Business

Quick Summary: Northleaf Raises Over $1 Billion for Private Credit III Fund Northleaf announced raising over US$1 billion for its Private Credit III, surpassing the reported US$450 million. The fund focuses on private equity-backed lending and asset-based specialty finance, including a rated note for insurance investors. Northleaf has raised more than US$6.5...

Quick Summary: Touchstone Fund Awaits Q2 2026 Update Amid Emerging Market Challenges The fund's Q1 2026 commentary is the latest available, published on June 15, 2026, with no Q2 2026 commentary confirmed. The fund underperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in Q1 2026, with its valuation multiple dropping from 18x to...

Quick Summary: NCIA Highlights Underfunding in Nigerian Cassava Networks Nigeria's cassava-processing facilities operate at 30-40% capacity — unreliable supply chains are the main issue. The Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator highlights underinvestment in farmer networks and transport links. Ogun State praised Dangote Cement Plc for a new processing facility — yet existing plants...

Quick Summary: PAGCOR Pushes for Separation of Regulatory and Operational Roles The Philippines plans to privatize over 40 casinos, with a decision expected by the end of 2026 — this move shifts the focus to the President's office for approval. Chairman Alejandro Tengco emphasizes the need to separate PAGCOR's regulatory and...

Quick Summary: Bitcoin Surges Despite Tech Sector Weakness, Tests Market Confidence On July 15, bitcoin pushed through $64,000 after softer inflation data weakened the rate-hike case. By July 29, bitcoin was trading around $64,248 to $64,300, becoming a psychological support level before the Fed decision. About 70% of traders expected the Fed...

Quick Summary: Augmonts IPO Managed By Nuvama Wealth and JM Financial Augmont Enterprises will launch its Rs 825-crore IPO on August 21, 2026, with a price band set at Rs 750-788 per share. The IPO includes a Rs 620-crore fresh issue and a Rs 205-crore offer for sale, indicating a mix...

Quick Summary: Datavolts $5 Billion AI Campus Set to Transform Neoms Oxagon DataVolt plans a 5 GW AI campus at Oxagon, with an initial 300-MW phase and a $5 billion investment, marking a major regional AI-data-center ambition. CEO Rajit Nanda, leading since 2023, is publicly championing the vision of Saudi Arabia...

Quick Summary: High - Tech Job Market Lags as Israels Unemployment Drops 8% in June Israel’s labor market saw 169,000 job seekers at the end of June 2026, reflecting a postwar recovery. Job seekers in high-tech sectors showed only a 4% to 6% decline, indicating a slower recovery for remote jobs. Unemployment-benefit...

Quick Summary: Employment Minister Pushes for Worker Stability Amid Business Concerns UKHospitality warns that over-regulating flexible work could lead to increased instability, with 90% of hospitality workers preferring zero-hours contracts. The government aims to tackle instability affecting over 18 million people by proposing changes that could save workers up to £600...

Quick Summary: Debt - Heavy Horizon Industrial Targets Growth With Rs 2,600 Crore IPO Horizon Industrial Parks plans to raise Rs 2,600 crore through a fresh-issue IPO, highlighting its growth ambitions. The company does not meet SEBI's standard profitability test, opting for an alternate IPO route due to lack of operating...

Quick Summary: Hong Kong's Food Businesses Face AI Adoption Pressure, Warns Rockowitz Bruce Rockowitz argues AI is essential for Hong Kong's food businesses — AI can optimize inventory and reduce waste. AI systems can analyze multiple data sources — this allows for more accurate demand forecasting. Rockowitz warns early...

Quick Summary: Pedro Neto Edges Closer to Al Hilal Amid Chelseas £80m Valuation Pedro Neto, currently with Chelsea, is linked to Al Hilal after Manchester City and Arsenal hesitated due to high valuation. Manchester City contacted Neto's camp, but Chelsea's £80M valuation remains a barrier. Chelsea signed Neto from Wolves for £54...

Quick Summary: Arteta Targets Versatile Defender Amid Arsenals Struggles Without Saliba Arsenal's win rate drops from 68% to 50% without Saliba, highlighting the need for versatile defensive cover. Arsenal is eyeing Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah, but Leverkusen is not keen to sell, complicating negotiations. Liverpool's £59.8m buy-back clause on Quansah adds pressure...

Quick Summary: Policy Surrenders Surge to Sh11.5 Billion as Kenyan Insurers Adapt Britam and CIC have launched new insurance products with flexible payment plans to cater to the informal sector. 44.1% of insurance users missed claims by November 2024 due to premium defaults. Policy surrenders increased to Sh11.5 billion by September 2024,...

Quick Summary: Indias Viksit Bharat Ambition Faces 8% GDP Growth Challenge In one recent Business Standard-linked discussion, economist Rohit Lamba warned that growth “won’t be sustainable if it is K-shaped,” and argued that education and health are central to any serious 2047 roadmap. Its editorial line has argued that reaching developed-country...

Quick Summary: 30 - Year Mortgage Rate Falls to 6.67% as Inflation Pressures Ease Freddie Mac reported a decline in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 6.67% — this marks the lowest level in nearly four weeks. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.96% — refinance borrowers see relief after...

Quick Summary: Johor Faces Grid Challenges as Data Center Demand Surges Regulators are shifting towards 'conditional access' and 'capacity controls' — developers are now responsible for reliability and decarbonization. 9 GW of data-center capacity is in development — green industrial parks and electric vehicles could add over 100 terawatt-hours of demand...

Quick Summary: Dollar Strengthens in Baghdad as Exchange Rate Hits 151,000 Dinars In Baghdad, the dollar selling price reached 151,000 dinars per $100, with a buying price of 150,000 dinars, showing a 1,000 dinar spread. The exchange rate in Baghdad rose from 150,250 to 150,400 dinars per $100 within the same...

Quick Summary: Moodys Upgrades Dangote Sugar as Rights Issue Eases Debt Pressure Dangote Sugar completed a N486 billion rights issue, prompting Moody’s to upgrade its credit rating to B3 from Caa1. The rights issue began on May 27, 2026, and closed on June 24, 2026, offering shares at N60.00 each. Moody’s upgrade...

Quick Summary: Judo Capitals Value Drops By A$660 Million, Worst on ASX 200 Judo Capital slashed FY26 profit guidance due to three borrower exposures — this led to a 40% share-price collapse. The lender's FY26 cost of risk is expected to jump to A$116 million to A$122 million — driven by...