Posts by Swedan Margen
STI ends Tuesday flat as regional indices close mixed
[SINGAPORE] The Straits Times Index (STI) closed flat on Tuesday (Jul 22), as regional indices showed mixed performances. The STI closed up 0.03 per cent or 1.13 points to 4,208.26. Across the broader market, advancers outnumbered decliners 329 to 229 after 1.4 billion shares worth S$1.3 billion changed hands. The trio of local banks…
Read MoreChinese investors snap up Hong Kong stocks as flows near record
The accelerated buying comes as the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index has gained 24% this year Published Tue, Jul 22, 2025 · 05:36 PM [HONG KONG] Mainland Chinese investors’ purchase of Hong Kong-listed stocks is approaching an annual record, driving a rally that has made a key benchmark in the city one of the world’s…
Read MoreUK inks investment deals on £38 billion Sizewell C nuclear plant
[LONDON] The UK announced final approval for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant after securing private investment in the £38 billion (S$65.7 billion) project that will help advance the government’s energy and climate goals. The British government will retain a minority stake of around 45 per cent, while other investors include French state-owned Electricite de…
Read MoreColdplay Concert Cheating Scandal: Why Hasn’t Astronomer Fired HR Chief Kristin Cabot?
The Coldplay concert cheating scandal has put Astronomer in the spotlight, with mounting attention on CEO Andy Byron’s resignation and the unresolved status of HR Chief Kristin Cabot. The key issue now: Why is Cabot still employed days after the CEO’s swift exit? A week after allegedly being caught with CEO Byron at the concert,…
Read MoreThailand’s tourism slump and household debt weigh on its lenders
[BANGKOK] Thailand’s banks are grappling with weak lending amid high household debt, slowing tourism and sluggish consumer spending that risk dampening their outlook for the rest of the year. The banks are facing lacklustre earnings tied to lower net interest margins – the difference between interest income and paid interest – and muted loan growth…
Read MoreAoxin Q&M Dental CEO resigns as whistle-blower report lodged
The company cites ‘differences in views and opinions’ with parent Q&M Dental regarding the direction of the dental business as the reason for Dr Shao Yongxin leaving [SINGAPORE] Catalist-listed Aoxin Q&M Dental announced the resignation of its executive director and CEO Shao Yongxin in a bourse filing on Tuesday (Jul 22). This comes after the…
Read MoreSanofi to buy Vicebio for up to US$1.6 billion in vaccine push
The French drugmaker will pay US$1.15 billion upfront with a commitment for potential milestones worth as much as US$450 million Published Tue, Jul 22, 2025 · 03:40 PM [PARIS] Sanofi agreed to buy UK biotech Vicebio for as much as US$1.6 billion, gaining experimental vaccines and a technology to streamline their development. The French drugmaker…
Read MoreJulius Baer’s first-half profit falls 35% on loan provisions, Brazil unit sale
Published Tue, Jul 22, 2025 · 03:03 PM [BERN] Swiss bank Julius Baer posted a first-half profit of 295 million francs (S$473.5 million) on Tuesday (Jul 22), down 35 per cent year-on-year, pressured by loan loss provisions and a charge related to the sale of its Brazilian wealth management unit. The decline reflected earlier-flagged writedown…
Read MoreHSBC Global Private Banking appoints new senior leadership across S-E Asia, Australia markets
[SINGAPORE] HSBC Global Private Banking announced on Tuesday (Jul 22) a series of senior appointments to deepen its coverage across South-east Asia, Australia, and international markets. These include Joanne Ng, who joins as desk head for the Singapore team. She has more than 22 years of experience in wealth management, and joins from OCBC Premier Private…
Read MoreThai Cabinet approves Vitai Ratanakorn as next central bank chief
Published Tue, Jul 22, 2025 · 02:34 PM [BANGKOK] Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday (Jul 22) gave its approval for Vitai Ratanakorn to be the next governor of the Bank of Thailand, a government official said. The appointment of Vitai, 54, the president and CEO of the Government Savings Bank, would be subject to royal approval…
Read MoreThe Insurance-Tech Breakthrough: How AI & Cloud Are Reinventing Risk Management by Siva Kumar Mamillapalli
The insurance industry is facing changes with the introduction of new technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. These innovations are improving how insurance companies assess risk, process claims, and make decisions. An individual assisting drive these changes is Siva Kumar Mamillapalli, a distinguished professional with extensive experience in risk management, AI, and cloud solutions.…
Read MoreWing Tai unveils Hong Kong CDB mixed-use development joint venture with CSI Properties
The project will feature a dual tower structure, comprising a 28-storey office tower with some 10,600 sq ft of gross floor area and a luxury international hotel tower [SINGAPORE] Real estate developer Wing Tai announced its joint venture with Hong Kong-listed CSI Properties, a mixed-use development in the Hong Kong central business district set to…
Read More