2026 Asia

• The 2026 Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) began its two-day celebration on Saturday, May 16, at the Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. • Hosted by MONSTA X’s Hyungwon and IVE’s Rei, the first day featured red carpet appearances and the announcement of the Hot Icon and Hot Trend awards. • Major honors included Enhypen being named Artist of the Year and Monsta X winning the Top Touring award, highlighting the dominance of these groups in the industry.

• University at Buffalo women's basketball announced the signing of Holy Cross transfer Asia Wilson, a Rochester, NY native with three remaining years of eligibility. • Wilson appeared in 27 games for Holy Cross in 2025-26, helping the Crusaders achieve 23 wins, a Patriot League Championship, and an NCAA Tournament berth. • The addition of Wilson strengthens Buffalo's roster as the program looks to build on recent success and compete at a higher level.

• HSBC reported total wealth balances of $1.570 trillion in Q1 2026, up 12% year-over-year, driven by Asia's $1.068 trillion share growing at 14% pace. • The bank's 18.7% return on tangible equity (RoTE) fueled stock gains despite credit headwinds. • Strong Asia wealth performance signals resilience in regional private banking amid global economic shifts.

• Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC) held its Q1 2026 earnings call on May 8, 2026, presenting results to investors and analysts covering its Asia-Pacific operations. • The Singapore-based banking group discussed performance metrics and strategic initiatives during the investor update with media and analyst participation. • OCBC's results are closely watched for insights into regional banking sector health and economic conditions across Southeast Asia and Greater China.

• Investment analyst Simply Wall St identified top-performing dividend stocks across Asia for May 2026, with Toukei Computer (TSE:4746) leading at 4.0% yield and SIGMAXYZ Holdings (TSE:6088) at 4.18% yield, all rated at five-star dividend ratings. • Key dividend opportunities include NCD (TSE:4783) at 4.94% yield, HUAYU Automotive Systems (SHSE:600741) at 5.43% yield, and Guangxi LiuYao Group (SHSE:603368) at 4.45% yield, representing strong income-generating investments across Japan and China. • These dividend stocks offer investors seeking income exposure to Japanese and Chinese companies with consistent payout histories and reliable dividend payment records across technology, automotive, and diversified sectors.

• Echelon Singapore 2026, set for June 3-4, features exhibitors in AI-powered sustainability, cybersecurity, and HR platforms across ASEAN. • Leaders from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam will highlight digital transformation initiatives amid regional tech growth. • The event underscores Southeast Asia's rising role in global AI and green tech innovation, drawing investors and startups.

• Delta Electronics presented cutting-edge smart manufacturing solutions at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on May 5, 2026, emphasizing AI-enabled systems for semiconductor packaging production. • The company demonstrated how integrated, connected AI systems can enhance speed, precision, and scalability in advanced semiconductor manufacturing across the region. • Delta's focus on AI integration reflects growing industry demand for smarter manufacturing approaches in Southeast Asia's semiconductor sector, positioning the company as a key player in the region's tech infrastructure development.