Straits Research

Fun Friday Time!! This game tested our memory and teamwork! Each team got a board filled with random pictures. After a quick look, the challenge was to recall and list them all — one by one! 🧠⏱️ Sounds simple? It wasn’t! But the laughs and team spirit made it all worth it. 💬🤝 Here’s to ending the week on a high note! ✨ #funfriday #teamfun #officevibes #memorygame #workplacejoy #latepost

Leading Chinese Firms China’s leading companies play a crucial role in the country’s economic expansion, innovation, and global influence, with top firms dominating industries such as technology, banking, e-commerce, and energy. As of March 2025, Tencent leads with a market capitalization of $593.81 billion, followed by Alibaba ($316.42 billion) and ICBC ($313.65 billion). Key sectors driving China’s revenue include copper ore mining ($13,897.9 billion), online shopping ($2,547.5 billion), and real estate ($2,086.6 billion). These companies, supported by substantial government policies and financial institutions, continue to expand globally, strengthening China’s economic footprint. Employment and revenue trends show sustained growth and gender diversity initiatives. Tencent's workforce increased by 4.88% in 2024, while Alibaba reported 40% female representation in its workforce. Tencent’s international gaming division grew 15% year-over-year, generating $2.21 billion, while Alibaba’s international e-commerce segment surged 36% in Q4 2024. Meanwhile, ICBC’s overseas subsidiaries significantly boosted net profit by 49%. The MSCI China Index recorded a 21.82% rise, showing strong financial market performance amid relaxed foreign investment policies, reinforcing China’s position as a key global player. Refer @ https://lnkd.in/dJBzwBcB to learn more.

Eid Mubarak! 🌙 May this special day bring peace, happiness, and countless blessings to you and your family. 🕌 #EidMubarak #Blessings #PeaceAndJoy

Happy Gudi Padwa! 🏵️ Wishing you all a joyous and prosperous Gudi Padwa! This auspicious festival marks the beginning of the New Year in Maharashtra and is a time for new beginnings, hope, and happiness. #gudipadwa #straitsresearch

Fun Friday Moments! 🌟 Who knew teamwork could be this artistic? Our challenge today was to pass a drawing from the last person in line to the first—on their back! 🎨 With every stroke, creativity flowed, laughter echoed, and surprises unfolded as we guessed the final masterpiece. It’s amazing how simple games can spark joy and connection. Here’s to celebrating collaboration, imagination, and the little things that make Fridays special! 🖌️😊 #FunFriday #Teamwork #Creativity #Straitsresearch

Oil and Gas Outlook As of March 2025, Saudi Aramco leads the global oil and gas sector with a market capitalization of $1.648 trillion, backed by massive oil production of 9.2 million barrels per day and expansion plans in gas output through the Jafurah project. ExxonMobil ranks second at $493.62 billion, targeting 5.4 million BOE/d by 2030 with strong investments in carbon capture and LNG. Chevron follows with $279.44 billion, driven by growth in the Permian Basin and Kazakhstan, while Shell and PetroChina maintain their positions with $210.03 billion and $196.17 billion respectively, focusing on expanding natural gas and renewable energy capacities. TotalEnergies ($139.20 billion) and ConocoPhillips ($126.42 billion) are bolstering production and renewable projects, while CNOOC ($115.72 billion) focuses on deepwater and natural gas. Southern Company, primarily an electric utility with natural gas operations, ranks ninth with a $99.3B market cap and 822B cf gas throughput, while TAQA rounds off the list at $95.82 billion, expanding in Egypt and Mauritania. Despite the clean energy shift, these companies remain essential for global energy supply, economic growth, and infrastructure, with continued investments in production, LNG, and sustainability initiatives. Refer @ https://lnkd.in/dWc56_HD to learn more.

Sunflower Seed Production In 2024, Russia (16.55 MMT) and Ukraine (12.9 MMT) dominated global sunflower seed production. India emerged as the largest importer, representing 26% of global imports, followed by China (13.8%) and Turkey (13.1%). Leading suppliers included Viterra B V (11.75% market share, $822.11M) and GITC PTE LTD (11.31%, $790.8M), while Gemini Edibles was the top buyer, importing $1.02B worth of sunflower seeds. A 10% production decline, driven by geopolitical instability in Russia and Ukraine, is expected to reduce sunflower oil output to 19.9 MMT, cutting global exports by 14% in 2025. Rising prices are impacting crushing plants and by-products like bird food. To mitigate supply risks, India and China are increasing imports from Argentina and Kazakhstan. The sector remains vital for employment, supporting 250,000 Tanzanian farmers and Argentina’s hybrid seed workforce. Check out @ https://lnkd.in/dMZpjqPA to learn more.

Cheers to Women Power! 🎉 At Straits Research, we celebrated International Women’s Day with joy, gratitude, and appreciation - cutting a cake 🎂, sharing flowers🌹, and gifting heartfelt notes to honor the incredible women who inspire us every day. International Women's Day has symbolized progress and empowerment, celebrating the struggles, achievements, and spirit of women worldwide. From breaking barriers to leading change, women are crafting a brighter future for everyone. Happy Women's Day to the trailblazers, the dreamers, and the achievers. Your passion and dedication light up the world.💐 #straitsresearch #womensday #shinelikestars #sheleads #empowerher #celebratewomen

"She is a force of nature—unstoppable, resilient, and full of dreams." ✨ Wishing a Happy Women’s Day to all 👩💼 This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the incredible achievements of women and continue to uplift each other. Together, we rise! #riseandshine #womensday #limitless #celebrateher

Top Lithium Producers In 2024, lithium demand was primarily driven by battery production, accounting for 87% of total usage, with ceramics and glass following at 5%. As electric vehicle (EV) adoption surges, global lithium demand is projected to grow from 720,000 metric tons in 2022 to 3.1 million metric tons by 2030, with batteries making up 94% of the supply. The demand for lithium carbonate equivalent is expected to rise by 53% from 2023 to over 1.4 million metric tons in 2025, fueled by EV sales and renewable energy storage needs. Leading lithium producers, including SQM ($10.53B market cap), Ganfeng Lithium ($9.30B), @Albemarle ($8.48B), and Tianqi Lithium ($6.61B), are scaling up production to meet rising demand. SQM aims to produce 240,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually by 2025, while Ganfeng is developing a 20 GWh solid-state battery facility in China. Albemarle’s South Carolina plant will supply lithium for 2.4 million EVs annually. Australia remains the top lithium producer, but China and Chile are expanding production, ensuring a steady supply for the global energy transition. Refer @ https://lnkd.in/d9_NiiSE to learn more.