Markets

Organto Foods (OGOFF) completed the issuance of 4,380,000 shares to Jaluca Limited at $0.10 per share for advisory services related to debt restructuring. The company also announced its 2024 bonus program, totaling $822,000 for officers and key personnel, structured as 70% equity and 30% cash. The equity component has been earned but not yet disbursed, and will require TSXV approval upon issuance. This share issuance to Jaluca has negative implications by diluting the shares of stock holders.

China is lowering the luxury car tax threshold from 1.3 million to 900,000 yuan, effective July 20, 2025. This policy shift mainly impacts traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which dominate the ultra-luxury segment. In H1 2025, ultra-luxury vehicle sales declined 49% YoY. Mercedes-Benz (48% market share) and Land Rover (23%) are most affected. The policy targets cars priced between 1.017 and 1.469 million yuan, representing a small portion of total luxury car sales. Some domestic automakers are entering this market segment.

Wahaha, a Chinese beverage giant, faces potential sales decline after news of a lawsuit against its Chairperson Zong Fuli emerged. E-commerce data reveals a drop in daily sales following the news. Concerns are growing among distributors. While some link the downturn to reputational damage, industry experts emphasize the importance of product quality and operational efficiency. Zong Fuli has previously advocated decoupling the brand from personal image. Wahaha’s long-term success hinges on adapting to intense competition and evolving consumer preferences.

Wahaha founder Zong Qinghou is facing rumors of illegitimate children, sparking public disappointment. Experts highlight the risks of companies being overly reliant on their founders, citing examples like Gree, Xiaomi, Tesla and Apple. Analysts believe Wahaha’s operations won’t be significantly affected, as product quality depends on production standards, not the leader’s personal life. They caution against creating false rivalries with competitors like Nongfu Spring, urging the public to focus on facts and avoid personality-driven narratives.

Methanex Corporation (MEOH), the world’s largest methanol supplier, announced a quarterly dividend of US$0.185 per share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2025, to shareholders of record on September 16, 2025. This payout highlights the company’s financial stability and commitment to shareholder value. Methanex is dual-listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MX) and the Nasdaq Global Select Market (MEOH).

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Agent, a unified AI agent integrating web interaction, information gathering, and advanced conversational abilities. Powered by modules for web automation, in-depth research, and an enhanced GPT-4 dialogue engine, it can perform complex tasks like financial research, presentation creation, and code generation. While limitations exist in complex modeling and non-English text analysis, the agent is available to Pro, Plus, and Team subscribers, with future plans for voice interaction and expansion into healthcare and education.

PDF Solutions (PDFS) will release its Q2 fiscal 2025 financial results on August 7, 2025, after market close. A conference call, hosted by CEO John Kibarian and CFO Adnan Raza, will be held the same day at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Investors can pre-register for the call or access it via webcast on the company’s investor relations website. A replay will be available. PDF Solutions provides data solutions for the semiconductor industry, focusing on improving yield, quality, and efficiency.

UDR, Inc. (UDR) secured a 2025 Top Workplaces award in the Real Estate Industry, marking its second consecutive year earning this distinction. CEO Tom Toomey emphasizes the link between a valued workforce and the company’s ability to deliver results. UDR has also received recognition from *USA Today* and The Denver Post, along with Culture Excellence Awards. The awards are based on anonymous employee feedback gathered by Energage. UDR, an S&P 500 company, focuses on owning, developing, and managing apartment communities.

Third Century Bancorp (OTCPINK: TDCB) reported a significant increase in net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, reaching $374,000 ($0.32 per share), a 64.34% jump from $228,000 in 2024. This growth was primarily driven by a $286,000 increase in net interest income due to higher loan balances and improved yields. For the first six months of 2025, net income rose 47.66% to $823,000. Total assets reached $322.43 million, up from year-end 2024.

French-Asian comedian Bou Hamine has died at 43 after falling from his Paris apartment on July 18th while attempting to retrieve his phone. His agency confirmed the news, which has prompted widespread mourning. Hamine was scheduled to perform in Canada the following day. Police investigating the scene have preliminarily ruled out foul play. Hamine, born in 1981, initially studied computer science before dedicating himself to comedy in 2006, facing financial hardship before finding success with the help of a mentor in 2012.