West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. posted a 19 percent increase in net income in 2025, driven by higher revenue and sustained operating efficiencies, while ramping up investments to keep water losses at bay.
Yen Tumbles After Japan's PM Voices Concerns About Further Rate Hikes To BOJ The yen was already sliding on Monday after Nikkei Asia reported that the sharp swing we saw in USDJPY in January was initiated by FX intervention from US Treasury Secretary Bessent not Tokyo, even if Washington, D.C. is open to coordinated forex moves if requested by Japan. FX traders took this as evidence that, contrary to previous conventional wisdom, Japanese authorities were prepared to allow the USDJPY to continue climbing on Jan. 23 and it was only US action which prevented a print at 160, or higher. At the time, investors were leaning toward the upcoming Japanese election as a reason for intransigence, but this report made it seem more like benign neglect of the currency.Then yen then dropped some more after China added 20 Japanese firms - including affiliates of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - to an export control blacklist, escalating the dispute between the two nations. But it was the third drop that was the biggest, and sent the USDJPY above 156, after Japan's Mainichi daily reported that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed reservations about additional interest rate hikes during her meeting with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda last week. The report, if true, signals growing friction over monetary policy that could complicate the BOJ's timetable as coordination with the newly strengthened administration becomes more delicate, and as the new PM does what every other politicians has been so willing to do in recent years: support the stock market at all costs, surging inflation be damned. Oh, and by not hiking rates, Japan can pretend that its Japanese bond market game of musical chairs can extend a little bit longer. Ueda had (mis)characterized the meeting last Monday as a general exchange of views on economic and financial developments, and had said the prime minister had not made any specific monetary policy requests.Takaichi herself has been coy about the particulars of their meeting, saying only that she hoped the central bank would work closely with the government to durably achieve its 2% inflation target accompanied by wage gains. The meeting was held amid raging speculation that the rising cost of living, driven in part by the weak yen - but mostly by the surging price in rice which the BOJ has no control over - could prompt the central bank to raise interest rates as soon as March or April. In December, the BOJ raised rates to a 30-year high of 0.75% and signaled further hikes were possible.A Reuters poll this month showed that a majority of economists expect the BOJ to raise its key rate to 1% by the end of June, with some anticipating a move as soon as April because of mounting concerns about inflationary pressures and a weak yen. Odds of a rate hike have certainly tumbled after last night's report. Following the Mainichi report, the yen tumbled, and the USDJPY surged by 100 pips, rising to 156, the highest price it has been in 2 weeks. Tyler DurdenTue, 02/24/2026 - 11:00
HeraldNet.comHeraldNet.com - Everett and Snohomish County news from The Daily Herald in Everett, WashingtonRegulars swap tips, hoard favorites and brace for heartbreak when the stash runs dry. Grocery Outlet: Aisles of surprise, sauce and sweet dealsAndrea Brown
The local stock market soared to its highest level so far this year, successfully climbing its way back to the 6,500 level to stretch its winning streak to five sessions.
As the global trading environment continues to change, the markets are likely to remain unpredictable pursuant to the latest US tariff policy. Read full story
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
One of the thorniest problems we have in our quest for foreign investors is our expensive power rates. There are many reasons why we have this problem. The two top ones are: first, our archipelagic geography and second, failures in energy policy.
BATH — A proposal to cap district-paid tuition for high school students drew strong reaction Feb. 9 at a Bath Village School budget hearing, with several residents urging the board to continue fully funding tuition to St. Johnsbury Academy.
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares are down on Tuesday as investors look ahead to this week’s earnings report following a volatile stretch for space-related stocks. Here’s what investors need to know.Rocket Lab shares are under pressure. Why is RKLB stock retreating?SpaceX IPO Weighs On Rocket LabRocket Lab has been under pressure, down 13% over the past month, as investors shift money away from smaller launch providers amid speculation that SpaceX could pursue a $1.5 trillion IPO.Additionally, Congress’s recent decision to withhold funding for NASA’s planned 2031 Mars sample-return mission has led to a reassessment of Rocket Lab’s long-term opportunities in deep space.The company is otherwise looking ahead to its Cassowary Vex mission, its fourth hypersonic test in less than six months, deploying its HASTE vehicle for the Defense Innovation Unit in a bid to reduce testing costs and accelerate launch ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market is holding steadier on Tuesday after getting a reminder that the artificial-intelligence technology boom may also have an upside.
/CNW/ -- USA News Group News Commentary, The global oncology market is on track to nearly triple in value over the next decade, growing from $279.98 billion in...