 2023
A recent pullback in commodity prices will aid Tesla Inc's (TSLA.O) bruised margins only in the second half of the year, signalling more near-term pain for the electric-car maker which has been cutting prices to prop up sales.