Sophia Patel — Business & Finance Editor 
China’s industrial profits grew 18.7 percent in the first half of the year, backed by resilient exports that cushioned sluggish domestic demand. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday showed June profit growth easing to 15.1 percent, reflecting a two-speed economic recovery amid ongoing pressures on consumption. Profits at China’s industrial firms reached … Read more
Investors are increasingly preparing for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates as oil prices climb, driven by a new round of tit-for-tat attacks between the U.S. and Iran. Brent, the global crude benchmark, hit $100 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since late May, according to CNBC. Shifting Interest Rate Probabilities Market … Read more
The UK Government has launched the £300m Great British Summer Savings scheme, which temporarily reduces VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on eligible children’s meals and family attractions. Running until September 1, 2026, the initiative aims to lower the cost of summer holidays for families across the UK. For most parents, the … Read more
The Swedish investment firm EQT has raised its non-binding offer for Australian asset manager Perpetual Ltd to 22.50 Australian dollars per share. The revised proposal, reported in July, values the financial services provider at approximately 2.55 billion A$ (1.78 milliard $) as EQT attempts to secure the company’s board support. This latest move marks the … Read more
Hô Chi Minh-Ville is targeting over 80% direct cargo transit through its multimodal transport network by the 2026–2030 period. Signed by Vice President Nguyen Cong Vinh on July 23, 2026, Decision 4560 establishes the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone across 4,174.35 hectares to support maritime logistics and regional trade growth. Hô Chi Minh-Ville is … Read more
Global financial markets navigate a turbulent week as crude oil prices retreat from recent highs, geopolitical tensions temporarily ease around the Strait of Hormuz, and major central banks prepare high-stakes interest rate decisions amid stubborn inflation pressures. Financial markets enter a pivotal week shaped by shifting energy costs, diplomatic pauses in the Middle East, and … Read more
Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo abruptly resigned for personal reasons on July 25, 2026, prompting President Prabowo Subianto to appoint Senior Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti as interim governor. The sudden departure sent the rupiah sliding and sparked investor concern over central bank autonomy amid ongoing economic pressures. The sudden exit of Bank Indonesia Governor Perry … Read more
Meanwhile, National Bankshares posted strong H1 2026 growth with net income doubling to $10.01 million following major portfolio repositioning and an equity sale. Regional banking results for the second quarter of 2026 reveal a divergence in performance and strategy among institutions. Investors examining these filings face distinct valuation pictures, differing net interest margins, and varying … Read more
U.S. credit card balances reached $1.25 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, alongside climbing delinquencies and an average interest rate of 21%. According to Federal Reserve data and recent market reports, financial strain is intensifying across households as consumers rely heavily on credit to manage high living costs. American consumers are leaning more heavily … Read more
The Louisville-based bank holding company surpassed consensus analyst estimates while expanding its core bank net interest margin to 4.02% during the quarter. Republic Bancorp, Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 financial results that pushed its share price to a new 52-week high during mid-day trading. The figures represent a 4% increase compared to the same period in … Read more