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Bitcoin Latinum 在 CoinMarketCap 预上市

PALO ALTO, CA, Jun 16, 2021 - (亚太商讯 via SEAPRWire.com) - 下一代被保险型比特币分叉 Bitcoin Latinum ( https://bitcoinlatinum.com/ ) 宣布,该加密货币在2021 年第三季度正式公开发行之前,已在CoinMarketCap交易所完成预上市。 可以在下面网址查看Bitcoin Latinum 在 CoinMarketCap 的资料(目前在公开上市前被确定为“未追踪”):https://CoinMarketCap.com/currencies/bitcoin-latinum/ CoinMarketCap 成立于 2013 年,已成为全球首屈一指的加密货币价格和市值信息的权威网站。它比较数千种加密货币信息来源,获取最有参考价值和最受信任的数据。 CoinMarketCap 平台每天有 2.5 至 500 万独立访问者。Bitcoin Latinum是一种增强型比特币分叉。 Bitcoin Latinum算法和基础设施打破了加密货币交易和应用的障碍和速度限制。Bitcoin Latinum–在LTNM下交易 – 不需要挖矿,固定供应量为 888,888,888 个预挖代币。Bitcoin Latinum 于 2020 年 11 月完成了首次预售,全球买家数量超过 9 位数。2021 年第二季度,Bitcoin Latinum 宣布了一项开创性的绿色倡议,以支持加密货币气候协议。这将通过用于结算交易的节能共识协议系统来实现。Bitcoin Latinum代币是区块链生态系统的一部分,被媒体、游戏、存储、云和电信领域的众多公司采用。 Bitcoin Latinum代币将由消费者在这些合作伙伴、供应商网络中的每一个节点上互换使用。此外,Bitcoin Latinum 增加了飞行中交易的安全性,并基于内存扫描技术增强了共识节点保护。行业普遍看好数字货币的未来。 Gartner 表示,到 2025 年,区块链技术将创造超过 1760 亿美元的商业价值,到 2030 年将创造 3.1 万亿美元的商业价值。比特币的早期采用者 Tyler 和 Cameron Winklevoss 发誓要保持他们的数字货币持有量,直到比特币价格达到 50 万美元。在最近的一次采访中,他们表示:“凭借 10 万亿美元的市值,我们相信一个比特币的价值将达到50 万美元。我们认为这可能会在这十年内发生。肯定是在未来五年。我们持有至少 500,000 美元的资金。”亚洲首屈一指的区块链公司Monsoon Blockchain Corporation ( https://www.monsoonblockchaincorporation.com/ ) 被Bitcoin Latinum选为其基金会合作伙伴。 Mon...

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卓悦与中国移动香港成为策略伙伴 积极助力卓悦「科技+消费」新生态发展

HONG KONG, Jun 16, 2021 - (亚太商讯 via SEAPRWire.com) - 卓悦控股有限公司(「卓悦」或「集团」)(股票编号653.HK)欣然宣布,集团旗下之全资子公司「卓悦科技服务有限公司」( 「卓悦」)与中国移动香港有限公司(「中国移动香港」)于今天签署5G零售融合发展合作框架协议,成为战略合作伙伴。卓悦控股有限公司主席陈健文先生(左)与中国移动香港有限公司公司董事兼行政总裁李帆风先生(右)签订5G零售融合发展合作框架协议双方合作将基于各自的专业领域,推动互利共赢。中国移动香港将利用其在5G流动通讯技术(「5G」)方面专业优势,积极助力卓悦在新零售领域的各项业务转型升级;卓悦将发挥其新生活与新零售市场的优势,协助中国移动香港开拓5G新技术应用场景。双方合作范围包括但不限于以下领域:1) 5G零售应用场景发展 — 基于中国移动香港的5G领先网络及应用开发能力,为卓悦提供新零售应用场景。双方共同推动5G与零售行业融合发展。2)综合化信息服务 — 中国移动香港将透过其专业的信息通讯技术能力,为卓悦提供整体的信息化服务,以协助卓悦进行精准营销计划。卓悦「香港猫」将善用中国移动香港的力量和进行资源合作销售,帮助香港本土小企业及商户打通大湾区大湾区科技内地的冠军。3)线上平台联合营销— 双方将就各自的线上平台,包括由卓悦营运的网上购物平台「香港猫」与中国移动香港营运的手机应用程式「MyLink」,共同开拓及探索双方线上与线下的渠道合作机会。卓悦控股有限公司主席陈健文先生表示:「我们很高兴与中国移动香港订立策略伙伴关系,为电讯及新零售市场注入新动力,共同开启电商新零售事业。随着5G步入发展关键期,客户追求极速的流动网络体验,中国移动香港一向以客户为先,为消费者提供一站式优质服务,满足客户全方位需要。相信是次与中国移动香港的合作将取得丰硕成果,促进「科技+消费」生态圈的发展,凭借中国移动香港专业的信息通讯技术能力,为卓悦提供整体的信息化服务,助力卓悦为品牌和产品提供精准的投放和营销方案。 」中国移动香港有限公司董事兼行政总裁李帆风先生表示:「中国移动香港十分高兴与卓悦合作,携手为客户带来创新线上购物体验。电商发展的先决条件是先进的网络及技术,而中国移动香港作为香港首家发布商用5G的营运商,最近更获环球著名网速评测平台Speedtest验证为全港最快5G网速,网络实力获得专业肯定。我们相信凭着我们在5G技术方面的专业优势,能为卓悦在新零售领域的各项业务转型升级助一臂之力。展望未来,双方将深入建立多方面的合作,发挥各自优势,达至互利共赢,共同为香港社会和广大市民带来更便捷的购物体验!」卓悦于2021年全力发展「卓悦香港猫」(「 Hong Kong Mall 」)香港购物平台,除化妆品外,集团积极引入更多生活百货、健康产品及小家电等,以丰富集团的...

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MUSASHI Launches Blockchain-Based Defi Infrastructure with Innovative Products and Solutions

New York, NY, June 16, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) -While the world is recovering from the Covid-19 epidemic, one sector that has recorded positive growth during this era is blockchain and decentralized finance. Despite lockdowns, this market sector has recorded phenomenal growth for the last half a year, with new projects emerging every day and the combined cryptocurrency market cap extending to over 1 trillion dollars as of June 2021, a figure that even exceeded 1.6 Trillion dollars during mid-May this year.Musashi, a Japan-based project, has recently announced its Defi-based infrastructure featuring innovative blockchain products and solutions. It strives to innovate by leveraging blockchain infrastructure and blending modern age finance with heritage and culture. It aspires Miyamoto Musashi, the famous Japanese warrior and legend known for his swordsmanship skills, bravery, literary intellect, and philosophy that involves total devotion to a set of moral principles that demanded loyalty, dedication, and honor until death.The Musashi.app blends blockchain-based innovation with rich Japanese heritage, history, and culture. It offers innovative financial products such ...

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Mitsubishi Corporation Participates in Laos Wind Farm Project

TOKYO, Jun 16, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has reached agreement to invest in Impact Energy Asia Development Limited (IEAD), the developer of a 600MW capacity onshore wind farm project in Laos. MC will invest through an intermediate holding company together with a group company of Impact Electrons Siam Co., Ltd. in Thailand. The initiative is being executed through Diamond Generating Asia, Limited (DGA), MC's wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong.Site Location The onshore wind farm will be located in Sekong and Attapeu Provinces in southern Laos. The wind farm will be the first wind farm in Laos and the largest in South East Asia. By installing a dedicated power transmission line to Vietnam, power from the wind farm is planned to be sold to Vietnam Electricity, a state-owned electric power company in Vietnam, for 25 years. In Vietnam, in addition to the need for further power supply to support its growing economy, it is crucial to secure a power source in the dry season, when the operating rate of one of Vietnam's main power sources, hydro power generation, is limited. The onshore wind farm is expected to operate at a high rate during the dr...

中国隐形矫治第一股!时代天使今日上市 打开市值增长空间

HONG KONG, Jun 16, 2021 - (亚太商讯 via SEAPRWire.com) - 6月16日,时代天使科技有限公司(「时代天使」或「公司」)(06699.HK)正式登陆香港联合交易所。发售期间,时代天使点燃了整个资本市场的热情,最终获超额认购超2000倍,成为港股历史上第5大「冻资王」。国际发售与香港公开发售价按招股区间上限定价,最终为每股173港元。据招股书显示,时代天使是中国领先的隐形矫治解决方案提供商。根据灼识咨询报告,按2020年的达成案例计量,时代天使的市场占有率为约41 .0%,和另一全球龙头Align Technology分庭抗礼,形成双寡头格局。此次IPO的火爆,不仅反映了资本市场对时代天使的青睐,也透露了对隐形矫治市场的广阔发展前景的看好。隐形矫治市场井喷式增长 时代天使竞争优势突出从行业发展看,中国隐形矫治市场在2019年已成为世界第二大市场。就零售销售收入而言,市场规模由2015年的2亿美元增至2020年的15亿美元,复合年增长率为44 .4%,并有望于2030年达到119亿美元,自2020年至2030年的复合年增长率预计为23 .1%。此外,中国通过隐形矫治器解决的正畸案例数目由2015年的47,800例增至2020年的335,500例,复合年增长率为47 .7%,预期将于2030年达到3 .8百万例,复合年增长率为27 .6%。在这个快速增长的市场中,时代天使凭借着行业领先的研发能力,以全面的产品组合、优质的医学及技术服务正不断扩大市场份额,抢占市场先机,品牌知名度不断提升。截至目前,时代天使已上市四种具有多种特性、能够吸引不同用户群的隐形矫治器。多元化的产品组合与公司的技术服务相结合,使得时代天使能够处理更多的错颌畸形案例,服务更多的患者。受益于此,时代天使的达成案例由2018年的约77,700例增至2019年的约120,100例,并进一步增至2020年的约137,600例。构筑强大技术壁垒 业绩持续攀升除了产品优势,强大的研发和技术优势也为时代天使的发展打下了坚实的根基。该公司拥有由123名成员组成的专业研发团队。2018年、2019年及2020年,其研发开支分别为人民币50 .2百万元、人民币80 .9百万元及人民币93 .5百万元。目前时代天使已开发出可靠的技术及数据平台,包括masterForce、masterControl及masterEngine,这让时代天使在数字化正畸领域能够不断获得技术领先优势,应对更加复杂的正畸案例,并不断创新,升级产品,引领行业发展。发展至今,时代天使已经构筑了强大的技术壁垒和行业壁垒。相信在多重优势的支持下,身为行业龙头的时代天使可充分把握住隐形矫治市场的巨大上升潜力,其市场份额有望进一步增加。此外,时代天使在市场份额不断增加的同时,业绩也跟随大涨。其收入由2018年...

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Star Alliance, NEC and Sita Sign Teaming Agreement, Paving the Way to Expand Touchless Journeys Across Member Airlines

TOKYO, Jun 16, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Frequent flyer program customers of Star Alliance member airlines will soon be able to use their biometric identity across any participating airline at any participating airport following a new agreement between the world's largest airline alliance, NEC Corporation and SITA. The agreement announced today is aimed at accelerating the availability of biometric self-service touchpoints across Star Alliance's member airlines while delivering a faster, touchless airport experience. Connecting to SITA's Smart Path solution, the Star Alliance Biometrics platform will be able to use SITA's shared airport infrastructure already available in more than 460 airports. Together with SITA and NEC's global presence, multiple biometric projects can be delivered in parallel, speeding up the availability of biometric passenger processing to Star Alliance's member airlines globally. This will be vital in enabling Star Alliance to deploy biometrics faster. A further advantage is the NEC I:Delight platform -- which allows passengers who have opted to use the service to be identified quickly and with a high-degree of accuracy, even on the move -- c...

DOU+流量狂欢节上线 乐享互动以数据算法助力“精细化”618

HONG KONG, Jun 16, 2021 - (亚太商讯 via SEAPRWire.com) - 一年一度的618年中大促进入冲刺期,作为今年首度入场的短视频电商平台抖音,其DOU+正式上线“618流量狂欢节”活动,以店铺引流、小风车引流、优惠商品推广三大场景目标,助力企业商家“精细化”触达目标用户,抢占节点流量,赢得生意增量。据了解,DOU+的流量狂欢活动将为企业商家提供引流服务,同时该举措也将为抖音生态链上的营销服务商提供更大的市场。DOU+助力商家实现可匹配的流量池迅速扩大,但如何用好DOU+,实现最终的获利变现,还需依托强大的算法,以达到精准匹配的目的,使618巨大的流量转变为精准的、实实在在的效益。在电商种草场景下,商家在为种草视频投放DOU+时,需要“精细化”设置“店铺引流”投放目标,以便定向提升从短视频抵达淘宝/天猫/京东店铺的流量,让爆款单品转化和店铺流量的提升更高效;在直播电商场景下,商家需要“精细化”引流,通过实时互动,第一时间激发用户的消费兴趣,促成转化;在抖音探店场景下,本地商家需要借助DOU+“优惠商品推广”投放目标,“精细化”定位本地人群,搭乘618流量有效提升店铺对同城用户的触达率。观察人士提到,电商购物节迈向“精细化”运营,是数据算法时代电子商务发展的必然趋势。这也为各方提供了共赢机会,比如以乐享互动为代表的拥有数据算法能力的营销科技服务商。DOU+的优质流量结合服务商的精准算法,能够帮助企业商家精准匹配消费者,将流量触及更精细的目标人群,实现流量充分利用,助力企业商家分销,以及内容发布者精准变现。资料显示,乐享互动是国内最早布局视频电商赛道的营销科技公司之一,早在2019年1月,乐享互动就成为首批抖音体系内利用数据算法和兴趣推荐技术开展视频内容变现业务的服务商之一。截至2021年一季度末,乐享互动新媒体资源库内接入的抖音号等可变现接入点已超过63.9万个。专家预测,在短视频电商高速崛起的当下,头部平台抖音入局鏖战618,以其兴趣推荐的强大技术和独特魅力,一定会给618带来新的“精细化”活力。作为短视频电商生态产业链上主力之一的乐享互动,其核心竞争力中的“算法”能力,也将通过618大促得以进一步展现,并成为短视频电商生态不断发展的强劲动力。 Copyright 2021 亚太商讯. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

Wanted French national has continued journey to France after transit in Singapore: MHA

SINGAPORE - A wanted French national and his family, who had made a transit in Singapore on Sunday (June 13), left Singapore on Tuesday, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Mr Daillet Remy Vincent Christophe, his partner, Ms Bardet Leonie, and their three children were residing in Malaysia when they were arrested late last month for overstaying in Langkawi island. The Malaysian authorities deported them to France via Singapore on Sunday. During their transit in Singapore, the pregnant Ms Bardet had complained of discomfort. She was issued a special pass to enter Singapore and was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital on the advice of doctors at Changi Airport. A spokesman for MHA said on Wednesday: "Daillet and the children remained in the transit hotel at Terminal 3. They were not allowed to enter Singapore as they were deportees from Malaysia for France. Bardet was subsequently discharged and reunited with Daillet and the children at the transit hotel." On Monday, online portal theVibes.com reported that the five French nationals did not board Air France Flight 257 - a direct flight to Paris - which departed Changi at 10.35pm on Sunday. Two of the three children, aged ...

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Marine archaeologist’s 24-year wait to survey wreck site in S’pore pays off

SINGAPORE - In 1992, maritime archaeologist Michael Flecker applied for a licence to survey the waters around Pedra Branca, an act he described at a public lecture in 2018 as "a little ahead of my time". He was 24 years early. In 2016, Dr Flecker would lead a team to survey waters around the island and their efforts would uncover two historical wrecks by 2019 - the first one containing artefacts dating to the 14th century. At the 2018 public lecture, organised by the Singapore Maritime Heritage Interest Group and the Marine Offshore Oil and Gas Association, Dr Flecker described how the local authorities then "didn't know quite what to do with an application from a private company", for him to carry out a survey around Pedra Branca, located about 24 nautical miles east of Singapore. Ongoing negotiations between Singapore and Malaysia during that period over which country had sovereignty over Pedra Branca meant that Dr Flecker's application was put to the side. In the meantime, the Australian added more than 20 archaeological projects to his resume, including the Tang shipwreck near Belitung in Indonesia, whose artefacts are now displayed at the Asian Civilisations Museum. The 58-yea...

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Centuries-old shipwrecks discovered in S’pore waters; artefacts to be displayed in museums

SINGAPORE - Two shipwrecks - one dating possibly to the 14th century and the other to the 18th - have been excavated within Singapore's waters - a first for the nation and a groundbreaking development for its maritime heritage. Both wrecks, bearing Chinese ceramics as their primary cargo, were found in the waters off Pedra Branca, a rocky outcrop surrounded by shallow waters where ships throughout history have come to grief. The plan is to display the artefacts in museums here from the end of this year. Maritime archaeologist Michael Flecker, who supervised both excavations, described the first wreck as a "pretty remarkable" find, as it is contemporary with the Temasek period that spans the 1300s to 1600s. In 2015, commercial divers carrying out salvage works for another project stumbled upon several ceramic plates, which they handed over to the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute because of their uncanny resemblance to artefacts they had seen in the news. The institute dated the plates to the 14th century, which kick-started an excavation project, beginning with an initial survey in 2016, that is now into its sixth year. The wreck was located about 100m north-west of the island, the Nat...

Tesla to open service centre in Toa Payoh, appoints ‘geek’ as country manager

SINGAPORE - Tesla Singapore will operate out of a Toa Payoh facility formerly occupied by Tan Chong Motor's Nissan dealership. The American electric-car maker was not available for comment, but The Straits Times understands the company is likely to have its car servicing centre at 17 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh slated to open in July. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

Blood, shattered glass at one store on first day of Ion Orchard’s reopening after closure due to Covid-19

SINGAPORE - At least one retail worker at Ion Orchard was injured after glass panel doors shattered on the first day of the mall's reopening on Wednesday (June 16). The man, who was wearing a staff lanyard from make-up brand Bobbi Brown, had cuts on his arms. Three Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers were seen arriving at the scene at around 11.20am. Blood splatter on the floor could be seen among the shattered glass. The Straits Times has contacted Ion Orchard and the SCDF for more information. Before the incident, retail staff at Ion Orchard were seen busy tidying up their wares and preparing their storefronts in anticipation of shoppers returning after a four-day closure for deep cleaning and disinfection. The mall was ordered to close from last Saturday to Tuesday by the Ministry of Health, after a number of Covid-19 cases were linked to it. On Wednesday, the mall, which has 400 retailers, reopened its doors at 10am. At some stores, staff were seen dusting their display shelves and racks. But not all stores were ready to welcome customers by 11am. British luxury fashion house Burberry and Japanese department store Muji were among those that remained shuttered. In a ci...

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Clarification Regarding Central Global Bhd’s MoU with China’s Huobi Mall for the Development of a Global Data Centre in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Main Market-listed Central Global Berhad ("CGB") wishes to clarify that the information published in several news journals in China regarding a strategic partnership/Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") between the Company and/or its subsidiary, CIC Construction Sdn Bhd and Huobi Mall to build a Global Data Base Collection Centre in Malaysia is inaccurate. CGB executive chairman Dato' Faisal Zelman CGB's Executive Chairman Dato' Faisal Zelman said: "We are indeed in discussion with Huobi Mall on the possibility of collaborating on the construction of a proposed data base collection centre in Malaysia. However, we are still in the midst of evaluating the viability of the aforesaid project and have yet to sign a MoU or any other forms of agreement with Huobi Mall in this regard. We will make further announcements as and when there are any significant developments on this matter."Central Global Berhad is principally involved in manufacturing and construction. The company is a specialist in industrial tapes and label stock manufacturing as well as a one-stop solution provider for crepe-paper masking. Its construction division was establishe...

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王朝预期2021年首4个月收入同比增长约2.2倍至逾亿港元

HONG KONG, Jun 16, 2021 - (亚太商讯 via SEAPRWire.com) - 中国葡萄酒生产商王朝酒业集团有限公司 (股份代号:828)昨日发布盈利预告,集团预期2021年首4个月之未经审核的收入将明显上升至逾亿港元,同比增长约220%,亦比截至2020年6月30日止6个月之集团未经审核综合收入约8,990万港元高出约20%。王朝在今年首4个月收入明显增加,主要归因于三大因素。首先,随着新型冠状病毒疫情于中国受控,政府放寛对消费场所的限制,消费场景及消费意欲恢复,以及经济(尤其是内需方面)增长令销售复苏。其次,与去年同期相比,本期间品牌及产品升级后,中高端葡萄酒产品销售上升。此外,受益于本期间内集团的销售团队加强与经销商合作及经销商于节庆前进货,这也反映了集团于营销改革后取得阶段性成果。集团预期截至2021年6月30日止6个月之未经审核综合溢利将录得下降,主要由于去年同期未经审核的综合溢利为1.426亿港元,而该溢利主要来自去年同期出售酒堡及相关设施约1.840亿港元之非经常性收益。今年,王朝持续推进品牌和产品升级,以及营销改革和品牌宣传。在产品策略方面,王朝正进一步推进「5+4+N产品战略」,即透过五大主线系列 (包括干化系列、七年藏系列、梅鹿辄系列、经典系列及畅销系列)实现产品的全主流价位段覆盖,以干红、干白、白兰地、起泡酒四大优势品类增加市场纵向占有率,同时通过定制产品,满足国民多元化、碎片化的消费需求。现时,王朝已推出了王朝锦邑白兰地系列3款新品和对原有老干红及半干白产品进行了升级,以提高中高端葡萄酒产品销售,并正在开发年轻化产品系列,拟在电商渠道销售。王朝已分别于今年1月举行了首场锦邑白兰地系列新品招商品鉴会,以及于4月参加了成都举行的春季糖酒会,大力推广其全系列的最新产品矩阵,获得市场的热烈反应。在市场营销方面,王朝加强了品牌推广及广告投入,于今年3月开始以王朝冠名高铁列车,该列车每日运行49个车次,横跨13个省份/直辖市,主要覆盖江浙沪核心地区,覆盖王朝葡萄酒的重点市场,并通过在江浙沪地区的终端以及京东旗舰店、天猫旗舰店等线上线下的销售渠道联动营销,在全国销售范围内进行营销活动,成绩理想。同时,王朝持续深耕烟酒专卖店、商超、餐饮、社群圈层四个渠道,在夯实传统渠道基础的同时,通过灵活的互动形式和主题性参与活动、意见领袖推广、内容营销等打通社群圈层,实现渠道的多元化和互通互联。王朝并将进一步落实「万千百工程」,目标在20,000家商店中展示,举办1,000次品酒活动并组织100次回厂游,持续推进终端建设工作。展望未来,王朝将迎合消费者需求,继续创新葡萄酒系列,并将加大品牌发展的投入,激发品牌活力,以及推进大单品发展,稳步提质,控价增量,将王朝酒带给更多的中国消费者。 Copyright 2021 亚太商讯. All ri...

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Dynasty expects a 2.2-fold year-on-year revenue growth to over HK$100 million in the first four months of 2021

HONG KONG, Jun 16, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Dynasty Fine Wines Group Limited (Stock Code: 828), a premier winemaker in China, issued its profit alert yesterday. The Group expects to record a significant year-on-year increase of approximately 220% to over HK$100 million in its unaudited revenue for the first four months of 2021 ("the Period"), which also represents an increase of approximately 20% when compared with its unaudited consolidated revenue of approximately HK$89.9 million in the six months ended 30 June 2020.The significant increase in Dynasty's revenue during the Period was mainly attributable to three factors: Firstly, as the COVID-19 pandemic has gradually been brought under control in China, the government has relaxed the restrictions on consuming places, which has boosted the resumption of consumption occasions and consumer sentiment, as well as the rebound in sales resulting from economic growth, particularly in terms of the growth in domestic demand. Secondly, compared with the same period last year, sales of medium to high end wine products increased during the Period following the Group's upgrade of its brands and products. Thirdly, the Group's s...

US retail sales fell in May in latest sign of bumpy recovery

WASHINGTON (NYTIMES) - Retail sales fell more than expected last month, the US Commerce Department reported on Tuesday (June 15), a sign of the uneven recovery of the American consumer and a shift in spending patterns as the country reopens after the coronavirus pandemic. The 1.3 per cent decline in May followed months of ups and downs in retail spending. After falling to record lows about a year ago, sales bounced back sharply this spring, only to swing from month to month, driven by the ebb and flow of government stimulus and the persistence of the virus. The data from April was revised Tuesday to show an increase of 0.9 per cent. Still, economists said that the broader recovery remained on track. Rather than signaling a fundamental weakness, last month's spending data shows that consumers have most likely spent all they need to furnish their homes or upgrade their phones during the homebound months of the pandemic. Now, they are shifting their purchases to restaurants, lodging and travel, as vaccination rates rise and people feel safer venturing out. "The decline was a bit of a shock," said Beth Ann Bovino, US chief economist at S&P Global. "But there are reasons I am not worrie...

Work-from-home boom risks loss of 6 million UK professional jobs

LONDON (BLOOMBERG) - One in five jobs based in the UK could be outsourced to other countries in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, threatening the loss of well-paid white collar employment. That's according to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which warned that 5.9 million "anywhere" workers - from graphic designers to software programmers - are at risk, many of them in London and south-east England. "If left unaddressed, the outsourcing and offshoring of these roles would have political, economic and social consequences similar to the loss of manufacturing jobs in the 1970s, but on an accelerated time frame," the research group said in a report published on Wednesday (June 15). The warning highlights the permanent changes to the labour market wrought by the pandemic. The "mass experiment" with remote working means that companies concerned about costs could decide keep just core staff needed for in-person collaboration and decision making, the report said. The institute, which was founded by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, called on the government to tackle the threat by improving infrastructure - such as child care and 5G broadband connectivity - and training, parti...

Asian central banks build US dollar war chests as they gird for Fed

MANILA (BLOOMBERG) - Asia's emerging economies have accumulated their highest level of foreign-exchange reserves since 2014, offering a powerful buffer against market volatility if the US Federal Reserve changes course. Central bank holdings of foreign currencies in the region's fast-growing emerging economies hit US$5.82 trillion (S$7.72 trillion) as of May, their highest since August 2014. When China's cash pile is stripped out, emerging Asian central banks' reserves stood at an all-time high of US$2.6 trillion. While some of the gains reflect US dollar weakness and bumper exports, policy makers are deliberately preparing their defences, said Nicholas Mapa, an economist with ING Groep in Manila. "Emerging economies are definitely learning from the past by war-chesting," Mr Mapa said. "They're all the more aware of the eventual reversal in monetary policy stance of developed market central banks and the potential repercussions that may arise from a Fed taper or eventual rate hike." While the Fed is expected to maintain a dovish outlook when it meets this week, economists say the accelerating US recovery means the bank will need to signal a policy turn sooner than anticipated. Cent...

Top Glove ousted from three ESG-related indices in latest review

SINGAPORE (THE BUSINESS TIMES) - Top Glove Corporation has been removed from three indexes based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors - namely the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, Asean 5 and Emerging Markets Index - following the FTSE4Good Index Semi Annual Review. In a media release on Monday (June 14), Bursa Malaysia announced a total of four deletions from the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index. The three other companies that were removed from the index were George Kent Malaysia, IOI Properties, as well as a stapled security comprising KLCC Property and KLCC real estate investment trusts. There were also six new additions to the index, namely DKSH Holdings Malaysia, Heineken Malaysia, Mah Sing Group, MNRB Holdings, Pos Malaysia and Unisem Malaysia. All constituent changes will take effect at the start of business on June 21, said Bursa Malaysia. With the latest additions and deletions, the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index now has a total of 76 constituents. The FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, which was launched in December 2014 with a total of 24 constituent companies, analyses companies' ESG compliance across 14 themes including climate change, anti-corruption, corpo...

US stocks retreat after inflation, retail sales data

NEW YORK (AFP) - Wall Street stocks retreated from records on Tuesday (June 15) following data showing higher inflation and lacklustre retail sales, while petroleum-linked shares rallied with oil prices. The economic data pointed to a bumpy United States recovery and came as the Federal Reserve began a two-day monetary policy meeting that will culminate with an announcement of its next steps on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished down 0.3 per cent at 34,299.33. The broad-based S&P 500 lost 0.2 per cent at 4,246.59, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 0.7 per cent to 14,072.86. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq finished at records on Monday. Producer prices for the past year spiked to 6.6 per cent last month, the highest in the history of the data set dating back to 2010, the US Labour Department said. Meanwhile, US retail sales fell by 1.3 per cent in May, a bigger-than-expected drop, US data showed. "Each month of high prices and sluggish labour market growth will test the Fed's patience," said a note from FHN Financial's Chris Low, adding that the Fed is likely on Tuesday to characterise the pricing jump as in line with expectations. "It will be interest...