Apple doubles down on China as rivals pull ahead

SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) - Apple Inc (AAPL.O) is binding itself more closely to China as its share of the world's biggest smartphone market slips and it becomes more reliant on selling services which require government approval. A flurry of recent action ... ( read original story ...)

While Other U.S. Companies Flee China, Starbucks Doubles Down

In Shanghai alone, there are already 600 stores ... and over time a totally dedicated Chinese leadership team led by a Chinese C.E.O.,” Mr. Schultz said. Today, he explained, “they are the most self-contained autonomous business unit within the ... ( read original story ...)

Steel cut lights a fire under Chinese metals futures

Steel rebar and iron ore led the gains after Premier Li Keqiang over the weekend ... Iron ore closed yesterday at $US73.70 a tonne, up $US4.97. In Shanghai, steel rebar futures rose to 3733 yuan, a 3½-year high, up 4.7 per cent on the day and 27 per ... ( read original story ...)

Mainland blue-chips hit 19-month high

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.60 percent to ... according to Reuters' report. Financial sector led the advances, while the materials sector took a breather. ( read original story ...)