Bank stocks climb, renewable energy surges as trade optimism and U.S. job data fuel European market gains LONDON: European stocks advanced Thursday as investors welcomed unexpectedly strong U.S. jobs data, which bolstered global equities and lifted bank shares across the region. Hopes for a trade accord between the European Union and the United States also…
U.S. stocks rally to record highs as jobs report boosts confidence
Dow surges nearly 350 points, closes just shy of record as jobs data reinforces economic strength U.S. stocks surged Thursday, wrapping up a holiday-shortened trading week with broad gains across major indexes. A stronger-than-expected June jobs report helped reinforce investor confidence in the economy, propelling the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to fresh record highs….
Vault Ventures completes acquisition of UK AI firm System7
LONDON: Vault Ventures Plc (AQSE: VULT), a publicly traded technology development company focused on blockchain, artificial intelligence and augmented reality, has completed its acquisition of System7, a UK-based AI development agency. Vault Ventures said Wednesday that the transaction follows a share purchase agreement signed after the initial announcement on June 30. The total consideration for…
Athora to acquire Pension Insurance Corporation Group for £5.7 billion
LONDON: Athora Holding Ltd., a pan-European savings and retirement services provider, announced Thursday it will acquire Pension Insurance Corporation Group Ltd. (PICG), the parent company of Pension Insurance Corporation plc (PIC), for approximately £5.7 billion. According to a statement, the transaction marks a significant shift for PIC, which will, for the first time in its…
Alibaba announces HK$12 billion exchangeable bond offering linked to Alibaba Health
HONG KONG: Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988, 89988) on Thursday unveiled plans for a HK$12 billion offering of zero coupon exchangeable bonds, linked to the ordinary shares of Alibaba Health Information Technology Limited (HKEX: 00241). The private placement is aimed at certain non-U.S. investors under Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act…
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry hits record Rs 1.049 trillion rupees in Q1 2025
LAHORE: Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry reached a historic high of 1.049 trillion rupees ($3.77 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 20.62% growth compared to the same period last year, according to a report by IQVIA. The industry’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years stands at 19.09%, driven by strong…
Almonty Industries announces share consolidation ahead of potential Nasdaq listing
TORONTO: Almonty Industries Inc., a global tungsten producer, has filed articles of amendment to consolidate its common shares, with the change set to take effect next week. The move is intended to facilitate a potential Nasdaq listing, a statement said. The company, traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under AII, the Australian Securities Exchange, and…
Santa Fe Minerals to acquire Côte d’Ivoire gold project, raise $1.2 million
PERTH: Santa Fe Minerals Ltd. said Thursday it has entered into binding agreements to acquire the Eburnea Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire from Turaco Gold Ltd., marking a strategic move into West Africa’s gold-rich terrain. The acquisition comprises two tenements: the granted Satama Permit (PR544), where Santa Fe will hold 100%, and the Bouake North…
Austral Resources to acquire Rocklands copper mine in transformational deal
CLONCURRY: Austral Resources Australia (ASX:AR1) has announced a transformative acquisition of Copper Resources Australia Pty Ltd, securing ownership of the Rocklands Copper Mine and its 3.0Mtpa processing facility in North-West Queensland. The binding agreement marks the first major milestone in Austral’s regional copper consolidation strategy, positioning the company as a dominant player in the Mount…
IntelliAM AI partners with U.S. firm to expand industrial AI solutions
LONDON: IntelliAM AI plc (AQSE: INT), a software company specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning for manufacturing, has signed a formal agreement with U.S.-based Connection Technology Center Inc. (“CTC”) to co-develop advanced industrial sensing solutions, including dual-branded hardware. The collaboration integrates CTC’s sensory hardware with IntelliAM’s AI platform, enhancing real-time data analysis for asset…
Coro Energy, Threefold Energy forge battery storage partnership in Southeast Asia
LONDON: Coro Energy PLC, a renewable energy developer focused on Southeast Asia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Threefold Energy Group Ltd to collaborate on advanced battery energy storage systems in commercial and industrial markets. The strategic partnership aims to deploy Threefold Energy’s proprietary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) hardware and energy management platform…
Watches of Switzerland reports record revenue in FY25, driven by U.S. growth
LONDON: Watches of Switzerland Group PLC announced record revenue for fiscal year 2025, fueled by strong second-half performance and expansion in the U.S. luxury watch and jewelry markets. The company reported £1.65 billion ($2.11 billion) in revenue for the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2025, an 8% increase at constant currency compared to the previous year. The U.S. market…