Business News Today
Aspen Sells-off Asia Assets
South African pharmaceutical giant Aspen Pharmacare, through its subsidiary Aspen Global Incorporated, have agreed to divest its Asia-Pacific (APAC) operations (excluding China) to Australian private equity firm BGH Capital for an unadjusted A$2.37 billion (approximately US$1.59 billion or ZAR 26.5 billion) on a cash- and debt-free basis. The sale includes 100% equity interests, assets, and relevant intellectual property in Australia (including the Dandenong manufacturing facility), New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. These businesses contributed around 18% of Aspen’s group revenue and 26% of its EBITDA in FY2025.
The deal stemmed from an unsolicited offer that Aspen’s board deemed compelling after evaluation. the deal is set to significantly reducing group debt and lowering financing costs creating enhanced balance sheet flexibility. Proceeds will primarily deleverage the company, enabling sharper focus on high-growth areas such as emerging markets. Completion is expected in Q2 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals
Copper Continues its Record High Run
Copper futures climbed to $5.8 per pound this morning, hitting new record levels on tight global supplies. London Metal Exchange futures reached $12,960 a ton, tracking strong gains in Shanghai and New York. Prices have surged by over 15% in December alone, with year-to-date gains approaching 50% amid supply concerns. Unplanned mine outages, including Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg mine in Indonesia, which declared force majeure and cut 2026 output guidance, have added pressure to rising prices. Expectations of US tariffs on refined copper have also prompted traders to send large volumes to American warehouses, reducing stockpiles and supply-chains elsewhere globally. Copper demand remains strong long-term, supported by the global energy transition. Market watchers note that ongoing supply constraints, potential Fed rate cuts, and structural demand from renewable energy projects are likely to keep copper in focus as 2026 kicks-off.
Ambitious Chinese EV Auto Sales Announced
Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hangzhou, marked its 10th anniversary with an ambitious announcement from CEO Zhu Jiangming today. The company will be targeting annual sales exceeding 4 million vehicles per year within the next decade, with an interim goal of 1 million unit sales targeted in 2026. In 2025, Leapmotor achieved strong growth in China, its primary market, delivering a record 70,327 vehicles in November alone and 536,132 units from January to November, surpassing its initial annual target. Full-year deliveries are projected to be around 600,000–700,000, with cumulative global deliveries exceeding 1 million by late 2025. Approximately 97% of sales remain domestic. Internationally, Leapmotor operates through Leapmotor International, a joint venture with Stellantis (which holds exclusive export rights) and this growth will rely heavily on international sales growth in regions such as Europe and Africa.
Breaking News Shorts:
- Brent crude oil futures have risen more than 1.1% to above $61 per barrel today, trimming a loss of more than 2% from the previous session, as investors weighed Middle East tensions and developments in Ukraine peace talks. Brent is around 2.8% down for December and over 17% for the year
- Crypto currencies have rallied in early trade today with multiple crypto currencies up by over 3% this morning. Bitcoin is up around 2.55% with Ether is gaining momentum rapidly and up by over 3% so far today. Cardano is up over 3.3% this morning
- China’s central buyer of iron ore, is reportedly using coersive tactics against mining giants such as BHP to tighten its grip on the $132 billion seaborne market with the goal of extracting better terms for China’s steel mills according to Reuters. China Mineral Resources Group in November asked its steel mills and traders not to buy spot cargoes from BHP
- The Shanghai Composite in China rose 0.4% to around 3,980 this morning, extending a winning streak to nine consecutive sessions, the longest since April 2025, while the Shenzhen Component gained 0.3% to a two-month high of 13,640, after Beijing announced plans to expand fiscal spending to boost consumption and investment
- The USD/ZAR exchange rate rose to 16.6745 on December 29, 2025, up 0.13% from the previous session. Over the past month, the South African Rand has strengthened 2.41%, and is up by 11.19% over the last 12 months.
Markets by Numbers
Currency markets indicate the US dollar weaker today, with the Euro trading against the US dollar at 1.17609 while the Pound is trading at 1.34932 to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 156.23 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently trading at around R16.66 to the dollar.
Commodities:
- Gold futures are currently trading slightly softer after hitting new record highs last week and currently selling at around $4497 per ounce.
- Copper prices are trending marginally lower today, with prices currently around $5.4261
- Silver futures spiked upwards to hit fresh highs earlier today but have modulated slightly on profit taking, and currently trading around $77.780
- Platinum futures have corrected by over -4% today, after prices hit several new high levels last week, and currently trading at $2345.60, While Palladium prices have plunged by over -8.8% this morning, , and currently trading around $1809.50 per ounce.
- Brent crude oil prices are trending upwards today on supply concerns, and currently at $61.32 with WTI trading at $57.38
- Cocoa futures are marginally lower today, and currently trading around $5944 per ton.
- Coffee futures are currently trading lower at around $3.4840 per pound
Crypto Currencies:
- Bitcoin prices have gained over 2% this morning, and trading at around $89841 per coin currently
- Ether prices are surging this morning – up over 2.9%, and are currently trading around $3034.43
- $Trumpcoin are trending higher today, and currently trading around $5.007
(All prices quoted at approximately 08H35 Central African Time)
Africa News Briefs:
- The United Kingdom has imposed visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accusing its government of failing to cooperate with its new policy on the return of illegal immigrants and those who have commit criminal offences. The UK Home Office announced the measures in a statement late on Saturday. The home Office also commented that Angola and Namibia have agreed to step up efforts to take back their citizens.
- Guinea has held its first democratic election poll since a 2021 coup yesterday, with the incumbent military leader touted to win. Military leader General Mamady Doumbouya has faced much criticism regarding restrictions placed on other political opponents as well as on media in the lead-up to the elections, with ousted President Alpha Conde and longtime opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo remaining in exile.
