Business Key

• Franklin Templeton has appointed Rene Buehlmann as the new Head of Asia Pacific, with the role becoming effective on September 21, 2026. • Buehlmann will be responsible for overseeing business development, client engagement, and strategic growth across the Asia Pacific region. • A veteran with over 35 years of experience, Buehlmann previously served as the Global CEO of Aberdeen Investments and most recently advised KKR on strategic acquisitions.

• Thailand is nearing removal from the U.S. Treasury's currency monitoring list, a move expected to reduce trade tensions and increase economic flexibility. • In sports, the national volleyball team secured the SEA V Cup title by defeating host nation Vietnam in straight sets. • The Thai football team has seized control of Group B in the ASEAN Championship following a victory over Malaysia.

• Chokalingam Narayanan has identified three emerging trends, highlighting a significant shift in consumer behavior toward prioritizing experiences over the purchase of physical goods. • Regarding earnings, Narayanan suggested a value-based strategy, stating that a higher proportion of earnings typically correlates with a higher potential for returns. • These insights matter as they signal a transition in consumption patterns and provide a framework for evaluating investment potential based on earnings growth.

• The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has identified a potential boom in AI investments as a key risk to global financial stability. • To address this, MAS and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) have set up a task force to enhance cyber and technology resilience against AI-driven threats. • The move aims to mitigate potential risks and ensure the stability of the financial system in the face of rapid technological advancements.

• BusinessNext secured $40 million and CARPL.ai raised $10 million in funding rounds reported on July 23, 2026. • Farm Watt Innovations raised ₹32.5 crore (~$3.36 million) from IAN Alpha Fund and Rainmatter to strengthen its biomass supply chain and expand aggregation hubs. • Meesho reported a significant financial improvement, trimming its Q1 losses by 54%.

• The KOSPI index rebounded following a sharp decline, primarily driven by bargain hunting from investors after the market hit a low point. • Despite the overall recovery, several large-cap stocks suffered losses, including Hyundai Motor (-3.94%), KB Financial Group (-3.06%), and Samsung Life Insurance (-3.07%). • This volatility highlights a fragile market sentiment where gains in some sectors are offset by declines in major industrial and financial leaders.

• Michelle Turner launched Here Now Health, a mental health platform for foster children, by leveraging AI tools to accelerate the transition from concept to operation. • The company demonstrates how non-AI businesses use the technology to lower entry costs and scale faster by automating tasks that were previously too expensive or time-consuming. • This trend highlights a shift where traditional service-based entrepreneurs use AI to increase efficiency and hiring capacity, contrasting with the broader narrative of AI-driven job losses.

• Michelle Turner utilized AI tools to rapidly launch and scale Here Now Health, a mental health platform dedicated to supporting foster children. • The company leveraged AI to handle tasks that were previously too costly or time-consuming, allowing a traditional service provider to operate more efficiently. • This case highlights a shift where entrepreneurs use AI to lower barriers to entry and accelerate growth without being "AI companies" themselves.

• Small business owners are leveraging AI tools to eliminate high costs and time-consuming barriers that previously hindered early-stage growth. • Entrepreneurial success stories highlight how AI allows traditional service companies to scale faster and hire more staff by optimizing operational efficiency. • This trend contrasts with broader public debates regarding AI's potential to disrupt the labor market and cause tech industry layoffs.

• Eurostat has released a fully revamped edition of its "Key figures on European business" report to provide a comprehensive snapshot of EU business activity. • The updated publication features a more streamlined structure and introduces new indicators to improve data accessibility and relevance. • This overhaul matters as it ensures policymakers and analysts have the most up-to-date and comprehensive data on the European business landscape.

• FOX Business Network (FBN) surpassed CNBC in viewership across business day, market hours, and total day programming during April 2026, according to Nielsen Media Research data released April 29. • FBN's flagship shows "Varney & Co." and "Kudlow" maintained their positions as the top two business programs on television, achieving their 50th and 55th consecutive months of outperforming CNBC counterparts respectively. • The ratings victory underscores FOX Business's competitive dominance in the financial news market during a period of significant Federal Reserve policy announcements and market volatility.