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Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings: A prominent entity in the financial services sector, Fitch Ratings is one of the "Big Three" global credit rating agencies. Dual-headquartered in London and New York, with operations in over 30 countries, it specialises in providing credit ratings, commentary, and research. Fitch assesses the creditworthiness of financial instruments, corporations, sovereign entities, and structured finance deals, serving investors, debt issuers, and financial institutions. Its overall business focus is to deliver independent, forward-looking credit opinions to facilitate informed financial decisions.

China International Capital Corporation (CICC) helped raise US$3.23 billion from 36 IPOs in Hong Kong in the first half of the year. Photo: Getty Images

Banking & finance

China’s Goldman Sachs dream: mainland banks ride Hong Kong’s IPO wave

Chinese investment banks are challenging global rivals after earning billions of dollars in the first half of the year.

3 Jul 2026 - 11:00AM

China consumption

Big name sportswear brands in China held scoreless at the World Cup

3 Jul 2026 - 7:00AM

China property

Will China’s new tech bases in Hebei and Tianjin revive local housing demand?

29 Jun 2026 - 7:00AM

Indonesia

Indonesia hails China’s backing for panda bond amid investor concerns over rules

While Jakarta has assured Chinese investors about Indonesia’s economic outlook, analysts cite regulatory uncertainty as a key barrier.

23 Jun 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

A container terminal at the Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Walmart

After Beijing’s food-safety warning, will Sam’s Club slow its expansion?

Firm makes leadership changes but might have to prioritise supply chain shortcomings after Beijing’s ‘accountability interview’.

23 Jun 2026 - 11:53AMvideocam

China’s private sector

From Alo to Texas Chicken, foreign brands bet on China despite stiff rivalry

For premium and niche brands, China still represents a growth opportunity in a fast-changing consumer market.

20 Jun 2026 - 12:00PM

Extreme weather

Asia’s shaky food supply shudders as ‘super’ El Nino arrives

Every few years, the Pacific runs a fever. This year, it could be worse than anything seen for decades, scientists warn.

20 Jun 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the US-Iran deal may fail to revive shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

Industry insiders and vessel-tracking data point to continued caution among operators despite geopolitical breakthrough.

18 Jun 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

China's economic recovery

Citic Securities breaks ceiling with first ‘A’ class rating for China brokerage

Award of an A-minus rating seen as a milestone in China’s efforts to build globally competitive investment banks.

11 Jun 2026 - 9:00PM

Banking & finance

New York leads, but Asia-Pacific’s financial hubs are on the rise

The centre of gravity is shifting east in the financial services world, but New York remains the global benchmark, says Colliers report.

10 Jun 2026 - 7:31PM

Singapore ranked third in a Colliers report on the world's leading financial centres, behind New York and London. Photo: AFP

China property

China’s property market shows more positive signs with price, sales upticks

Sector has ‘weathered its most severe adjustment’, with overall market sentiment ‘turning noticeably positive’, analyst says.

1 Jun 2026 - 4:30PM

A view of residential buildings in Shanghai on March 17, 2026. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

Indonesia

Chasing billions: Indonesia’s commodity export crackdown sows confusion

New export rules promise billions in recovered revenue, but analysts warn the ensuing chaos could cost more than the gains.

30 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Vietnam

Vietnam’s US$5 billion Apec island is running out of time

Phu Quoc is a test case for Vietnam’s build-fast model. But with 18 months to go, the island is short of workers, diesel and hotel rooms.

17 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Banking & finance

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

12 May 2026 - 7:00AM

For decades, the Li family, which controls CK Hutchison, has built a reputation for exiting businesses near the top of market cycles, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang

China property

Shenzhen office market gains steam on tech and services demand

Leasing activity in core districts is picking up, driven by tech occupiers, but analysts warn oversupply will keep vacancies elevated.

3 May 2026 - 11:00AM

Shenzhen’s technology sector – spanning artificial intelligence, consumer electronics and robotics – remains a key driver of leasing activity. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

Why Moody’s has raised China’s credit outlook amid Iran war shocks

Ratings agency gives China an A1 long-term rating, citing the economy’s resilience in the face of trade and geopolitical pressures.

28 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

China property

Why Shenzhen may be first to climb out of China’s property slump

Shenzhen’s housing inventory drops to a seven-year low, offering an early signal that China’s property downturn may be nearing a turning point.

26 Apr 2026 - 12:00PM

China exports

‘Bigger winners’: why China’s battery firms stand to gain from the Iran war

Manufacturers are expected to see stronger overseas orders even as price wars hurt profits at home.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:00PM

A worker at Henan Pude New Energy Technology assembling lithium-ion batteries in Sanmenxia city, Henan province, China, on March 12. Photo: Getty Images

China property

Will AI job fears hurt China’s housing market as they have in the US and India?

AI’s impact on China’s housing market remains limited for now due to manufacturing strength, but younger tech workers may face headwinds.

19 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

China property

New home prices in China’s biggest cities record first rise in 10 months

Shanghai leads, and also records strong second-hand sales, but analysts hesitate to declare overall market stabilisation.

16 Apr 2026 - 3:00PM

China property

Shanghai home sales hit 5-year high in spring surge, outlook stays fragile

Geopolitical tensions weigh on ‘durability of the recovery’, analyst says, as gains expected to diverge across cities and segments.

13 Apr 2026 - 5:39PM

Analysts have expressed caution about how long the rebound in the Shanghai secondary housing market could last. Photo: Getty Images

United States

Popeyes returns to Beijing after 24 years, as global chains eye China growth

Brand aims to open up to 20 stores in Beijing this year after ‘two years of exploration’, mostly in Shanghai, to perfect its model, CEO says.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:00PM

Diners crowd Popeyes’ Beijing store at The Malls at Oriental Plaza on April 10, 2026. Photo: Zhu Wenqian

China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

27 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Semiconductors

Korea, Taiwan chip sectors most exposed to helium shortage amid Middle East war

South Korea and Taiwan face the highest risk as they source most of their helium from Qatar, while Japan is seen as relatively stable, Fitch says.

18 Mar 2026 - 4:15PM

Energy

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

11 Mar 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

A man carries a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder in Mumbai on Wednesday. India has implemented several measures to secure energy supplies and manage demand. Photo: EPA

Indonesia

Is Indonesia’s fuel subsidy sustainable as Iran war continues?

Higher oil prices would mean bigger fuel subsidies, piling on the pressure on a budget that is already under investor scrutiny.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:55PMvideocam

A motorist rides past a Pertamina petrol station displaying prices of fuel in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AP

China's economic recovery

As Chinese provinces slash revenue outlook, analysts warn of debt control

Local governments seen curbing infrastructure spending as Beijing’s fiscal discipline pushes regions to prioritise social services and tech over large projects.

13 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Thailand

Vote recount calls grow in Thailand amid claims of election irregularities

The People’s Party, among others, cites ‘clear evidence of irregularities during the tallying process’, including vote-buying and tampering.

11 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM

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