Posts by Mark Darwin
🤑 Is financial freedom just about getting rich quick and retiring early? Here’s what we think
🧮 Numbers game We’re familiar with various financial goals such as saving S$100,000 by 30, or retiring by 45 with enough to live comfortably for the rest of one’s life. But let’s take a step back – how were these figures decided on? Could they simply be arbitrary markers of success? The FIRE movement is…
Read MoreHyundai Motor India’s record US$3.3 billion IPO oversubscribed on final day
The US$3.3-billion IPO of Hyundai Motor India, the country’s largest yet, was fully subscribed on its final day on Thursday (Oct 17) as institutional investors bid aggressively, though pricing concerns deterred retail investors. As companies rush to go public after a sharp run-up in the Indian equities market this year, Hyundai Motor’s first listing outside…
Read MoreSelf-driving startup Pony.ai plans to publicly file for US IPO: sources
It develops and operates self-driving fleets in the US and China, and manages vehicles which include trucks and robotaxis AUTONOMOUS driving startup Pony.ai plans to file publicly for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US as soon as this week, sources said. The company is looking to raise as much as US$300 million from…
Read MoreNokia Q3 profit beats expectation, sees signs of recovery
FINNISH telecom equipment supplier Nokia on Thursday (Oct 17) reported a 9 per cent rise in third-quarter operating profit, and echoed rival Ericsson in seeing demand recovery in some areas. “I am optimistic we are now turning the corner in many parts of our business, even if some continue to experience market weakness,” chief executive…
Read MoreCathay Pacific’s new business class is all about quiet luxury
ON EMIRATES, passengers in business class have a bartender to mix a cocktail mid-flight. Virgin Atlantic Airways offers the Loft Lounge, a sky-high saloon where travellers can relax on red leather banquettes. Now Cathay Pacific Airways is introducing an airborne art gallery. Hong Kong’s flag carrier revealed its refreshed business class cabin on Wednesday (Oct…
Read MoreGold holds below record high ahead of US data
GOLD prices held below record levels on Thursday (Oct 17) as investors looked forward to a slew of US economic data that could offer more clues on the Federal Reserve’s monetary easing path. Spot gold was little changed at US$2,674.96 per ounce, as at 0025 GMT. Prices rose to a session high of US$2,685.16 on…
Read MoreSembcorp secures 150 MW wind-solar power project in India
STATE-OWNED Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has awarded a 150 megawatt (MW) wind-solar hybrid power project to Sembcorp Green Infra – Sembcorp Industries’ wholly owned renewables subsidiary. The build-own-operate project, which will be connected to India’s interstate transmission system for electricity, is part of a 600 MW bid issued by the SECI. On Thursday…
Read MoreRobinhood plans to give traders access to futures, index options
ROBINHOOD Markets is broadening its offerings to futures trading and index options as the retail brokerage aims to attract more sophisticated investors to its platform. The futures contracts investors will be able to trade include stock indexes, currencies, metals and energy including natural gas and crude oil, with an access commission of 50 US cents…
Read MoreChina’s wild stock market swings hurt a US$21 trillion bull case
CHINA’S 200 million-strong army of retail investors was supposed to help the market turn a corner. Instead, it has become a source of weakness. The country’s US$9.7 trillion stock market experienced a rapid boom and bust starting in late September, when central bank stimulus pushed the benchmark CSI 300 Index 25 per cent higher in…
Read MoreBlackRock in talks with Ambani for India private-credit venture
BLACKROCK, the world’s largest asset manager, is in talks with billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Financial Services to set up a private-credit venture, aiming to tap the expanding direct lending opportunities in India, sources said. The 50:50 joint venture will lend to businesses ranging from large companies to startups, they added, asking not to be identified…
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