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PM approves Rs 200 per litre increase in high-octane fuel levy for wealthy class
urdupoint22d ago

PM approves Rs 200 per litre increase in high-octane fuel levy for wealthy class

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has decided to increase the existing levy on high octane fuel used in luxury vehicles by the wealthiest class by an additional Rs 200 per liter, raising it from Rs 100 per liter to Rs 300 per liter.This important decision regarding high-octane fuel used in luxu ..

#ECONOMY
Crs push for scaled-down apartment zones
pakenhamnews_au22d ago

Crs push for scaled-down apartment zones

Greater Dandenong councillors have endorsed a submission calling for the State Government to scale down its high-rise apartment vision for Springvale and Noble Park. There was mixed affection at the 16 March council meeting for the Government’s recently released Train and Tram Zone Activity Centre (TTZACs) draft maps. The plans allow skyscrapers up to 16 [...]

#ECONOMY
platodata22d ago

The genius and the danger of STRC: How Strategy’s new funding model bends so it doesn’t break

Strategy (MSTR), the leading corporate holder of bitcoin, has described the launch of its Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) as the firm’s “iPhone moment,” and despite its support in BTC accumulation, risks remain. Before digging into these risks, it’s worth noting that while the focus is on STRC, specifically over its larger liquidity and adoption, [...]

#CRYPTO#STOCKS
QBit Semiconductor Plans Taiwan IPO in 2026
utusan22d ago

QBit Semiconductor Plans Taiwan IPO in 2026

TAIPEI, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- QBit Semiconductor LTD. ("QBit") announced that it has completed its Series B fundraising round with participation from an affiliate of Arm Holdings plc. Following this investment, QBit plans to apply for an initial public... The post QBit Semiconductor Plans Taiwan IPO in 2026 appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

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Mideast ‘Black Swan’ clouds local stock outlook as peso slides
mb22d ago

Mideast ‘Black Swan’ clouds local stock outlook as peso slides

Local stocks are poised to remain under pressure as an escalating conflict in the Middle East—labeled by analysts as the decade’s second “Black Swan” event—threatens to offset attractive local valuations. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) is struggling to maintain its footing after the Covid-19 pandemic previously derailed its growth trajectory. The current crisis in the Gulf has shifted from a regional friction to a systemic threat to the global energy complex, according to online brokerage 2TradeAsia.com. Direct strikes on critical oil and liquefied natural gas infrastructure have widened the Brent-WTI spread, signaling deepening scarcity in physical markets and fueling fears of a synchronized global recession. While the PSEi is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 10.1 times—well below its five-year historical average of 14.4 times—the “bargain” levels have yet to entice a broad recovery. Japhet Tantiangco, research manager at Philstocks Financial, said the market maintains a bearish bias as elevated crude prices and a weakening peso continue to cloud the inflation outlook. The peso recently hit a record low, closing at 60.10 against the US dollar, further straining manufacturing margins and consumer sentiment. The brokerage 2TradeAsia.com noted that unlike the 2020 pandemic, where a medical breakthrough provided the ultimate catalyst, the current “war of attrition” requires a clear signal of geopolitical de-escalation for markets to rebound. In the interim, the narrative of “higher-for-longer” interest rates is being replaced by a “lower-for-certain” outlook as central banks move to hedge against a prolonged conflict. Investors are being advised to prioritize liquidity and defensive, high-yield stocks as the market prepares for potential stagflation. Despite the overarching gloom, some end-of-quarter window-dressing is expected in the final full trading week before the Lenten break. In equity-specific news, COL Financial maintained a BUY rating for Ayala Corp., citing the conglomerate\'s progress in optimizing its portfolio and improving capital allocation across its subsidiaries. Management’s focus on parent-level efficiency and higher dividend payouts is expected to bolster shareholder returns. The brokerage also reaffirmed its BUY rating for RL Commercial REIT Corp. (RCR), adjusting its estimates upward to reflect revenue contributions from newly acquired assets. RCR currently offers a projected dividend yield of 6.7 percent and benefits from index fund participation following its inclusion in the PSEi.

#STOCKS
Investor group backs SEC plan to cap broker tenure at PSE
mb22d ago

Investor group backs SEC plan to cap broker tenure at PSE

The Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL) threw its weight behind the regulatory proposal to cap the tenure of broker directors at the national bourse, adding momentum to a reform aimed at curbing board entrenchment. SharePHIL, an advocacy group for minority investors, said in a statement that it provides “firm support” for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) plan to implement a 10-year cumulative term limit for broker directors at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). The move aligns SharePHIL with the coalition of the country’s most influential business guilds, including the Management Association of the Philippines and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines. The SEC proposal seeks to refresh the leadership of the exchange, where broker-dealers—who both own and trade on the platform—have long held significant sway. By mandating a departure after a decade of service, the regulator aims to prevent the concentration of power and ensure that the board remains receptive to new perspectives. SharePHIL, which counts former SEC Chairman Francis Lim among its past presidents, noted that the initiative is critical for "meaningful board refreshment." “By instituting these limits, the SEC is laying the groundwork for preventing entrenchment and ensuring that new perspectives are consistently integrated into the governance structure of the Philippine Stock Exchange,” the association said. The local capital market has been under pressure to modernize its governance framework to attract more foreign capital. The SEC’s mandate under the Revised Corporation Code allows it to implement rules that mirror international best practices. SharePHIL pointed to principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), arguing that term limits are a globally recognized standard for ensuring fair sectoral representation and active shareholder participation. The PSE has historically navigated a delicate balance between its role as a self-regulatory organization and its status as a publicly listed company. Critics of long-standing board tenures argue that the lack of turnover can lead to stagnation, particularly as the exchange faces 2026 targets to increase daily turnover and widen the retail investor base. The endorsement from SharePHIL follows similar statements from the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Capital Markets Development Foundation Inc., and the Investment House Association of the Philippines. This unified front from the private sector suggests a growing consensus that the status quo in the PSE boardroom may no longer be sufficient to support a “globally competitive” market. The association called on listed companies, brokers, and the investing public to engage in the SEC’s public consultation process, framing the term limit as a "necessary measure" to reinforce investor confidence.

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SEC vs. brokers: The battle over who can sit on the PSE board
mb22d ago

SEC vs. brokers: The battle over who can sit on the PSE board

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking formal counter-proposal from stockbrokers as tensions escalate over the plan to impose term limits on directors at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). SEC Chairman Francis Lim said that while he remains open to feedback from the Philippine Association of Securities Brokers and Dealers Inc. (PASBDI), the concept of term limits is “non-negotiable” component of the commission’s governance agenda. “As far as I am concerned, term limits are non-negotiable. But I’m still listening to their comments. If they have a valid comment, we’ll consider it,” Lim told reporters. The corporate regulator recently issued an exposure draft of the rules, initiating a 15-day window for stakeholders to submit formal comments before the policy is finalized. “We will listen to the market; that’s why we have an exposure draft,” Lim said. “We have a proposal, so what is their counter-proposal? We will discuss it intelligently and thoroughly.” Lim added that the final decision rests with the SEC’s five-member en banc committee, noting he holds only one vote in the process. The proposed limits have drawn sharp criticism from veteran market participants who argue the rules infringe on shareholder rights. Vivian Yuchengco, a 28-year veteran of the PSE board and PASBDI chairperson, said the broker community plans to contest the measure. While Yuchengco cited her personal friendship with Lim, she indicated that legal counsel would likely handle the formal dispute while she seeks medical treatment in Singapore. “I don’t want to be fighting with Francis. We’re friends,” she said. Yuchengco argued that because brokers are also shareholders of the PSE, they should retain the right to be elected as directors without arbitrary caps, comparing their status to controlling shareholders in large conglomerates. Lim, however, countered this view, stating that the SEC is not depriving shareholders of their suffrage. He noted that investors remain free to elect other brokers to fill seats vacated by those who have reached their term limits. The standoff also touches on the availability of qualified leadership within the local capital market. Yuchengco expressed concern that the pool of eligible candidates is shallow, particularly for independent directors. She cited the potential disqualification of PSE Chairman Jose T. Pardo under related rules. “Independent directors with integrity who know the markets are very hard to find,” Yuchengco said. “Why fix something that isn’t broken?” Despite the pushback, Ramon S. Monzon, PSE President and chief executive officer, indicated the bourse would ultimately follow the regulator\'s lead. As the primary supervisor of the exchange, the SEC maintains broad authority to implement governance reforms it deems necessary for market stability. Lim remained confident in the legal standing of the draft, asserting that the rules do not violate existing laws.

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2 Companies Tackling the AI Bottlenecks
investorplace22d ago

2 Companies Tackling the AI Bottlenecks

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips To give you a sense of these “Golden Rivet” makers Eric discusses in his latest presentation, I’d like to highlight two companies at the forefront of the AI bottlenecks... and that have been overlooked by Wall Street almost entirely so far. The post 2 Companies Tackling the AI Bottlenecks appeared first on InvestorPlace .

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