Posts by Stephanie Irvin
ECB watchers are now forecasting even lower rates for 2026
Economists expect 0.9 per cent expansion in the euro area this year, down from 1 per cent in the previous poll EURO-ZONE forecasters are increasingly predicting that the European Central Bank (ECB) will resume interest-rate cutting after a pause with a reduction below 2 per cent in 2026. Frankfurt officials are still widely expected to…
Read MoreEvergrande, HNA units ordered to liquidate by Hong Kong’s judge
UNITS of two high-profile Chinese companies received Hong Kong court orders to liquidate, the latest in a string of wind-up decisions in the city as creditors ramp up their legal efforts to recover funds. Tianji Holding became the second key unit of defaulted builder China Evergrande Group to receive a wind-up order this year, following…
Read MoreMarina Bay Sands gets record S$12 billion loan amid tourism boom
The loan will be used for refinancing and to fund the expansion of the company’s integrated resort MARINA Bay Sands has obtained a S$12 billion multi-tranche loan to fund a planned expansion of its casino resort in Singapore, according to a source familiar with the matter, marking the largest such financing in the city state…
Read MoreAustralia’s Star Entertainment gets potential lifeline as Oaktree offers debt refinancing
Oaktree’s offer is subject to numerous conditions and there is no certainty it will progress, Star says STAR Entertainment Group received a potential lifeline from alternative asset manager Oaktree Capital Management, which offered to refinance A$650 million (S$554 million) of the struggling Australian casino operator’s debt. Star has been racing to raise capital after last…
Read MoreHSBC investors back CEO’s investment banking retrenchment
INVESTORS in HSBC are backing management attempts to shutter parts of its investment bank, even as US President Donald Trump’s deregulatory agenda fuels hopes for a boom in capital markets activity. Four shareholders, including two of the 20 largest, said last month’s decision to axe HSBC’s mergers and equity capital markets teams in the Americas…
Read MoreApplied Materials falls as export controls weigh on outlook
APPLIED Materials, the largest US maker of chip-manufacturing equipment, fell after issuing a lukewarm revenue forecast for the current period, citing the risk of export controls crimping its business. Sales will be about US$7.1 billion in the fiscal second quarter, which runs to April, the company said on Thursday (Feb 13). That compares with an…
Read MoreApple aims to boost Vision Pro with AI features, spatial content app
APPLE is planning to add Apple Intelligence to its Vision Pro headset, along with an updated mode for guest users and a spatial content app, as it seeks to boost interest in the device. The company aims to roll out the features as part of a visionOS 2.4 software upgrade targeted for as early as…
Read MoreNasdaq facing near-term resistance amid volatility
THE Nasdaq 100 Index surged 25.9 per cent in 2024, driven by strong performances from major technology firms such as Nvidia and Alphabet. The uptrend continued into 2025, despite market volatility stemming from US President Donald Trump’s inauguration and policy expectations. The introduction of trade tariffs in early 2025 also added to market swings. Beyond…
Read MoreAviva’s India arm hit with US$7.5m fine for fake invoice scheme
Indian authorities have ordered British insurer Aviva’s local unit to pay US$7.5 million in back taxes and penalties after an investigation found it created fake invoices to pay illegal commissions and claimed incorrect tax credits, an order shows. The tax demand is significant for Aviva’s India business, which recorded a profit after tax of only…
Read MoreCrowdfunding Dreams: From Zero to Hero
Thinking of jumping into crowdfunding? It’s like setting off on an adventure with your business idea. From the ground up, you can transform from a complete beginner to a success story. With the right approach, you can turn your dreams into reality. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of crowdfunding, helping…
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