Posts by Liam Redmond
SBS Transit Q1 profit slips 2.2% to S$15.6 million despite ridership gains
[SINGAPORE] Transport operator SBS Transit on Friday (May 8) posted a 2.2 per cent decline in net profit to S$15.6 million, from S$15.9 million in the year-earlier period. The group attributed the dip in profit to lower interest income. Revenue stood at S$391.8 million, a 4.8 per cent increase from S$373.8 million in the previous…
Read MoreUS hybrid-car sales soar, along with petrol prices
Hybrids are generally less expensive than EVs and there are more models to choose from Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 06:44 PM MANY American car buyers are gravitating to hybrid vehicles to offset the recent surge in gas prices from the Iran war, according to fresh industry sales data and dealers. US hybrid sales…
Read MoreSingapore stocks retreat amid mixed Asia trading; STI down 0.4%
Across the broader market, gainers trail losers 248 to 337, after 1.8 billion securities change hands [SINGAPORE] Singapore stocks ended lower on Friday (May 8) amid a mixed showing around the region. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) lost 0.4 per cent or 20.06 points to finish at 4,921.90. Jardine Matheson led the gainers on…
Read MoreSingapore stocks retreat as Asian markets trade mostly lower; STI down 0.4%
Across the broader market, gainers trail losers 248 to 337, after 1.8 billion securities change hands [SINGAPORE] Singapore stocks ended lower on Friday (May 8) as regional markets largely retreated. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) lost 0.4 per cent or 20.06 points to finish at 4,921.90. Jardine Matheson led the gainers on Singapore’s blue-chip…
Read MoreZara denies infringing Jo Malone trademark in Estee Lauder case
Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 05:37 PM [LONDON] Fashion retailer Zara has denied infringing Estee Lauder’s Jo Malone trademark, saying in UK High Court filings that it uses the perfumer’s name on fragrances it sells in collaboration with her in line with principles the cosmetics giant set out in 2020. Estee Lauder bought Malone’s…
Read MoreTSMC’s sales grow slowest in months even as AI buildout persists
Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 05:32 PM [TAIPEI] Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) posted its slowest pace of monthly revenue expansion since October, highlighting the potential challenges of sustaining a torrid artificial intelligence-fuelled pace of growth. Sales in April rose 17.5 per cent to NT$410.7 billion (S$16.6 billion), their smallest rise in about six months.…
Read MoreIran uncertainty, credit costs in focus for UOB as analysts stay cautious with ‘hold’ ratings
This comes even after the lender’s Q1 profit beat consensus estimates by around 3% [SINGAPORE] Analysts have kept their “hold” ratings on UOB, citing concerns over costs and asset-quality risks as the conflict in the Middle East continues. This comes even after the lender’s first-quarter results exceeded expectations. DBS Group Research analyst Lim Rui Wen…
Read MoreFood prices rise to highest in three years on Iran war costs
Global growers are already warning of decreasing planting areas and crop yields with costs surging Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 04:56 PM GLOBAL food prices rose to their highest in more than three years as the Iran war disrupted supply chains, raising the prospect of higher bills for shoppers. The United Nations’ index of…
Read MoreBaidu’s AI chip unit plans dual IPO in Shanghai and Hong Kong
The semiconductor company is working with China International Capital on the listing in the mainland Chinese city Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 04:53 PM [SHANGHAI] Baidu’s chip unit Kunlunxin is planning an initial public offering (IPO) on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style bourse in addition to a separate listing plan in Hong Kong, as the Chinese search-engine…
Read MoreSoftBank cuts target for OpenAI margin loan by 40% to US$6 billion
Valuation concerns over the unlisted tech giant led investors to trim the US$10 billion plan Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 04:27 PM [TOKYO] SoftBank Group has downsized plans for a US$10 billion margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake after facing hesitation from some creditors, people familiar with the matter said. In separate discussions…
Read MoreNintendo plans Switch 2 price increase as outlook disappoints
Published Fri, May 8, 2026 · 04:24 PM NINTENDO said it will increase the price of its Switch 2 console to US$500 from US$450, acknowledging pressure on profitability of its flagship device heading into its second year on the market. The Kyoto-based company will make the global change on Sept 1, it said in reporting…
Read MoreUS said to suspect Nvidia chips smuggled to Alibaba via Thailand
Since 2022, Washington has effectively blocked these processors from going to China over concerns that advanced AI could lend Beijing a military edge A KEY company behind Thailand’s national AI effort is suspected of helping to smuggle billions of dollars worth of Super Micro Computer servers containing advanced Nvidia chips to China, with Alibaba Group…
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