Hong Kong retail investors turn to ETFs for long-term wealth building, survey finds

South China Morning Post - Nov 9, 2026

Hong Kong retail investors are increasingly turning to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to build long-term wealth, with nearly half planning to start investing in the products or increase their exposure over the coming year, according to a survey by BlackRock’s iShares. The study of 2,007 Hong Kong adults found that 31 per cent currently held ETFs, giving the city the second-highest ownership rate among the five Asia-Pacific markets surveyed. The others were Australia, Japan, Singapore and...

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Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing

Nov 9, 2026

Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing

The Bank of Thailand plans to introduce regulations for a baht-pegged stablecoin in March 2027 while suspending applications for new money changer licences throughout 2027.

PH economic growth slows to 2.1% in Q3 2026

Nov 9, 2026

PH economic growth slows to 2.1% in Q3 2026

The Philippine economy grew by 2.1% in the third quarter of 2026, slower than the revised 2.4% expansion recorded in the previous quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Monday.

French investment giant Ardian looks to tap China’s ‘more reasonable’ valuations

Nov 9, 2026

French investment giant Ardian looks to tap China’s ‘more reasonable’ valuations

French private equity giant Ardian sees prime opportunities to snap up quality assets in China amid a liquidity slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy, as it looks to meet European investors’ strong demand for diversification, according to company executives. Ardian, which managed over US$200 billion worth of assets as of March, planned to target Chinese market leaders in various industries, which could include technology, healthcare and business services, the firm’s executive president,...

PH firms brace for tougher times after Christmas season

Nov 9, 2026

PH firms brace for tougher times after Christmas season

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine businesses may be dragged back to a harsh reality after this year’s holiday season, which they expect will offer only a temporary balm against mounting domestic and external pressures on all fronts. According to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business group, Christmas may provide a brief

Dollar reserves drop to near 4-year low

Nov 9, 2026

Dollar reserves drop to near 4-year low

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ foreign exchange reserves dropped to a near four-year low in October, extending their annual slide amid compounding pressures from the peso’s weakness, foreign debt payments and lower gold values. Preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) dropped 11.7 percent from a year

DOT seeks return of turboprops to Naia

Nov 9, 2026

DOT seeks return of turboprops to Naia

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pushing aviation regulators to lift the ban on turboprop aircraft at the country’s main gateway, arguing that the restriction has made domestic travel more difficult and expensive since its full implementation this year. Turboprop aircraft, which are smaller than jets and are typically deployed by Philippine carriers

Perks for EV makers roll out in Jan

Nov 9, 2026

Perks for EV makers roll out in Jan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government expects to open applications for its long-awaited Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (Evis) by January 2027, as it moves to attract automotive manufacturers and build a domestic industry for electric vehicles (EVs). Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the program’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) were in the final stages of preparation,

Higher inflation seen delaying BSP policy rate cuts

Nov 9, 2026

Higher inflation seen delaying BSP policy rate cuts

MANILA, Philippines — A higher inflation outlook this year could keep the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on a tighter monetary policy path for longer, delaying the start of its rate-cutting cycle until the fourth quarter of 2027. In two separate reports, Nomura economists said they raised their full-year 2026 inflation forecast to 5.9 percent from

It’s lonely at the top: Who tells you when you’re wrong?

Nov 9, 2026

It’s lonely at the top: Who tells you when you’re wrong?

MANILA, Philippines — A business leader I advised was considering a merger. Even the possibility had to remain closely guarded: if word escaped and share prices rose, the deal could collapse. He needed somewhere to think aloud about a decision he could scarcely discuss with anyone. That is one meaning of being lonely at the top.

Beyond borders: Why Asean matters more than ever

Nov 9, 2026

Beyond borders: Why Asean matters more than ever

MANILA, Philippines — As Southeast Asia continues to rise in economic and strategic importance, it is worth asking a simple question: How well do we really understand “Asean?” For many Filipinos, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is a familiar acronym that surfaces during summit meetings, diplomatic engagements or discussions on regional affairs. Yet Asean

What comes next? Hong Kong seeks to unlock next phase of growth as global financial hub

Nov 9, 2026

What comes next? Hong Kong seeks to unlock next phase of growth as global financial hub

In November 2022, as Hong Kong prepared to host its inaugural Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, Typhoon Nalgae was bearing down on the city, bringing much of it to a standstill. However, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Central, one of the city’s most prestigious addresses, some of the year’s most important guests were arriving after nearly three years of pandemic disruptions. Inside its grand ballroom, more than 200 global financial executives, including some of the biggest names on Wall...

BIZ BUZZ: Bid adieu to Paris flights anew

Nov 9, 2026

BIZ BUZZ: Bid adieu to Paris flights anew

MANILA, Philippines — If you’ve been planning that long-awaited trip to Paris, perhaps now is the time to turn those plans into a booking. Because by the end of January next year, Air France’s Manila-Paris service will once again be put on hold, cutting short one of the few nonstop air connections between the Philippines and

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