Posts by Mark Darwin
Indonesian coffee chain Fore says its IPO oversubscribed by 200 times
The seven-year old company is the first domestic coffee chain to list on the bourse [SINGAPORE] Indonesian coffee chain Fore said on Friday (Apr 11) its initial public offering (IPO) was more than 200 times oversubscribed, buoyed by a caffeine boom in South-east Asia’s largest and most populous country. The seven-year old company said it…
Read MoreUS dollar weakens against Singdollar as tariff uncertainty roils markets
[SINGAPORE] The US dollar fell to its weakest point against the Singapore dollar since November 2024, as markets continued to be volatile following continued global trade uncertainty. The greenback has fallen around 1.4 per cent against the Singapore dollar since the start of the week, weakening on Friday (Apr 11) morning by 0.3 per cent.…
Read MoreChina tech faces worry beyond tariffs after US$350 billion wipeout
[HONG KONG] Even as China’s tech stocks begin to recoup some of their recent big losses, some investors and analysts are eyeing looming concerns that may have a worse impact than Donald Trump’s tariffs. The Hang Seng Tech Index has shed more than US$350 billion in market value since a March high, though it has…
Read MoreChina trade tensions lift safe-haven gold to record high
[BENGALURU] Gold prices raced to an all-time high on Friday (Apr 11), supported by recession concerns as escalating tariff tensions between the United States and China fuelled investor demand for safe-haven assets such as bullion. Spot gold was up 1 per cent at US$3,205.53 an ounce, as at 0039 GMT. Bullion scaled to an all-time…
Read MoreStocks to watch: Sats, CapitaLand Investment
[SINGAPORE] The following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Friday (Apr 11). Sats: Terminal operator Sats-Creuers Cruise Services (SCCS), a 60:40 joint venture between Sats and European cruise operator Creuers del Port de Barcelona, is refurbishing Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS). The S$40 million upgrading works, which began in…
Read MoreAutomotive group Vin’s Holdings aims for greater gains in used car space with IPO
[SINGAPORE] Buoyed by success in the pre-owned car market, Vin’s Holdings (VH) has sought an initial public offering (IPO) to fuel the next stage of its development with investments in IT and infrastructure. The Singaporean automotive group is expected to list on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) Catalist board on Apr 15 – the first IPO…
Read MoreHarley-Davidson explores US$1 billion-plus sale of financing arm
[NEW YORK] Harley-Davidson is exploring options for its financing arm including a sale, which could fetch at least US$1 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The iconic motorcycle maker is working with an adviser to solicit interest in Harley-Davidson Financial Services, or HDFS, said the sources, who asked to not be identified because…
Read MoreReframing social sustainability for board leadership
IN THE evolving sustainability landscape, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors take centre stage, with the social dimension now seeing more prominence. Social sustainability, as defined by the UN Global Compact, is about identifying and managing the impact of business on people and communities. A business’ social licence to operate depends on its social sustainability…
Read MoreUS: Wall St opens lower after sharp rally on Trump tariff reversal
[NEW YORK] Wall Street’s main indexes opened lower on Thursday (Apr 10), coming off a blistering rally following US President Donald Trump’s move to temporarily lower the heavy tariffs on dozens of countries. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 611.5 points, or 1.51 per cent, at the open to 39,996.93. The S&P 500 fell 103.7…
Read MoreUBS sticks to US$3 billion share buyback plan despite capital changes, global uncertainty
[LUCERNE, Switzerland] UBS chairman Colm Kelleher on Thursday (Apr 10) reiterated the Swiss bank’s intention to repurchase shares to the tune of US$3 billion in 2025, despite looming capital rule changes and global economic uncertainty. The bank plans to repurchase US$1 billion in shares in the first half of 2025 and up to an additional…
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