Business News

• Prime Video has announced its July 2026 content lineup, which includes a diverse selection of global and local films, documentaries, series, and animé. • Manalo praised the Recording Academy for introducing the new GRAMMY Award for Best Asian Pop Music Performance, noting its potential to increase global visibility for Filipino and Asian artists. • Filipino pop-rock band The Itchyworms will expand their "Akin Ka Na Lang" tour to Hong Kong on July 26, performing two shows at The Wanch in Wan Chai.

• Thailand has secured $4.1 billion in electric vehicle (EV) supply chain investments, signaling a strategic pivot in its national automotive sector. • The country is currently competing with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore to lead Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding backpacking tourism circuit. • Bangkok has emerged as a global luxury travel hub, outperforming the U.S., India, and Indonesia due to a rise in high-spending visitors and millionaires.

• Several high-profile stocks, including HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and ICICI Pru Life, are expected to be in the spotlight on Friday, July 6. • Other companies likely to see significant market activity include YES Bank, IndusInd Bank, NBCC India, PTC India, and NTPC Green Energy. • This focus highlights potential volatility or trading interest in the banking and energy sectors as investors react to current market trends.

• Global stock markets are showing signs of fragility due to stretched valuations and a "late-cycle" warning pattern where dominant components weaken while headline indices remain high. • In Thailand, foreign capital returned to equities in 2026 following three years of net outflows, successfully pushing the SET Index above 1,500 points. • Market instability is intensifying as weakness initially seen in technology stocks spreads into the financial sector, with several major sectors completing topping patterns.

• Indian enterprises are projected to increase cybersecurity spending to 15-20% of their total IT budgets to combat expanding AI-driven cyber threats. • Company boards are shifting their focus from simple attack prevention to prioritizing business continuity, recovery capabilities, and overall digital resilience. • This strategic pivot occurs as AI expands the digital attack surface, elevating cybersecurity from a technical server-room issue to a critical boardroom financial and operational risk.

• China has released a draft amendment to its e-commerce Law for public consultation to enhance platform economy regulation and industry governance. • The proposed changes aim to protect market participants and strengthen the overall oversight of digital commerce operations. • Chinese equities saw one of their strongest first-half performances in years during H1 2026, with daily turnover nearly doubling year-on-year.

• The 7th Western Digital Economy Expo (WDEE Expo) concluded on June 28 in Xi'an, China, focusing on the theme of digital convergence and smart innovation. • The event featured representatives from over 30 Chinese cities, 119 leading digital economy companies, and international delegations from Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia. • The expo highlights Xi'an's strategic transition from an ancient capital to a modern "Digital Silk Road" hub, emphasizing the integration of industrial and digital sectors.

• Prime Minister Rabuka announced that Fiji may hold its next elections under the current Constitution. • In other regional developments, a tribunal has been appointed to investigate the Police Commissioner of the Solomon Islands, and a former Vanuatu PM has criticized the Nakamal agreement. • Fiji reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the United States as the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence.