Markets

Gree Electric’s Chairwoman Dong Mingzhu criticized online marketing tactics that prioritize fleeting buzz over product quality, contrasting them with Gree’s commitment to genuine consumer trust. She emphasized the importance of in-house manufacturing to maintain quality control, rejecting OEM practices despite potential cost benefits. Gree’s strategy focuses on long-term sustainability through its dedication to producing all components, ensuring product reliability and customer satisfaction.

P2P Group Ltd. partners with PQStation, a quantum-resilient cybersecurity leader, to secure critical infrastructure, targeting markets in the US, Canada, and Europe. The collaboration integrates QSTunnel, a post-quantum cryptographic platform, enabling quantum-safe encryption deployment. This initiative addresses growing regulatory demands and military adoption of quantum-safe standards, aiming to equip Wi-Fi networks and chipsets with enhanced security for various sectors while projecting significant revenue growth over three years.

JD.com is aggressively entering the flight and hotel booking market in China. They are aggressively recruiting, offering high salaries and focusing on talent from competitors like Ctrip. The company is also investing in marketing initiatives, including promotional campaigns and offering subsidies to attract customers. This expansion signals a major shift in the online travel landscape, potentially intensifying competition with existing players like Ctrip and Meituan, with a focus on attracting consumers during the summer travel season.

SWZ (formerly The Swiss Helvetia Fund) underwent a strategic shift in February 2025, embracing a total return objective under Bulldog Investors. The $92.4 million portfolio, as of May 2025, now includes Swiss, U.S., and a significant cash component (50.3%). A $3.00 special dividend was distributed in April. The fund’s performance reflecting its new strategy will be closely watched.

Citi is restructuring its technology teams in Shanghai and Dalian, China, leading to approximately 3,500 job cuts. The bank reportedly communicated separation details on June 5th, with compensation exceeding statutory requirements. While the packages may not match those of other multinationals like Microsoft, they are still notably more generous than typical Chinese business severance.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before Congress, indicating potential renegotiations of the Biden administration’s semiconductor subsidies under the CHIPS Act due to concerns of overgenerosity. The administration is reevaluating grants, aiming for better returns on investment, and hinting at cancellation of some deals. TSMC’s increased investment commitment is cited as a positive example. The industry anticipates the impact of revisions impacting future semiconductor independence.

Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree Electric, inaugurated a new store in Zhengzhou. During a live product demonstration, she interrupted a sales associate’s comment about a soup pot, emphasizing the importance of focusing on product details. Dong, known for her directness, explained this wasn’t criticism but a focus on excellence, a sentiment seemingly supported by the audience.

Celanese Corporation (CE) will participate in the Deutsche Bank Global Industrials and Materials Conference. President and CEO Scott Richardson will present a fireside chat on June 5, 2025, at 11:50 AM ET. A live webcast and replay (available for a year) will be accessible on the Celanese Investor Relations website. Celanese is a global specialty materials and chemicals leader, employing over 11,000 people and with $10.3 billion in 2024 net sales.

SK Hynix has surpassed Samsung to become the world’s largest DRAM revenue generator in Q1 2025, fueled by high bandwidth memory (HBM) demand. A report from Omdia shows SK Hynix generated $9.718 billion in revenue, securing a 36% market share and dethroning Samsung, which held the top spot since 1992. Although a slight decrease from Q4 2024, SK Hynix’s performance highlights the shifting dynamics in the DRAM market.

The Trump administration implemented new travel restrictions targeting 19 countries, citing concerns about border security and visa overstays. Twelve nations face a complete entry ban, while seven others have partial restrictions. These measures, part of the “Make America Great Again” agenda, are likely to face legal challenges and diplomatic criticism due to their potential impact on specific populations. Exemptions exist for certain individuals.