Posts by Mark Darwin
Australia exchange operator proposes IPO reforms to revive listings
[SYDNEY] The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on Thursday (May 8) unveiled a series of proposed reforms aimed at enhancing the global appeal of Australia’s capital markets and revitalising its subdued initial public offering landscape. In a detailed response to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic), the exchange operator said it would focus on streamlining…
Read MoreEmirates airline group announces record US$6.2 billion gross profit
The 18% rise in profit, slimmed to US$5.6 billion after the UAE’s recently introduced corporate tax Published Thu, May 8, 2025 · 04:02 PM [DUBAI] Dubai’s Emirates Group, which includes the Middle East’s biggest airline, announced on Thursday (May 8) gross annual profit of US$6.2 billion, its third record in three years. The 18 per…
Read MoreJapan’s NTT plans to take NTT Data private for US$16.4 billion
It would launch a tender offer for NTT Data at 4,000 yen (S$35.91) per share, representing a 34% premium from Wednesday’s closing price Published Thu, May 8, 2025 · 03:48 PM [TOKYO] Japanese telecoms firm Nippon Telegraph and Telephone announced plans on Thursday (May 8) to take its subsidiary NTT Data private by purchasing the…
Read MoreSeaMoney rebrands to Monee, opens new headquarters for digital financial services
Monee will be establishing centres of excellence in product management, artificial intelligence and anti-money laundering [SINGAPORE] Sea’s digital financial services arm has rebranded from SeaMoney to Monee, a new umbrella segment for all of Sea’s digital financial services. This was announced on Thursday (May 8) as part of the new office opening of Sea’s digital…
Read MoreChinese automakers crank up sales of cars with combustion engines in Europe
[LONDON] Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are losing momentum in Europe, but the nation’s automakers are selling more cars than ever in the region by throttling up deliveries of hybrids and combustion engine-powered models. The number of Chinese-brand cars registered across Europe hit record levels in the first three months of the year, exceeding 150,000 vehicles,…
Read MoreAsia: Stocks rise further on growing trade deal hopes
[HONG KONG] Asian stocks extended their rally on Thursday on hopes for an easing of trade war tensions as China and the United States prepare for weekend talks and after Donald Trump flagged a “major trade deal” later in the day. After the fireworks sparked by the US president’s “Liberation Day” on April 2, markets…
Read MoreSingapore’s STI edges down as Fed leaves rates unchanged, other Asian markets mixed
Notable real estate investment trusts which are among the most actively traded counters fall in early trade [SINGAPORE] Singapore stocks opened weaker on Thursday (May 8) following the overnight announcement by the US Federal Reserve that it will be holding rates steady. While Fed chair Jerome Powell noted that the economy on a whole had…
Read MoreANZ’s first-half cash earnings largely flat, margins stay pressured
Published Thu, May 8, 2025 · 08:45 AM AUSTRALIA’S ANZ Group reported largely flat first-half cash earnings on Thursday, as persistent competition in the home loan market and a rise in asset impairments offset lending growth. Intense competition to sell cheaper home loans to customers hurt by higher interest rates and living costs has been pressuring the…
Read MoreManulife profit rises as Asia, wealth management businesses see strong growth
Published Thu, May 8, 2025 · 08:13 AM MANULIFE Financial posted a 3 per cent jump in first-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by the strong performance of its insurance business in Asia and overall growth in its global wealth and asset management business. Manulife has been expanding its investment advisory and retirement planning services to…
Read MoreFederal Reserve chair says Trump criticism ‘doesn’t affect doing our job at all’
Published Thu, May 8, 2025 · 07:01 AM [WASHINGTON] Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump’s vocal criticism of the central bank’s interest rate choices has no impact on their decision making. Powell told reporters the repeated critiques by Trump, who has called for rate cuts to boost the…
Read More