Geopolitical risks see institutional investors rush to stockpile cash, survey finds

South China Morning Post - Sep 21, 2026

Global institutional investors and wealth managers are stockpiling cash at the fastest pace on record while quietly retreating from US and UK equities as persistent inflation and mounting geopolitical risks dominate portfolio decisions, according to a report by Marsh Investments. The institutional investment consultancy polled 430 asset owners managing a combined US$5.76 trillion and found that 37.8 per cent planned to increase cash allocations over the next 12 months, up from just 9 per cent in...

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As Chinese consumption of gold jewellery slumps 34%, sellers look to markets abroad: WGC

Sep 21, 2026

As Chinese consumption of gold jewellery slumps 34%, sellers look to markets abroad: WGC

Chinese gold jewellers are seeking opportunities in the Middle East and India with their advanced crafting technologies, as the industry struggles amid gold price volatility, the World Gold Council (WGC) says. At the most recent Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong fair, buyers from the two regions accounted for most of the visitors, said Wang Lixin, China CEO of the WGC, the international association for the gold industry, in a recent interview with the South China Morning Post. The interest was...

BIZ BUZZ: A quiet exit from Sun Life unit

Sep 21, 2026

BIZ BUZZ: A quiet exit from Sun Life unit

MANILA, Philippines — It seems there has been a quiet change at the top of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. (SLIMTC). And by “top,” we mean literally, as Michael Gerard Enriquez, SLIMTC president and chief investment officer, has resigned. The reason for his departure was not disclosed. The change appears to have happened without much

Mainland China’s stock exchanges mount charm offensive amid Hong Kong IPO boom

Sep 21, 2026

Mainland China’s stock exchanges mount charm offensive amid Hong Kong IPO boom

Mainland China’s stock exchanges have stepped up lobbying of companies and regulators to prioritise their boards for listings after Hong Kong stole their thunder in fundraising activities in recent years, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Figures from the exchanges recently met representatives of some mainland companies planning Hong Kong listings, especially first-time issuers and firms in sectors supported by national policies, a source said. “Exchanges emphasised the benefits...

Chinese AI chipmaker Hygon plots expansion from data centres to robotics

Sep 21, 2026

Chinese AI chipmaker Hygon plots expansion from data centres to robotics

Chinese chipmaker Hygon Information Technology is set to release a new chip targeting physical-world applications including robotics, expanding from its current focus on data centres, according to Chinese media reports and company information. The product launch, slated for Tuesday, marks Hygon’s move into a new chip category powering machines that interact directly with their environments, as physical artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important. The new chip, an iteration of the...

For China’s hi-tech IPOs, it’s Hong Kong vs the mainland – but how much does it matter?

Sep 20, 2026

For China’s hi-tech IPOs, it’s Hong Kong vs the mainland – but how much does it matter?

Competition between mainland China and Hong Kong for hi-tech initial public offerings presents emerging technology firms with a dual-track strategic choice rather than a zero-sum battle, according to an executive at a national cross-border innovation platform. “There is naturally a degree of competition,” Lu Peng, general manager of Beijing-based Zhongguancun International, said in an interview on Thursday, referring to how tech firms select their primary listing venue. “However, the two markets...

Thailand doubles public solar programme to 10GW as energy security becomes an investment priority

Sep 20, 2026

Thailand doubles public solar programme to 10GW as energy security becomes an investment priority

Thailand is doubling the capacity of its public solar-power programme to 10GW from 5GW, in the latest move to reduce the economy’s exposure to imported fossil fuels and volatile LNG prices. The expanded scheme is expected to cover around 1 million households, with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas approving the expansion as the government accelerates its […]

Fitch restores Thailand’s stable outlook as debt trajectory improves

Sep 20, 2026

Fitch restores Thailand’s stable outlook as debt trajectory improves

Fitch Ratings has revised Thailand’s sovereign outlook to Stable from Negative, while affirming the country’s BBB+ long-term foreign- and local-currency ratings. The move, announced on September 19, means Thailand now has a Stable outlook from all three major international rating agencies, following Moody’s revision in April and S&P Global’s existing Stable assessment. Key points Fitch’s […]

Betting on People-First Banking

Sep 20, 2026

Betting on People-First Banking

China CITIC Bank International’s Wendy Yuen says the future of finance will not be won by technology alone, but by banks that combine digital speed with human trust, cross-border insight and lifelong learning. As head of the Personal and Business Banking Group at China CITIC Bank International, Wendy Yuen sits at the intersection of technology, regulation and real-world customer needs. Based in Hong Kong, she works across retail banking, SME support, fintech innovation and cross-border growth in...

China’s CXMT touts new chip manufacturing platform as close to ‘world’s most advanced’

Sep 20, 2026

China’s CXMT touts new chip manufacturing platform as close to ‘world’s most advanced’

Chinese memory chip giant Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT) said on Sunday that it adopted its new-generation technology platform for mass production, narrowing the advantage of global leaders including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in manufacturing nodes. CXMT’s fifth-generation technology platform, dubbed G5, achieved a “quantum leap” in storage density, with the number of dies produced per wafer increasing by at least 50 per cent from the previous generation while maintaining better...

Housing prices surge near new Huanggang Port as buyers eye ‘dual-city’ lifestyle

Sep 20, 2026

Housing prices surge near new Huanggang Port as buyers eye ‘dual-city’ lifestyle

Prices for properties near the new Huanggang Port are already soaring months ahead of the border crossing being put into operation, with many buyers attracted by the idea of a “dual-city lifestyle”, according to property agents. The new border facility, which is set to open before the end of the year, is expected to make crossing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong far quicker and more convenient, with plans for 24-hour operations, a “co-location arrangement” and a “joint inspection” clearance model...

ASEAN economy 'resilient' despite Middle East crisis - economic ministers

Sep 20, 2026

ASEAN economy 'resilient' despite Middle East crisis - economic ministers

The economy of Southeast Asia remains "resilient" despite the Middle East crisis and other global uncertainties, the ASEAN economic ministers highlighted following a meeting in Manila on September 19.

DA backs proposed P210/kilo hog floor price

Sep 20, 2026

DA backs proposed P210/kilo hog floor price

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday that it is backing the proposal from the hog industry to set the floor price for swine at P210 per kilo.

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