Markets

Investor Duan Yongping maintains that long-term investments in strong companies like Kweichow Moutai and Tencent are superior to bank deposits. While acknowledging China Shenhua Energy as potentially better than a bank, he emphasizes Tencent’s higher potential. Duan warns that outperforming bank returns is significant, as most lose money in the stock market. He cites Moutai’s brand strength and Tencent’s ecosystem as drivers of sustained value, contrasting them with the vulnerability of bank interest rates to macroeconomic changes and inflation, while also acknowledging inherent market risks.

Regal Rexnord (RRX) declared a $0.35 quarterly dividend, payable October 14, 2025, to shareholders of record on September 30, maintaining a payout streak since 1961. The company, with 30,000 employees globally, focuses on sustainable solutions for powering, transmitting, and controlling motion across diverse sectors like automation, food & beverage, aerospace, medical tech, and energy. Regal Rexnord operates through three segments and emphasizes long-term growth potential through its diversified portfolio.

JD.com is entering the food delivery market, addressing consumer concerns about safety and hygiene by partnering exclusively with established restaurants. They’ve launched “Seven Fresh Kitchen,” a delivery-focused concept, and plan to establish 10,000 locations in three years. JD.com is investing heavily in its supply chain and a “Recipe Partner” program to ensure quality. Their strategy includes rigorous quality checks, hygiene protocols, and 24/7 kitchen livestreams, emphasizing safe and delicious meals.

Power bank manufacturer Romoss is facing a severe financial crisis following a recent product incident, with estimated monthly losses of 100-200 million yuan. Reports indicate a significantly reduced workforce, large amounts of idle inventory, and employee/supplier protests outside the Shenzhen headquarters. Senior management is reportedly “disappeared” and core executives allegedly fled to Malaysia. Romoss issued a work stoppage notice, claiming after-sales services would continue, but these claims are disputed. The company’s legal representative has changed multiple times recently, raising governance concerns.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (NYSE: PAC) reported strong Q2 2025 results with a 49.9% revenue surge to Ps. 10.9 billion, driven by 26.4% and 41.8% increases in aeronautical and non-aeronautical services respectively. Passenger traffic rose 4.1% to 15.9 million. EBITDA increased 31.1% to Ps. 5.5 billion, with a 67.1% margin. Comprehensive income decreased 22.8% to Ps. 2.2 billion due to currency translation. PAC refinanced debt, securing a Ps. 3.4 billion credit facility.

During heavy rain, an Air India Airbus A320 (flight AI2744 from Kochi) veered off the runway at Mumbai Airport, leading to the temporary closure of the affected runway. All passengers and crew deplaned safely. The aircraft sustained damage, including engine intake damage and burst tires. A secondary runway is in use. This incident follows a recent fatal crash involving Air India and precedes a planned EASA investigation into Air India Express, amid concerns about engine maintenance and falsified safety records.

QuestMobile’s Q2 2025 AI app ranking reveals a sharp 72.2% drop in DeepSeek’s monthly downloads, signaling a decline from its previous dominance. While Doubao leads overall, MAU decreased across similar AI assistants. New contenders emerged in specialized areas like “AI+Office” (ima, 360 Wenku) and “AI+Education” (Doubao Aixue, KuaiDui AI). Experts attribute DeepSeek’s decline to competitive API pricing from rivals, technology integration into other apps, lack of vertical integration, and delays in releasing the DeepSeek-R2 model.

Sarepta Therapeutics is voluntarily pausing ELEVIDYS shipments in the U.S. to facilitate information exchange with the FDA and finalize safety labeling. This gene therapy treats Duchenne muscular dystrophy by delivering a micro-dystrophin gene. The pause will take effect July 22, 2025. The company emphasizes patient safety and maintaining a productive relationship with the FDA. ELEVIDYS is approved for Duchenne patients aged 4+ with confirmed DMD gene mutations.

UBTECH Robotics secured a RMB 90.5 million contract with MIIX Automobile for robotic equipment, marking the largest humanoid robot order globally. This follows the Walker S2 release with autonomous battery-swapping. UBTECH’s presence is growing, exemplified by the “Tiangong Walker” and increasing production. The company collaborates with automotive leaders and plans to deploy 500 Walker S robots in smart manufacturing. This order validates the cost-efficiency of humanoid robots. UBTECH’s future hinges on technological advancement and commercial deployment expansion.

Asbury Automotive Group closed its acquisition of The Herb Chambers Companies (HCC), the 16th largest privately-owned dealership group nationwide, marking Asbury’s entry into the Northeastern US market. The $1.45 billion deal includes 33 dealerships representing 52 franchises and is expected to generate significant shareholder value. HCC moved approximately 50,000 vehicles in 2024 and is known for its customer service. Asbury financed the acquisition through credit and cash.