Investments

• Finansia has identified "value play" stocks as a primary growth theme for the Thai benchmark market, driven by anticipated fund inflows and the current AI investment cycle. • Energy stocks are receiving support from Brent crude oil prices, which are currently hovering around $93.8 per barrel. • The commercial banking sector is expected to benefit from Thailand's improving economic outlook, making it a key target for foreign capital.

• Stockholm-based startup Lovable has announced a €343 million Series C funding round this week. • The investment serves as a catalyst for a broader review of the top 10 largest startup investments in Sweden during 2026. • This significant capital injection highlights the continued strength and attractiveness of the Swedish tech ecosystem for large-scale venture capital.

• A surge of venture capital investment hit the cybersecurity sector in late July 2026, with five major firms securing significant funding. • Key deals include Spur raising $200M from Insight, ThreatLocker securing $190M in Series F funding, and Glow emerging from stealth with $180M. • Additional funding went to Neo ($100M) and Onyx ($113M), highlighting a massive industry shift toward securing AI software and reinventing endpoint security.

• Asian markets are experiencing cautious trading with the NZX opening lower, as investors await critical US initial claims and Friday's jobs data. • Market focus remains on earnings reports from Softbank and Swire, while the Yen's volatility and China's pursuit of taxes on overseas investments pressure insurers and financials. • In regional data, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained interest rates on Wednesday as expected, while the Philippines prepares to release June unemployment and industrial production figures.

New data shows the federal government scheme has been used by high-income borrowers, including one couple earning an annual $674,000Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe government’s 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers has enabled the purchase of nearly 1,500 properties that were turned into investments, new data shows.The scheme is also helping hundreds of Australians earning more than $300,000 a year, after Labor stopped excluding high-income borrowers. Continue reading...

• India is accelerating its semiconductor ambitions by investing in R&D centers, indigenous design tools, and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities to reduce import dependence. • HCLTech is expanding into the full-stack AI market by establishing its first AI data center at the upcoming Odisha Sovereign AI Park, partnering with the Government of Odisha and startup Sarvam. • These strategic initiatives aim to strengthen domestic capabilities, support technology exports, and build an integrated base for telecom hardware and research.

Security lapse leaves sensitive information and contact details of 51 government officials exposed for 40 hoursThe public body in charge of the UK’s state investments has been pushed to improve its internal security after a data breach left “high-level management information” publicly accessible for nearly two days.UK Government Investments (UKGI), the agency that manages the taxpayers’ interest in a swathe of companies including Channel 4 and the Post Office, said the security failure also left more than 50 government officials’ personal details exposed for nearly 40 hours. Continue reading...