The bank's shares climbed as it beat analysts' expectations despite facing a commercial real estate charge of $700m in Hong Kong. Chairman Brendan Nelson is confident of growth in Asia this year.

Amid a structural shift towards Asia, Insilico Medicine's IPO in December was a significant moment for the exchange, while French biotech TheraVectys is understood to be considering a listing.

US president Donald Trump has issued 15% tariffs on every country exporting to the US after his so-called reciprocal tariffs were ruled illegal by the US Supreme Court.

Jalal Almarhoon previously worked for BNP Paribas in Saudi Arabia.

Hong Kong-based Peng Yu is a specialist in private equity and M&A transactions.

Sherlyn Lau has joined with a team of 12 in Hong Kong to lead the law firm's Apac capital markets and corporate finance team.

SIngapore Exchange's trading turnover jumped 66% in January with strong activity from both retail and institutional investors.

Net profit at the Singapore bank fell 10% in Q4 amid rate headwinds, higher tax expenses and the absence of non-recurring gains; annual revenue in FY 2025 climbed to a record high of S$22.9bn.

The buoyancy in the sector is being driven by multiple factors, including regulatory shifts, policy support, and debt capital market activity in the city.