Joshua Cooper

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB’s 4Q profits up by 36%

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB reported a 9% YoY increase in total revenue, reaching SEK7,436mn in 4Q24, with an 8% YoY increase at constant exchange rates. Adjusted EBITA fell by 1% YoY to SEK2,557mn, resulting in an approximately 400 bps decline in the adjusted EBITA margin to 34%. However, profit for the period surged 36% YoY to SEK1,391mn, due to lower interest expenses and one-off tax benefit of around SEK100mn.

February 10, 2025 at 11:57 pm

SCSK Corporation surpassed analyst estimates for 11 straight quarters

SCSK Corporation delivered a strong financial performance during the 9MFY25 ended December 31, 2024, driven by robust IT investment demand. This marks the 11th consecutive quarter of surpassing analyst expectations. Net sales for the period increased by 9.5% YoY to JPY384.9bn, with growth across all segments. Operating profit rose by 4.7% YoY to JPY42.9bn, supported by higher sales and improved margins.

February 10, 2025 at 01:53 am

North Pacific Bank enhances annual dividend guidance

In a press release dated January 30, 2025, the company announced an increase in its second half 2025 dividends to JPY9.5 per share, up from the earlier estimate of JPY6.5. This leads to a revised FY25 projection of JPY16 per share, suggesting a 3.2% annual dividend yield and a 34% payout. The increase is due to expected higher profits for FY25.

February 06, 2025 at 10:32 am

Leadership shift at Etihad Etisalat

The Board of Directors of Etihad Etisalat Co. has decided not to renew the contract of CEO Eng. Salman Abdulaziz Al Badran, effective February 23, 2025. Eng. Nezar Banabeela will take over as the new CEO starting February 24, 2025. Eng. Nezar Banabeela brings over 20 years of experience in the ICT sector, having held various roles at Saudi Telecom Company, including CEO of STC Bahrain.

February 05, 2025 at 01:28 am

Singapore Exchange to sell 20% stake in Philippine dealing

The Philippine Stock Exchange agreed to acquire a 20% stake in Philippine Dealing System Holdings from Singapore Exchange Limited on December 25, 2024. The transaction would enable the Philippine Stock Exchange to add 61.92% to the existing 20.98% stake in the Philippine Dealing System Holdings following the signing of multiple agreements with existing shareholders. The overall value of the transaction is pegged at PHP2.32bn.

February 04, 2025 at 12:37 am

14 consecutive quarters of growth for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank reported an impressive PBT of AED10.6bn, marking a 26% YoY increase and surpassing its own guidance of AED10bn. This growth was driven by a robust 18% YoY increase in operating income, primarily due to a 40% jump in non-interest income, reaching AED6.2bn. This achievement marks the 14th consecutive quarter of growth, and the seventh consecutive quarter of surpassing analysts’ estimates.

February 03, 2025 at 05:08 am

Commonwealth Bank of Australia to liquidate Bank of Hangzhou shares

Commonwealth Bank of Australia announced its decision to divest its remaining 5.45% stake in the Bank of Hangzhou to New China Life Insurance. The deal is expected to generate approximately AUD940mn in gross proceeds for CBA. Once completed, the sale is projected to improve CBA's CET1 ratio by an estimated 18 bps. The transaction is anticipated to be finalized around mid-2025.

February 03, 2025 at 01:17 am

DBS boosts investment in Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank

DBS Group has acquired an additional stake in Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank for USD220mn. This acquisition increased DBS's total ownership in the Chinese lender to 19.4% from 16.7% in January of the previous year. DBS purchased an additional 281.6 million shares of SRCB at CNY5.67 per share, solidifying its position as the largest shareholder in the bank.

January 31, 2025 at 02:31 am

Nikkon Holding’s steady first half operating performance

Nikkon Holdings published its 1HFY25 results on November 8, 2024, reporting consolidated net sales of JPY120.4bn, an 11.1% YoY increase. This growth was primarily driven by the transportation segment, which grew by 16.2%, supported by the consolidation of Supreme Auto Transport and an increase in cargo volumes.

January 30, 2025 at 09:12 am

Industrial Sector boosts AS ONE Corporation's November sales

AS ONE Corporation reported its total sales for November across its three primary sectors on December 10, 2024. The company experienced a 3.4% increase in total sales compared to previous year. Notably, the Industrial sector demonstrated remarkable growth, achieving an impressive rise of 12.7% YoY.

January 29, 2025 at 11:46 pm

Pro Medicus signs AUD33mn contract with University of Kentucky

Pro Medicus subsidiary, Visage Imaging, signed a 9-year, AUD33mn contract with the University of Kentucky. The deal involves deploying the Visage 7 Enterprise Imaging Platform to create a unified diagnostic imaging platform across the university. Implementation planning will begin immediately, with the platform set to go live during the second quarter of the year.

January 29, 2025 at 08:41 am

Toho's Singapore operations to drive Asian expansion

Toho Co., Ltd. has announced the commencement of operations of its Singapore based subsidiary, Toho Entertainment Asia Pte. Ltd. on November 1, 2024. TEA will act as a key base for the company’s expansion plans into the Asian region, aiding revenue generation through IP and visual content licensing, product merchandising and marketing.

January 29, 2025 at 02:17 am

Dallah Healthcare to develop mixed-use Al-Nakheel Project

Dallah Healthcare has signed a sale and purchase agreement with Wahet Al-Nakheel Real Estate Fund for 16,800 square meters of land in Al-Nakheel District, valued at SAR195.65mn. Dallah Healthcare will contribute by obtaining in-kind units in the fund, and making a cash deposit of SAR8.69mn, aligning its total investment units with those of Dallah Real Estate and Tatweer. Managed by Aljazira Capital, the Fund will develop commercial, office, hospitality, and healthcare spaces.

January 28, 2025 at 05:29 am

Pinnacle Investment raises AUD400mn for strategic investments

Pinnacle Investment, in order to fund the strategic investments in VSS Capital and Pacific Asset Management, and other growth initiatives, raised AUD400mn on November 20, 2024. The institutional round comprised placement of 19.7mn of ordinary shares at AUD20.3 each.

January 24, 2025 at 09:27 am

Nvidia partnership to boost MediaTek’s AI capabilities

MediaTek has teamed up with Nvidia to develop a new chip for AI supercomputers. The collaboration announced on January 7, 2025, is expected to benefit AI researchers, data scientists, and students. The initiative also aligns with the chip maker’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI capabilities into its product line.

January 23, 2025 at 08:53 am

Ichigo Hotel taps Daiwa House for Fukuoka management

Ichigo Hotel REIT Investment has appointed Daiwa House as the property management company for The OneFive Marine Fukuoka, a hotel asset acquired in December 2024. Daiwa House was selected for its extensive experience with various asset types and its competitive pricing.

January 22, 2025 at 10:11 am

Hoshizaki expands in SE Asia with ARICO acquisition

Hoshizaki Corporation’s subsidiary Hoshizaki Southeast Asia and sub-subsidiary signed an agreement on December 19, 2024, with Vietnam-based Asia Refrigeration Industry Joint Stock Company to acquire 51% stake for JPY1.4bn. This move will establish ARICO as Hoshizaki’s first manufacturing base in Southeast Asia, strengthening its business presence in Vietnam and the region.

January 21, 2025 at 11:24 am

Ispace and Kurita Water collaborate for lunar program

Kurita Water Industries entered into a corporate partnership with Ispace on November 12, 2024, for the Hakuto-R lunar exploration program. The partnership aims to equip lunar landers with water processing systems, starting with Kurita’s ultrapure water for Mission 2.

January 20, 2025 at 11:25 am

Nippon Shinyaku, REGENXBIO partner for MPS treatments in U.S. and Asia

Nippon Shinyaku and REGENXBIO have entered into an exclusive license agreement for RGX-121 and RGX-111, treatments for MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) II and I. Nippon Shinyaku will have exclusive commercialization rights in the U.S. and exclusive development and commercialization rights in Asia, including Japan. After U.S. approval, RGX-121 and RGX-111 will be marketed by NS Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Nippon Shinyaku.

January 17, 2025 at 08:00 am

Surging 1H demand prompts Yonex to raise guidance

Yonex published its revised consolidated earning guidance for FY25 in November 2024. The company now estimates consolidated sales of JPY134bn, marking a 6.3% improvement from previous forecasts. Additionally, operating profit is now projected to be JPY13.1bn, with margins of 9.8%, up from JPY12.5bn. The market reacted positively to this development, with the stock price surging over 12% the next day.

January 16, 2025 at 09:38 am

ComfortDelGro raises platform fees by up to 50 cents

ComfortDelGro has raised its platform fee for ride bookings from the current flat rate of S$0.70 to a variable rate ranging between S$1.0 and S$1.2. The increase will apply to rides booked via CDG C52's app, CDG Zig App, as well as the DBS PayLah! App and the Kris+ App. The hike is intended to counterbalance the rising manpower cost imposed by the platform workers Act.

January 15, 2025 at 11:21 am