Posts by Mark Darwin
Gold is booming. From mega vaults to discreet transport, who are the key players in Singapore?
[SINGAPORE] Gold surged into uncharted territory on Wednesday (Oct 8), opening above US$4,000 an ounce for the first time, in a year that has seen it consistently set new records. In the second quarter of 2025, gold investment in Singapore surged 37 per cent year on year, rising to 2.2 tonnes from 1.6 tonnes in…
Read MoreStocks to watch: DBS, Keppel Reit, NetLink NBN Trust, StarHub, Info-Tech
[SINGAPORE] The following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Wednesday (Oct 8): DBS Bank : The bank’s shares hit a new record high on Tuesday, driving its market capitalisation beyond S$150 billion. It now has nearly double the market capitalisation of its nearest banking rival, OCBC. Charu Chanana, chief…
Read MoreMercedes posts worst quarterly China sales since 2016 as demand crisis deepens
[FRANKFURT] Mercedes-Benz Group’s China sales tumbled 27 per cent in the third quarter to their lowest level in almost a decade as luxury demand in the country remains weak and local manufacturers dominate on electric vehicles. The slump in China – the worst quarterly sales performance there since 2016 – dragged down the company’s global…
Read MoreYen, euro extend slide against US dollar as politics calls the shots
[LONDON] Political developments drove currency markets again on Tuesday (Oct 7) with the yen falling to a two-month low after Sanae Takaichi’s leadership victory in Japan, while the euro remained fragile following the resignation of France’s prime minister. Takaichi, who is expected to become Japan’s next prime minister, has pledged to boost the Japanese economy…
Read MoreDuty Free International returns to the black with RM2.6 million Q2 net profit
Revenue for the quarter is up 14.5% at RM42.6 million amid stronger customer demand [SINGAPORE] Malaysian retail group Duty Free International reported on Tuesday (Oct 7) a net profit of RM2.6 million (S$798,200) for its second quarter ended Aug 31. This marks a reversal from the net loss of RM3.2 million that the group posted…
Read MoreBBVA has 8 billion euros to fund mandatory bid for Sabadell if needed: CEO
A combined entity would become one of the largest lenders in Europe by assets, with about one trillion euros [MADRID/LONDON] BBVA has eight billion euros (US$9.4 billion) in capital for a mandatory cash offer for Sabadell should it fail to convince enough of its smaller rival’s shareholders to accept its hostile offer, chief executive officer…
Read MoreElectric vehicles drive UK new car market to best September since 2020
[LONDON] Britain’s new-car market logged its best September in five years, industry data showed on Saturday, as the crucial “new numberplate” month delivered record electric-vehicle uptake after a summer slowdown. The strong September performance, which typically accounts for about one in seven annual registrations, offers a boost to Britain’s automotive sector as it races to…
Read MoreConservation Must Start With People, Not Just Animals
Flying over the tiny Gombe National Park was a turning point in my understanding of conservation. Below me stretched a landscape that told a complex story – one where the fate of chimpanzees and humans were deeply intertwined. For years, I had focused on studying chimpanzees, documenting their behaviors and raising awareness about their declining…
Read MoreFed’s Goolsbee says new tariffs renewing business uncertainty
Inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% goal and has accelerated since April, according to policymakers’ preferred gauge [HOUSTON] US Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said that the most recent round of tariffs may be causing businesses in his district to again pause decision-making in order to see where the levies settle.…
Read MoreBuilding Trust Before Advertising: Why Brand Comes First
In today’s world, starting a company has never been easier. With a few clicks, anyone can find a product and launch it online. But this accessibility creates a significant challenge: standing out in what has truly become an attention economy. As a marketing entrepreneur who’s helped hundreds of businesses grow, I’ve seen firsthand how many…
Read More