Business News
Latest business news and updates
Total: 3095
Ex-Husband Sues China’s ‘Express Queen’ for 280m RMB of STO Shares, Posing Governance Test for Family‑Run Courier
An ex‑husband has sued Chen Xiaoying and STO Express seeking around 20.28 million shares (≈RMB 280m), claiming the block was part of a 2012 divorce settlement. The Yuhuan court has accepted the case but not yet tried it; STO says the litigation will not materially affect operations or control while unresolved. The dispute highlights governance risks in family‑run Chinese public companies and could set a legal precedent for post‑divorce claims over equity that became listed after corporate restructuring.
Shandong Joins China’s Trillion-Yuan Club — Big Enough to Rival Small Countries
Shandong’s 2025 GDP surpassed RMB 10.3 trillion, converting to roughly $1.48 trillion and placing the province among mid-ranked national economies. The milestone reflects a combination of a comprehensive industrial base, aggressive capacity restructuring, growing innovation capabilities and regional coordination, while leaving significant environmental and structural challenges to address.
AI Boom Ignites a Metals Supercycle — Copper Poised to Stay in Shortfall as Gold Surges
A broad commodities rally led by metals has accelerated on the back of AI, EVs and robotics. Copper is forecast to remain in deficit this year and possibly worsen, while gold targets have been raised to unprecedented levels as investors seek real assets amid uncertainty.
US Carmakers at Risk of Becoming Niche Players as Global Markets Shift
A University of Michigan professor warns that Ford and General Motors risk becoming niche producers focused on pickups and SUVs if they lose market share in Canada, Mexico and other markets. Such a retreat would have wide economic and strategic consequences, as global demand shifts toward smaller, electrified vehicles and non‑US competitors expand abroad.
CATL and Fujian Transport Group Join Forces to Push Full Electrification of Urban Transit
CATL and Fujian Provincial Automotive Transport Group signed a strategic framework to cooperate on aftermarket services, city battery‑swap infrastructure and V2G technology to accelerate public‑transport electrification. The partnership pairs CATL’s manufacturing and system capabilities with a state‑owned operator’s fleet and routes, creating a potential testbed for scalable electrified transit solutions.
Apple Slashes iPhone Air Prices in China as New‑Year Tmall Push Signals Demand Pressure
Apple has initiated a major New‑Year sale on its Tmall store in China, cutting the iPhone Air’s effective price by roughly RMB 2,500 and extending discounts across its device lineup. The move — the third sizable promotion in about a month — highlights demand pressures in China and precedes Apple’s January 29 quarterly results.
CATL Moves Into Urban Mobility Services with Fujian Transport Group Deal to Build Swap Networks and V2G Capacity
CATL and Fujian Province Automobile Transport Group signed a strategic framework to cooperate on aftermarket services, citywide battery‑swap networks and V2G technology. The partnership could accelerate fleet electrification, create new revenue streams for batteries as services, and test models for grid integration, but faces interoperability, regulatory and capital challenges.
Ninebot Hits 10 Million Domestic Shipments, Underscoring China’s Micromobility Scale-Up
Ninebot announced that its cumulative domestic shipments of intelligent two‑wheel electric vehicles exceeded 10 million units, celebrating the milestone at its Changzhou factory and an accompanying user conference. The milestone underscores China’s manufacturing scale in micromobility and marks a shift from pure volume growth toward higher‑value products, services and regulatory scrutiny.
Beijing’s Crackdown Tightens: Regulator Hits Private Fund Ruifengda with Hefty Fines and Lifetime Ban
China’s securities regulator has fined Zhejiang Ruifengda and linked private fund entities a combined RMB 41 million and banned its controller from market participation for life, part of a wider campaign against private fund malpractice. The move, which pairs firm‑level sanctions with personal punishment and potential criminal referrals, signals an intensified regulatory push to clean up the private fund industry and raise the cost of misconduct.
Former Star Li Yapeng Tops Douyin Charts with Rapid-Fire Livestream Sales as Charity Dispute Simmers
Li Yapeng’s January 23 livestream on Douyin drew millions of viewers and generated over ¥50 million in sales within 90 minutes, topping the platform’s commerce charts. The event came amid scrutiny over property and financial questions tied to a children’s hospital and the celebrity-backed Yanran Angel charity, provoking calls for more professional management and greater transparency.
Haidilao’s Founder Returns as Cash‑Strapped Youth Sap Growth
Haidilao’s founder Zhang Yong has returned as CEO after four years amid a sharp deterioration in traffic and profitability: first‑half 2025 revenue fell 3.7% and net profit 13.7%, with customer visits down 10 million. The chain’s high labour costs, failed expansion, and mixed results from incubated sub‑brands have left it vulnerable to increasingly price‑sensitive young consumers, forcing a management rethink on efficiency and product strategy.
Gold and Silver Surge as US Markets Split; Intel’s Weak Guidance Sends Chips Reeling
On January 23, risk assets split: US major indices finished mixed while gold and silver surged to record nominal highs and oil rallied. Intel’s disappointing guidance triggered a sharp sell-off in its shares and weighed on semiconductor sentiment, even as select big-tech names gained. Commodity strength, driven by safe-haven flows and supply concerns, prompted Goldman to lift its 2026 gold target to $5,400 an ounce.