Posts by Mark Darwin
Etihad is squeezing outsized luxuries into its smallest aircraft
[DUBAI] When Etihad Airways received its first Airbus A380 jets a good decade ago, the airline furnished the front of the giant double decker with a veritable luxury playground it called the Residence, a three-room layout featuring a double bed, living area and shower cubicle – all with a personal butler on hand. Now the…
Read MoreOpec+ agrees another accelerated oil output hike for June
[LONDON/DUBAI] Opec+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, has agreed to accelerate oil production hikes for a second consecutive month, raising output in June by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd), the group said on Saturday (May 3), despite falling prices and expectations of weaker demand. Following an…
Read MoreS-Reits rebound 9.5% from Apr 9 lows, tracking volatility in global markets
[singapore] The performance of Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) in April 2025 was marked by significant movements, reflecting the broader volatility in global markets. The iEdge S-Reit Index declined by 1.9 per cent over the month, slightly outperforming the Straits Times Index, which dropped 2.3 per cent. Furthermore, S-Reits outperformed the FTSE Epra/Nareit Global…
Read MoreShein’s London IPO stalled amid US tariff fallout
[HONG KONG] Shein Group’s initial public offering (IPO) plan has slowed to a crawl as the retailer assesses the impact of US tariffs on its business and awaits regulatory approvals, according to sources familiar with the matter. Enthusiasm for what could be London’s biggest IPO in years has been dwindling, with Shein’s valuation target sinking…
Read MoreUS: Wall Street stocks buoyed by strong economic data, possible US-China trade talks
[NEW YORK] Wall Street stocks advanced on Friday (May 2), notching the second straight week of gains, helped by strong economic data and potential easing of trade tensions between the US and China. The US economy added 177,000 jobs in April, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2 per cent. The data…
Read MoreYoung Entrepreneurs: The New American Dream
The landscape of entrepreneurship is shifting dramatically, especially among the younger generations. The American Dream, once defined by stable jobs and home ownership, is being transformed by young entrepreneurs who prioritize freedom, flexibility, and personal fulfillment. These trailblazers are not just chasing profits; they’re crafting lifestyles that align with their values and aspirations. In this…
Read MoreMapletree Industrial Trust stays defensive, resilient amid global uncertainties
[SINGAPORE] Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT) will adopt a more defensive leasing strategy and continue to rebalance its portfolio through divestments amid the current macroeconomic uncertainties, said the manager of the real estate investment trust (Reit) on Friday (May 2). “One word to describe (the global economic outlook) is ‘uncertain’,” said Ler Lily, chief executive officer…
Read MoreGold set for worst week in more than two months; US jobs data eyed
GOLD prices were poised for their worst weekly performance in more than two months on Friday as receding trade tensions tempered safe-haven demand, while the market’s focus shifted to the US non-farm payrolls report, due later in the day. Spot gold was steady at US$3,239.15 an ounce as of 0206 GMT. Gold has lost more than 2 per cent…
Read MoreGold set for worst week in more than 2 months; US jobs data eyed
GOLD prices were poised for their worst weekly performance in more than two months on Friday as receding trade tensions tempered safe-haven demand, while the market’s focus shifted to the US non-farm payrolls report, due later in the day. Spot gold was steady at US$3,239.15 an ounce as of 0206 GMT. Gold has lost more than 2 per cent…
Read MoreChinese EV makers sell more plugin-hybrids in the EU to avoid tariffs: research firm
CHINESE carmakers including BYD and Chery are selling more plugin-hybrids in the European Union to avoid import tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, data released on Friday showed. The two brands sold 3,269 and 757 plugin-hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), respectively, in the bloc in March, up from near zero sales in July 2024 when provisional tariffs were…
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