8/28/22

How investors can play a key role in the global transition to a net-zero future

Heat waves in cities across North America and Europe; raging wildfires in California and the Mediterranean; deadly floods in parts of Australia, China and India. Such extreme climate events have become more common in recent years, yet the road to net-zero carbon emission is now more challenging than ever. 

The World Meteorological Organization said in a report published in May that there is a 50-per-cent chance that the increase in average global temperature would temporarily cross 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial level in the next five years. This is a critical threshold beyond which the effects of global warming will become increasingly harmful for the planet.  

But mitigating the effects of climate change is a challenge that will take decades, not years. It will require massive investments to transform economies, including switching to renewable energy sources, increasing recycling capacity, as well as funding smart energy infrastructure and new technology. 

Investors can play an important role in supporting global efforts to fight climate change and reduce carbon emissions. 

“Investors have the ability to direct capital to those businesses whose operating models are adapting to a net-zero future economy. Through analysis and engagement, investing in climate leaders could both help generate sustainable investment performance but also contribute to reducing carbon emissions and the fight against rising global temperatures,” says Mr Chris Iggo, Chief Investment Officer of AXA IM Core, AXA Investment Managers .

“A low carbon economy in the future will reduce the social and economic risks of climate change and investors can, today, finance the transition to that low carbon future,” Mr Iggo adds. 

Sustainability: A key investment theme

There is now greater urgency for action against global warming. The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in its latest climate assessment released in April 2022, said keeping to the heating threshold of 1.5 deg C will be impossible without “immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors”. 

An increasing number of governments and private companies around the world have pledged to cut carbon emissions. At the global climate change forum, COP26, in Glasgow in November 2021, world leaders affirmed their intention to accelerate action on climate change this decade and work towards targets set out in the ambitious 2015 Paris accord.

Yet Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is threatening the global transition away from fossil fuels, a major source of carbon emissions. Sanctions against the Russian economy, including its energy industry, could lead some countries to burn more coal as an alternative.

It remains to be seen the impact a switch to dirtier fuels would have on global climate targets. Nevertheless, AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) hopes that the crisis will help to accelerate the use of renewable energy in the long run, because a more sustainable future is important for long-term economic growth and financial returns. 

As the world transitions to a low-carbon future, the following themes identified by AXA IM Investment Institute could offer long-term investment opportunities:

·      Renewable energy: This includes electrification of the transport sector, heating in residential homes, and some industrial processes. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen are also an exciting field to watch;
·      Smart energy: This involves building better digital and physical infrastructure to boost clean energy capacity;
·      Transport: There are opportunities to support the growing electric vehicles sector including increasing charging infrastructure, and supply of batteries and chips;
·      Agriculture: A more sustainable future may drive growth in vertical farming, lab-grown meats and plant-based foods; and
·      Recycling: Reducing waste and reusing materials are set to become more mainstream as businesses and households focus on becoming more sustainable. 

Financing is one of the missing pieces in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. And investors have plenty of opportunities to close the gap.

The International Energy Agency, in its 2021 World Energy Outlook, estimated that an additional US$4 trillion in annual investment is needed by 2030 to keep global warming within 1.5 deg C. 

Investors should keep in mind that all investments carry risks. So it is important to understand the risk-reward trade off involved and ensure that any decisions made are aligned with their risk appetites, investment horizon and financial goals.  

Building a resilient portfolio in the long term 

The global economy faces a myriad of uncertainties from accelerating inflation, tightening monetary policies and geopolitical risks. As a result, the International Monetary Fund cut its global economic growth forecast for 2022 to 3.2 per cent from its previous estimate of 3.6 per cent. This also represents a slowdown from 2021’s growth of 6.1 per cent. 

Weaker economic prospects have rocked financial markets. Some investors and central bank officials have started to warn of a potential economic recession. Clouding the global outlook further, the world’s largest economy – the US – has entered a technical recession after its economy shrinks for the second consecutive quarter in the second quarter of 2022. These near-term uncertainties highlight the importance of having a resilient investment portfolio. 

With greater momentum towards cutting carbon emissions, portfolios that are aligned with this megatrend could be better protected against uncertainties in the long run. At the same time, investors can contribute towards a stronger and more sustainable economy. 

Conversely, investors should be aware of potential risks associated with investing in companies with a bad environmental or social footprint. These companies could face higher taxes as governments work towards their emissions target. Consumers, more mindful about the environmental impact of their purchases, could stay away from products and services by such companies.

As a result, these companies could have higher business costs and reduced profitability, which would then hit investor returns. 

Ultimately, there is a greater imperative for investors to gain a deeper understanding of the entities that they invest in. This includes asking questions about business models, evaluating risks these entities face, and knowing their ESG (environmental, social and governance) impact. Doing this will help investors to build a more sustainable and resilient portfolio.     

“Being a responsible investor is about achieving financial returns without doing harm to the environment and to society. Through in-depth ESG research investors can limit the risk to their portfolios. Through focusing on impact as well as financial returns, investors can direct capital to companies that contribute to better environmental and social outcomes,” says Mr Iggo. 

“Financial returns could be stronger from investments that put sustainability at the heart of the investment process.”



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/how-investors-can-play-a-key-role-in-the-global-transition-to-a-net-zero-future/

8/27/22

US intelligence to conduct risk assessment of Mar-a-Lago haul

Former US president Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Aug 5, 2022, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. (MORRY GASH / AP)

WASHINGTON – The US intelligence community will assess the potential risk to national security of disclosure of materials recovered during the Aug 8 search of former president Donald Trump's Florida residence, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

The letter dated Friday from National Intelligence Director (DNI) Avril Haines to House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff and Oversight Committee chair Carolyn Maloney also said the Justice Department and DNI "are working together to facilitate a classification review" of materials including those recovered during the search.

The Justice Department on Friday disclosed that it was investigating Trump for removing White House records because it believed he illegally held documents including some involving intelligence-gathering and clandestine human sources – among America's most closely held secrets

Schiff and Maloney said in a joint statement they were pleased the government was "assessing the damage caused by the improper storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago." Politico reported the letter earlier.

ALSO READ: US Justice Dept says Trump papers included material on intelligence

The Justice Department on Friday disclosed that it was investigating Trump for removing White House records because it believed he illegally held documents including some involving intelligence-gathering and clandestine human sources – among America's most closely held secrets. 

Haines said DNI "will also lead an Intelligence Community (IC) assessment of the potential risk to national security that would result from the disclosure of the relevant documents" including those seized.

A spokesman for Trump, Taylor Budowich, accused Schiff of being reckless with US intelligence and asserted Democrats had "weaponized the intel community against President Trump with selective and dishonest leaks."

The Justice Department on Friday released a heavily redacted affidavit that underpinned the FBI's extraordinary search of Mar-a-Lago in which agents seized 11 sets of classified records including some labeled "top secret" as documents that could gravely threaten national security if exposed.

ALSO READ: FBI finds 700-plus pages of classified records at Trump's home

In the affidavit, an unidentified FBI agent said the agency reviewed and identified 184 documents "bearing classification markings" containing "national defense information" after Trump in January returned 15 boxes of government records sought by the US National Archives. Other records in those boxes, according to the affidavit, bore handwritten notes by Trump.

Schiff and Maloney said the Justice Department release Friday "affirms our grave concern that among the documents stored at Mar-a-Lago were those that could endanger human sources. It is critical that the IC move swiftly to assess and, if necessary, to mitigate the damage done."

Haines wrote DNI will closely coordinate with the Justice Department to "ensure this IC assessment is conducted in a manner that does not unduly interfere with DOJ's ongoing criminal investigation."

The search was part of a federal investigation into whether Trump illegally removed and kept documents when he left office in January 2021 after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden and whether Trump tried to obstruct the probe.

READ MORE: Trump seeks to temporarily block FBI from reviewing haul

Trump, a Republican who is considering another presidential run in 2024, has described the court-approved search at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach as politically motivated, and on Friday again described it as a "break-in."



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/us-intelligence-to-conduct-risk-assessment-of-mar-a-lago-haul/

Me and My Money: Investing in what you know delivers for tech entrepreneur

SINGAPORE – Investing in what you know is a simple rule that tech entrepreneur Raphael Kan holds dear when approaching financial planning for his family and in running his businesses.

His strategy has led him to park money both in insurance and in his company, which helps to get hawker food and the top dishes from small eateries to consumers at low delivery costs.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/me-and-my-money-investing-in-what-you-know-delivers-for-tech-entrepreneur/

S’pore housewife invested $300k after falling for slides on firm’s rosy prospects

SINGAPORE – Salesmen who make offers that are too good to miss are part and parcel of our investment landscape, but people are still taken for a ride, as a housewife and her daughter know all too well.

The pair thought they had struck gold when they were given a special deal to buy a 5 per cent stake in a fitness-related company valued at $16 million. They reckoned they had a sure-fire winner once they saw presentation slides that glowingly highlighted the rosy prospects of the business.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/spore-housewife-invested-300k-after-falling-for-slides-on-firms-rosy-prospects/

It’s smart to know how to cash out before you invest

SINGAPORE – Before you put any money into an investment, always ask this critical question: How can I cash out?

After all, you invest in the hope of earning a profit that you can withdraw together with your principal sum as and when you need the money.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/its-smart-to-know-how-to-cash-out-before-you-invest/

Get to know green bonds

Q: What’s all the fuss about green bonds? Can I invest in them and are they any different from normal bonds?

Green bonds are financial instruments used to fund projects with environmental benefits while also providing investors with regular or fixed-income payments.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/get-to-know-green-bonds/

Whether you’re aged 20 or 50, here’s how you can start investing amid uncertainty

Young investors can consider digital investing platforms

Singapore’s core inflation last month hit 4.8 per cent, the highest since end-2008. High inflation doesn’t just mean higher prices – you also risk losing your purchasing power if your income fails to keep up with the inflation rate. Investing can be a good way to hedge against inflation. But where to start? What to invest in?

In this column, Mr Abel Lim, the head of wealth management advisory and strategy at UOB, answers some of your key questions on investing. Mr Lim, 51, oversees the bank’s overall approach and strategies for managing the wealth of a broad spectrum of clients. He was previously head of investment sales and advisory for UOB, and has worked in the bank for 14 years.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/whether-youre-aged-20-or-50-heres-how-you-can-start-investing-amid-uncertainty/

8/26/22

Climate change official: Pakistan floods affected over 30m people

People navigate through flooded roads after heavy monsoon rains, in Hyderabad, Pakistan, Aug 24, 2022. (PERVEZ MASIH / AP)

KARACHI, Pakistan – Historic monsoon rains and flooding in Pakistan have affected more than 30 million people over the last few weeks, the country's climate change minister said on Thursday, calling the situation a "climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions."

Pakistan has urged the international community to help with relief efforts as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of torrential rains that have triggered massive floods since last month, killing more than 900 people.

"33 million have been affected, in different ways; the final homeless figure is being assessed," Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman told Reuters in a text message.

Needs assessment is being done, we have to make UN’s international flash appeal; this is not the task of one country or one province, it is a climate-induced disaster.

Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's climate change minister

She added that the southern province of Sindh, hardest hit in the last few days, had requested 1 million tents for affected people.

"South of Pakistan is inundated almost underwater. … People are going to higher ground," she said.

"Needs assessment is being done, we have to make UN’s international flash appeal; this is not the task of one country or one province, it is a climate-induced disaster," she added.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal separately told Reuters that 30 million people had been affected, a figure that would represent about 15 percent of the South Asian country's population.

UN agency Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an update on Thursday that the monsoon rains had affected some 3 million people in Pakistan of which 184,000 have been displaced to relief camps across the country.

READ MORE: Report finds climate change continues unabated despite virus

Funding and reconstruction efforts will be a challenge for cash-strapped Pakistan, which is having to cut spending to ensure that the International Monetary Fund approves the release of much-needed bailout money.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a report that in the last 24 hours 150 kilometers of roads had been damaged across the country and over 82,000 homes have been partially or fully damaged.

Since mid-June, when the monsoon began, over 3,000 kilometers of road, 130 bridges and 495,000 homes have been damaged, according to NDMA's last situation report, figures also echoed in the OHCA report.

A man looks at his flood-hit home in Jaffarabad, a district of Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province, Aug 25, 2022.
(ZAHID HUSSAIN / AP)

'The rain hasn't stopped'

A vast majority of this damage is in the southern province of Sindh.

"Brother, the rain has not stopped for the past three months. … We are living in a rickshaw with our children because the roof of our mud house is leaking," a woman who declined to be named told Reuters TV in Hyderabad, Sindh's second-largest city.

OCHA also warned that alerts had been issued for floods, river overflows, and landslides in several areas of Pakistan, and heavy rainfall was forecast for the next two days, too, over most of the country.

ALSO READ: Flooding in Pakistan kills dozens amid heavy monsoon rains

Seated with three of her children in the rickshaw she said: "Where can we go? The gutters are overflowing, and our courtyard is filled up with sewage. Our houses and alleys have turned into a floating garbage bin."

Rehman said Sindh has received "784 percent" more rainfall this month than the August average, while the province of Balochistan had received nearly 500 percent more.

Twenty-three districts of Sindh have been declared calamity hit, she said.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/climate-change-official-pakistan-floods-affected-over-30m-people/

Macron urges France-Algeria future beyond ‘painful’ history

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) attends a banquet hosted by Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (right) at the presidential palace in Algiers on Aug 25, 2022. (LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP)

ALGIERS – French President Emmanuel Macron indicated France and Algeria should move beyond their "painful" shared history and look to the future on Thursday at the start of a three-day visit to the North African country.

The trauma of French colonial rule in Algeria and the bitter independence war that ended it in 1962 has haunted relations between the two countries for decades and played into a diplomatic dispute that erupted last year.

Ties with Algeria have become more important for France because the conflict in Ukraine has increased demand in Europe for North African gas, and because of surging migration across the Mediterranean

"We have a complex, painful common past. And it has at times prevented us from looking at the future," Macron said after meeting Algerian counterpart President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Standing alongside Macron in front of the intricate North African tilework of the palace where they met, Tebboune said: "We hope the visit will open up new perspectives for partnership and cooperation with France".

Ties with Algeria have become more important for France because the conflict in Ukraine has increased demand in Europe for North African gas, and because of surging migration across the Mediterranean.

Algeria is meanwhile seeking to capitalize on higher energy prices to lock in European investment.

Macron has long wanted to turn the page with Algeria and in 2017 he described French actions during the 1954-62 war that killed hundreds of thousands of Algerians as a "crime against humanity".

ALSO READ: Algeria shuts airspace to French army planes as feud worsens

That declaration, politically controversial in France, won him popularity in Algeria when he last visited five years ago and he was celebrated by young Algerians.

Macron will again reach out to Algerian youth on this visit with scheduled stops focused on youth culture including breakdancing and North African "Rai" pop music. France is home to more than four million people of Algerian origin.

However, Macron's hopes of moving beyond the fraught history of the colonial era have proven premature before.

Last year he was quoted as suggesting that Algerian national identity did not exist before French rule, and accusing Algeria's leaders of rewriting the history of the independence struggle based on a hatred of France.

READ MORE: Algeria recalls ambassador to France for consultations

The comments provoked a storm in Algeria, where the ruling elite is still dominated by the generation that fought for independence and where that struggle occupies a central place in national identity.

Algeria withdrew its ambassador for consultations and closed its airspace to French planes – complicating the French military mission in the Sahel.

Before his meeting with Tebboune, Macron visited a monument to Algerians killed in the war, placing a wreath there. He said the two governments would establish a joint committee of historians to study archives of the colonial era.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/macron-urges-france-algeria-future-beyond-painful-history/

Sudan leader Burhan reshuffles army leadership

In this file photo dated April 13, 2019, Sudanese soldiers flash the victory gesture as they sit in the back of a pickup truck mounted with a turret nearby a scene of gathering demonstrators during a rally demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy, outside the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. (AHMED MUSTAFA / AFP)

KHARTOUM – Sudan's military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Thursday announced a major reshuffling of the country's military leadership on Thursday, amid political and economic turmoil.

The change includes the military's land forces, operations, and supply heads as well as it's general inspector. A change to the air force leadership had been announced previously, while the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mohamed Osman Alhussein, was kept in his position.

ALSO READ: UN renews warnings over possible food shortage in Sudan

This marks the largest change in army leadership since a coup led by Burhan and other generals on October 25 ended a transitional partnership with civilian political groups.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/sudan-leader-burhan-reshuffles-army-leadership/

Dynasty Fine Wines’s White Wine Revenue Transcends Red Wine for The First Time in The First Half of 2022

HONG KONG, Aug 26, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Dynasty Fine Wines Group Limited (“Dynasty” or the “Group”) (Stock Code: 00828), a premier grape winemaker in China, today announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2022.

During the period, the resurgence of COVID cases in various cities in China caused the imposing of control and lockdown measures in consuming places and also led to adverse impact on consumer sentiment. As a result, in the first half of 2022, the Group’s revenue decreased by 44% to HK$101 million, compared to the same period last year, whereas profit attributable to owners of the Company dropped by 45% to HK$10.7 million. However, gross profit margin increased from 38% in the first half of 2021 to 40% during the period.

With consumers’ growing interest in white wine products of the Group, especially in coastal regions of China, revenue of white wine products transcended red wines products for the first time in the first half of 2022, as the Group’s major revenue contributor, accounted for approximately 52% (2021 1H: 41%) of the Group’s revenue for the period. Red wines revenue accounted for 45% (2021 1H: 58%). During the period, the gross margin of white wine products and red wine products were 44% and 35% respectively (2021 1H: 35% and 39% respectively).

The Group produces a wide range of more than 100 wine products under the “Dynasty” brand. It has been actively pursuing innovation, embracing the “5+4+N” product strategy. The Group’s 5 key series of products comprise the air dry series, seven-year reserve series, merlot series, classic series and best-selling series, which cover fully the price range of mainstream markets, whereas the 4 advantageous product categories include dry red wines, dry white wines, brandy and sparkling wines, which enlarge vertical market shares for the Group. Furthermore, the Group boasts the development of “N” kinds of customized products to meet the diversified needs of Chinese consumers.

During the period, the Group launched a new round of upgraded products, the innovative 373ml and 180ml Dynasty dry red and semi-dry white series. The new sizes coming with screw caps offer greater convenience to enjoy and young and chic styles that target the young consumer market. The 180ml wine comes in boxes of six, giving young people another choice of drinks than beers in gatherings. As for the 373ml size, with online-to-offline (O2O) platform support, consumers can scan the product QR code and get rewards. Moreover, the Group has created a gift box during the period for the collection of “Pleasant Color” wines which targets the young consumer market as well. The gift option is ideal for gatherings with family and friends and festive celebrations. New product launch and product upgrade are not only promoting interaction between consumers and the Group’s brand, but also ultimately enable Dynasty’s products to reach wider consumer groups.

In addition, the Group also sold chateau wines imported from France and other foreign branded wines in China through the Group’s existing distribution network. In that way, the Group introduced classic “old world” and “new world” varietals to cater for the consumer group preferring the taste of foreign premium wines.

During the year, the Group’s e-commerce team started to operate online stores on such traditional e-commerce platforms as JD.com, Tmall and Pinduoduo. Moreover, innovations were achieved across its brands, product categories, business systems, operation procedures and models via new retail platforms including Weibo, RED (Xiaohongshu app), Kuai (Kuaishou app) and TikTok (Douyin app), which replaced the cooperation with distributors. The e-commerce team has also actively cultivated e-commerce live broadcasting talents to further expand the Group’s sales channels so as to build up a new customer base.

The Group held its tasting and business events this February and June, during which the Group actively promoted its latest product mix that covered all product lines, and received enthusiastic market response. Close to the end of the first half of the year, the pandemic has subsided in most regions of China, and the business and sales of the Group has a gradual recovery to normal. Against this backdrop, the Group will continue its reform in sales and marketing. Following the relaxation of COVID control and lockdown measures, the Group will forge ahead the mass-scale marketing campaign showcasing 20,000 shops, hosting 1,000 wine tasting events and organising 100 plant visits, so as to keep developing and enhancing its point-of-sale network.

Mr. Wan Shoupeng, Chairman of Dynasty, concluded, “Looking ahead to the second half of 2022, Dynasty will further strengthen presence in Ningxia and Xinjiang to secure the supply of quality grapes and grape juice, and plan for the development of local production bases of grape juice in these regions in the long term. In addition, following the gradual containment of the COVID situation and relaxation of control and lockdown measures at the end of the second quarter of 2022, as well as the policy support for the recovery of economy, the Board currently remains cautiously optimistic on the business in the second half of 2022. The Group will continue to be well prepared to tackle the uncertainties associated with the pandemic, proactively develop the market, enhance product quality and boost sales volume.”

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)



source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/dynasty-fine-winess-white-wine-revenue-transcends-red-wine-for-the-first-time-in-the-first-half-of-2022/

FMC 2022 Instrumental Music Competition Registration Now Open

LONDON, Aug 26, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Every year, the FMC-Film Music Contest, the biggest international music competition and awards of its kind in Europe expanding to Asia intended for composers of original music for Film, TV, Ads, Videogames., provides a competitive platform for original musical compositions and pieces from around the world in multiple competition categories. FMC 2022 is no different.

One of these categories is the popular Instrumental Music category for soloists, bands, composers, small or large orchestral ensembles, chamber groups, and even offbeat musical acts and formations from around the world, with no restrictions on age or country of origin.

The competition is an opportunity for everyone, whether they play classic instruments or the traditional national instruments of their country, to showcase their playing and compositional talents.

Got an instrumental composition in your portfolio? Have it heard by members of a prestigious international jury made up of professionals from the music industry. This is your chance to win high-value prize packages, hardware and software to upgrade your recording studio’s sound quality.

More about the members of the Prestigious jury: www.fmcontest.com/jury/

In this year’s contest, we are offering prizes worth a total of more than EUR38,000.

By entering our competition, winners receive media coverage and press attention in the magazines and online portals of our media partners. You can read some of the articles and press release here: www.fmcontest.com/press/ For a small entry fee, this is an opportunity to boost and enrich your music career. Pitch the story of your music, your accomplishments, your plans and your music portfolio to the world and the general music public. Check all the prizes here: www.fmcontest.com/prizes/

How do you get involved?

Entering is very easy, and you can do it directly from your music studio and PC by completing the online entry form for the competition category of your choice on the official competition website.

To make the whole process easier, the organisers have produced video tutorials for each category. These will guide you through the whole registration process. You can find them on the contest’s website and official YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/channel/UC8sJ1Xe0EI1RpNusD41NLhw/videos

You can read the answers to popular questions from future participants here: FAQ — (Frequently Asked Questions): www.fmcontest.com/faq/

What kind of compositions can you submit?

You can submit any instrumental piece up to six minutes long in MP3 format, which you upload during the registration process. If you want to show the diversity of your work, or if you can’t decide which of your tracks is the most fitting, you are welcome to include more than one.

It doesn’t matter when the composition was produced. You can enter older or already publicly published pieces that have already featured on CD albums or been performed at concerts, or completely new instrumental compositions never before played in public.

It is up to you whether you want to submit studio or demo recordings, or recordings from live performances and concerts.

Send your instrumental music to FMC 2022 by 12 September. For more details, please visit the official website here: www.fmcontest.com

If you are interested in receiving news about the Instrumental Music competition and awards, please subscribe to the newsletter via your email in the Subscribe box or follow FMC on social media.

Follow FMC-Film Music Contest on Social Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/FilmMusicContest
Instagram: instagram.com/fmcontest
YouTube: http://bit.ly/3oOaG48
#fmcfilmmusiccontest #fmcontest

Media Contact:
Mgr. Vlado Zeleznak JR.
Director FMC-Film Music Contest, PRESS FMC
E: press@fmcontest.com

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)



source https://netdace.com/acn-newswire/fmc-2022-instrumental-music-competition-registration-now-open/

Bank of Qingdao Announced its 2022 Interim Results

HONG KONG, Aug 26, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Bank of Qingdao Co., Ltd. (“Bank of Qingdao” or the “Bank”), the largest City Commercial Bank in Shandong Province, China, announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

In the first half of 2022, problems such as supply chain disrupted by the epidemic and energy shortages caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict continued to ferment and the risk of global economic “stagflation” increased. However, the Bank of Qingdao has always centering on the development vision of “Innovative Finance, Brilliant Banking”, the Bank is firmly committed to the strategic goal of “being a technology-driven bank that offers new quality financial products with lean management and outstanding features”, the sustainable development capacity of the Bank is constantly enhanced, and set a record against the market.

The Net Profit Increased Stably Credit Assets Increased Steadily
Bank of Qingdao continued optimizing the structure of asset and liability while increasing support to the real economy, and strove to expand its intermediary services. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Company’s operating income amounted to RMB6.211 billion, representing an increase of RMB884 million or 16.60% YoY. In addition, during the reporting period, total customer deposits reached about RMB 330.030 billion, an increase of 5.26%. Among them, personal deposits broke through the 120 billion mark, an increase of 3.77%.

In terms of performance indicators, the company’s net profit increased rapidly. During the Reporting Period, the accumulated net profit was RMB2.060 billion, representing an increase of 12.40% over the same period of last year. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company amounted to RMB2.018 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 12.28%.

In terms of asset quality, Bank of Qingdao continuously strengthened the quality control of credit assets. While the credit assets grew steadily, the bank strengthening the comprehensive remediation of overdue loans, non-performing loans and other risky loans and strived to minimize the cost of each risk. The credit quality maintaining steady and promising. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the non-performing loans ratio of bank continuously stable and declining, the non-performing loans ratio decreased by 0.01 percentage point as compared with that at the end of last year to 1.33%. Provision coverage ratio was 209.07%, representing an increase of 11.65 percentage points as compared with that at the end of the previous year, further improve the ability of risk resistance.

Meanwhile, Bank of Qingdao expanded its credit support for the real economy and increased its risk-weighted assets. In terms of capital replenishment, the Company raised a net capital of RMB4.154 billion through A share and H share rights issue, to supplement core tier-one capital, improve the level of capital adequacy, and further improve its capacities on risk resistance and supporting the development of the real economy.

Retail banking
During the Reporting Period, Bank of Qingdao saw record new retail customers in a continuously optimized customer base structure, the bank held RMB276.398 billion assets of retail customers, representing an increase of RMB22.490 billion or 8.86% as compared with that at the end of the previous year. Besides, the retail strategy of the bank achieved remarkable results, retail deposits continued to grow while the payroll credit business was booming, the balance of the Bank’s retail deposits amounted to RMB128.674 billion, representing an increase of RMB18.244 billion or 16.52% as compared with that at the end of the previous year, accounting for 38.99% of total customer deposits, representing an increase of 3.77 percentage points as compared with that at the end of the previous year.

In terms of retail loans, Bank of Qingdao developed inclusive finance and provided loan services for individual industrial commercial households and small and micro enterprises. On the premise of meeting the regulatory requirements, it steadily developed personal housing loans and increased the proportion of Internet loans granted in the province to build its own Internet loan brand. During the Reporting Period, the Bank vigorously developed its self-operated Internet loan “Hairong Yidai” by launching “Hairong Yidai – Convenient Loans” for residents in the province and optimizing such products as “rural revitalization loan” and “easy loans for stores”, thereby forming a complete sequence of self-operated Internet loan products. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the business balance from “Hairong Yidai” reached RMB169 million, representing an increase of 233.80% as compared with that at the end of the previous year.

In terms of credit card business, Bank of Qingdao upheld the principle of prudent risk management for its credit card business by strengthening operational compliance and developing customer base. During the Reporting Period, the accumulated transaction amount was RMB36.921 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 56.31%.

In term of the wealth management and private banking business, Bank of Qingdao adhering to the “customer-centric and market-oriented” service philosophy, the Bank is committed to building a professional service team and implementing customer segmentation by leveraging on market opportunities, so as to improve its customer service capabilities and drove a steady increase in the number of customers and asset size. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Bank had 53.6 thousand retail customers with assets under management of over RMB1 million, an increase of 4.1 thousand or 8.28% from the end of the previous year, for a total of RMB123.772 billion assets managed by the Bank, an increase of RMB9.812 billion or 8.61% from the end of the previous year.

In term of the customer service management, warm service is the operating feature of Bank of Qingdao. The bank has always attached importance to the promotion of network services, creating industry benchmarking and delivering “BQD services”. The bank closely aligning with the theme of retail business development in service management, with continuous efforts to promote service experience management, and further expanded the intension and extension of BQD service. From the earliest standardized service to the warm service and then to the current advocated value-based service, BQD services always focus on customer needs, continuously optimized and adjusted the way of service management, coordinated and formed a synergy to improve customer experience, builds a closed loop from service quality management to service experience management, creating a new advantage of value-based service management to establish its core competitiveness in user experience, thus break new ground for the service management value.

Corporate banking
In terms of corporate banking, Bank of Qingdao established a grid-based marketing system and a front-end marketing mechanism to strengthen the service support capability of the headquarters. In addition, the Bank made precise efforts to expand customer base, increased income from intermediary business and reduced capital expenditures, driving a steady growth in corporate business.

Bank of Qingdao’s corporate deposits gained momentum. The Bank achieved steady growth in corporate deposits by capturing policy opportunities through “headquarter-to-headquarter” marketing, reaching out to industrial customers and acquiring customers from the source in bulk. The balance of corporate deposits (excluding accrued interest) reached RMB201.246 billion, accounting for 60.98% of the balance of various deposits (excluding accrued interest). During the Reporting Period, the Bank’s efforts in customer base construction gradually emerged as a driver for increased deposits, with the average daily deposits from new corporate customers increasing by RMB3.610 billion and the average daily deposits from strategic customers at headquarter level reaching RMB82.820 billion, representing an increase of RMB11.551 billion as compared with that at the end of the previous year.

In terms of the corporate loans, Bank of Qingdao fully implemented the new development concept with focusing on green and low-carbon development to develop a distinctive blue-finance brand. During the Reporting Period, amid challenges from economic downturn and decline in effective demand, the Bank seized quality assets and increased its credit facilities, balance of corporate loans (including discounted bills and excluding accrued interest) amounted to RMB189.087 billion, representing an increase of RMB21.624 billion as compared with that at the end of the previous year, representing an increase of 12.91%.

In terms of the corporate customers, Bank of Qingdao revolving around customers, focused on building the customer base by promoting “the basic management and grass-roots management strategy” to expand foundational customer base, and adhering to hierarchical management to optimize customer structure, so as to achieve increased number and improved quality of customers. During the Reporting Period, the Bank paid close attention to the reserve of high-quality projects, followed major national and regional strategic plans and provincial and municipal industrial development plans, and strengthened accurate marketing to listed or to-be-listed, specialized, fine, characteristic and innovative companies specializing in green finance, blue finance and carbon finance. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the total corporate customers who have opened accounts with the Bank amounted to 194.2 thousand, representing an increase of 14.5 thousand or 8.07% from the end of the previous year.

As at the end of the Reporting Period, Bank of Qingdao continued to adhere to the inclusive business development policy of “serving small and micro enterprises (SMEs) based on the local economy”, and to focus on the three business directions of “technological finance, agricultural finance and livelihood finance” for strengthening product innovation and improving service level, so as to support development of SMEs. Since the epidemic, the Bank has implemented the support policies of governments at all levels and regulatory authorities for SMEs by launching “Easy Loan”, “Growing Loan”, “e Tax Loan” and other characteristic businesses, to fully support SMEs to fight against the epidemic and resume production. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the balance of inclusive loans to SMEs amounted to RMB25.578 billion, up by RMB3.572 billion or 16.23% from the end of the previous year, higher than the growth of the Bank’s all other loans.

Financial Market Business
In terms of the financial market business, Bank of Qingdao optimized the asset structure, and adhered to the development principle of light capital to enrich investment varieties for multiple channels to increase income and profits. The Bank actively promoted the issuance of capital bonds with no fixed term to provide strong support for business development. While continuously strengthening the comprehensive strength of wealth management, the Bank continued to enrich the product portfolios to give play to marketing commission channels. In addition, the Bank gave full play to the advantages of corporate banking qualification to expand the coverage of issuance and underwriting business, which significantly improved the depth and breadth of investment banking business, and increased its brand influence year by year.

Bank of Qingdao responded to regulatory orientation, focused on market changes, continued to optimize the investment structure, actively participated in market transactions, adhered to the principle of light-capitalization development, increased total assets while controlling the capital consumption ratio, strengthened the swing trading of standardized assets, and improved comprehensive profitability. As at the end of the Reporting Period, the Bank’s proprietary amounted to RMB203.933 billion, representing an increase of RMB20.370 billion or 11.10% as compared with that at the end of last year. Among them, the scope of bond investment reached RMB129.986 billion, representing an increase of RMB18.077 billion or 16.15% as compared with that at the end of last year, mainly due to the increase in investment in non-financial corporate bonds, local government bonds and railway bonds; RMB40.776 billion investments in public fund products, representing an increase of RMB803 million or 2.01% as compared with that at the end of last year, mainly due to the increased investment in bond-type public funds.

In terms of the Interbank business, Bank of Qingdao actively responded to the new market making rules, and obtained the qualifications as a spot bond market maker in the bond market, becoming the first city commercial bank spot bond market maker in Shandong Province. During the Reporting Period, the Bank continued to obtain the primary dealer qualification for open market business in 2022. Through reasonable pricing and continuous and stable financing, the Bank actively carried out various businesses, continuously improved the quality and comprehensive strength of interbank market transactions, and gave full play to the active role of primary dealers in the open market, contributing to the healthy and stable operation of the interbank market business.

During the Reporting Period, the net value of the Bank of Qingdao wealth management products was stable, with obvious comparative advantages among peers. The Bank has established and issued industry-themed fixed-term products, with product series continuing to be enriched. According to the Ranking Report on Wealth Management Capability of Banks (2022 Q2)” released by PY Standard, BQD Wealth Management, Bank of Qingdao’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ranked sixth in comprehensive wealth management capability among urban and commercial wealth management institutions. Moreover, BQD Wealth Management was awarded the Golden Honor Award for Outstanding ROI Wealth Management Companies and Golden Honor Award for Outstanding Innovative Wealth Management Companies by PY Standard again by virtue of its excellent comprehensive strength and good customer reputation, proved the Bank’s external wealth management financing channel expansion achieved fruitful results, and the management scale and profitability achieved a steady increase.

During the Reporting Period, the scope and of scale of investment banking business of Bank of Qingdao has been significantly improved, so did the Bank’s brand influence. During the Reporting Period, the Bank recorded the best prices of many projects among those comparables, allowing the Bank to satisfy the low-cost financing needs of good large businesses with less capital, which thus increased the customer loyalty and enhanced customer relationship. Besides, the Bank seized the opportunity for issuance and achieved good performance, and therefore established its image in the bond market by virtue of its excellent comprehensive business capabilities. During the Reporting Period, the Bank ranked first in terms of both scale and number of underwritings among issuers with corporate credit of AA and AA+ in Shandong Province, shown a competitive edge in field of marketization of bond business.

In the second half of 2022, China’s economy will continuously recover, meanwhile, the “The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party” will be held in the second half of 2022. This is an important moment for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and marching on a new journey toward the second centenary goal, and the Shandong Province and Qingdao City will continue to promote the replacement of old growth drivers with new ones for optimisation and acceleration. The positive fiscal policy will enhance its effectiveness in all-around way, together with the supports of the stable monetary policy in its aggregate structure and the regulatory policy to stabilise growth and adjust structures, the pressure on the banking sector is expected to ease gradually. Bank of Qingdao will continue to adhere to the basic operation guiding ideology of “deep cultivation and fine operation, intensified promotion, optimized structure, and sustained development” by taking concerted efforts and actions at all levels of the Bank proactively and quickly, and seizing the market to continue the solid development momentum in the first half of the year, so as to ensure the full completion of the annual operating plan.

About Bank of Qingdao Co., Ltd.
Bank of Qingdao Co., Ltd. Is founded in Nov 1996, which is the first main board listed bank in Shandong Province and the second “A + H” share listed city commercial bank in China. It has ranked among the 500 top banks in the world for many consecutive years. In Dec 2015, the company was listed on the main board of the stock exchange of Hong Kong (03866.HK). In Jan 2019, the company was listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002948.SZ). Bank of Qingdao mainly provides customers with services and products such as corporate and personal deposits, loans, payment and settlement. Driven by the development of retail banking, corporate banking and financial market, the bank initially formed a relatively solid customer base and explored a development path with distinctive characteristics and high quality.

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Gotion High-tech Releases 2022 Interim Results

HONG KONG, Aug 26, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. (“Gotion High-tech” or the “Company”; Stock Code: 002074.SZ) announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2022 (the “Reporting Period”). During the Reporting Period, the Company achieved revenue of RMB8,638 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 143.24%, of which revenue from overseas regions (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) increased by 358.28% year-on-year to RMB772 million, and is expected to achieve its target of 100% growth in total revenue over the previous year in the future. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was RMB64.62 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 34.15%. The Company’s net cash flow from operating activities was RMB91.6 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.38%.

During the Reporting Period, Gotion High-tech generated revenue mainly from power lithium battery, energy storage battery and power transmission and distribution equipment. Power lithium battery business maintained a solid growth trend, and achieved revenue of RMB6,609 million during the period, representing a year-on-year increase of 113.93%, and was the largest contributor to the Company’s revenue. In particular, the energy storage battery business was disclosed for the first time in the financial report, achieving revenue of RMB1,279million during the period, accounting for 14.80% of the total revenue.

Revenue size doubled again and market share continued to increase

Gotion High-tech is a leading power battery company in the field of new energy vehicles in China, and is one of the first enterprises in China to engage in independent research and development, production and sales of lithium-ion batteries for new energy vehicles. Since the start of 2022, China further emphasized its support for the accelerated development of new energy industry as a strategic emerging industry. Against this backdrop, Gotion High-tech continued to expand its production capacity, strengthened its technological advantages, further deepened its market cooperation and steadily accelerated the implementation of its international strategy. Driven by multiple factors, the Company achieved revenue of RMB8,638 million in the first half of the year, up 143.24% year-on-year, registering triple-digit growth; of which, revenue from overseas regions was RMB772million, up 358.28% year-on-year, showing rapid expansion. It is expected to reach the target of RMB20 billion in total revenue by the end of the year. The Company is expected to achieve its target of 100% growth in total revenue over the previous year by the end of the year.

According to SNE Research, in the first half of the year, Gotion High-tech has battery installed capacity of 5.8 GWh, with a market share of 2.9%, up 1 percentage point from the same period of last year, ranking 8th in the world. In terms of the number of installed units, the capacity coverage and global delivery capability continued to improve. For customer structure, passenger car customers improved significantly with increase in overseas and mid-to-high-end customers, leading to continuous improvement of customer structure. According to CBEA, in the first half of the year, the Company recorded 228 thousand units for EV battery installed passenger vehicle in China, accounting for a market share of approximately 9.7%, and ranked among the top 3 in China; and recorded over 250 thousand units for EV battery installed passenger vehicle in the world, accounting for a market share of approximately 5.9%, and ranked 5th in the global market.

Research and development capability continued to strengthen to create “long-life batteries”

In its main business of power battery and energy storage battery, Gotion High-tech has strong R&D capability, especially in the chemical composition of battery and battery cell, which are crucial to the electric vehicle market. In the process of building the layout of the whole industrial chain, the Company persists in independent R&D and innovation based on the requirements of its development strategy, introduces high-end technical talents and cooperates with universities and colleges, so as to build a high-standard, highly efficient and high-quality R&D model with multi-discipline and internal and external collaboration, thereby maintaining its technological advantages and ranking steadily among the top in the industry in terms of R&D capability. In the first half of 2022, Gotion High-tech’s R&D expense amounted to RMB510 million, an increase of 104.97% year-on-year. The Company made early plan for lithium resources and strengthened its integrated layout. It has achieved remarkable results and made progress in the research of advanced technologies such as low-temperature electrolyte technology for lithium iron, research and development of thermal insulation materials, anti-thermal runaway management in battery cells and semi-solid battery technology. At present, the Company has enabled the industrial application of full life-cycle anode lithium-ion compensation technology in the field of energy storage, increasing the life of lithium-ion batteries to 12,000 cycles and becoming an industry model of low-cost, high-safety and long-life lithium batteries.

At the 11th Gotion High-tech Technology Conference held during the year, the Company unveiled two new products, namely the 360Wh/kg semi-solid battery and the Yijiadian intelligent mobile energy storage charging pile. In particular, the 360Wh/kg semi-solid battery is capable of passing the 180 Degrees Celsius 30min hot box test and the needle penetration test, which are higher than the national standard, and is expected to be installed in vehicles this year. In addition, Gotion High-tech has developed a prototype for the 400Wh/Kg ternary semi-solid battery in its laboratory. In the future, the Company will make technological innovation to iterate silicon-based negative electrodes, lithium metal negative electrodes and pre-lithium technology to accelerate the transition from liquid to semi-solid batteries and eventually develop full solid state battery.

As of the end of the Reporting Period, Gotion High-tech applied for 5,687 patents and obtained 3,835 patents, including 1,016 invention patents, covering the whole battery industry chain. The Company has also published 255 research papers, 23 articles in SCI, 147 articles in core publications and 109 software copyright registrations, covering the entire life cycle of lithium batteries.

Steady acceleration of internationalization strategy and continuous construction of the whole industry chain layout

In the first half of the year, the Company continued to increase its efforts in overseas expansion, of which, revenue from overseas regions was RMB772million, up 358.28% year-on-year with the successful opening of the Gottingen plant in Europe and the steady progress of construction plans for power batteries and supporting industrial bases in North America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and other overseas markets. It also proposed to establish a new generation power battery production line to form an integrated supporting system for international research, production, supply and sales. On June 24, President Fernandez of Argentina met with Li Zhen, our chairman, and the Company reached a consensus on cooperation with the Jujuy National Energy and Mining Company on the construction of battery-grade lithium carbonate production line, etc. On July 28, Gotion High-tech was successfully listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange AG as the first batch of GDR-listed enterprises under the China-Swiss Stock Connect, and with a total fundraising size of US$685 million, it became the largest project of equity financing in the Swiss capital market since the beginning of this year, which fully accelerated the Company’s strategic progress of international development.

The Company continued to optimize the construction of the whole industry chain system and accelerated the implementation of resource projects, and the layout of upstream materials has covered most of the raw materials for lithium battery production. It also developed its materials business in Lujiang of Anhui, Feidong of Anhui, Yichun of Jiangxi, Wuhai of Inner Mongolia and Jujuy of Argentina, with five major materials bases starting to take shape.

Making good progress in commencement of production of power battery projects

During the Reporting Period, Gotion High-tech’s Nanjing New Energy Intelligent Manufacturing 20GWh Power Battery Project officially commenced production, Yichun Gotion 10GWh Power Battery Project was completed and put into production, and Gotion Kehong High-end Positive Electrode Material Project with an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes was put into production. The successful commencement of production of these projects will further enhance the level of industrialization and significantly contribute to achieving the production capacity target of 100GWh by the end of the year.

In the first half of this year, the Company also entered into a Procurement Fixed-point Agreement with Volkswagen and became its first supplier for standard battery cells. With the deepening cooperation with Volkswagen, Gotion High-tech has accelerated its expansion plan in the European market. Recently, the Gottingen plant in Germany, which is wholly owned by Gotion High-tech, has started renovation and is expected to start production of the first phase of power battery capacity in 2023. This will bring localized and low-cost battery options to European car manufacturers, helping the Company quickly tap into the European vehicle battery market and facilitating the achievement of Europe’s target of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. UBS expects Volkswagen to become the Company’s largest customer by 2025.

In the future, by adhering to the mission of “To Make Green Energy Accessible and Sustainable” and the vision of “Focus on Technology-driven Development and Become the Leader of Global Energy Storage Industry”, the Company will expand its production capacity through global development, vertically integrate the industry chain, overcome technological and quality bottlenecks, improve operational efficiency, enhance management effectiveness and build a global platform to achieve a 300GWh production capacity by 2025.

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王朝酒業2022年上半年白葡萄酒銷售收入首次超越紅葡萄酒

HONG KONG, Aug 26, 2022 – (亞太商訊 via SEAPRWire.com) – 中國優質葡萄酒生產商王朝酒業集團有限公司(「王朝」或「集團」)(股份代號:00828)今日公佈截至2022年6月30日止未經審核之中期業績。

期內,由於疫情反覆,導致國內各地城市對消費場所實施管控及封控措施,且令民眾消費意欲產生負面影響。因此2022年上半年集團收入較上年同期減少44%至101百萬港元,本公司所有者應佔溢利為10.7百萬港元,同比下跌45%,不過毛利率由去年同期的38%上升至40%。

隨著國內消費者對集團白葡萄酒產品的興趣日益濃厚,尤其中國沿海地區,2022年上半年白葡萄酒產品銷售收入首次超越紅葡萄酒產品,成為集團收入主要貢獻來源,佔集團整體收入約52%(2021年上半年為41%),而紅葡萄酒佔比為45%(2021年上半年為58%)。期內,白葡萄酒產品及紅葡萄酒產品的毛利率分別為44% 及35%(2021年上半年分別為35%及39%)。

集團以「王朝」品牌產銷超過100 種葡萄酒產品,並積極求新,聚焦「5+4+N」產品戰略,即5大主線系列,包括:乾化系列、七年藏系列、梅鹿輒系列、經典系列及暢銷系列,覆蓋全主流價位段;4大優勢品類,包括: 乾紅葡萄酒、乾白葡萄酒、白蘭地及起泡酒,增加市場的縱向佔有率;N 項需求定制產品,以滿足中國不同類型消費群體的多元化需求。

期內, 集團推行新一輪產品升級,推出小容量的 373 毫升及 180 毫升王朝老乾紅葡萄酒及半乾白葡萄酒,以創新小瓶裝設計及採用螺旋蓋設計,提供更加便捷品嘗、更年輕化的新品,打入年輕消費者市場。180 毫升系列以一盒六瓶的包裝亮相,劍指啤酒市場,為年輕人聚會提供除暢飲啤酒外的另一選擇。而373 毫升容量,通過線上線下「 O2O 」平台結合,消費者掃描二維碼後即可獲得獎賞。此外,集團亦推出了針對年輕消費者的「怡色」系列葡萄酒,期內更增加了禮盒版包裝,為親朋好友聚會及佳節喜慶提供最佳送禮選擇。推出新產品及產品升級不僅提升消費者與品牌的互動,更把王朝產品推廣給更廣泛的消費者人群。

另一方面,集團亦透過於中國的現有分銷網絡,銷售來自法國酒莊葡萄酒及其他外國進口品牌葡萄酒,以帶入傳統「舊世界」及「新世界」品種,迎合偏愛外國高檔葡萄酒口味的消費群。

集團的電商團隊於京東商城、天貓商城及拼多多等傳統電商平台開始內部自營在線商店銷售產品,並通過微博、RED(小紅書app)、Kuai(快手app)及TikTok(抖音app)此類新零售平台,全面創新品牌、品類、業務體系、流程和模式,從而取代與分銷商的合作。同時,電商團隊積極培養電商直播人才,以進一步擴大銷售渠道及建立新客戶群。

集團於今年二月及六月舉行了招商品鑒會,期間大力推廣其全系列的最新產品矩陣,獲得市場的積極反應。2022年上半年末,中國各地疫情已見有所緩和,集團的業務及銷售也逐步恢復正常。未來集團將持續實施營銷改革,隨著管控及封控措施放寬後,集團進一步落實「萬千百工程」,目標在20,000家商店中展示,舉辦1,000 次品酒活動並組織100 次回廠遊,持續推進終端網絡建設工作。

王朝主席萬守朋先生總結︰「展望2022年下半年,王朝將進一步加強於寧夏及新疆的佈局,以獲取優質葡萄及葡萄汁供應,並計劃於該等地區長遠發展當地原酒生產基地。於2022年第二季度末,疫情逐步得到控制以及管控和封控措施放寬,加上利好經濟復甦政策的支持,董事會目前仍對2022年下半年業務持審慎樂觀態度,並繼續做好應對疫情不確定的預案,積極拓展市場,提質增量。」

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8/25/22

America’s Gen Z wants to ditch corporate jobs for influencing, social media dreams

NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) – America’s youngest workers want to become business owners – just not in the way their parents might envision.

The drive to turn social media posts into sustainable income is highest among the youngest generation of workers, according to new research by Adobe. About 45 per cent of Gen Z creators surveyed said they aspire to own a business and make money from content shared online, according to the company’s survey in May of more than 9,000 influencers and creators across nine countries.

Adobe defines creators as those who post social content with the aim of growing their online presence or to promote their creative work – anything from photography to music to NFTs. The influencers surveyed reported over 5,000 followers on their primary social media platform and earn money posting content.

Gen Z content creators and influencers are part of the wave of entrepreneurship that’s accompanied the labor market shakeup of the past two years. While many Americans started businesses during the pandemic lockdown out of necessity, the streak has continued, driven by a desire for flexibility and greater control over one’s financial future. A record 5.4 million new businesses were started in the United States last year, according to Census data. While the monthly rate has plateaued below its 2021 peak, it’s remained far above pre-pandemic levels.

Although there’s been much speculation around whether this surge in small business creation was an aberration or the start of a long-term reversal, “what we are seeing is that this trend shows no signs of abating,” said Luke Pardue, an economist at payroll services platform Gusto.

The shifting dynamics are partly generational, he said. “Specifically among younger workers, we’re seeing this trend that even amid a tight labour market workers aren’t seeing wage gains that are keeping up with inflation, so they’re moving to self-employment where they can determine their compensation a little more independently,” said Mr Pardue. “There isn’t a lot that the 9-to-5 employment can allow in terms of achieving some of the milestones that were available to prior generations.”

Why Gen Z’s dream jobs are very different from Millennials’

While Millennials are experimenting with having a side hustle alongside a day job, Gen Z is focused more on making a project into a career, said Maria Yap, vice president of digital imaging applications at Adobe.

Some colleges, like Duke University, the University of Southern California and the University of Virginia, have responded to the shift in demand by offering classes on how to build successful social media enterprises.

The Adobe research suggests ditching the corporate ladder for the Instagram grid can be can bring in a six-figure income if done full-time, though the reality is often more complicated.

Creators who monetise content make US$61 (S$84.70) per hour on average, according to Adobe. If done 40 hours a week, Adobe estimates this would translate to an annual income of US$122,000. Influencers polled by Adobe make US$81 per hour, which would parlay into about US$162,000 if done full-time.

Yet the boundaries are often blurred between hobbyists and hustlers, and most of the people polled by Adobe aren’t full-time. Content creators spend an average of nine hours per week and influencers spend an average of 15 hours per week making content. In the US, six in 10 creators hold full-time jobs, Adobe found. If creators were to ditch their day jobs, it’s not clear whether they would be able to drum up enough business to fill a 40-hour workweek.

Public perception is often that content creators and influencers with more than 10,000 followers are earning a significant income, but this is far from the reality, said Qianna Smith Bruneteau, founder of the American Influencer Council, a trade association for social media content professionals.

Of those who create content full-time, only about 12 per cent make more than US$50,000 a year, according to a global survey of over 9,500 creators published in April by Linktree, a link-sharing platform popular with influencers. The living wage in Manhattan is almost US$53,000, according to MIT’s living wage calculator.



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Oil prices sink $2 a barrel as markets digest hawkish interest rate-hike cues

NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG, REUTERS) – Oil dropped as traders digested hawkish headlines from United States Federal Reserve officials ahead of chair Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday (Aug 26), exacerbating recessionary fears.

Brent crude settled at $99.34 a barrel, shedding US$1.88, or 1.9 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate crude settled at US$92.52 a barrel, losing US$2.37, or 2.5 per cent.

Following a choppy start, the market drifted lower as Fed officials dropped hawkish hints on economic policy ahead of the central bank’s Jackson Hole symposium. Rate hikes are typically seen as bearish for crude demand as they are aimed at cooling off the economy.

“Oil is entering wait-and-see mode until Fed chair Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole,” said Oanda senior market analyst Ed Moya. “Everyone is anticipating a big move in the dollar post-Powell and that will likely determine if we see oil prices continue to make a move towards the US$100-a-barrel level.”

Meanwhile, prices continue to find support in multiple signs of a tight market. Earlier in the week, US inventories dropped for a second week in a row as the country exported its highest-ever volume of crude and refined products.

Saudi Arabia also suggested that Opec+ could intervene by curbing output if market fundamentals and futures markets continue to diverge. Members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies have lined up to support the Saudi suggestion for market intervention, while export problems in Kazakhstan have kept supply concerns at the forefront.

The developments have bolstered trading activity, with benchmark international futures volumes topping one million contracts for the first time since the middle of July.

After surging during the first five months of the year, crude has been in retreat, with losses deepening in the summer trading months. The sell-off, which has been intensified by below-average trading volumes, may alleviate some of the inflationary pressures coursing through the global economy.

Iran will seek to fill the void left by Russia in Europe, and try to win back customers in countries including Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey if a nuclear deal is secured, according to people familiar with the matter.

Moscow has also approached several Asian countries to discuss possible long-term oil contracts at steep discounts as US officials continue to push a price cap plan.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/oil-prices-sink-2-a-barrel-as-markets-digest-hawkish-interest-rate-hike-cues/

Thai energy billionaire doubles down on crypto despite market turmoil

BANGKOK (BLOOMBERG) – Thailand’s second-richest man – who made most of his fortune in power generation – is doubling down on his digital asset plans despite increased scrutiny of the crypto industry and a decline in local trading accounts.

Mr Sarath Ratanavadi, chief executive officer of Gulf Energy Development, said his company will boost investments in blockchain ecosystems to diversify earnings sources, even as Thai regulators tighten supervision of fintech and related platforms amid a plunge in the value of many tokens.

The Bangkok-based company is seeking licences to operate a digital asset exchange and brokerage in partnership with Binance Holdings, the world’s largest crypto bourse by trading volume, said Mr Sarath, who has a fortune of US$11.9 billion (S$16.5 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

“Digital assets and blockchain technology platforms will be the key drivers for the company’s strongest returns, and our aim is to become the country’s market leader,” Mr Sarath said in an interview on Wednesday (Aug 24). “Recent issues involve individual cases, with the overall market still being sound and having high potential.”

Zipmex (Thailand), a locally licensed crypto exchange, and its regional parent last month halted some withdrawals, joining other domestic and global platforms facing a liquidity crunch amid the bankruptcies of Celsius Network and Three Arrows Capital. Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has pledged to amend current regulations to provide more protection for small investors.

The number of active crypto-related trading accounts in Thailand shrank to about 260,000 in July from a peak of almost 700,000 in December, official data shows. Trading turnover of cryptocurrencies at Thailand’s licensed exchange operators slid to 54 billion baht (S$2.1 billion) in July, the least since January 2021.

The interview with Mr Sarath on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Stock Exchange of Thailand was conducted a day before SCB X, which owns Thailand’s second-largest bank by market value, announced the termination of an 18 billion baht deal to buy a majority stake in Bitkub Online, the country’s largest crypto exchange.

“While the results of the due diligence exercise did not reveal any significant abnormal issues which are irremediable, Bitkub is currently in the process of resolving various issues as per the recommendations and orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission,” SCB X CEO Arthid Nanthawithaya said in a statement.

Expanding into the crypto community is not the only area of diversification for Mr Sarath, who has a degree in engineering from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and a master’s from the University of Southern California.

His flagship Gulf Energy has not only increased its investment in wind- and solar-energy projects to supplement gas-fired power generation, but has also taken a major stake in Intouch Holdings, which controls Thailand’s biggest wireless services and satellite operator.

Brokerages are mixed on the outlook for Gulf Energy shares, with seven recommending buy, seven hold and one sell, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/thai-energy-billionaire-doubles-down-on-crypto-despite-market-turmoil/

Fed officials at Jackson Hole push for more rate hikes

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING (BLOOMBERG) – US central bankers stressed the need to keep raising interest rates and St Louis Fed chief James Bullard said officials should act quickly and lift their policy benchmark to a range of 3.75 per cent to 4 per cent by year end.

“I like the front-loading. I like the idea that you get the rate increases in earlier rather than later,” he told CNBC on Thursday (Aug 25) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

“You show you are serious about inflation fighting and you want to get up to the level that will put downward pressure on inflation. We are at 2.33 per cent right now. That is not high enough,” he said, referring to the current effective level of the benchmark federal funds rate.

Other officials speaking at the Fed’s policy retreat reserved judgment on how big they should go at next month’s meeting, but agreed that rates need to rise.

Kansas City Fed president Esther George, who hosts the annual forum, said the Fed has not yet raised the rates to levels that weigh on the economy and may have to take them above 4 per cent for a time.

“It is very important that we are clear in our communication about the destination we are headed,” she told Bloomberg Television.

“We have to get interest rates higher to slow down demand and bring inflation back to our target,” she said.

Both officials vote on monetary policy this year and their comments helped set the stage for a busy two days of Fed speakers, who will be headlined on Friday by chair Jerome Powell with a speech likely to restate his resolve to keep tightening monetary policy to fight inflation.

The United States central bank is raising interest rates rapidly to curb the hottest price pressures in 40 years. US consumer prices rose 8.5 per cent in the 12 months to July, according to Labour Department data. The Fed aims at a different gauge produced by the Commerce Department, called the personal consumption expenditures price index, which rose 6.8 per cent in the year to June.

Asked how high the Fed should push borrowing costs, Ms George said there was “more room to go” and pushed back against bets in financial markets that the central bank would begin cutting rates next year.

“I think we will have to hold – it could be over 4 per cent. I don’t think that is out of the question,” she said. “You won’t know that, I think, until you begin to watch the data signs.”

Mr Bullard said he had deliberately not talked much about the outlook for rates in 2023 because it is such a “volatile” environment, but cautioned that the Fed has to push harder on the policy brake than investors expect.

“A baseline would be that… inflation would be more persistent than what many on Wall Street expect and that is going to be higher for longer,” he said. “That is a risk that is underpriced in the markets today.”

50 v 75

Fed officials hiked by 75 basis points at each of their last two meetings and have said the same again could be on the table when they gather next month, depending on the data. They get fresh reads on consumer prices and employment between now and then.

Philadelphia Fed president Patrick Harker, speaking in an interview with CNBC, also said rates needed to be lifted into restrictive territory.

“There are glimmers of hope on inflation. I just emphasise glimmer – our job is no way done. So we can take that as a positive, but we need to keep acting to raise rates to get inflation under control,” he said.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/fed-officials-at-jackson-hole-push-for-more-rate-hikes/

US shares end with solid gains on positive data

NEW YORK (AFP) – Wall Street equities finished with solid gains on Thursday (Aug 25), boosted by upbeat economic data and despite more Federal Reserve officials repeating the message that interest rates will continue to rise to combat inflation.

Shares opened higher and remained in the green throughout the trading session, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1 per cent to finish the day at 33,291.78.

The broad-based S&P 500 jumped 1.4 per cent to close at 4,199.52, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index increased 1.7 per cent to 12,639.27.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday to the annual central banking symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming has been the focus of attention all week.

Nick Reece of Merk Investments said markets seem to have come around to the idea that Powell will stick to his guns on the inflation message.

“Powell probably isn’t going to say anything unexpected,” he told AFP, which means “the market can have a relief rally.”

He also noted the positive economic data as a factor in the day’s gains.

Government reports showed initial applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, dispelling concerns about a weakening job market, while GDP in the second quarter contracted by 0.6 per cent, much less than first reported.

Before Powell’s speech, markets on Friday will get a look at the Fed’s preferred inflation index, which like CPI is expected to show a dramatic slowdown in July due to falling gasoline prices.

But economists say Powell will reiterate that the Fed will keep raising interest rates until prices are trending decidedly lower.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/us-shares-end-with-solid-gains-on-positive-data/

Russia to enlarge armed forces by 10 percent

Russia's President Vladimir Putin reviews naval troops as he takes part in the main naval parade marking the Russian Navy Day, in St. Petersburg on July 31, 2022.
(ALEXEY DANICHEV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday to increase the size of the country's armed forces by 137,000, representing a 10-percent increase in troop numbers.

Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said that the Russian army defeated the 18th battalion of the 35th marine brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces while its members tried to covertly cross the Ingulets River in the Kherson region

The amount of military staff will be increased to 1,150,628 from 1,013,628 as was stipulated in a presidential decree signed in November 2017.

The new order will enter into force on Jan 1, 2023.  

READ MORE: Russia begins 2nd phase of military operation in Ukraine

On Wednesday, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said that the Russian army defeated the 18th battalion of the 35th marine brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces while its members tried to covertly cross the Ingulets River in the Kherson region. More than 80 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and six cars destroyed, he said.

According to Konashenkov, Russian forces destroyed seven Ukrainian command posts, 47 artillery units at firing positions, and 212 personnel and equipment concentration areas over the past day.

Russian air defense systems shot down seven drones and intercepted two Ukrainian multiple launch rocket systems shells, he added.

ALSO READ: 'Russia-Ukraine conflict to affect 25% of global grain market'



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UK leadership candidate Sunak attacks virus lockdown response

Rishi Sunak addresses Conservative Party members during the Conservative leadership election hustings at the NEC, Birmingham, England on Aug 23, 2022. (RUI VIEIRA / AP)

LONDON – Former finance minister Rishi Sunak, one of two candidates vying to be Britain's next prime minister, said it was a mistake to have "empowered" scientists during the coronavirus pandemic and that the downsides of lockdowns were suppressed.

Former finance minister Rishi Sunak said he was banned from discussing the "trade-offs" of imposing coronavirus-related restrictions, such as the impact on missed doctor's appointments and lengthening health waiting lists in the state-run National Health Service

The ruling Conservative Party is choosing a new leader after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to quit when dozens of ministers resigned in protest at a series of scandals and missteps. Party members are voting to select either Sunak or Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

Sunak said the government was "wrong to scare people" about coronavirus. He said he was banned from discussing the "trade-offs" of imposing coronavirus-related restrictions, such as the impact on missed doctor's appointments and lengthening health waiting lists in the state-run National Health Service.

"The script was not to ever acknowledge them," he told the Spectator magazine. "The script was: 'oh there's no trade-off, because doing this for our health is good for the economy'."

Sunak said it was a mistake to allow the about 50 scientists on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, the group which helped the government respond to the outbreak, to have so much influence on decision making such as closing schools.

READ MORE: UK leadership contest: Sunak’s realism trumps Truss’s dog whistles

He said: "We shouldn't have empowered the scientists in the way we did."

Asked why opinion polls showed that the public was eager for the country to be in a lockdown, Sunak said: "We helped shape that: with the fear messaging".

Britain under Johnson was slower than most of its European peers to lock down in early 2020. After suffering some of the highest death rates at the start of the pandemic, it later became one of the first major economies to reopen.

A government spokesperson defended its record on COVID, saying the economy and children's education were central to the difficult decisions made during the pandemic.

Sunak, who resigned from Johnson's government last month, suggested schools could have stayed open during the pandemic. He said during one meeting he tried to voice his opposition to closing schools, saying he got "very emotional about it".

"There was a big silence afterwards," he said. "It was the first time someone had said it. I was so furious."

ALSO READ: Ex-finance minister Sunak tops first vote to be next UK PM



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/uk-leadership-candidate-sunak-attacks-virus-lockdown-response/

Finnish journalists on trial in rare defense intelligence case

Onlookers await the arrival of the military parade on Mannerheimintie Street in Helsinki on June 4, 2022 as the country celebrates the Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces. (ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO / AFP)

HELSINKI – Three journalists from Finland's largest daily are expected to appear in a Helsinki court on Thursday, suspected of publishing classified defense intelligence in an unprecedented case for the Nordic country renowned for its press freedom.

Two journalists at Helsingin Sanomat, and their former editor, who all deny any wrongdoing, may face a prison sentence of between four months and four years if found guilty of revealing national defense secrets in a report published in 2017.

Two journalists at Helsingin Sanomat, and their former editor, who all deny any wrongdoing, may face a prison sentence of between four months and four years if found guilty of revealing national defense secrets in a report published in 2017

The case is unusual in Finland because it has for years been among the top countries in a global press freedom ranking published annually by Reporters Without Borders.

But it slipped to a fifth position this year, partly due to the upcoming court case, the journalist association's Finnish branch said.

The 2017 investigative report by Helsingin Sanomat, entitled "Finland's most secret place", revealed the rough location and tasks of an intelligence unit of the defense forces at a time when Parliament was debating whether to expand its powers to monitor private data in digital networks.

ALSO READ: Finland, Sweden sign military hosting agreement

According to the prosecutor, the article contained harmful information the publication of which was against the law.

Helsingin Sanomat Editor-in-Chief Kaius Niemi, who had charges against him in connection with the case dropped earlier for lack of evidence, said the journalists had not broken the law.

"We can show for each published sentence that the information could be found on the internet or in books prior to the publication of our article. Public information cannot be classified," he told Reuters.

Hanne Aho, chairwoman of the Finnish Journalists' Union, said the case was first of a kind.

"It is completely exceptional that Finnish journalists are being accused of high treason," she told Reuters.

READ MORE: Finland's opposition conservatives triumph in local elections

Aho said it was problematic that most of the legal proceedings in the case had taken place behind closed doors and called for the court to publish its reasoning to explain on what grounds freedom of speech could be restricted if the journalists were found guilty.

"The threat of a prison sentence can lead to self-censorship," she said.

The trial will begin with a preparatory session at the Helsinki district court on Thursday.



source https://netdace.com/latest-news/finnish-journalists-on-trial-in-rare-defense-intelligence-case/