The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Merck’s new vaccine, Capvaxive, which is specifically designed to protect adults from pneumococcus, a bacteria that can lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia. This approval marks a significant milestone in providing broader protection against pneumococcal disease, particularly for older patients and those with chronic health conditions who
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Nvidia, the chip giant, is on a meteoric rise, forcing major technology exchange-traded funds to make significant adjustments to their portfolios. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) will need to acquire over $10 billion worth of Nvidia shares while cutting back on Apple. According to Matthew Bartolini, head of SPDR Americas Research, the rebalance
Recently, China has initiated an anti-dumping investigation on imported pork and its by-products from the European Union. This move is seen as a response to the EU’s restrictions on Chinese electric vehicle exports. The investigation, announced by China’s commerce ministry, is expected to have significant implications for European pork producers, particularly those in Spain, the
One of the leading companies making efforts to reduce the West’s reliance on Chinese rare earths is Lynas Rare Earths. Lynas is currently the largest supplier of rare earth compounds outside of China, operating primarily in Australia. The company has processing operations in both Australia and Malaysia, with plans to open a heavy rare earth
The euro has been facing pressure due to political instability in Europe, particularly in France where far-right and leftist parties are gaining momentum. This has raised concerns about a potential budget crisis in the eurozone. In response to this, investors have been closely watching the situation, leading to a decline in the value of the
Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda faces potential reelection challenges at the upcoming annual general meeting due to scandals involving violations of certification tests at Toyota and its group companies. Proxy advisory firms have recommended against his reelection, citing concerns over governance and board independence. Despite the declining approval rating of Toyoda from 96% in 2022
The approval of the release of Disney/Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine in China is definitely a move that has sparked anticipation among fans globally. The announcement of the release date being on July 26, in sync with the U.S. release, marks a significant moment for Marvel enthusiasts. This move indicates that the Merc with a
Starboard Value, a well-known activist fund led by Jeff Smith, has recently acquired a substantial stake in graphics-design firm Autodesk. The fund has engaged in discussions with the company’s board regarding several serious issues related to the handling of an internal investigation that led to the removal of its chief financial officer. Starboard’s investment in
The burgeoning demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence has propelled Malaysia onto the global data center stage. In recent years, the country has become a magnet for investments from tech giants such as Google, Nvidia, and Microsoft. The city of Johor Bahru, situated on the border with Singapore, has emerged as a focal point
The upcoming week in Asian markets is set to kick off with the monthly Chinese ‘data dump’, providing investors with crucial insights into the state of the world’s second-largest economy. While recent indicators such as producer and consumer prices have pointed towards looming deflationary risks, a closer look at retail sales, business investment, industrial production,
The indie film industry is facing significant challenges as it attempts to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. While mainstream films like Inside Out 2 and Bad Boys: Ride Or Die have dominated the box office, indie films are struggling to find their footing. One distributor commented that June is crowded with indies,
Disney and Pixar have faced challenges in regaining their foothold at the box office following the pandemic. The decision to release animated features directly on Disney+ caused a shift in audience behavior towards streaming platforms. This move impacted the traditional theatrical experience, as parents became accustomed to seeking out new Disney content from the comfort
The U.S. retail sector is currently facing challenges due to elevated interest rates, which have put pressure on many companies within the industry. While the S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail index has managed to stay relatively in-line with the overall market performance, the sector’s gains have been largely driven by a select few
Chinese companies have been steadily increasing their presence in the global market, but there is still significant untapped potential according to HSBC analysts. Despite the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, a large portion of revenue for Chinese companies still comes from domestic sources. In contrast, Japanese companies have a much higher percentage of revenue