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- September in New York Means Tennis, Fashion, Festivals — and a Cannabis Market Coming of AgeAs New York moves from the US Open to Fashion Week and a packed month of cultural events, Silly Nice sees legal cannabis becoming a more visible part of the city’s identity.
- 45th Watch & Clock Fair and 14th Salon de TIME open todayHONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - The 45th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Limited, open today under the theme “Sparkling Moments Through Time”. The twin fairs have attracted more than 630 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, creating the world's largest one-stop watch and clock marketplace. The 45th HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME opened today. Guests at the opening ceremony included Algernon Yau (centre), Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Sophia Chong (fourth from the right), HKTDC Executive Director; SK Chong (first from the right) and Frankie Lam (first from the left), Co-Chairmen of HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2026 Organising Committee; and various industry representatives The physical fairs are taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for five consecutive days from 1 to 5 September. Meanwhile, the Click2Match AI-powered business matching platform will remain open until 12 September, allowing exhibitors and buyers worldwide to continue their business discussions online. The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair showcases a wide variety of exquisitely crafted timepieces, accessories and components, offering a one-stop sourcing and trading platform for global buyers Salon de TIME will once again open to both industry professionals and the public for free. Selected brands will offer on-site retail sales, allowing visitors to purchase their favourite timepieces during the fair. A “Time Tunnel” has been specially created to celebrate the 45th edition of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, allowing visitors to revisit three key stages in the fair’s development since its inception in 1982 The fairs officially opened today with an opening ceremony officiated by Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Joining him were Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, and SK Chong and Frankie Lam, Co-Chairmen of the HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair Organising Committee 2026. Speaking at the ceremony, SK Chong said: “This year marks the 45th edition of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, a remarkable milestone for both the fair and Hong Kong’s watch and clock industry. The fair boasts a truly international line-up featuring strong global participation, including group pavilions from Francéclat, the Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion, Guangzhou and Taiwan, as well as a first-time pavilion from Hengyang, Hunan province. In addition, we are pleased to welcome new exhibitors from Norway, Singapore and the US, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a premier international trading hub for the global watch industry.” HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “Amid the ongoing reconfiguration of global supply chains and changing market demand, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TIME continue to provide the industry with an efficient business platform. By leveraging Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a superconnector and super value-adder, we help enterprises explore new markets and seize emerging opportunities. The fairs also support the watch and clock industry in moving up the value chain and strengthening brand development, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading position as an international hub for watch and clock trade.” “Time Tunnel” celebrates 45th edition-Salon de TIME reaches a new high The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair features multiple thematic zones covering every segment of the watchmaking value chain. Among them, Pageant of Eternity showcases premium finished watches from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs). One exhibitor, Time Grand Ltd, a Hong Kong company with more than 20 years of industry experience, provides product development, engineering design and manufacturing services for watch brands worldwide. The company also collaborates with Swiss watchmaking enterprises to offer one-stop watch production solutions, highlighting Hong Kong's strengths in connecting local expertise with international markets. Other exhibition zones cover a comprehensive range of products and services, including Complete Watches, Clocks, Machinery & Equipment, Packaging & Display, Parts, Components & Accessories, offering buyers a convenient one-stop sourcing platform. A “Time Tunnel” has been specially created to celebrate the 45th edition of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, allowing visitors to revisit three key stages in the fair’s development since its inception in 1982: - 1980s to 1990s: The fair became a premier global sourcing platform for the watch and clock industry. - 2000s to 2020s: As Hong Kong’s watch industry evolved from OEM manufacturing to brand development, the fair became a professional platform for promotion, networking and industry exchange. - From 2020 onwards: The fair has further integrated manufacturing, sourcing and brand promotion, while expanding through cross-sector collaboration into a multifaceted platform that brings together craftsmanship, design, technology, lifestyle, culture and consumer engagement. Salon de TIME has reached a new record this year, attracting more than 150 watch brands from around the world. The event features six thematic zones, including Microbrands, where both the number of participating countries and regions and the number of brands have more than doubled compared with last year. A longstanding highlight of the fair, the World Brand Piazza returns for its 16th consecutive year, in collaboration with Prince Jewellery & Watch, showcasing luxury creations from six internationally renowned watch brands: Baume & Mercier, Corum, DeWitt, Franck Muller, Montblanc and Sarcar. Other themed zones include Chic & Trendy, Craft Treasure, Renaissance Moment and Wearable Tech. This year's exhibitors are introducing distinctive new timepieces that reflect the latest market trends, leveraging the fair to gain exposure and capture new orders. Featured innovative watches include: Sports and outdoor trends drive demand for professional timepieces To capitalise on the growing popularity of sports and outdoor lifestyles, exhibitors are showcasing professional sports watches that blend practicality with style. - EDOX presents the “The Water Champion” Delfin 1973 Automatic, featuring a double O-ring crown and pusher system that enhances water resistance to 200 metres. (Booth: 3F-H20) - Making its debut at the fair, Norwegian brand Micromilspec showcases the MILGRAPH, a timepiece developed for special operations forces. Its offset crown design helps reduce the risk of wrist injuries, while the QuadGrip bezel ensures easy operation even when wearing full tactical gear. (Booth: 3F-F22) - A variety of brands are also introducing sports and outdoor performance watches, including ALBA and LORUS by Seiko (Booth: 3G-E18), CAUGHT (Booth: 3F-D05), Quantum (Booth: 3G-C03), SPINNAKER (Booth: 3G-D02) and Slazenger (Booth: 3G-C03). Sustainability trend drives growth in eco-friendly timepieces As environmental protection and corporate social responsibility (ESG) continue to gain importance, the fair once again highlights exhibitors offering sustainable watch products through its Green Solutions Suppliers label, making it easier for buyers to identify environmentally conscious suppliers. - Local microbrand Sunrex showcases the Sunrex 611, powered by the brand’s proprietary VILUMINUS™ solar movement. Equipped solely with a solar-powered battery, the watch harnesses light as its energy source and continues to operate even in the absence of light. (Booth: 3F-F17) - Microbrand Robotfigs presents the Cubot watch, crafted from upcycled materials such as metal wires, copper and acrylic. Transforming everyday surplus materials into imaginative robot-inspired creations, each watch comes with a dedicated robot display stand and three exclusive designer toy accessories: a baseball bat, skateboard and dumbbell, redefining the concept of a “time companion”. (Booth: 3F-H24) - Several exhibitors are also showcasing environmentally friendly watches and accessories, including Hip Shing Leather Watch Straps Mfy Ltd (Booth: 1B-C35) and Gordon C & Co Ltd. (Booth: 1E-C09). Cross-sector collaborations and limited editions appeal to niche consumer segments Many brands are enhancing the value and artistic appeal of their timepieces through cross-industry collaborations and limited-edition releases. - LINK2CARE has partnered with Swiss watch brand MARVIN to launch a luxury smartwatch featuring a fishing-inspired relief dial and a bi-directional mechanical gear system that showcases MARVIN’s exquisite watchmaking craftsmanship. The watch features LINK2CARE’s patented leather strap, which incorporates medical-grade vital signs sensors, enabling wearers to monitor their health. (Booth: 3G-A07) - Memorigin presents the “Verdant Resonance Tourbillon Watch”, featuring a luminous carbon-fibre case designed to evoke the glow of fireflies under the night sky. A three-dimensional guzheng-inspired small-seconds display at the 9 o’clock position, complemented by green luminous incense-burner motifs, recreates the elegant atmosphere of traditional Chinese scholars’ gatherings. (Booth: 3F-C05) - The Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion showcases the “Corleone Mini Collection” by Pilo & Co Genève, created to celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary. Reinterpreting the classic Corleone design as a ladies’ watch, each colour variant is limited to just 10 pieces, making it highly collectible. (Booth: 3F-H07). Microbrands win over younger consumers with creative designs In recent years, microbrands have emerged as a new force in the watch industry, attracting younger consumers with their distinctive designs and competitive pricing. - Making its debut at the fair, US brand BREDA is showcasing the “Pulse Locket” Gold and Metal Bracelet Watch. Featuring a unique locket-style design, the watch dial remains concealed when closed and is revealed only when the wearer chooses to open it. (Booth: 3F-D16) - Other participating microbrands include CIMIER (Booth: 3F-H26), Fayy (Booth: 3F-G19), Leger A. Fah (Booth: 3F-H20), No Identity (Booth: 3F-H25), AISION (Booth: 3F-H20), INANLOU (Booth: 3F-F15), as well as the strap-focused microbrand Monves (Booth: 3F-F16). Exciting activities open to the public Salon de TIME will present a wide range of signature activities and watch showcases open to the public. On 4 September, renowned watch artist and collector Labeg will host a workshop on crafting watch models from corrugated cardboard. A special “Time Arena” zone has also been introduced this year, blending sports and fine timepieces to offer visitors a fresh, interactive experience. One highlight, “Watch2Care Smart x Lifestyle Experience Days”, will take place from 4 to 5 September and feature a variety of hands-on activities, including yoga and mobility training sessions. Visitors can try their hand at pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in recent years. Other highlights include a series of watch parades and new product launch events. Memorigin will welcome several celebrity guests, including celebrity Vic Teo, Hong Kong basketball star Alfred Wong Lut Yiu, and renowned face-changing performer Hathor Wai. A lucky draw will be held daily throughout the fair, offering visitors the chance to win premium watches. Industry leaders share insights on market trends This year’s Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair features more than 40 events, including forums, seminars and networking sessions designed to foster industry exchange and knowledge sharing. The Hong Kong International Watch Forum, held today, brought together leaders of watch associations from the Chinese Mainland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan and Korea to share the latest trade statistics and industry developments in their respective markets. Discussions also explored new opportunities arising from integrating traditional watchmaking craftsmanship with emerging technologies. The Asian Watch Conference, to be held tomorrow (2 September), will be themed “Hong Kong as the hub of International Watch Trades”. The conference will feature a senior analyst from international research firm Euromonitor International (Hong Kong), who will provide insights into the latest developments in the global watch market. Representatives from online watch resale platform Chrono24 will discuss how to connect with demand across global markets, while a representative from Lazada Hong Kong will share strategies for leveraging e-commerce platforms to accelerate market expansion. On 3 September, FIYTA will hold an aeronautics launch event for a watch specially designed in honour of Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong’s first female payload specialist. The company’s Chief Designer, Sun Lei, will also share the inspiration and design concepts behind the timepiece. Also taking place that day is the Tick-Tock Showtime: The Media Spotlight Pitch, jointly organised by Watch CataVlog. The event will feature presentations by 10 microbrands, with a judging panel comprising media representatives from Indonesia, the Middle East and Hong Kong, each selecting their favourite brand. On 4 September, the seminar “Off the Beaten Path: Indie Watchmakers vs. Independent Brands – Trends & Trajectories” will explore the distinctions, evolution and future trends of independent watchmaking and independent brands. Speakers include Noel Wong, Founder of Watch The World, Watch Collector & Discerning Commentator; Benjamin Hui, Watch Collector & Founder of Independent Watcher; and Lu Jinzhi, Chairman of ZBIOLAND. Throughout the fair, watch brands including Watch2Care, SAGA, Peacock, Sea-Gull, Shanghai Watch, Franck Muller, Quantum and INANLOU will host a series of new product launch events, unveiling their latest timepieces to an international audience. The 43rd Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition, jointly organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd, aims to promote watch design exchange and nurture local talent. This year, the themes for the Open Group and Student Group are “Transcending Time” and “Contours of the Breeze” respectively. The competition will continue to feature The Made-to-Sell Award, recognising student entries with outstanding commercial potential. The award presentation ceremony will be held on 5 September at the fair’s event stage, with celebrity Joey Thye attending as a guest. In addition, CENTRESTAGE, another flagship event organised by the HKTDC, will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 2 to 5 September. Bringing together fashion brands and designer collections from around the world, the event will create strong synergies with the watch fairs and offer visitors a one-stop destination to source prestigious timepieces and stylish fashion apparel from across the globe. Photo download: https://bit.ly/3UOXqBY The 45th HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and the 14th Salon de TIME opened today. Guests at the opening ceremony included Algernon Yau (centre), Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Sophia Chong (fourth from the right), HKTDC Executive Director; SK Chong (first from the right) and Frankie Lam (first from the left), Co-Chairmen of HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2026 Organising Committee; and various industry representatives The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair showcases a wide variety of exquisitely crafted timepieces, accessories and components, offering a one-stop sourcing and trading platform for global buyers A “Time Tunnel” has been specially created to celebrate the 45th edition of the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, allowing visitors to revisit three key stages in the fair’s development since its inception in 1982 Salon de TIME features over 150 international brands and comprises six major themed zones, all of which are open to the public Sponsored for the 16th consecutive year by Prince Jewellery & Watch, the World Brand Piazza showcases six world-class watch brands This year’s Salon de TIME features a strong lineup of Guochao-inspired brands and Chinese watchmakers, showcasing their craftsmanship and creativity. Among them is Zbioland, which presents the Barcelona ZBL1009 timepiece. The watch is powered by the brand’s first in-house developed Calibre 961 movement and draws inspiration from the works of renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, reflecting distinctive architectural aesthetics in its design This year's exhibition features an impressive collection of award-winning timepieces. Among them is CIGA Design's AVENTUR·Blue Planet, which features a three-dimensional rotating globe on the dial. The watch was honoured with the “Challenge Watch Prize” at the 2021 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), widely regarded as the "Oscars" of the watchmaking industry During the fair period, a series of watch launch events and watch parades are being held, featuring models showcasing exquisite timepieces and bringing these remarkable creations to life on the runway The winning and shortlisted entries of the 43rd Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition are currently on display in the foyer of Hall 1, showcasing local creative talent Media enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department: Johnny Tsui Tel: (852) 2584 4395 Email: [email protected] Websites Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkwatchfair/en Salon de TIME: https://www.hktdc.com/event/te/en HKTDC Media Room: mediaroom.hktdc.com About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
- China Risun (01907.HK) Interim 2026 Profit Surges 376%, New Energy Business Footprint Further Expanded, Interim Dividend Significantly Increased to RMB1.44 Cents per ShareHONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - China Risun Group Limited ("China Risun" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; Stock Code: 1907.HK), a leading global integrated producer and supplier of coke, coking chemicals, refined chemicals and new energy (including hydrogen energy) products, as well as a relevant operation management services provider, recently announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. During the reporting period, the Group recorded revenue of approximately RMB21,856 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2%; profit for the period reached RMB244.4 million, a substantial surge of 376.0% year-on-year; basic earnings per share was RMB4.77 cents, a sharp increase of 736.8% year-on-year. The board of directors declared an interim dividend of RMB1.44 cents per share, a significant increase of 620% compared to RMB0.20 cents per share in the same period last year, with a dividend payout ratio of not less than 30% of the profit attributable to owners of the Company for the period. Financial Performance: Overall Improvement in Profit Quality, with Gross Margin and Cash Flow Both Enhanced In terms of profit quality, the Group's gross profit margin increased from 8.1% in the same period last year to 10.6%, with gross profit reaching RMB2,311 million, up 37.7% year-on-year. Profit from operations was RMB1,057 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 34.0%. Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB2,527 million, up 35.8% year-on-year, indicating continuous improvement in cash flow. EBITDA margin increased from 8.9% to 9.8%, and return on equity surged from 0.4% to 3.4%. All core financial indicators improved across the board, reflecting the Group's significant enhancement in operational resilience and profit recovery capability amid industry cyclical fluctuations. In terms of cost control, the Group's selling and distribution expenses as a percentage of revenue remained stable at around 3.5%, while administrative expenses decreased by 8.9% year-on-year to RMB511 million, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Group's continuous efforts in cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. All Business Segments Jointly Driven, Coke Overseas Dual Engines, Refined Chemicals Blossoming in Multiple Areas Revenue from the coke and coking chemicals production business increased by 9.6% year-on-year to RMB6,966 million, mainly benefiting from the average selling price of coke rising by 11.3% year-on-year to RMB1,515 per ton. Leveraging its 31 years of accumulated coal blending technology advantages, the Group effectively maintained the coal-coke price spread at above RMB300 per ton, driving the segment's gross profit margin to a healthy level of 13.7%. During the period, coking coal prices rose in nine rounds and fell in two rounds, with a cumulative increase of RMB385/ton. Relying on its core competitive advantages in "sales-transportation-production-supply-R&D" accumulated over 31 years, the coking coal segment's operating revenue increased by 9.6% year-on-year, and gross profit increased by 10.5% year-on-year. Overseas business became an important growth engine. Risun Wei Shan (Indonesia) Limited recorded year-on-year increases in revenue, net profit attributable to the parent company owners, and sales volume of 976%, 1,854%, and 61%, respectively, benefiting from favorable factors such as global capacity growth from newly added and restarted blast furnaces, as well as India's cancellation of quota policies. With both sales volume and price rising, profitability significantly improved. Revenue from the refined chemicals production business increased by 4.2% year-on-year to RMB9,475 million, gross profit increased by 41.4% year-on-year to RMB926 million, and gross profit margin rose from 7.2% to 9.8%. The average selling price of caprolactam increased by 13.3% year-on-year to RMB9,701 per ton. The industry's self-discipline in reducing production to maintain prices led to a recovery in both prices and profitability. The feedstock for methanol is coke oven gas, and its annual production capacity of 600,000 tons ranks first in the country. During the period, driven by reduced supply and increased demand, methanol prices rose, and the methanol-ammonia production line generated considerable profits. It is worth noting that the Group's self-developed innovative process route for 50,000 tons/year of hexamethylenediamine officially commenced production during the period and achieved full production and sales, with its quality widely recognized by downstream customers. The amino alcohol new material not only achieved year-on-year growth in sales volume and customer numbers, but also expanded its export markets to South America and Southeast Asia, further broadening its downstream application markets. It now supplies to the battery, carbon capture, electronic cleaning, high-end pharmaceutical, and cosmetics fields, continuously expanding its industry influence. Revenue from the operation management services business increased by 46.2% year-on-year to RMB1,863 million, mainly due to the addition of the Wulong Magnesium Industry management and operation project during the period. As of the end of the reporting period, the Group provided operation management services to three coke producers and four refined chemicals producers, continuously consolidating its industry influence. The gross profit margin of the operation management business increased from 4.8% in the same period last year to 8.1%, mainly benefiting from the widened price spread of the Kangnaier aniline production line. Revenue from the trading business decreased by 20.2% year-on-year to RMB2,977 million, but gross profit increased by 116.8% year-on-year to RMB193 million, and gross profit margin rose from 2.4% to 6.5%, reflecting the remarkable results of the Group's strategy of proactively optimizing the trading business structure and reducing low-margin items, achieving the business goal of "reducing volume while increasing profit". Energy New Business via Binhai Energy Acquisition,Anode Materials Grow 63.9%, Becoming the Biggest Highlight During the period, the Group completed the acquisition of a 14.5% equity interest in Tianjin Binhai Energy & Development Co., Ltd. ("Binhai Energy"), strategically entering the new energy battery materials industry. Through an acting-in-concert arrangement, China Risun in aggregate controls approximately 23.82% of the voting rights of Binhai Energy, and consolidates its financial statements. Binhai Energy added production lines for green electricity, artificial graphite anodes, and anode materials, expanding the product value chain to six major categories and 63 products, including 58 chemical production lines, 14 coking production lines, 6 graphitization production lines, and 5 high-purity hydrogen production lines. The first phase of the nation's only 580MW power generation, grid, load, and storage project, with a capacity of 150MW, officially commenced grid-connection trial operation, further reducing costs and increasing efficiency, and enhancing the profitability of the new energy business segment.Relying on its Ulanqab industrial base, Binhai Energy has now built an artificial graphite anode production capacity exceeding 100,000 tons. The performance of the new energy products production business became the biggest highlight of the first half of 2026. Revenue from this segment increased by 122.9% year-on-year to RMB523million, and achieved a significant turnaround from a loss of RMB12.95 million in the same period last year to a profit of RMB58.26 million, with the gross profit margin turning from negative to positive at 11.1%. The production/processing volume of lithium battery anode materials was 42,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 63.9%. Graphitization and anode material products not only achieved year-on-year growth in production capacity and sales volume, but revenue also increased by 78% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the 200,000-tonne integrated project is expected to be fully completed and operational by the end of 2026, with full-year shipments projected to reach 130,000 tonnes. Concurrently, the supporting 580,000 kW (580 MW) "source-grid-load-storage" green power project is set to commence operation in phases within the year. With green power coverage exceeding 50%, this rare industry model not only significantly reduces production costs but also meets the carbon accounting requirements for exports. Additionally, the company is expanding into new anode materials, such as silicon-carbon and porous carbon, to perfect its full-category lithium battery materials portfolio. Active Capital Operations, Ample Liquidity, Significant Increase in Shareholder Returns In terms of capital operations, the Group completed the acquisition of Binhai Energy in April 2026, with a total consideration of RMB571.2 million;. This transaction constitutes an optimization of the equity structure within the same actual controller system, with the actual controller remaining unchanged. The parties have signed a concerted action agreement to exercise voting rights in a unified manner. Upon completion of the acquisition, the Group's synergistic strategy of 'overall development via the Hong Kong-listed platform and focus on new energy via the A-share platform' with its dual listing platforms has been officially implemented. This marks a key milestone in the Group's industrial layout of three growth poles: coke, chemicals, and new energy. Meanwhile, in June, the Group introduced a strategic investor, Zhangzhou Gulei Port Economic Development Zone Guozhi Qixu Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), which injected RMB495 million into Hebei Risun Energy Co., Ltd. During the period, the Group repurchased 22,646,000 shares, involving a total consideration of approximately RMB41.94 million, and granted share awards for the second time to 600 eligible participants. As of the end of the period, the Group held 198,217,000 treasury shares. In terms of liquidity, as of June 30, 2026, the Group held cash and cash equivalents of RMB4,455 million, a significant increase from RMB1,589 million at the beginning of the year. Unutilized banking facilities amounted to RMB9,852 million, of which RMB7,626 million were unconditional credit, indicating ample liquidity reserves. The capital gearing ratio was 2.6 times, and the debt-to-asset ratio was 78.5%, with the overall financial structure being sound and controllable. In terms of shareholder returns, the board of directors declared an interim dividend of RMB1.44 cents per share, a substantial increase of 620% compared to RMB0.20 cents per share in the same period last year. The total dividend amount is approximately RMB61.23 million, with a dividend payout ratio of not less than 30% of the profit attributable to owners of the Company for the period, fully demonstrating the Group's determination to share development achievements with shareholders. Outlook for the Second Half: Accelerating the Advancement of Silicon-Carbon Anode, Porous Carbon Materials, and Energy Storage Projects Looking forward to the second half of 2026 and the seventh "Five-Year Plan" period, the Group stated that it will continue to advance the construction of the 2,000-ton/year silicon-carbon material production line, 1,000-ton/year porous carbon material production line, 20-ton/year integrated anode material production line, and the supporting second phase 430MW power generation, grid load, and energy storage project, further improving the product variety in the new energy battery materials field and strengthening the cost and supply chain advantages of "green electricity + materials". The new production capacity will provide strong support for the rapid ramp-up of the Group's third growth curve. Relying on the strategic framework of the seventh "Five-Year Plan", the Group will continuously increase its market share in the fields of coke, refined chemicals, and new energy products through various means such as operation management arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, and establishing joint ventures with regional leading enterprises, promote the green transformation and high-end upgrading of the industry, and strive to achieve a higher level of sustainable development and shareholder value creation.
- China Risun (01907.HK) Interim 2026 Profit Surges 376%, New Energy Business Footprint Further Expanded, Interim Dividend Significantly Increased to RMB1.44 Cents per ShareHONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - China Risun Group Limited ("China Risun" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; Stock Code: 1907.HK), a leading global integrated producer and supplier of coke, coking chemicals, refined chemicals and new energy (including hydrogen energy) products, as well as a relevant operation management services provider, recently announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. During the reporting period, the Group recorded revenue of approximately RMB21,856 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2%; profit for the period reached RMB244.4 million, a substantial surge of 376.0% year-on-year; basic earnings per share was RMB4.77 cents, a sharp increase of 736.8% year-on-year. The board of directors declared an interim dividend of RMB1.44 cents per share, a significant increase of 620% compared to RMB0.20 cents per share in the same period last year, with a dividend payout ratio of not less than 30% of the profit attributable to owners of the Company for the period. Financial Performance: Overall Improvement in Profit Quality, with Gross Margin and Cash Flow Both Enhanced In terms of profit quality, the Group's gross profit margin increased from 8.1% in the same period last year to 10.6%, with gross profit reaching RMB2,311 million, up 37.7% year-on-year. Profit from operations was RMB1,057 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 34.0%. Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB2,527 million, up 35.8% year-on-year, indicating continuous improvement in cash flow. EBITDA margin increased from 8.9% to 9.8%, and return on equity surged from 0.4% to 3.4%. All core financial indicators improved across the board, reflecting the Group's significant enhancement in operational resilience and profit recovery capability amid industry cyclical fluctuations. In terms of cost control, the Group's selling and distribution expenses as a percentage of revenue remained stable at around 3.5%, while administrative expenses decreased by 8.9% year-on-year to RMB511 million, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Group's continuous efforts in cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. All Business Segments Jointly Driven, Coke Overseas Dual Engines, Refined Chemicals Blossoming in Multiple Areas Revenue from the coke and coking chemicals production business increased by 9.6% year-on-year to RMB6,966 million, mainly benefiting from the average selling price of coke rising by 11.3% year-on-year to RMB1,515 per ton. Leveraging its 31 years of accumulated coal blending technology advantages, the Group effectively maintained the coal-coke price spread at above RMB300 per ton, driving the segment's gross profit margin to a healthy level of 13.7%. During the period, coking coal prices rose in nine rounds and fell in two rounds, with a cumulative increase of RMB385/ton. Relying on its core competitive advantages in "sales-transportation-production-supply-R&D" accumulated over 31 years, the coking coal segment's operating revenue increased by 9.6% year-on-year, and gross profit increased by 10.5% year-on-year. Overseas business became an important growth engine. Risun Wei Shan (Indonesia) Limited recorded year-on-year increases in revenue, net profit attributable to the parent company owners, and sales volume of 976%, 1,854%, and 61%, respectively, benefiting from favorable factors such as global capacity growth from newly added and restarted blast furnaces, as well as India's cancellation of quota policies. With both sales volume and price rising, profitability significantly improved. Revenue from the refined chemicals production business increased by 4.2% year-on-year to RMB9,475 million, gross profit increased by 41.4% year-on-year to RMB926 million, and gross profit margin rose from 7.2% to 9.8%. The average selling price of caprolactam increased by 13.3% year-on-year to RMB9,701 per ton. The industry's self-discipline in reducing production to maintain prices led to a recovery in both prices and profitability. The feedstock for methanol is coke oven gas, and its annual production capacity of 600,000 tons ranks first in the country. During the period, driven by reduced supply and increased demand, methanol prices rose, and the methanol-ammonia production line generated considerable profits. It is worth noting that the Group's self-developed innovative process route for 50,000 tons/year of hexamethylenediamine officially commenced production during the period and achieved full production and sales, with its quality widely recognized by downstream customers. The amino alcohol new material not only achieved year-on-year growth in sales volume and customer numbers, but also expanded its export markets to South America and Southeast Asia, further broadening its downstream application markets. It now supplies to the battery, carbon capture, electronic cleaning, high-end pharmaceutical, and cosmetics fields, continuously expanding its industry influence. Revenue from the operation management services business increased by 46.2% year-on-year to RMB1,863 million, mainly due to the addition of the Wulong Magnesium Industry management and operation project during the period. As of the end of the reporting period, the Group provided operation management services to three coke producers and four refined chemicals producers, continuously consolidating its industry influence. The gross profit margin of the operation management business increased from 4.8% in the same period last year to 8.1%, mainly benefiting from the widened price spread of the Kangnaier aniline production line. Revenue from the trading business decreased by 20.2% year-on-year to RMB2,977 million, but gross profit increased by 116.8% year-on-year to RMB193 million, and gross profit margin rose from 2.4% to 6.5%, reflecting the remarkable results of the Group's strategy of proactively optimizing the trading business structure and reducing low-margin items, achieving the business goal of "reducing volume while increasing profit". Energy New Business via Binhai Energy Acquisition,Anode Materials Grow 63.9%, Becoming the Biggest Highlight During the period, the Group completed the acquisition of a 14.5% equity interest in Tianjin Binhai Energy & Development Co., Ltd. ("Binhai Energy"), strategically entering the new energy battery materials industry. Through an acting-in-concert arrangement, China Risun in aggregate controls approximately 23.82% of the voting rights of Binhai Energy, and consolidates its financial statements. Binhai Energy added production lines for green electricity, artificial graphite anodes, and anode materials, expanding the product value chain to six major categories and 63 products, including 58 chemical production lines, 14 coking production lines, 6 graphitization production lines, and 5 high-purity hydrogen production lines. The first phase of the nation's only 580MW power generation, grid, load, and storage project, with a capacity of 150MW, officially commenced grid-connection trial operation, further reducing costs and increasing efficiency, and enhancing the profitability of the new energy business segment.Relying on its Ulanqab industrial base, Binhai Energy has now built an artificial graphite anode production capacity exceeding 100,000 tons. The performance of the new energy products production business became the biggest highlight of the first half of 2026. Revenue from this segment increased by 122.9% year-on-year to RMB523million, and achieved a significant turnaround from a loss of RMB12.95 million in the same period last year to a profit of RMB58.26 million, with the gross profit margin turning from negative to positive at 11.1%. The production/processing volume of lithium battery anode materials was 42,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 63.9%. Graphitization and anode material products not only achieved year-on-year growth in production capacity and sales volume, but revenue also increased by 78% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the 200,000-tonne integrated project is expected to be fully completed and operational by the end of 2026, with full-year shipments projected to reach 130,000 tonnes. Concurrently, the supporting 580,000 kW (580 MW) "source-grid-load-storage" green power project is set to commence operation in phases within the year. With green power coverage exceeding 50%, this rare industry model not only significantly reduces production costs but also meets the carbon accounting requirements for exports. Additionally, the company is expanding into new anode materials, such as silicon-carbon and porous carbon, to perfect its full-category lithium battery materials portfolio. Active Capital Operations, Ample Liquidity, Significant Increase in Shareholder Returns In terms of capital operations, the Group completed the acquisition of Binhai Energy in April 2026, with a total consideration of RMB571.2 million;. This transaction constitutes an optimization of the equity structure within the same actual controller system, with the actual controller remaining unchanged. The parties have signed a concerted action agreement to exercise voting rights in a unified manner. Upon completion of the acquisition, the Group's synergistic strategy of 'overall development via the Hong Kong-listed platform and focus on new energy via the A-share platform' with its dual listing platforms has been officially implemented. This marks a key milestone in the Group's industrial layout of three growth poles: coke, chemicals, and new energy. Meanwhile, in June, the Group introduced a strategic investor, Zhangzhou Gulei Port Economic Development Zone Guozhi Qixu Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), which injected RMB495 million into Hebei Risun Energy Co., Ltd. During the period, the Group repurchased 22,646,000 shares, involving a total consideration of approximately RMB41.94 million, and granted share awards for the second time to 600 eligible participants. As of the end of the period, the Group held 198,217,000 treasury shares. In terms of liquidity, as of June 30, 2026, the Group held cash and cash equivalents of RMB4,455 million, a significant increase from RMB1,589 million at the beginning of the year. Unutilized banking facilities amounted to RMB9,852 million, of which RMB7,626 million were unconditional credit, indicating ample liquidity reserves. The capital gearing ratio was 2.6 times, and the debt-to-asset ratio was 78.5%, with the overall financial structure being sound and controllable. In terms of shareholder returns, the board of directors declared an interim dividend of RMB1.44 cents per share, a substantial increase of 620% compared to RMB0.20 cents per share in the same period last year. The total dividend amount is approximately RMB61.23 million, with a dividend payout ratio of not less than 30% of the profit attributable to owners of the Company for the period, fully demonstrating the Group's determination to share development achievements with shareholders. Outlook for the Second Half: Accelerating the Advancement of Silicon-Carbon Anode, Porous Carbon Materials, and Energy Storage Projects Looking forward to the second half of 2026 and the seventh "Five-Year Plan" period, the Group stated that it will continue to advance the construction of the 2,000-ton/year silicon-carbon material production line, 1,000-ton/year porous carbon material production line, 20-ton/year integrated anode material production line, and the supporting second phase 430MW power generation, grid load, and energy storage project, further improving the product variety in the new energy battery materials field and strengthening the cost and supply chain advantages of "green electricity + materials". The new production capacity will provide strong support for the rapid ramp-up of the Group's third growth curve. Relying on the strategic framework of the seventh "Five-Year Plan", the Group will continuously increase its market share in the fields of coke, refined chemicals, and new energy products through various means such as operation management arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, and establishing joint ventures with regional leading enterprises, promote the green transformation and high-end upgrading of the industry, and strive to achieve a higher level of sustainable development and shareholder value creation.
- Global Natural Cat Litter Products Market to Reach USD 3.2 Billion by 2033Opportunities center on biodegradable, plant-based litter with superior clumping, odor control and low-dust performance. Premium, fragrance-free products and eco-friendly packaging can attract urban, younger pet owners, while e-commerce and specialty retail expand reach.
- Gench Education Announces 2026 Interim Results, High-Quality Education Delivers Steady Business GrowthShanghai Gench Education Group Limited (“Gench Education” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”, Stock Code:1525.HK) -- the leading higher vocational education group in East China and the largest higher vocational education group in Shanghai, delightedly announced the unaudited consolidated interim results for the six months ended 30 June, 2026 (the “Reporting Period”). During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded revenue of approximately RMB569 million, representing an increase of 6.6% year-on-year (“YoY”). Gross profit was RMB354 million, up 11.7% YoY; Profit for the year was RMB179 million, a YoY rise of 10.2%. Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent were RMB0.45, compared to RMB0.41 in the same period last year. The growth in performance was primarily attributable to the rise in average tuition fees, boarding fees per student, and revenue from education-related services during the Reporting Period. The Board has resolved the payment of an interim dividend of HKD$0.04 per ordinary share for the six months ended 30 June 2026, maintaining a stable dividend policy. Policy Dividends Continued to Be Released, Lingang’s Location Advantages Solidified Growth Foundation As the largest private university in Shanghai, Shanghai Jian Qiao University (the “University”) has fully benefited from dual support from national vocational education policy and Lingang special area policy. In February 2025, the Management Committee of Lingang New Area issued “the Action Plan for High-Quality Development of Industry-Education Integration in Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (2025-2027)”, explicitly supporting the University in building itself into an industry-education integration university. In December 2025, “Shanghai Lingang Science and Technology Innovation City Construction Plan” was launched, encouraging universities to participate in regional innovation development and bringing the Group opportunities in terms of policy support and resources. At the national level, in February 2026, the Ministry of Education issued the “Opinions of the Ministry of Education on Deepening the Reform of Key Elements in Vocational Education and Teaching”, which focuses on the key links of industry-education integration. In June 2026, the State Council issued the “Education Development Plan for the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan Period” (the “Plan”), which proposes launching the “Dual Excellence” construction of high-level application-oriented undergraduate universities, and leading and driving universities to focus on cultivating distinctive disciplinary specialty clusters around key industrial chains. Driven by these multiple policies, the University has leveraged its location in Lingang’s emerging industry agglomeration to transform its geographical advantages into institutional competitiveness. As of 31 August 2025, 77.5% of the University’s 2025 graduates were employed in the Yangtze River Delta region and 59.2% in Shanghai, which fully demonstrated the University’s effective integration into the regional development ecosystem through its educational outcomes. Teaching Quality Has Been Steadily Enhanced, While Digital and Intelligent Transformation Has Been Vigorously Advanced The University remains committed to teaching quality as its core priority, with ongoing efforts to strengthen faculty capacity building, curriculum development and smart campus construction. In terms of faculty, as of 30 September 2025, among the full-time teachers, the master degree or higher accounted for 86.4%, the doctoral degree accounted for 28.8%, the senior title accounted for 38.6%, and the double-position accounted for 47.8%. Grounded in its positioning as an application-oriented technological university, the University vigorously promotes professional teachers to practice in enterprises, organizes thematic workshops on industry education integration, and enhances teachers’ awareness and competence in industry-education integration. In terms of program and curriculum development, in the 2026/27 school year, the University has introduced two undergraduate majors, namely the Artificial Intelligence and the Electronic Packaging Technology, closely aligning with the demands of key industries such as integrated circuits and artificial intelligence. The University focuses on courses connotative construction, constructs “school level – city level – national level” 3-level courses building system, and enhances practical teaching and quality teaching. In 2025, 12 courses were selected as Shanghai first class undergraduate courses - the number of approved courses showed a YoY increase of 50%, reaching a historic new high. Besides, 26 courses were approved as Shanghai higher education municipal level key courses - the number of approved courses ranked the 7th place among higher education institutions in Shanghai, and thus became the only private university in the top 10. The courses cover various types including “AI+courses” and “industry-education integration courses”. In 2025, the “Fundamentals of Gemstone Geology and Crystallography” course of the College of Jewelry was selected as a “Online/Offline Hybrid First-Class Course”, achieving a breakthrough for the University in the construction of national first-class courses. In May 2026, the “Fundamentals of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment” course of the College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering was included in the national case collection of “Excellent Intelligent Manufacturing Courses”. The Group continues to deepen the upgrading and renovation of teaching and research instruments and equipment as well as teaching laboratories. The University has deployed smart classrooms integrated with high-definition cameras, intelligent audio devices and high-speed networks, and has built a smart teaching system covering the entire process of talent cultivation, curriculum teaching and quality monitoring. Furthermore, the Group has actively explored the deep integration of AI and education, embedded technologies such as AI, 5G, and VR into the teaching process, and initiated the construction of a DeepSeek-based large model for vertical-domain educational applications, thereby creating three intelligent agents for services, management, and teaching. Industry-Education Integration Has Been Further Deepened, While the Diversified Education Ecosystem Has Been Continuously Improved The Group is fully committed to building an industry-education integrated university. It implements a tripartite operational model integrating “academic schools + industrial colleges + corporate entities”, striving to achieve the synergistic development of “industry, academia, research, and innovation” as an integrated whole. As of 30 June 2026, the University has successively launched seven key industry-education integration projects covering the College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, the College of Journalism and Communications, the Business College, the College of Art Design and the College of Jewelry. It has established Medical Engineering Industrial College, the Live Streaming Economy Industrial College, and Big Data Industrial College, is actively preparing for the establishment of the Integrated Circuit Industrial College and the Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial College, and endeavors to create a distinctive educational framework featuring multi-track industry and college collaboration and comprehensive industry-education integration. International cooperation has made steady progress, while external exchanges have continued to expand. The University works with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics, Teesside University, among others, in junior college to master’s program, undergraduate to master’s program, dual bachelor’s program and other programs. In 2025, the University contracted with 11 overseas famous universities/colleges in Germany, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Thailand and other countries, to expand teachers and students’ overseas exchange channels. As the first private university in Shanghai that has obtained the qualification to recruit international students, the University also attracts international students from many countries around the world and forms an international student education system that combines long-term and short-term programs. The University has a well-established lifelong education system. With the Shanghai “Dual-system” Pilot Base for Continuing Education of Employees in Higher Education Institutions (Incubation) as a platform, the University has built an integrated, multi-field and cross-age lifelong education system for knowledge updating and ability enhancement, covering adult higher education, vocational skills training, and youth science and innovation education. As of 30 June 2026, the number of in-service students enrolled in the University’s adult continuing education programs amounted to 3,316, and a total of over 400 types of vocational skill certificate training had been provided. Financial Position Remains Sound, While the Asset-Liability Structure Has Been Continuously Optimized During the Reporting Period, finance costs of the Group decreased by 69.0% YoY, which was primarily due to the result of early repayment of most of long-term interest-bearing bank borrowings by the end of 2025. As at 30 June 2026, the scale of interest-bearing borrowings decreased to RMB276.7 million, with the gearing ratio remaining at 0.1. The financial position has become more robust. Looking forward, Mr. Zhao Donghui, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Gench Education, stated: “The Group’s performance in the first half of 2026 achieved steady growth, validating the feasibility of its high-quality development strategy. In the future, we will continue to adhere to the educational philosophy of ‘student-oriented, teaching-centred, undergraduate-focused’ and the work ideology of ‘quality as the core, teaching as the centre, students as the base, teachers as the principal’ to promote the high-quality development of our undertakings. We will also fully capitalize on this historic opportunity by proactively aligning with the national strategy of promoting the high-quality development of vocational education and with Lingang’s regional initiative of becoming a ‘Global Hub of Power’, cultivate more high-quality technical and skilled talents, and accelerate the transformation to an industry-education integration university, and strive to build our University into a first-class private university in China with more unique features and international standing and a long-distance runner for the high-quality development of higher education in China.” About Shanghai Gench Education Group Limited Gench Education (Stock Code: 1525.HK) is a higher vocational education group which provides undergraduate education and junior college education, focusing on high-quality schooling for the provision of excellent education for students. The Group operates Shanghai Jian Qiao University, being the domestic leading private university, at Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. As measured by the number of full-time students enrolled in the 2025/26 school year, the University is the largest private university in Shanghai and is also a leading private university in the entire Yangtze River Delta. According to CUAA.net , the University ranked third among all category I private universities in China for five consecutive years and first among private universities in the Yangtze River Delta for seven consecutive years. Over 26 years of operation, the schooling quality of the University ranked in the forefront of peer universities, which has accumulated a solid brand reputation. Since 2004, the University has been consecutively awarded “Shanghai Civilized Unit” over 18 years. The University has won numerous honorary titles such as “National Model Unit of Civilization ”, “Shanghai Garden Unit”, “Shanghai Safe and Civilized Campus”, etc. The University has also been granted reputable title of “Lei Feng Spirit College Demonstration Education Base” among the first batch of universities in the PRC in April 2024, and was awarded the “Contribution Award for Promoting Lei Feng Spirit in the New Era ” in September 2024. In February and March 2025, the University was successively recognized as an “Outstanding Unit in Information Disclosure Work among Shanghai Higher Education Institutions for 2023-2024” and an “Outstanding Unit in Petition Work within the Shanghai Education System for 2024”. This press release is issued by Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group on behalf of Shanghai Gench Education Group Limited. For further information, please contact: Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group E-mail: [email protected]
- Perfect Corp.Perfect Corp. Brings Visual Intelligence to Vereme’s New AI Stylist With 28 YouCam APIs Across Skin, Hair, Makeup, and AccessoriesNEW YORK, August 31, 2026--Perfect Corp. (NYSE: PERF), the leading AI and AR beauty and fashion technology provider, today announced that Vereme has integrated Perfect Corp.'s YouCam AI API suite, bringing visual intelligence to a stylist built to help people make smarter, more confident appearance decisions.
- GrandmasterGrandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Crowned Winner of 2026 GCT Finals and Overall GCT ChampionSAINT LOUIS, August 28, 2026--Grandmaster (GM) Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu of India captured his first overall Grand Chess Tour (GCT) championship in dramatic fashion, defeating defending champion GM Fabiano Caruana of the United States in the 2026 GCT Finals. Held Aug. 22–27 in the U.S.
- Barrett Distribution Centers Inc.Taking the Next Step: STOKE Shoes Selects Barrett Distribution Centers as Omnichannel Fulfillment PartnerAs STOKE Shoes prepares for its next phase of growth, the emerging footwear brand has selected Barrett Distribution Centers as its omnichannel fulfillment and third-party logistics (3PL) partner. STOKE is redefining comfort and fit for...
- ToyotaWhere Ideas Take Shape: Student Innovation Comes to Life in KentuckyCompanies: ToyotaInside a Northern Elementary School gymnasium in Lexington, KY, rows of student-designed booths come to life with color, creativity, and purpose. Handcrafted jewelry is carefully arranged beside handwritten price cards. Homemade treats are displayed with attention to detail. Each table […] The post Where Ideas Take Shape: Student Innovation Comes to Life in Kentucky appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
- CaleresCaleres Declares Regular Quarterly DividendST. LOUIS, August 28, 2026--Caleres (NYSE: CAL), a market-leading portfolio of consumer-driven footwear brands, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share to be paid on September 25, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 11, 2026.
- Sewing Thread Market Outlook 2026-2030 - Featuring Profiles of Coats Group, American & Efird, and AMANN & SöhneOpportunities center on sustainable, recycled and dissolvable threads, high-performance products and precision automation, driven by apparel, technical textiles and Asia-Pacific demand.