Global Markets Shake as Corporate Earnings, Government Moves and Tech Shifts Dominate Headlines
SGX:F03.SI:Food Empire Holdings
Food Empire reported a strong 3QFY2025 with revenue up 28.3% y-o-y to US$152.6 million, driven by Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and CIS markets. Its 9MFY2025 revenue rose 23.9% as core segments saw double-digit growth. Southeast Asia led by Vietnam increased 20.8%, and South Asia grew 20.3% on strong coffee demand. The group is expanding its India soluble-coffee facility with a US$37 million investment and recently raised $42.8 million through a placement.
SGX:S63.SI:ST Engineering
ST Engineering will write off $667 million from its iDirect satellite business after prolonged underperformance. Despite this, 9MFY2025 revenue rose 13% to $3.14 billion, aided by strong contract wins worth $4.9 billion. The group will maintain its 4-cent quarterly dividend, raise the 4Q payout to 6 cents, and distribute a special 5-cent dividend, bringing FY2025 payout to 23 cents.
SGX:AWX.SI:AEM Holdings
AEM Holdings reversed into a net profit of $4.02 million for 9MFY2025 as revenue rose 16% to $287.5 million. Growth was supported by strong AI/HPC manufacturing demand, especially for its PiXL test solutions. Total equity reached $485.6 million and inventories declined 8.7%. AEM reaffirmed its 2H2025 guidance and sees stronger revenue ahead in FY2026.
SGX:42T.SI:The Trendlines Group
Trendlines announced its portfolio company IBI Ag raised US$10 million in Series A funding led by Corteva. IBI Ag develops next-generation bioinsecticides using single-domain antibody technology. The funds will accelerate global regulatory and product development efforts.
UNLISTED:-:IBI Ag
IBI Ag will use its latest funding round to speed up environmentally responsible pest-control product development aimed at high-value crops while protecting beneficial insects.
US:CTVA:Corteva
Corteva led the funding round for IBI Ag via its Catalyst platform, reinforcing investment interest in biological pest-control technologies.
SGX:C52.SI:ComfortDelGro
ComfortDelGro posted a 22.4% y-o-y rise in 3QFY2025 patmi to $70.4 million, driven by better margins in the UK, the Addison Lee acquisition, and depot sale gains. Revenue rose 12.9%, though Singapore operations softened due to fleet contraction and the loss of the Jurong West bus package.
SGX:5CF.SI:OKP Holdings
OKP’s Eng Lam Contractors secured a $22.6 million JTC contract for road, sewer and infrastructure works at CleanTech Loop, adding to a growing order book now at $615.9 million.
US:JPM:JPMorgan Chase
Jamie Dimon is among top finance CEOs invited to a White House dinner hosted by President Donald Trump as the administration seeks business-sector backing amid economic pressure.
US:NDAQ:Nasdaq Inc
Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman was invited to the same White House dinner, reflecting the administration’s outreach to major market operators.
US:GS:Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon was also invited, even as the bank recently revised expectations for further China stimulus.
US:BLK:BlackRock
BlackRock’s Larry Fink joined invited Wall Street leaders as Trump seeks broader support for his economic policies ahead of political challenges.
US:MS:Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick was among the invitees for the White House dinner.
UNLISTED:-:People’s Bank of China (PBOC)
The PBOC signaled patience in monetary easing, prompting institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Citigroup to delay expectations for China rate cuts to 2026. Analysts caution that insufficient easing could prolong deflation risks.
HK:9618.HK:JD.com
JD.com reported record Singles’ Day sales, with orders jumping nearly 60% and shoppers rising 40%. Its overseas expansion saw transactions doubling across markets including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia.
HK:9988.HK:Alibaba Group
Alibaba shares fell 3.1% in US trading even as JD.com reported strong festival performance. Alibaba did not disclose sales figures for Singles’ Day for the second straight year.
HK:1810.HK:Xiaomi
Xiaomi recorded over 29 billion yuan in payments for its products during Singles’ Day, adding momentum to China’s electronics sector despite deflationary pressures.
SGX:S27.SI:S&P 500
US equities extended gains as optimism about ending the prolonged government shutdown lifted sentiment. Tech stocks led early advances, supported by strong AI-related demand.
US:AMD:Advanced Micro Devices
AMD shares rose 6.2% after forecasting strong long-term sales growth fueled by data-center AI demand, helping support broader tech sentiment.
US:NVDA:Nvidia
Nvidia shares dipped after SoftBank fully exited its position, raising questions about valuations as markets await Nvidia’s quarterly earnings.
JP:9984:SoftBank Group Corp
SoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake to fund new AI-related investments.
US:GS:Goldman Sachs Group
Goldman strategists warned US equities may underperform global peers over the next decade, urging diversification toward emerging markets.
US:ONON:On Holding AG
On Holding AG surged after raising its full-year sales outlook on strong 3Q performance, lifting sentiment in consumer discretionary stocks.
US:CAVA:Cava Group
Cava rose after Citigroup placed it on a 90-day positive catalyst watch, expecting sales improvement once the US government reopens.
US:SG:Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen gained on similar analyst optimism tied to improving consumer spending after the shutdown ends.
US:CSCO:Cisco Systems
Cisco gave an upbeat sales forecast in late trading, supporting expectations of continued tech-sector resilience.
US:UCO:Oil
Oil prices fell sharply on supply-glut concerns, marking the biggest drop since June as markets weighed economic risks.
US:BTC:Bitcoin
Bitcoin erased gains despite broader market optimism, reflecting continued volatility tied to liquidity and macro uncertainty.
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