Posts by Mark Darwin
China’s central bank pledges flexible monetary policy to support growth
[BEIJING] China’s central bank pledged on Friday (Oct 24) to calibrate the intensity, timing and pace of monetary policy based on economic conditions to support stable growth. The People’s Bank of China said it will maintain the yuan exchange rate “basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level”, and promote the currency’s international use, following…
Read MoreTrump signs agreement on critical minerals with Australia
[WASHINGTON] US President Donald Trump signed an agreement with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to boost access to critical minerals and rare earths, as the US looks to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies. “In about a year from now, we will have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what…
Read MoreChinese tech giants pause stablecoin plans after Beijing steps in
The government raised concerns about the rise of currencies controlled by the private sector, says the Financial Times CHINESE tech giants, including Alibaba-backed Ant Group and e-commerce group JD.com, have paused plans to issue stablecoins in Hong Kong after the government raised concerns about the rise of currencies controlled by the private sector, the Financial…
Read MoreCapital-raising focus: Reclaims Global, iWow, Vividthree
Financial services and industrials book the most net institutional outflow from Oct 10 to 16, while telecommunications and healthcare book the most net institutional inflow [SINGAPORE] Over the five trading sessions from Oct 10 to 16, institutions were net sellers of Singapore stocks, with the net institutional outflow of S$167 million partially reversing the S$250…
Read MorePorsche’s new CEO is a luxury leader big on hybrids
The 911 maker is preparing to launch an electric version of the Cayenne in the coming months [BERLIN] Porsche named Michael Leiters its next chief executive officer, tapping a German engineer who has honed his luxury-car skills at McLaren Automotive and Ferrari to steer a turnaround. Leiters, 54, will take over in January from Oliver…
Read MoreHow Doing Good Teaches Students Entrepreneurship
In the next decade, nearly 40% of the skills required for jobs are expected to change, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025. Automation, AI, and shifting global markets are redefining what it means to be employable. In this landscape, young people need more than academic achievement—they need adaptability, leadership, creative…
Read MoreSalesforce jumps as US$60 billion forecast eases revenue growth concerns
[BENGALURU] Salesforce shares jumped more than 6 per cent in premarket trading on Thursday (Oct 16). This is after the company forecasted faster revenue growth in the coming years, easing concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) tools were eroding demand for its software. The Marc Benioff-led company had posted its first revenue decline in about three…
Read MoreUS: Wall St rises with TSMC results supporting renewed AI optimism
[NEW YORK] Wall Street’s main indexes opened higher on Thursday (Oct 16), driven by an upbeat quarterly update from TSMC that added to investor optimism around AI and extended a rally in chip stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 35.8 points, or 0.08 per cent, at the open to 46,289.09. The S&P 500 rose…
Read MorePersistence: The Only True Difference Between Success and Failure
Success isn’t complicated. After years of building businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs, I’ve collected plenty of advice, but the most powerful insight came from an unexpected source: Seth Rogen. His observation cuts through all the noise about success strategies: “The difference between people who make it and people who don’t is the people who made it…
Read MoreIMF warns of dim outlook for world economy hit by rolling shocks
The global economy is expected to grow by 3.2% this year, up from 3% predicted in July [WASHINGTON] The International Monetary Fund warned that the global economy is showing signs of strains from sweeping US tariffs and protectionism – even though it has held up better than expected. The global economy is expected to grow…
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