Metrics Credit Partners on Australia’s Real Estate Debt Pipeline
Metrics Credit Partners' Andrew Lockhart highlighted the robustness of Australia’s real estate debt market, noting that the pipeline remains strong despite recent macroeconomic pressures. He cited a pipeline of roughly AUD 15 billion in senior and mezzanine loans slated for issuance this year, driven by continued investor appetite for stable, income‑generating assets. The firm expects lenders to maintain disciplined underwriting while capital flows shift toward longer‑duration, lower‑leverage structures. Lockhart also warned that any abrupt rise in financing costs could temper new commitments.
Invesco Lists Two US Dollar Corporate Bond ETFs on London Stock Exchange
Invesco launched two new US‑dollar‑denominated corporate bond ETFs on the London Stock Exchange on 2 March 2026. Both funds track the iBoxx USD Corporates Investment‑Grade Spread Select Top 50 % TCA Index, using a rules‑based, quarterly‑rebalanced selection that targets higher‑yielding bonds within each sector and maturity...
Hedge Funds Scramble to Assess Risk as Middle East Conflict Jolts Markets
Hedge funds rushed to gauge exposure and rebalance portfolios after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran sparked a sharp market sell‑off. Oil jumped more than 13% at the open, while risk‑sensitive Asian currencies fell and safe‑haven assets rallied. Managers focused...
Hedge Funds Ramped up Oil Longs Ahead of Iran Attack
Hedge funds significantly increased long positions in crude oil as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated, anticipating a potential supply shock. Data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shows a roughly 15% rise in net long exposure, equivalent to about...
For Oil Prices, It’s The Fear Not The Barrels
The death of Iran’s supreme leader and subsequent missile exchanges have raised alarms about a possible Straits of Hormuz shutdown, which could cut 10‑20 million barrels per day from global supply. Analysts debate the price impact, with some warning that panic...
South Korea Faces Renewable Energy Safety Concerns
South Korea’s National Assembly approved amendments that dramatically reduce setback distances for renewable‑energy installations, shifting authority from local governments to the central government. The change comes amid a spate of high‑profile accidents, including a wind turbine collapse, a turbine‑blade fire,...
FXEM (Empire Markets) Adds UAE CMA Category 5 License
Empire Markets' retail brand FXEM has obtained a UAE Capital Market Authority Category 5 licence, moving from its offshore Mauritius domicile to a regulated presence in the United Arab Emirates. The licence, coveted by many MENA‑focused brokers, enables FXEM to offer...
Market Outlook for the Week of 2nd-6th March
The week of March 2‑6 is packed with macro releases, including Eurozone, UK and US manufacturing PMIs, Eurozone CPI flash estimates, Australian Q4 GDP, and a full slate of US labor market data. Analysts expect the ISM manufacturing PMI to dip...
GJF, GJF 04: Exercising Option to Call Restricted Bond, Tier 1 (ISIN NO0010965429)
Gjensidige Forsikring ASA announced on 2 March 2026 that it will exercise its call option to redeem the entire outstanding issue of Tier 1 restricted bonds (ISIN NO0010965429). The redemption, approved by Norway's Financial Supervisory Authority, covers a loan amount of NOK 713 million and will...
Updated OTC Derivatives Compliance Calendar
ISDA has published an updated global compliance calendar for OTC derivatives, outlining key regulatory deadlines worldwide. The update also includes a Market Practice Note detailing the rebasing methodology for several European inflation indices. Additionally, ISDA provides guidance for EU counterparties...
Safra Group Closes Saxo Bank Takeover, Daniel Belfer Named CEO
J. Safra Sarasin Group has completed the purchase of a 71% stake in Copenhagen‑based Saxo Bank for €1.609 billion, after securing approvals from FINMA and the Danish regulator. The deal, initially announced in March 2025, was adjusted downward following a $50 million AML fine....
Three Indian Stocks Poised to Profit
India’s economy is modernising rapidly, creating a fertile backdrop for mid‑cap equities. The India Capital Growth Fund highlights three stocks positioned to capture this wave: Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), which benefits from a deepening commodity market; Aether Industries, a niche...
Choice Hotels Senior VP Empties Out Stock Options Amid Retirement
Choice Hotels senior vice president and general counsel Simone Wu announced her retirement and executed a direct sale of 8,080 shares for roughly $820,600 under a Rule 10b5‑1 plan. The transaction, filed on Feb. 2, 2026, reduced her direct holdings by about...
Texas Capital Bancshares Board Director Buys 40K Shares for $888K
Texas Capital Bancshares director Robert W. Stallings bought 40,000 depositary shares (TCBIO) for about $888,000 at a weighted‑average price of $22.20 per share. The transaction, disclosed on the SEC Form 4, raised his direct ownership to roughly $28 million, an 11.76% increase...
European Gas Jumps 25% as Iranian Crisis Threatens Global Flows
European natural‑gas futures surged up to 25% on March 2, marking the steepest rise since August 2023. The spike followed reports that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—responsible for roughly 20% of global LNG shipments—was largely halted amid escalating Middle‑East fighting....
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Gulf States Condemn 'Unjustified' Iranian Attacks at Emergency Foreign Ministers Meeting
Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers convened an emergency video‑linked session on March 1, condemning Iran’s recent missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar as “flagrant and unjustified.” The attacks were a retaliation to joint US‑Israeli operations...
Iran's Larijani Denies US Talks
Senior adviser Ali Larijani, a key figure in Iran’s post‑Khamenei crisis management, denied reports that Tehran was ready to resume talks with Washington via Omani mediators, posting “We will not negotiate with the United States” on X on March 1. His denial...
RIL, Adani, Google Lead $240 Billion Investment Wave at AI Summit
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 announced a historic $240 billion AI investment pledge, led by Reliance, Adani, Google and other major players. Reliance pledged $110 billion for AI infrastructure over seven years, while Adani committed $100 billion through 2035. Google disclosed a...
Pound Drops, FTSE 100 to Fall as Investors Look to Havens
The British pound slipped to its lowest level this year as heightened geopolitical tension pushed oil prices above $80 a barrel. The decline triggered a sell‑off in the FTSE 100, with analysts forecasting a roughly 1% drop for the day....
VGIT: U.S. Force Projection Could Undermine Debasement Trade
The United States’ military escalation against Iran has triggered a rapid flight‑to‑quality, pushing U.S. Treasury prices up and yields down while simultaneously stoking inflation concerns via higher oil prices. This dual dynamic creates a paradox for intermediate‑term bond investors, as...
IG Japan Warns Traders of Market Fluctuations Due to Middle East Situation Deterioration
IG Japan has issued a market‑volatility warning as Middle East tensions intensify, causing rapid price swings across multiple asset classes. The broker expects continued fluctuations and may adjust margin requirements at short notice. Traders are advised to keep sufficient capital...
CIMB Upgrades ViTrox to 'Buy', TP Raised to RM5.90
CIMB Securities upgraded ViTrox Corp Bhd to a Buy, raising its target price to RM5.90 on stronger earnings outlook. The broker lifted FY26 and FY27 EPS forecasts by up to 15% after noting higher shipment volumes in the MVST and...
3 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now
Market volatility has driven three Dividend Kings—ADP, Genuine Parts (GPC) and Altria (MO)—to more attractive valuations. ADP fell on AI and employment‑market fears, pushing its forward yield above 3% while maintaining double‑digit dividend growth and 6% revenue guidance. Genuine Parts’...
Resources Top 5: Goldies Glitter as Safe-Haven Status Strengthens
Gold prices surged to nearly US$5,400 an ounce, driven by escalating Middle East tensions, reinforcing the metal's safe‑haven appeal. The rally lifted several junior miners, with Catalina Resources posting a 48‑metre, 2.61 g/t assay that sent its share price up 60%...
Middle East Conflict Sparks Slew of Shipping Charges
Shipping lines are imposing emergency surcharges and rerouting cargo due to heightened security risks in the Middle East, especially around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. CMA CGM, HapagLloyd and Maersk have announced fees up to US$4,000 per container...
Chinese Domestic Sulphur Prices Surge on Iran Crisis
Chinese domestic sulphur prices jumped to 4,250 yuan per tonne, about $531, marking a roughly 5% increase from late February levels. The rise follows heightened US‑Iran tensions, prompting sellers to lift offers to 4,300 yuan/t in both paper and spot markets. While...
India Manufacturing Growth Hits Four-Month High in February, PMI Shows
India’s manufacturing PMI climbed to 56.9 in February, the strongest level in four months, driven by a surge in domestic new orders and higher production volumes. Export orders, however, slipped to a 17‑month low as U.S. tariff uncertainty lingered. Input‑cost...
Cross-Asset Vols Spike on Iran Risk as Oil Surges
Cross‑asset implied volatilities surged after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, with oil 1‑month vol jumping 7 points and the skew inverting through the 6‑month curve – a pattern last seen during the 2022 Russia‑Ukraine war. Credit volatility also spiked,...
Inside the $11.5m Surfers Paradise Penthouse that Just Set a New Record
A full‑floor penthouse at Nera Residences on Chevron Island sold off‑plan for $11.5 million, eclipsing the previous $10 million record. The 459 sqm unit features four bedrooms, four‑and‑a‑half baths, a Michelin‑chef‑designed kitchen and extensive wellness amenities. With 70% of the 87‑unit development already...
Pakistan Bourse Resumes Trading After Record Fall Triggered Halt
Pakistan’s benchmark KSE‑30 index suffered a record intraday plunge, sinking 9.8% before trimming losses to 7.3% after an hour‑long trading halt. The sharp drop was sparked by heightened geopolitical tension after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran....
India's LNG Tankers Divert Away From Strait of Hormuz
Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz forced Indian LNG carriers to reroute, leaving only one of Petronet's three captive tankers able to unload at the Dahej terminal. The 138,000 m³ Disha is stalled at Ras Laffan, while Aseem diverted away...
HAL, BDL, Other Defence Stocks in Focus as War in Middle East Escalates; What to Expect?
Indian defence stocks rallied as Middle East tensions rose after Iran's Supreme Leader was killed. HAL and BDL saw modest gains despite year‑to‑date declines of over 11% and 15% respectively. The recent India‑Israel defence pact and Prime Minister Modi’s visit...
Renmark West Project to Unlock 500-Plus New Homes
Renmark Paringa Council will invest $3 million to extend its community wastewater management system into Renmark West, unlocking capacity for more than 500 new homes. The expansion removes long‑standing planning constraints tied to onsite wastewater and groundwater conditions, enabling residential development...
SET Index Falls on Iran-US Conflict
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) opened down 1.73% to 1,501.78 as investors reacted to the Iran‑US conflict. Energy‑linked shares such as PTTEP and PTT rose, while non‑energy stocks like Gulf Energy, Bumrungrad Hospital and Airports of Thailand fell sharply....
Bonjour Holdings Suffers Losses in ‘Complex’ Retail Environment
Hong Kong investment group Bonjour Holdings reported a half‑year loss of HK$68.8 million for the period ending 31 December 2025, an improvement from the HK$134.4 million loss a year earlier. Revenue plunged 50.4% year‑on‑year to HK$6.7 million in its retail and wholesale division, while gross...
AUD/JPY Trades Above 111.00 After Paring Recent Losses
AUD/JPY rebounded to trade above the 111.00 level during Asian hours, offsetting earlier losses despite heightened safe‑haven demand from the Middle East crisis. The Australian dollar’s recovery was supported by a modest easing in domestic inflation and a dip in...
Does International Law Still Matter? The Strike on the Girls’ School in Iran Shows Why We Need It
A strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, Iran, reportedly killed more than 150 people, many of them children, and injured dozens. Iranian officials say the school was hit while adjacent to an IRGC naval base, but...
Reits that Don’t Trade Well Should Be Privatised, or Sell Assets and Be Liquidated
OUE Real Estate Investment Trust is weighing a sale of its flagship asset, One Raffles Place, which is priced between S$2.3 billion and S$2.4 billion. The trust holds an effective 68 percent interest, contributing roughly 25 percent of its portfolio revenue, yet trades S$0.56 below net...
Intermediaries See Shift to Fixed Income Ahead of Rate Cuts, Eye New Markets for Growth: BOS Survey
A Bank of Singapore survey of 90 senior intermediaries across Singapore, Greater China and Dubai shows a clear shift toward fixed‑income products as investors brace for anticipated rate cuts. One‑third of respondents expect rising demand for bonds, while alternative investments...
BoJ’s Himino Says Policy Should Gradually Move Toward Neutral Stance with Moderate Rate Hikes
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Himino said the central bank’s policy remains somewhat accommodative but should gradually move toward a neutral stance through moderate rate hikes. He noted that the inflation gap is still slightly negative but expected to...
ASIA BLOG: The Fall of the Islamic Republic of Iran Will Boost the Rise of Asian Business Links No End
An Israeli‑U.S. strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader has weakened the Islamic Republic, prompting speculation that its eventual collapse could reshape Asian economic ties. Iran holds the world’s fourth‑largest oil reserves and the second‑largest gas deposits, assets long constrained by...
Australian Airline Qantas' Shares Fall More than 10% on US-Iran Conflict
Qantas Airways’ shares plunged more than 10% to A$8.92, their lowest level in ten months, after the United States and Israel launched large‑scale strikes on Iran, sending oil prices sharply higher. The geopolitical flare‑up forced the closure of key Middle...
UnionBank Profit Dropped to P10B in 2025
UnionBank of the Philippines reported a 17% drop in net income for 2025, posting P10 billion versus P12 billion the prior year. Despite the profit dip, net revenues climbed to P83.2 billion, driven by robust loan growth and higher transaction volumes. The bank’s...
If You Already Own These Household-Name Stocks, Here’s the Risk You Might Be Missing
Household‑name stocks such as Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia and Google dominate many portfolios, but heavy exposure creates concentration risk and sector overlap. Experts warn that relying on a few large‑cap names can amplify losses when market sentiment shifts, especially if those...
Uzbekistan’s January Foreign Trade Rises 29% to $5.8bn
Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover jumped to $5.8 bn in January, a 29.2% year‑on‑year increase. Exports rose 26.7% to $1.69 bn, driven by industrial goods, food, chemicals and services, while imports climbed 30.3% to $4.14 bn, widening the trade deficit to $2.44 bn. China remained...
Lendingtree Inc (TREE) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
LendingTree reported a strong Q4 2025, with VMD rising 14% YoY and adjusted EBITDA climbing 28%, outpacing revenue growth. All three reportable segments posted double‑digit VMD gains, highlighted by insurance BMD reaching $74 million and small‑business revenue surging 60% YoY (78%...
WhiteHorse Finance Inc (WHF) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Westwood Holdings Group reported Q4 2025 revenue of $27.1 million, driven by a growing ETF franchise that now holds over $200 million in assets and the launch of the YLDW ETF. The firm closed its Westwood Energy Secondary Fund II with more...
Asana Inc (ASAN) Q4 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Asana reported Q4 FY2026 revenue of $205.6 million, up 9% year‑over‑year, and improved its non‑GAAP operating margin to 9%—a 10‑point jump. The company highlighted strong AI momentum, with AI Studio ARR surpassing $6 million and growing over 50% sequentially, while AI teammates...
Yatsen Holding Ltd (YSG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Yatsen Holding reported a 7.1% Q4 2024 revenue increase to RMB 1.15 billion, driven by a 16.4% surge in color‑cosmetics sales and higher‑margin product mix. Gross margin rose to 77.8% and net loss margin narrowed to 33%, while non‑GAAP net income margin...
BigBear.ai Holdings Inc (BBAI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
RB Global reported a 10% year‑over‑year rise in adjusted EBITDA, driven by a 4% increase in gross transaction value and higher operating leverage. Automotive unit volume grew 8%, outpacing the market for the fourth straight quarter, while service revenue rose...