Assets

• Asian families and fund managers are driving a record surge in sports asset dealmaking across the Asia-Pacific region by pursuing minority stakes in leagues and franchises. • This investment trend is fueled by rapidly growing audiences and rising media rights fees, with FIFA reporting 205 million unique viewers on China's CCTV and 39 million on Japan's Nippon TV. • High-profile investors like Singapore-based businessman Kiat Lim, who controls Valencia CF and has stakes in McLaren Automotive, view sports attention as a valuable financial currency.

• Foreign investors continued to be net sellers of South Korean equities in June, marking the fifth consecutive month of outflows. • This trend persisted despite a significant tech-led rally within the local stock market during the same period. • Data released by the Bank of Korea on July 14 highlights a disconnect between rising stock prices and foreign investor sentiment.

• Institutional investors are increasingly diversifying their portfolios by targeting energy assets across growth economies in Asia. • This shift is driven by the massive power demand required to support cloud migration and the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure. • By moving into these emerging markets, asset owners aim to mitigate concentration risks associated with mature, saturated markets.

Two sides yet to have face-to-face meeting since signing deal to reopen strait of HormuzTalks at an indirect level between US and Iranian officials over unfreezing at least $6bn Iranian assets will recommence on Wednesday in Doha, Iran has said. The two sides are yet to have their first face-to-face meeting since signing a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait of Hormuz.US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Qatar on Tuesday for talks covering regional issues including the Iran ceasefire and Lebanon, but Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari, stressed these were with Qatari mediators. “They are not here for their negotiations with the Iranians,” he said. Continue reading...

• Influence Media has emerged as the winning bidder for Anthem’s music assets with an offer exceeding $650 million. • This successful sale follows two previous failed auction attempts by Anthem in 2017 and 2022 that did not meet the company's valuation. • The deal is significant as it includes high-profile national touchstones, most notably the catalog of the legendary rock band Rush.

• Influence Media, a company backed by BlackRock, has won a bid to acquire the music assets of Anthem Entertainment for slightly over $650 million. • The acquisition includes high-profile cultural assets, most notably the music catalog of the legendary Canadian band Rush. • The deal faces potential delays as it requires approval from Canadian Heritage, which sources describe as more bureaucratic than the European Union.

• Influence Media has won the bid to acquire the music assets of Anthem Entertainment for a reported price slightly exceeding $650 million. • The acquisition includes high-value portfolios and "cultural jewels," most notably the catalog of the legendary Canadian rock band Rush. • The deal faces potential delays as sources suggest the Canadian Heritage department may be more bureaucratic and arduous to navigate than the EU.