Markets

Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) supports Findell Capital’s push for board changes at Oportun’s 2025 meeting, citing poor governance and underperformance. ISS recommends voting for Findell’s nominee, Warren Wilcox, and withholding votes from CEO Raul Vazquez, who is blamed for a 55% stock decline since the IPO. ISS highlights Oportun’s value-destructive strategic pivot, governance misalignments, and board independence concerns, advocating for Wilcox’s experienced oversight.

Alibaba and Meituan ignited a fierce food delivery price war with deep discounts, driving massive user traffic and causing temporary outages for Meituan. Goldman Sachs projects this competition to peak in September, potentially leading to significant losses for major players but a strategic gain in user engagement for cross-selling. Pinduoduo is positioned as an opportunistic winner by abstaining from the promotion war.

A student’s ¥2 bubble tea taken by a stranger led to a swift Shanghai police response, resolving the issue in 14 minutes with the stranger compensating ¥10. While some questioned police involvement in such a minor dispute, many praised the efficient handling and the message of upholding even small rights. The incident also serves as a reminder that small transgressions can escalate into larger problems.

Heineken Holding N.V. provided an update on its share buyback program. Between June 30 and July 4, 2025, the company repurchased 42,006 shares at an average price of €65.07, bringing the total acquired to 1,301,287 shares for €88,261,067. Weekly updates are available on their website. The company continues to focus on its stake in Heineken N.V., emphasizing innovation, brand investment, and sustainability.

Jay Chou’s Instagram post featuring a reunion with Edison Chen, referencing their “Initial D” collaboration, sparked fan nostalgia. A fan’s comment about photo quality led to Chou’s blunt “I don’t have time” reply, which went viral. Fans defended his response, noting his busy schedule composing music and performing, despite health issues.

Peking University Professor Qian Liqun advises young people to think critically, take breaks when needed, and forge their own paths. He encourages them to collaborate and not blindly follow mentors. While acknowledging survival challenges, he believes educated youth will ultimately find their way, emphasizing collective exploration and rest as valid steps forward.

Dianping has responded to allegations of facilitating review manipulation, stating its “notes” feature is for genuine user experiences. The platform claims that content deviating from actual visits doesn’t affect star ratings. Dianping’s rules prohibit “cloud exploration” and require “Daren” to visit establishments. The company admitted a “small number of merchants” incentivized fake reviews during promotions, leading to their removal and penalties. Dianping vows to improve its mechanisms to prevent future incidents.

Skechers Football launches the SKX_2 Elite boot, seen on Harry Kane. Engineered for control and comfort, it enhances the first touch. The new CTRL^ pack also features the Razor 1.5 Elite for acceleration. Skechers continues to innovate across various sports, with these new boots available globally.

A software engineer in Shenzhen has gained online attention for living in his Tesla for three years to save money and seek personal freedom. He reports saving approximately 100,000 yuan by avoiding rent, utilizing public facilities for hygiene, and maintaining low daily expenses. While acknowledging the lifestyle’s limitations, he believes quality of life is defined by freedom, not living space size.

Wang Shuai, former Alibaba PR executive and honorary partner, is rumored to be returning as a consultant, potentially advising on Taobao Flash Sales. His social media activity and comments suggest a renewed engagement with the e-commerce giant he’s been associated with for twenty years, where he also serves as Vice Chairman of Alibaba Public Welfare.