Posts by Mark Darwin
Brent, WTI prices climb more than US$1 on possible Iran crude restriction
[BENGALURU] Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed more than US$1 on Friday (Apr 11) after US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US could end Iran’s oil exports as part of an effort to bring the Islamic Republic to terms over its nuclear program. Brent crude futures settled at US$64.76 a barrel, up…
Read MoreNickel scam accused paid S$7 million for 8 luxury cars and S$1 million for vintage car plate: dealer
[SINGAPORE] Alleged nickel fraudster Ng Yu Zhi was said to have splurged about S$7 million on eight luxury cars – five of them transferred to his wife and girlfriends – and over S$1 million on a vintage car registration plate number. Michael Ho, a director of F1 Auto and F1 Auto Cars, testified in Ng’s…
Read MoreBlackRock misses long-term flow expectations amid Asia outflows
[NEW YORK] The world’s largest asset manager BlackRock pulled in a less-than-expected US$83 billion of client money to its investment funds in the first quarter, which ended just days before President Donald Trump unleashed tariffs that stoked extreme volatility across stock and bond markets. Investors added US$107 billion to exchange-traded funds and US$38 billion to…
Read MoreEBITDA Explained: Beyond the Buzzword
EBITDA, short for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, is a term that gets thrown around a lot in finance. But what does it really mean? In this article, we’ll break down EBITDA, why it’s important, and how to calculate it accurately. We’ll also look at its role in financial analysis, the adjustments that…
Read MoreIndonesia’s US$48 billion social security fund eyes doubling equities exposure
[JAKARTA] Indonesia’s US$48 billion social security fund BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, the country’s largest institutional investor, aims to raise the share of local equities in its portfolio to up to 20 per cent within three years, a top official told Reuters on Friday (Apr 11). Asked about this week’s local stock market tumble following the global turmoil…
Read MoreTop US pension funds suffer US$169 billion blow from tariffs shock
The total losses for the whole US public retirement system will likely be “significantly higher” [NEW YORK] The top 25 state and local US pension investment funds suffered an estimated paper loss of US$169 billion in public equities after US President Trump’s tariff announcement. The losses came in the four trading days between Apr 3…
Read MoreCapitaLand Investment bullish on healthcare’s real estate needs
[SINGAPORE] As South-east Asia’s population ages, more physical spaces are needed for the healthcare and wellness services that people will require in their senior years. And CapitaLand Investment (CLI) believes this presents a big opportunity for real estate players. The Singapore-listed global real asset manager is hoping to cash in on this gap with its…
Read MoreTokyo: Nikkei slumps on trade war worries, stronger yen
[TOKYO] Japan’s Nikkei share average slumped on Friday (Apr 11) in a brutal end to a volatile week as investors worried about the economic fallout from the rapidly escalating US-China trade war as well as a strong yen that has been lifted by safe-haven flows. The Nikkei ended 2.96 per cent lower at 33,585.58 after…
Read MoreShein gains UK approval for London IPO, awaits China nod: sources
[LONDON] Online fast-fashion retailer Shein has secured approval from Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for its planned initial public offering (IPO) in London, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. The FCA’s approval marks a significant step forward in the China-founded company’s pursuit of a London listing after it confidentially filed papers with…
Read MoreNovartis pledges US$23 billion US investment as tariffs loom
Trump has repeatedly said he intends to impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals, citing the industry’s reliance on manufacturing sites around the world to supply the US market [NEW YORK] Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said it would invest US$23 billion in the US over the next five years to ensure its key drugs for Americans are made…
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