Uranium prices have skyrocketed as demand surges for nuclear power globally and traders fret about a potential shortage. China is Asia’s biggest user of nuclear energy, while countries such as Australia are still debating whether to embrace it. Investors have been piling into mining companies and uranium ETFs, but is this the best way to capitalize on the demand? And what are the risks to the seemingly bright outlook? Asia Centric hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva discuss these issues with Mohsen Crofts, senior metals and mining analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, and Leonard Quong, head of Australia research at BloombergNEF.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're about halfway through the year and China's economy is still struggling to regain momentum after the housing bubble burst and consumers pulled back. A major policy meeting in China that wrapped last week did little to assuage concerns, with officials focused more on the long term. The US presidential election could have big implications for trade and tariffs.   Andrew Tilton, chief economist for the APAC region at Goldman Sachs, joins host Katia Dmitrieva for a check-in on the world's second-largest economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taro Kimura, a former Bank of Japan veteran and Senior Japan Economist, joins Takeshi Kitaura, a Senior Industrials Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. They discuss Japan's recent economic transformations, including inflation's effects on investments and corporate governance reforms. The conversation highlights the implications of rising wages and interest rates, the role of technology and defense spending, and the importance of women in leadership. They also tackle challenges Japan faces as it attempts to sustain its economic revival.

China is building closer economic ties with the Gulf countries, with Saudi Arabian companies announcing deals to acquire stakes in Chinese firms including Lenovo and Hengli Petrochemical, while China is promising to build factories in the region. So how will this create investment opportunities? Can China help transform Saudi Arabia’s economy through its ambitious 2030 vision? And how will US-China tension impact the relationship? Ziad Daoud, Chief Emerging Markets Economist at Bloomberg Economics, and Edmond Christou, Senior Financials Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, join host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking, discusses Hong Kong's economic challenges, including property price slumps, retail sector competition, and the city's path to recovery. The podcast explores changing patterns in luxury spending, analysis of the real estate sector, decision-making factors for executive relocation, and the need for economic transformation beyond finance.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was forecast to win his country’s election by a landslide, but was instead forced to form a coalition government and share power with allies for the first time since coming to power in 2014. So how will the shock election result affect India’s growth trajectory? And what does it mean for its red-hot equity markets? Abhishek Gupta, India Economist at Bloomberg Economics, and Nitin Chanduka, India Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, join John Lee and Ishika Mookerjee on the Asia Centric podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Chao, Global Market Strategist (Asia Pacific) at Invesco, dives into the implications of the 2024 US election on Asian markets. He discusses how the rivalry between Joe Biden and Donald Trump could reshape investment strategies, particularly in stocks and bonds. The conversation addresses the deteriorating US-China relations and its effects on investor sentiment, emphasizing the evolving trust issues. Chao also highlights shifts in financial centers, from Hong Kong to Singapore, amid changing geopolitical dynamics.

Success-hungry finance professionals have been gorging on India's boom, which shimmers with stories of multi-million dollar trading jobs, and private bankers demanding jackpot pay increases as they sell their talents to the highest bidder. Is India's moment really here? What are the challenges finance companies face in expanding into the subcontinent? Anil Sharma, Managing Partner of recruitment firm Options Group, calls in from Mumbai, joining co-hosts John Lee and Ishika Mookerjee on the latest episode of Asia Centric to discuss India's scramble for talent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Wood, a seasoned global equity strategist at Jefferies and author of the "Greed and Fear" newsletter, shares his expert insights. He discusses the hurdles that foreign investors face in China, emphasizing the importance of confidence amid economic challenges. Wood also compares China's potential with India's promising growth story, highlighting demographic advantages that make India attractive for investors. Lastly, he delves into Japan's evolving investment landscape, probing how governance reform and inflation might impact its equities.

Chronic conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, stubborn global inflation, soaring military spending, and persistent tension with China haven’t stopped stocks from marching higher.  Are stocks ignoring geopolitical risk? Is a new investment narrative emerging? How can investors profit from the remarkable global growth in defense spending?  Sean Darby, equity strategist at Mizuho Securities shares his ideas and perspectives with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on the latest episode of Asia Centric.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.