Charles Li, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, speaks at the Sandler O'Neill + Partners Global Exchange and Brokerage Conference in New York - A + A HONG KONG (June 27): In 1997, the world watched as Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule, with some pessimistic or wary about the outlook for the city and its role in the global financial system. Twenty-five years later, Hong Kong has so far retained its status as a financial hub, and some of the city's top executives are banking on a bright future as the territory remains a crucial springboard for investment into mainland China. Charles Li, former chief executive of bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) and founder of microfinance platform Micro Connect, said that although he believes the next 25 years will be "very different", he's optimistic. "I'm convinced that the overall prosperity of Hong Kong will remain as strong as before because Hong Kong retains its value to both … [Read more...] about Hong Kong’s top finance executives bank on city to thrive as gateway to China
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China stocks approach bull market as investors catch up on gains
- A + A (June 27): Chinese stocks extended gains into a fifth week, bringing them close to a bull market, as investors turned increasingly upbeat amid eased pandemic curbs in Shanghai. Tech shares also rallied in Hong Kong to the highest in nearly four months. The recent rebound in Chinese equities, which started in April while stocks elsewhere were still selling off, is gaining momentum thanks to an improving economic outlook as well as persistent monetary and fiscal stimulus. President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Hong Kong is boosting stocks that would benefit from easing pandemic restrictions such as Macau casinos. The benchmark CSI 300 Index gained 1.1%, adding 4% in three sessions, led by consumer shares, as Shanghai's leader declared victory in defending the financial hub against Covid-19 and will this week allow residents to dine in restaurants in some areas deemed lower risk. Drinks maker Eastroc Beverage Group Co and food supplier Yihai Kerry … [Read more...] about China stocks approach bull market as investors catch up on gains
Tencent backer Prosus to cut US$134 bil stake to buy stock
- A + A HONG KONG/JOHANNESBURG (June 27): Prosus NV is planning to sell more of its US$134 billion stake in Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd to finance a buyback programme, reversing a pledge to hold onto the full shareholding. Tencent declined in Hong Kong on Monday as investors pondered the extent to which Prosus, the Chinese company’s biggest shareholder, will unload its stock. The shares fell as much as 2.5% and traded 1.6% lower at the close. “We will keep selling Tencent shares to buy back our own, it’s open-ended and an unlimited programme,” Prosus Chief Executive Officer Bob Van Dijk said in an interview. “It’s actually a small part of Tencent daily traded volumes — it should be maximum between 3% to 5%.” The move represents a change of heart by Dutch e-commerce giant Prosus — majority owned by South Africa’s Naspers Ltd — which said after its last sale in April 2021 it wouldn’t offload more shares for three years. The company, spun off from … [Read more...] about Tencent backer Prosus to cut US$134 bil stake to buy stock
China Evergrande says winding-up lawsuit won’t impact restructuring
- A + A HONG KONG (June 28): China Evergrande Group, the world's most indebted property developer, on Tuesday said it will "vigorously" oppose a winding-up lawsuit filed against it, and that the petition will not impact its restructuring plan or timetable. Evergrande confirmed the filing by investment holding firm Top Shine Global Ltd in Hong Kong for not fulfilling a financial obligation of HK$862.5 million (US$109.91 million). The developer has over US$300 billion in liabilities and defaulted on its offshore debt last year. It expects to announce a preliminary restructuring plan by the end of July. In a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, it said, if wound up, any disposition of property directly held, including assets and shares, will be void unless the court grants a validation order. In such a scenario, it said, any transfer of shares by shareholders or potential investors on or after June 24, when the petition was filed, would be void. Trading of Evergrande … [Read more...] about China Evergrande says winding-up lawsuit won’t impact restructuring
The State Of The Nation: What the Fed’s 75bps hike and near 4% terminal rate mean for the OPR
This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on June 20, 2022 - June 26, 2022. - A + A IF Bank Negara Malaysia’s eight-member monetary policy committee (MPC) raises the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points (bps) at its next scheduled meeting on July 6, it will mark its first back-to-back increase since mid-2010, when interest rates were normalised following the recovery from the 2008 global financial crisis. It will not be the first central bank to do so. Compared with just a month ago, more economists now (at the time of writing) reckon that a 25bps hike will happen in July, but many still think a pause is possible in July ahead of the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations. In any case, at least one more rate increase (if not two) is expected to take place by the conclusion of the Sept 8 meeting to bring the OPR to at least 2.25% (if not 2.5%), consensus data show. “Our house has also shifted expectations for Bank Negara to frontload … [Read more...] about The State Of The Nation: What the Fed’s 75bps hike and near 4% terminal rate mean for the OPR
Here’s How Many Billions The Heirs Of Italy’s Second Richest Man–Who Died Monday–Stand To Inherit
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Eyewear mogul Leonardo del Vecchio—whose firm owns Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut and more—died at age 87, with a fortune worth an estimated $25.5 billion and six children from three different relationships. The death of Italy’s second-richest man, Leonardo Del Vecchio , means that his estimated $25.5 billion fortune will now be divided among his heirs. The 87-year-old eyewear mogul leaves behind his second wife, Nicoletta Zampillo, and six children from three different relationships, ranging in age from 18 to 65. All seven are now likely to become billionaires, inheriting Del Vecchio’s Luxembourg-based holding company Delfin and its billions of dollars in assets. One of Italy’s most famous entrepreneurs with a rags-to-riches tale of success, the factory apprentice-turned-eyewear mogul lived in Monaco and held his vast fortune—including ownership of Sunglass Hut, Ray-Ban and Oakley—through Luxembourg-based Delfin. After a … [Read more...] about Here’s How Many Billions The Heirs Of Italy’s Second Richest Man–Who Died Monday–Stand To Inherit
Chinese builder Sunac may miss local bond payment in a first
- A + A HONG KONG (June 27): China's fourth-biggest developer may miss a local bond payment for its first time ever, pressuring an onshore credit market that has remained resilient amid a property debt crisis and record offshore defaults. Sunac Real Estate Group Co said in an exchange filing on Friday it likely would not be able to raise enough funds to make a 400 million yuan (US$60 million) payment due June 30 for a portion of the note principal along with related interest. The deadline is part of an instalment plan Sunac got approval for several months ago that extended full repayment of the four billion yuan security by 18 months. A separate note maturing next year fell 15% on Monday while some due in 2025 closed at record lows, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. China's US$12.3 trillion local bond market has so far held up relatively well despite a cash crunch in the property sector sparked by a government crackdown on excessive leverage and housing … [Read more...] about Chinese builder Sunac may miss local bond payment in a first
The State of the Nation: Hospitality industry struggling to cope despite borders reopening, brighter prospects
This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on June 20, 2022 - June 26, 2022. - A + A DESPITE the reopening of borders since April 1, when Malaysia allowed quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated travellers into the country, it will be some time before the hotel industry regains a strong footing following the debilitating lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. In fact, it may well take another year at least before operators can operate at their full capacities at pre-pandemic levels, Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO) president Tan Sri Teo Chiang Hong tells The Edge. “Average occupancy rates are an estimated 30% to 50% of pre-pandemic levels,” says Teo, who is owner and director of One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. He notes that resort destinations are seeing full occupancies while city hotels still face low occupancy. As at November 2020, a total of 204 tourism and hotel operators had shut down following the impact of the … [Read more...] about The State of the Nation: Hospitality industry struggling to cope despite borders reopening, brighter prospects
Making sense of CTOS’ venture into RAM
This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on June 20, 2022 - June 26, 2022. - A + A LAST week, CTOS Digital Bhd made a bold move to raise its stake in RAM Holdings Bhd (RAM), in which it already owns a 19.225% stake. This is the third acquisition that CTOS has undertaken within a year. CTOS, which bought into RAM shortly after it was listed in July last year, launched a general offer last week to buy out the remaining shares that it does not own in the credit rating agency (CRA) soon after it got the green light from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to own more than 51%. CTOS has so far spent the bulk of the RM173.8 million raised from a private placement in March on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). RAM will be the first local CRA to have a controlling shareholder upon the completion of the takeover offer. Dollars and cents aside, the takeover bid has prompted some quarters to question whether the independence of RAM’s rating … [Read more...] about Making sense of CTOS’ venture into RAM