Regional Diplomacy

Business

Axos Financial Posts Robust Q2 Growth, Fueled by Loan Expansion and Verdant Acquisition

Axos Financial (NYSE: AX) reported strong fiscal Q2 2026 results, with net income jumping to $128.4 million. Driven by broad-based loan growth and contributions from Verdant Commercial Capital, the digital bank highlighted expanding margins, improved credit metrics, and a confident outlook for continued mid-teens annual loan growth.

Business

Grab Appoints New Independent Director as It Doubles Down on Grocery, Fintech and Autonomous Vehicle Ambitions

Southeast Asian super app Grab Holdings has appointed Laura Franco to its board, succeeding the retiring Ng Shin Ein. The move signals a governance refresh aimed at steering the company's aggressive expansion into on-demand grocery, financial technology, and next-generation mobility partnerships.

Business

DBS Group Holdings Delivers Stellar 239% Total Return Over Five Years, Outpacing Share Price Surge

Investors who backed Singapore's DBS Group Holdings half a decade ago have seen their holdings more than triple, with dividends playing a key role in the impressive total shareholder return. The bank's transition to sustained profitability aligns with its market-beating performance.

Business

Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Shifts Propel Oil Past $70, Challenging Glut Narrative

Brent crude surged above $70 a barrel for the first time since mid-2025, driven by escalating Middle East tensions and shifting supply dynamics, as analysts signal a fading bearish outlook for the oil market.

Business

Gallagher Caps Strong 2025 with Record Growth, Eyes $10 Billion War Chest for Deals

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. reported robust fourth-quarter results, driven by a potent mix of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions like AssuredPartners. Management projects sustained mid-single-digit growth for 2026, backed by a significant capital reserve for further mergers and acquisitions.

Business

Nevada Auto Insurance: Relief in Sight After Years of Soaring Premiums?

A new analysis reveals auto insurance rate hikes in Nevada are slowing dramatically for 2026, though the state remains the nation's most expensive market. Experts point to stabilizing claim costs and urge drivers to shop around for significant savings.

Business

Alacriti's Quiet Revolution: Modernizing the Pipes of Global Finance

As financial institutions worldwide grapple with sluggish, fragmented payment systems, fintech firm Alacriti is gaining traction by offering a pragmatic path to modernization—not through disruption, but by building essential infrastructure.

Business

Ciena Shares Surge on Key Optical Network Deals in Europe and Asia-Pacific

Ciena's stock rose sharply following announcements that Telekom Srbija Group and Trans Pacific Networks will deploy its high-capacity optical solutions, highlighting the growing demand for AI-ready network infrastructure in critical global corridors.

Business

VICI Properties: A Deep Value Play or Value Trap? Analysts Weigh In After Stock Slump

Shares of gaming and hospitality REIT VICI Properties have faced recent headwinds, trading near $28 and presenting a significant discount to analyst targets. We examine whether the current valuation gap signals a buying opportunity or reflects deeper sectoral risks.

Business

Digital Realty Expands Southeast Asia Footprint, Inks Major Supply Deal to Fuel AI Infrastructure Push

Digital Realty Trust makes a strategic entry into Malaysia with the acquisition of the TelcoHub 1 data center and secures a critical $373 million supply agreement with Schneider Electric, positioning itself to capture surging demand for AI-ready infrastructure in the region.

Business

Beyond the Bottom Line: Alpha IVF's Cash Flow Concerns Cast Shadow on Reported Profits

While Alpha IVF Group Berhad's latest earnings disappointed the market, a deeper look reveals a significant accrual ratio, raising questions about the quality of its profits and the sustainability of its cash generation.

Business

Saks OFF 5TH Slashes Store Footprint, Closing Dozens of Outlets in Bankruptcy Restructuring

Saks Global, the parent of luxury retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, will shutter the vast majority of its Saks OFF 5TH off-price stores and all Last Call locations, marking a dramatic retreat from the discount luxury sector as it navigates Chapter 11.