Posts by Mark Darwin
Debt to decarbonisation: challenges for Nippon Steel
[TOKYO] Nippon Steel on Saturday (Jun 14) touted a “historic partnership” with US Steel after US President Donald Trump approved a multi-billion-dollar merger. But the Japanese giant faces numerous headwinds going forward. Here are some of the challenges facing the company, from trade tariffs to lacklustre global demand: US conditions Nippon Steel and US Steel…
Read MoreMusk pins Tesla’s comeback on robotaxis after retreat from feud
TESLA already had a lot riding on its highly anticipated robotaxi launch long before Elon Musk decided to swing a wrecking ball through his alliance with US President Donald Trump – and the company’s share price. Now investors are looking for a win that can help repair the brand damage and shift Tesla back into growth mode. Musk said Tesla…
Read MoreBlackstone said to be in talks to buy embattled Allegiant resort
Published Sun, Jun 15, 2025 · 08:00 AM BLACKSTONE is in talks to purchase Allegiant Travel’s Sunseeker resort, moving the parent of Allegiant Airlines closer to shedding the beleaguered retreat that had been a drag on earnings, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The two companies are still negotiating and talks could fall…
Read MoreTrump said Nippon-US Steel deal has resolvable national security risk
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Friday (Jun 13) that concerns over national security risks posed by Nippon Steel’s US$14.9 billion bid for US Steel can be resolved if the companies fulfill certain conditions that his administration has laid out, paving the way for the deal’s approval. Shares of US Steel rose 3.5 per cent…
Read MoreWhy Hawkfest Will Be the Event You Can’t Miss
I’m excited to announce that Hawkfest is going to be absolutely incredible this year. Unlike some other events that promise big but deliver small (looking at you, Fyre Festival), we’re creating an experience that will happen as advertised—and exceed your expectations. The digital marketing and entrepreneurship landscape is filled with conferences and events, but Hawkfest…
Read MoreUS: Stocks fall as investors pare risk on Middle East clash
Published Sat, Jun 14, 2025 · 06:03 AM [NEW YORK] Wall Street stocks finished sharply lower Friday (Jun 13) as Iran launched counterstrikes in response to an Israeli siege, leaving most non-petroleum equities lower. While oil producers and service companies rallied with oil prices, major indices spent the entire session in the red as investors…
Read MoreAlibaba movie unit’s pivot, rebrand bring US$2 billion value gain
DAMAI Entertainment Holdings, formerly Alibaba Pictures Group, is shifting its focus from movies production to faster-growing entertainment segments targeting younger consumers – and investors are taking notice. Since its May 19 earnings report, which highlighted a pivot towards intellectual property (IP) licensing and live events, the company’s shares have roughly doubled, making it the top…
Read MoreMaybank downgrades Thai retail sector on weak sales, consumption
[SINGAPORE] Maybank Investment Bank has downgraded Thailand’s retail sector to “neutral” amid weak consumption and falling same store sales growth (SSSG). The bank’s analyst, Suttatip Peerasub, added in a note on Friday (Jun 13) that most of the kingdom’s retail operators are unlikely to report year-on-year earnings growth in Q2, with the exception of 7-Eleven…
Read MoreMiddle East tensions hit Asian and Asean markets, regional currencies slide
[SINGAPORE] A wave of geopolitical panic swept across Asian markets on Friday (Jun 13), after Israel launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, stoking fears of a wider regional conflict. Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) fell about 0.5 per cent or 19.1 points by 1 pm, trading at 3,903.8. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index…
Read MoreOil jumps more than 7% as Israel strikes Iran, rattling investors
OIL prices jumped more than 7 per cent on Friday, hitting their highest in months after Israel said it struck Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising worries about disrupted oil supplies. Brent crude futures rose US$5.29, or 7.63 per cent, to US$74.65 a barrel by 0142 GMT after hitting an intraday high of US$75.32,…
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