Hong Kong’s finance sector has billions in disposable income. Why is investing a struggle?

South China Morning Post - Nov 9, 2026

Employees in Hong Kong’s more tightly regulated financial institutions are generating about HK$35.8 billion (US$4.66 billion) in investible income each year, but are having difficulty investing due to personal account dealing (PAD) restrictions, according to a report. The restrictions can apply to bank employees, brokers and asset managers, among others, to prevent insider trading, manage conflicts of interest and ensure that clients’ interests come before employees’ interests. The report...

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Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing

Nov 9, 2026

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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Nov 9, 2026

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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...

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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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