Technology stocks are driving rallies in global equities as a wave of blockbuster earnings and deals highlights the relentless pace of investment in artificial intelligence. Investors’ optimism was also buoyed by US President Donald Trump touting “Great Progress” toward a final peace deal with Iran. At a time when crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain at a near standstill, Brent slid on ...
Technology stocks are driving rallies in global equities as a wave of blockbuster earnings and deals highlights the relentless pace of investment in artificial intelligence. Investors’ optimism was also buoyed by US President Donald Trump touting “Great Progress” toward a final peace deal with Iran. At a time when crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain at a near standstill, Brent slid on expectations that a settlement may be near. Bond yields fell in the US and Europe, while the dollar retreated against all major peers. The Opening Trade has everything you need to know as markets open across Europe. With analysis you won't find anywhere else, we break down the biggest stories of the day and speak to top guests who have skin in the game. Hosted by Anna Edwards, Guy Johnson and Tom Mackenzie. (Source: Bloomberg)
Jordan Linden sentenced to 18 months for string of crimes committed over 10 years between 2011 and 2021 A former SNP council leader has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of a string of sexual offences against young men and teenagers as young as 14. Jordan Linden, once considered a rising star in the SNP, was convicted of five sexual assaults on young men after a trial ...
Jordan Linden sentenced to 18 months for string of crimes committed over 10 years between 2011 and 2021 A former SNP council leader has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of a string of sexual offences against young men and teenagers as young as 14. Jordan Linden, once considered a rising star in the SNP, was convicted of five sexual assaults on young men after a trial at Falkirk sheriff court in March, which heard that the SNP had “downplayed or ignored” complaints about his behaviour. Continue reading...
Moviegoers walk past posters at a cinema in Renhuai, Guizhou province, on May 5. Photo: VCG China’s box office revenue edged up just 1.4% year-on-year to 758 million yuan ($111 million) during the Labor Day holiday, according to official data, as some sudden film withdrawals exacerbated an already subdued market. The flat performance underscores the continued sluggishness of the Chinese cinema sec...
Moviegoers walk past posters at a cinema in Renhuai, Guizhou province, on May 5. Photo: VCG China’s box office revenue edged up just 1.4% year-on-year to 758 million yuan ($111 million) during the Labor Day holiday, according to official data, as some sudden film withdrawals exacerbated an already subdued market. The flat performance underscores the continued sluggishness of the Chinese cinema sector, offering little sign of recovery after steep box office revenue declines during the Spring Festival and Tomb-Sweeping Day holidays earlier this year.
Nigeria’s newly appointed Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele has ruled out a return to government subsidies and price controls, reassuring the country’s bondholders that he will stick with reforms started by his predecessor. “We will not bring back subsidy because it creates distortion in the economy, and we will not introduce price controls because we believe in markets,” Oyedele said in a statement ...
Nigeria’s newly appointed Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele has ruled out a return to government subsidies and price controls, reassuring the country’s bondholders that he will stick with reforms started by his predecessor. “We will not bring back subsidy because it creates distortion in the economy, and we will not introduce price controls because we believe in markets,” Oyedele said in a statement posted on X after meeting investors that included Amundi SA Chief Executive Officer Valerie Baudson , representatives from Citigroup Inc and investment managers PGIM on Tuesday in Paris. Oyedele’s first trip abroad as finance minister since replacing Wale Edun last month was as part of a delegation led by President Bola Tinubu that also included the head of Nigeria’s debt management office Patience Oniha . Tinubu, who is seeking re-election in January for another four year term, introduced reforms in 2023 that removed import bans, liberalized the foreign exchange market and ended a costly subsidy regime. Those reforms were led by Edun, who Tinubu removed on April 21. Oyedele, who the president previously appointed to overhaul the nation’s tax laws, inherits an economy saddled with double-digit inflation. Monthly prices rose to a more than two-decade high in March, after the Iran war sent energy costs surging. The conflict, however, “presents new opportunities” for Nigeria as the world looks to diversify sources of energy and invest in new markets, Oyedele said. Africa’s top crude producer is also looking to get “the optimal outcome” from current elevated oil prices, “to be able to mobilize more revenue” and manage inflation as much as possible, he said. Sign up here for the daily Next Africa newsletter and subscribe to the Next Africa podcast on Apple , Spotify or anywhere you listen .
Indonesia has unveiled a new vision to transform the holiday island of Bali into a global finance hub inspired by destinations such as Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, but the tourist hotspot faces a raft of systemic and infrastructural hurdles before it can attain the lofty goal. Indonesian Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto earlier this week said the government was finalising regulations ...
Indonesia has unveiled a new vision to transform the holiday island of Bali into a global finance hub inspired by destinations such as Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, but the tourist hotspot faces a raft of systemic and infrastructural hurdles before it can attain the lofty goal. Indonesian Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto earlier this week said the government was finalising regulations to establish a financial hub in the Kura Kura Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on Serangan island, 500...
Yanleth Rivera/iStock via Getty Images South Korea's benchmark stock index crossed the 7,000-point mark for the first time on Wednesday, led by Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF ), as sentiment was driven by the global AI-driven chip rally and strong economic data. The KOSPI index closed 6.5% higher at 7,384.56, paring some gains after reaching a record 7,426.60 on Wednesday. The index's top gainers wer...
Yanleth Rivera/iStock via Getty Images South Korea's benchmark stock index crossed the 7,000-point mark for the first time on Wednesday, led by Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF ), as sentiment was driven by the global AI-driven chip rally and strong economic data. The KOSPI index closed 6.5% higher at 7,384.56, paring some gains after reaching a record 7,426.60 on Wednesday. The index's top gainers were Samsung ( SSNLF ), whose Seoul-listed shares rose over 14%, and Nvidia supplier SK Hynix, which gained about 11%. Samsung's ( SSNLF ) market cap also surpassed $1T, making it the second Asian company to join the trillion-dollar club after Taiwan Semiconductor ( TSM ). KOSPI's latest rally added to Monday's gains, which were fueled by strong manufacturing activity and trade on the back of AI-driven chip demand. The stock market was closed on Tuesday for a public holiday. The index gained 75% so far this year, and is up about 189% over the past year. To note, KOSPI rose 76% in 2025, which was its best annual performance since 1999. "If the demand for AI chips continues at this level, KOSPI could reach 10,000 points by the end of this year," Seo Sang-young, analyst at Mirae Asset Securities, told Reuters . "But if the demand collapses with worries over inflation and weak growth due to the Iran war, it could plummet to as low as 4,500." Inflation in South Korea accelerated in April, but government measures like food vouchers, a gasoline price cap and a freeze on utility prices helped absorb some of the Iran war-driven energy shock But inflation is expected to heat up going forward. "Strong exports, driven by semiconductors, will support overall growth, but the domestic economy will likely be hit harder by energy price hikes," ING economists projected. More on South Korea FLKR: A Cheap AI Exposure EWY: Rally Not Over Yet EWY: South Korea Is The Most Mispriced Market Samsung joins the $1 trillion club as Apple chip talks spark rally
mohd izzuan Entravision Communications ( EVC ) reported a sharp turnaround in Q1 2026 results, driven by strong growth in its advertising and technology business. The company posted revenue of about $197M, more than doubling Y/Y. Advertising & Technology Services (ATS) revenue surged 204% Y/Y. Growth was fueled by higher advertiser activity and improved monetization, supported by AI-driven platfor...
mohd izzuan Entravision Communications ( EVC ) reported a sharp turnaround in Q1 2026 results, driven by strong growth in its advertising and technology business. The company posted revenue of about $197M, more than doubling Y/Y. Advertising & Technology Services (ATS) revenue surged 204% Y/Y. Growth was fueled by higher advertiser activity and improved monetization, supported by AI-driven platform investments B roadcast advertising and spectrum revenue declined, keeping the segment in loss. Entravision ( EVC ) swung to a net profit of ~$12.36M (EPS $0.13) from a loss a year earlier. "ATS revenue was $155 million in 1Q '26 compared to $51 million in 1Q '25" and management said ATS investments included "improve our technology and build more powerful AI capabilities" and "increase the capacity of our sales and customer service organizations." CEO & Director Christenson pointed. On 2026 political advertising, management said, "we're positioning ourselves for a strong political spending environment in 2026" and referenced "Governor races in California, Nevada and Texas," "the Texas U.S. Senate race," and "at least 7 critical contested House races." More on Entravision Communications Corporation Entravision Communications Corporation (EVC) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript Entravision: Digital Is Booming, The Rest Of The Business Isn't Entravision Communications Corporation (EVC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Entravision outlines focus on 2026 political spending while ATS revenue rises 74% sequentially Entravision signals strong political ad revenue potential in 2026 amid expanding digital and ATS investments
South Korean stocks are on the cusp of surpassing last year’s world-beating 76% gain, even though 2026 is less than five months old. The benchmark Kospi surged 6.5% Wednesday to bring this year’s advance to 75%, its eighth daily gain of more than 5% this year, compared with just one such rally in 2025. Overseas investors bought more than $2 billion of Kospi shares for the day, just a fraction belo...
South Korean stocks are on the cusp of surpassing last year’s world-beating 76% gain, even though 2026 is less than five months old. The benchmark Kospi surged 6.5% Wednesday to bring this year’s advance to 75%, its eighth daily gain of more than 5% this year, compared with just one such rally in 2025. Overseas investors bought more than $2 billion of Kospi shares for the day, just a fraction below the record seen in October. All of this enthusiasm boils down to one theme: artificial intelligence. Long disregarded by global investors, Korean companies are now enjoying a re-rating as their technological edge across the AI supply chain makes their products — and stocks — highly sought after. “There’s still massive upside,” said Chan H. Lee , a managing partner at hedge fund Petra Capital Management in Seoul. “This isn’t just a local Korea story; it’s a global AI memory cycle. Samsung Electronics’ intrinsic value is finally being recognized.” Memory chipmakers are among the most sought after stocks in the world due to a supply squeeze and expectations they can keep growing regardless of the overall economic cycle. Even after Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. ’s share prices have both more than doubled this year to set a series of record highs , analysts see room for further gains on insatiable demand for their chips and still-low valuations. The market is also being supported by President Lee Jae Myung’s push to make equities a cornerstone of household wealth, by introducing reforms to strengthen corporate governance and improve shareholder returns. While the war in Iran has added risks for some sectors due to higher oil prices, the conflict has also renewed focus on the global competitiveness that Korean shipbuilders and defense firms have quietly accumulated. Still, while there has been a confluence of positive factors, there are also growing concerns the rally is becoming excessive. The Kospi’s close on Wednesday at 7,384.56 puts it far above the once-unthin...