Posts by Mark Darwin
Monetary Authority of Singapore MD says US$ assets irreplaceable
Factors that the market are paying attention to include any prospect for slower growth and higher inflation in America as well as cues on its fiscal trajectory and policies that could reinforce that confidence Published Wed, May 21, 2025 · 09:08 AM [DOHA] US dollar-based assets have “enduring advantages” and remain virtually irreplaceable in the…
Read MorePwC launches AI hub in Singapore with over US$4 million commitment
[SINGAPORE] PwC launched an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Singapore on Wednesday (May 21), committing more than US$4 million over a three-year period. This venture is also supported by Singapore’s Economic Development Board. The purpose of the hub is to establish standards when introducing AI technology, developing and scaling local AI capabilities, and fostering strategic…
Read MoreMaybank Securities positive on MAS equities review given niche in mid-cap players: CEO Aditya Laroia
[SINGAPORE] The Singapore government’s attempt to revive its local stock market is a much-needed move to boost Singapore’s financial hub status, and is already showing early signs of positive change, said Aditya Laroia, Singapore chief executive at Maybank Securities. The review – which focuses on small to mid-cap companies in the city-state – will support…
Read MoreUS: S&P 500 falls after six straight positive sessions
Published Wed, May 21, 2025 · 06:05 AM [NEW YORK] Wall Street stocks retreated on Tuesday (May 20) as markets tracked congressional debate on US President Donald Trump’s tax cut proposal while monitoring US Treasury yields. Major indices spent the entire session in negative territory as the S&P 500 finished lower after six straight positive…
Read MoreUS: Wall St opens lower ahead of Fed commentary
Published Tue, May 20, 2025 · 09:48 PM [NEW YORK] Wall Street’s main indexes opened lower on Tuesday (May 20) as investors awaited commentary from Federal Reserve officials through the day to assess the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs in the second half of 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 57.0…
Read MoreDelfi’s Q1 Ebitda down 27.2% on weaker regional currencies, trade tensions
[SINGAPORE] Chocolate confectioner Delfi ran up a 27.2 per cent drop in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to US$17 million in the first quarter ended Mar 31, down from US$23.3 million the year before. Net sales fell some 0.5 per cent to US$149.8 million in Q1 2025 from US$150.7 million in the…
Read MoreJapan mulls taxing small parcels as Shein, Temu expand
Published Tue, May 20, 2025 · 01:02 PM [TOKYO] Japan is mulling a review of tax exemptions for small parcels including those shipped from China, joining a slew of governments stepping up scrutiny over a duty-free channel used by Shein and PDD Holdings’ Temu. A government tax experts group last week discussed problems related to…
Read MoreCATL’s strong Hong Kong debut boosts outlook for Chinese companies’ fundraising
[HONG KONG] Shares in CATL closed 16 per cent higher on their Hong Kong debut on Tuesday (May 20) after the Chinese electric vehicle battery giant raised US$4.6 billion in the world’s largest listing this year, boosting prospects for equity sales by Chinese companies. CATL’s strong debut came despite heightened market uncertainty, a Chinese economic…
Read MoreCATL rises in Hong Kong trading debut in world’s top listing in 2025
[HONG KONG] Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) rose in its Hong Kong trading debut after the Chinese battery giant wrapped up the world’s biggest listing this year by raising HK$35.7 billion (S$5.9 billion) despite being blacklisted by the Pentagon and grinding through geopolitical storms. Shares of CATL, as the largest maker of electric vehicle…
Read MoreChina lowers benchmark lending rates for first time since October
Published Tue, May 20, 2025 · 09:30 AM [SHANGHAI] China cut benchmark lending rates for the first time since October on Tuesday, after Beijing announced sweeping monetary easing measures earlier this month to support the broad economy. The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was lowered by 10 basis points to 3.0 per cent from 3.1…
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