Posts by Mark Darwin
Peak number of private equity firms seen running zombie risk
A RECORD number of private equity firms will turn into so-called zombie funds this year, as they struggle to reel in new investor cash, according to Ian Charles, co-founder and managing partner at Arctos Partners. “The fundraising environment is so challenging,” Charles said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Thursday (Sep 11), adding that…
Read MoreS-Reits deliver double-digit total returns in Q3 as investors await rate cuts
[SINGAPORE] Real estate investment trusts in Singapore (S-Reits) rebounded strongly in the third quarter to date, with the iEdge S-Reit index delivering total returns of 10.3 per cent since end-June, amid ongoing expectations for US interest-rate cuts. As at Sep 12, all 30 of the index constituents were in the black for Q3 to date.…
Read MoreTicket reseller StubHub’s IPO 20 times oversubscribed, source says
[BENGALURU] Ticket reseller StubHub, which delayed its US listing in April amid market volatility, has drawn over 20 times as many orders for its planned initial public offering (IPO) as there are available shares, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday (Sep 12). The outsized demand for the IPO, which is set to…
Read MoreChina sets 2025 auto sales target below association forecast, vows tighter regulation
[SHANGHAI] China is targeting 32.3 million in vehicle sales in 2025, the country’s industry ministry said, below the 32.9 million units projected for the year by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). The target was part of a plan to support stable growth in the auto sector that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information…
Read MoreEmerging market investor inflows are a 2026 story, BOA says
[HONG KONG] Emerging markets are likely to receive heavier inflows early next year as more evidence on the resilience of these economies fuels a further shift from US assets, according to Bank of America (BOA). “People will become much more bullish early next year when they get the confirmation that impact of trade tensions on…
Read MoreOil gains weighed down by US demand worries
[HOUSTON] Oil prices rose on Friday (Sep 12) after a Ukrainian drone attack suspended loadings from the largest port in western Russia, but gains were capped by concerns about US demand. Brent crude futures settled at US$66.99 a barrel, up 62 cents or 0.9 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate crude finished at US$62.69, a…
Read MorePC Partner proposes delisting from Hong Kong to strengthen operations, lower costs
This will leave the company with just its primary listing on the Singapore Exchange [SINGAPORE] Electronic company PC Partner Group has proposed a voluntary delisting from the mainboard of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX) to reduce dual-listing costs and support operational flexibility. The decision was approved by the board on Friday (Sep 12),…
Read MoreUK announces £400m Google Cloud info contract
[LONDON] The UK government has agreed a £400 million (S$695.6 million) contract with Google Cloud, days before President Donald Trump’s visit, saying on Friday (Sep 12) it will allow it to “deploy the same technology” as the US and strengthen cooperation. The deal “will strengthen secure communication links between the UK and US, in addition…
Read MoreApple postpones release of new iPhone Air in mainland China
The company’s China website would not let customers in the region order the new, thinner device [BEIJING] Apple delayed the launch of its new iPhone Air in mainland China, citing regulatory approval issues. When pre-orders for the new models began on Friday (Sep 12), the company’s China website would not let customers in the region…
Read MoreOvercoming Fear of Failure: The Path to Unlocking Opportunity
Fear of failure cripples too many potential leaders. I’ve noticed this pattern repeatedly throughout my entrepreneurial journey – people hesitate to take action because they’re afraid of what might go wrong. But here’s the truth: failure is inevitable and completely okay. When people look at successful entrepreneurs, they often see only the wins. They see…
Read More