Browse press releases
The newest releases come first, each with its full text here and a link to its original. Try the filters to narrow them down.
- HelloNationMr. Muscle Car Engels Gualdani Educates on Private Sales Transactions Between Collectors Via Expert Website from HelloNationEngels Gualdani, Classic Car Expert, Details Record $1.975 Million Sale of 1971 440 Six-Pack — A numbers-matching 1971 Plymouth Cuda convertible with a rare 440 six-pack engine has sold for a record $1.975 million. Classic Car Expert Engels...
- Hyundai Motor AmericaHyundai U.S. EV Owners to Receive Automatic 10% Discount at All IONNA Fast‑Charging Stations via App and Plug & ChargeCompanies: Hyundai Motor CompanyAutomatic 10% discount starts Aug. 19, 2026, available through Hyundai In‑App Charging and Plug & Charge technology on eligible Hyundai EVs Hyundai EV owners receive an additional 10% bonus discount from IONNA on charging through Sept. 30, 2026, using Plug & Charge or the MyHyundai with...
- ToyotaToyota Motor North America Announces Executive ChangeCompanies: ToyotaPLANO, Texas (Aug. 20, 2026) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today announced an executive change designed to drive continued growth, advance its commitment to vehicle electrification and prepare for the future of mobility. Effective Sept. 8th, Niki Allen will […] The post Toyota Motor North America Announces Executive Change appeared first on Toyota USA Newsroom.
- InVert Graphite Advances Vertically Integrated Supply Chain with RapidGraphite Acquisition and Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate to Target Battery and Defense MarketsKey milestones achieved in establishing a vertically integrated, critical minerals supply chain to serve the expanding EV battery and defense sectors
- Guoquan Reports 22% Revenue Growth in 1H2026, Existing Franchised Stores Sales up 7.4%, Farm GMV Soars Over SixfoldRecently, Guoquan Food (02517) announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. The Group recorded revenue of RMB3,947 million, representing an increase of 21.8% year-on-year. Gross profit was RMB849 million, up 18.3% year-on-year, and net profit was RMB213 million, up 12.1% year-on-year. Core operating profit (non-IFRS measure) amounted to RMB225 million, up 18.3% year-on-year, representing a core operating profit margin of 5.7%. Existing Franchised Stores Sales up 7.4%; Large-Store Remodelling Reshapes Per-Store Value When assessing the operational quality of a chain retail enterprise, sales of products to existing franchised stores are a more meaningful metric than new store opening numbers. As of 30 June, the Group had a total of 12,198 stores, representing a net increase of 1,798 stores. During the period, 365 stores were closed, with a store closure rate of below 3%. Revenue from existing franchised stores amounted to RMB2,581 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. Excluding the impact of new store ramp-up, this indicates that the existing franchised store network still possesses organic growth momentum. Behind the growth of existing franchised stores, large-store remodelling served as the primary driver. In the first half of the year, 684 stores completed the upgrade to the large-store model. This upgrade is not simply about expanding floor space, but rather about using larger physical space to accommodate a wider range of categories and extended operating hours – expanding consumption scenarios from hotpot and barbecue to cover all daily meal occasions, and upgrading stores from mere ingredient sales points into comprehensive community family dining entry points. Penetration into lower-tier markets progressed simultaneously. The number of stores in township markets reached 3,377. By precisely targeting these markets with high-cost-performance bulk-sale items and large-pack family packs, the “one store per town” strategy taps into the vast hinterland of approximately 38,000 townships nationwide, with penetration potential far from being exhausted. Farm Business Grows Over Sixfold, New Growth Engine Takes Shape Online and membership data also recorded rapid growth. Registered members reached approximately 82 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 63.0%. Member consumption accounted for 73.2% of total sales, up 12 percentage points year-on-year, indicating that the revenue structure is increasingly concentrated among highly loyal customer groups. The Douyin channel saw significant growth: platform exposure exceeded 6.97 billion views, up 117.8% year-on-year; store GMV on Douyin reached RMB910 million, up 97.2%, initially forming a closed loop between online traffic and offline conversion. Guoquan Farm was the fastest-growing business segment during the period. Its omni-channel paid GMV reached RMB240 million, up over 600% year-on-year, and it brought in over 1.92 million new members for the stores. This model does not set up an independent e-commerce platform; instead, it leverages the existing store network as front-end warehouses and pickup points, while online content seeding and traceability livestreams drive traffic, forming a closed loop of “direct sourcing – content seeding – online ordering – in-store pickup”, which theoretically reduces marginal costs. Among best-selling products, the Golden Pillow Durian Pulp attracted a total of 1.559 million buyers, with a repurchase rate of 22.06%, and also boosted sales of related categories such as durian mille-crêpe cakes, Beihai cooked salted duck eggs, and crispy ice cream. In August, the “Grassland Sheep Traceability” livestream achieved over 8.09 million total exposures within three hours, with a peak concurrent viewership of 173,000. The Farm model completely removes the physical constraints of store floor space and freezer capacity from Guoquan’s category boundaries – the “infinite shelf” combined with a 10,000-store fulfilment network represents a critical leap forward in its transformation from a hotpot ingredient retailer to a full-category platform for home dining. Institutionalised Return Mechanisms; Hong Kong Flagship Store Launched The Board proposed the payment of an interim dividend of RMB0.0503 per ordinary share (tax inclusive), totalling approximately RMB128 million. During the period, the Group repurchased a total of 82,201,200 H shares on the Stock Exchange at an aggregate consideration of approximately HK$192 million. The dividend together with the share buybacks amounted to approximately RMB296 million, equivalent to 139.9% of the profit attributable to owners of the parent for the period (RMB211 million). The shareholder return ratio increased from 5.6% in 2024 and 2025 to 7.1%. In addition to the amount, the Board also approved the 2026 H-Share Equity Incentive Plan, which adopts core operating profit as the performance indicator. The reference target values for the years 2026 to 2030 are set to gradually increase from no less than RMB600 million to no less than RMB1.2 billion. By anchoring the assessment to profit rather than revenue or store count, the plan helps guide management to focus on profitability, better aligning management’s interests with those of shareholders. The high dividend payout provides immediate returns, while the equity incentive focuses on long-term growth. The Hong Kong flagship store opened on 18 August, serving as the first stop for the brand’s overseas expansion. Its positioning is not rapid replication, but rather validating the large-store model in high-tier cities and localised supply chain capabilities. According to publicly available data, the Greater Bay Area, with a population of 87 million and an economic aggregate of RMB15 trillion, coupled with the logistics efficiency of the “one-hour living circle”, provides ample room for subsequent regional deepening. Integrated Manufacturing-Retail Closed Loop; Synergies Gradually Unfolding Linking these strategies together is the “manufacturing-retail integration” capability that Guoquan has built over the years. On the front-end “retail” ecosystem – community stores, township stores, large stores, camping stores, stir-fry stores, flash delivery, and Farm – it reaches consumers, understands scenarios, and accumulates member data. On the back-end “manufacturing” ecosystem – seven ingredient production facilities covering core categories such as seasonings, beef, surimi, and aquatic products, with a “single product, single factory” strategy complemented by digitalised central warehouses – it converts front-end demand into scaled product supply. During the period, external sales from the industrial end increased by 20.7% year-on-year, reflecting the potential for the supply chain capability to be externally deployed. The Danzhou Industrial Park in Hainan was topped out, Heyi Meat’s Phase II commenced production, and the Daixiaji Zhangzhou factory was contracted, indicating that the production capacity landscape continues to expand. Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, with the continued replication of the large-store model, the regular operation of the Farm traceability IP, and the gradual accumulation of operating data from the Hong Kong flagship store, Guoquan is expected to gain clearer market recognition of its positioning as a “home dining infrastructure platform”. From a 10,000-store scale to an ecosystem platform, Guoquan’s strategic transformation is entering a substantive realisation phase.
- Bank of Chongqing Stands Alone Among China's 42 A-Share-Listed Banks: What Sets It Apart?1. Revenue: Net Interest Income Drives Growth; Fee-Income Volatility Mirrors Broader Industry Trends Bank of Chongqing's headline revenue figures provide a useful starting point. In 2025, the bank reported revenue of RMB 15.113 billion, up 10.48% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 10.49% to RMB 5.654 billion. The momentum carried into the first quarter of 2026. Revenue increased 11.57% to RMB 3.996 billion and net profit rose 11.22% to RMB 1.898 billion, marking another quarter of double-digit growth in both metrics. Preliminary results for the first half of 2026 showed revenue of RMB 8.486 billion, up 10.80% year on year; profit before tax of RMB 4.081 billion, up 7.82%; and net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 3.518 billion, up 10.28%. This marked a fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in both revenue and attributable net profit, making Bank of Chongqing the only bank among the 42 listed on China's A-share market to do so. A closer look at the revenue mix shows that net interest income has been the principal growth engine. It reached RMB 12.459 billion in 2025, an increase of 22.44%. The momentum remained firm in 2026, with first-quarter net interest income rising 12.83% to RMB 3.548 billion, pointing to another solid first-half performance. As a locally rooted city commercial bank, Bank of Chongqing has played an active role in supporting the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Growth backed by strong demand from the real economy is more sustainable and gives the bank a defensible revenue base in an increasingly competitive market. Fee and commission income tells a different story. Banks' fee businesses have entered a period of deep adjustment amid tighter enforcement of rules requiring reported bancassurance commission rates to match actual payments, lower mutual-fund distribution fees, and volatility in wealth-management markets. Sharper swings in wealth-management markets produced a marked divergence in fee income among listed city commercial banks in 2025. Against the backdrop of interest-rate liberalization, while a handful of institutions continued to grow on the back of the sector's winner-takes-more dynamics, the industry remained broadly under pressure, with several listed city commercial banks recording declines of around 30% in net fee and commission income. Bank of Chongqing held up relatively well: the decline in its fee income narrowed in 2026, with early signs of stabilization and recovery. The bank has also made headway in improving the quality of its fee income. In 2025, it ranked first in Chongqing by non-financial corporate bond underwriting volume, market share, and number of issues. It also led locally incorporated financial institutions across western China. In trade finance, cross-border renminbi settlement volume increased by more than 120% year on year. These higher-quality fee income streams, underpinned by stronger service capabilities, are gradually displacing traditional conduit business and emerging as a new growth driver. Net interest margin, or NIM, rose to 1.39% in 2025 from 1.35% in 2024, an increase of 4 basis points. A breakdown of asset yields and funding costs shows what drove the improvement: Although the average yield on loans fell by 12 basis points, the average cost of deposits declined by 37 basis points. The larger reduction in funding costs offset downward pressure on asset yields, enabling the bank to deliver a stronger improvement in NIM than the industry average and highlighting more effective management of deposit pricing. Total assets reached RMB 1.034 trillion at the end of 2025, up 20.67%, taking the bank above the RMB 1 trillion threshold. Expansion continued in 2026: assets rose to RMB 1.108 trillion at the end of March, up 7.20% from year-end, and to RMB 1.109 trillion at the end of June, up 7.27% from end-2025. Market observers see the bank's growth potential at its new scale as evidence that its “Five Highs” operating strategy, centered on ambitious goals, strategic transformation, efficient operations, quality service, and high-quality growth, is gaining traction. Through greater efficiency and higher-value services, Bank of Chongqing has achieved a step-change in scale and built a more differentiated competitive position as it moves toward the ranks of leading listed commercial banks. As a locally rooted financial institution, Bank of Chongqing has anchored its growth in China's Western Development strategy and achieved a step-change in scale as it grew in tandem with the regional economy. Outstanding corporate loans rose 30.95% year on year at the end of 2025. Backed by coordinated execution across the organization, credit was directed to national priorities including the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, as well as Chongqing's '33618' modern manufacturing cluster system. The annual report showed a 60% increase in outstanding loans to technology-based enterprises and 40% growth in green lending. Manufacturing loans posted their largest absolute increase and fastest growth in five years. Outstanding financing in support of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor exceeded RMB 55 billion. This lending not only supports the real economy but also embeds the bank more deeply in customers' transaction flows, helping it attract substantial low-cost demand deposits as its balance sheet expands. 2. Risk: Broad-Based Improvement in Forward-Looking Indicators Reinforces Asset Quality Bank of Chongqing has put its belief that 'risk management creates value' into practice by upgrading its risk controls and steadily reducing risk exposure. At the end of 2025, the non-performing loan ratio fell by 11 basis points year on year to 1.14%. More importantly for investors, forward-looking asset-quality indicators improved in tandem: the special-mention loan ratio and overdue loan ratio declined by 70 basis points and 37 basis points from the start of the year to 1.94% and 1.36%, respectively. Asset quality improved further in the first quarter of 2026. At the end of March, the non-performing loan ratio fell by another 2 basis points to 1.12%, while the provision coverage ratio rose by 1.02 percentage points from year-end to 246.60%. The continued improvement in these forward-looking indicators, together with steadily rising provision coverage, reduces the risk of potential problem loans migrating into the non-performing category, strengthens the margin of safety, and highlights the bank's capacity to absorb credit risk. 3. Institutional Views: Capital Replenishment Potential and the Case for a Valuation Re-rating At the end of 2025, the bank's core Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 8.53%. Rapid asset growth has consumed some capital, but the bank's RMB 13 billion convertible bond is now in its conversion period. Chongqing Expressway Group's decision to convert its holdings into shares may be only the beginning. By the end of March 2026, the bank's core Tier 1 and total capital adequacy ratios had risen to 8.67% and 12.57%, respectively. Institutional estimates suggest that full conversion of the remaining bonds could materially strengthen capital and create room for continued balance-sheet expansion during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period. After Bank of Chongqing released its annual and first-quarter reports, the market response was broadly positive. Analysts at CITIC Securities, China Merchants Securities, Zhongtai Securities, Guotai Haitong Securities, China Galaxy Securities, and Zheshang Securities published a series of follow-up notes, with ratings ranging from Buy and Overweight to Recommend and Outperform. The common thread across the reports was that the bank's move beyond RMB 1 trillion in assets was not simply a story of scale; it was also accompanied by tangible progress in lowering funding costs and improving asset quality. 4. Conclusion: A Clear Case for a Return to a More Reasonable Valuation Taken together, Bank of Chongqing's performance in 2025 and the first half of 2026 points to several positive shifts: assets have crossed RMB 1 trillion, revenue and profit growth have returned to double digits, NIM has bottomed and begun to recover, and risk indicators continue to decline. These stronger fundamentals could increasingly feed through to the bank's market valuation. According to a June 9 report by BOCOM International, the banking sector was trading at between 0.5 and 0.8 times book value, near the bottom of its valuation range. That has sharpened investor focus on listed banks' share-price performance and market-capitalization management practices. Changjiang Securities argues that a turning point in fund flows into bank stocks is already in place. Broad-based index funds tracking the CSI 300 recorded net outflows of nearly RMB 1 trillion in the first half of 2026, while active mutual funds' exposure to banks fell to a record low. The brokerage believes the impact of those reductions has now been fully absorbed, and that bank valuations will enter a slow, gradual recovery from the second half of 2026. With sector NIMs stabilizing and earnings expectations improving, high-quality regional city commercial banks are drawing renewed institutional interest. As confidence in Bank of Chongqing's re-rating case grows, a higher weighting in institutional portfolios, together with the stock's high dividend yield and low valuation, could help the shares move decisively out of undervalued territory and toward a more reasonable valuation.
- TIER IV, Inc.TIER IV collaborates with Renesas to build an open AI-native computing platform for SDVs: Integrating R-Car Gen 5 automotive SoCs with Autoware and reference AI modelsTIER IV, the pioneering force behind open-source software for autonomous driving, is collaborating with Renesas Electronics Corporation to build an open AI-native computing platform for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The collaboration combines TIER...
- Bank of Chongqing Stands Alone Among China's 42 A-Share-Listed Banks: What Sets It Apart?1. Revenue: Net Interest Income Drives Growth; Fee-Income Volatility Mirrors Broader Industry Trends Bank of Chongqing's headline revenue figures provide a useful starting point. In 2025, the bank reported revenue of RMB 15.113 billion, up 10.48% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 10.49% to RMB 5.654 billion. The momentum carried into the first quarter of 2026. Revenue increased 11.57% to RMB 3.996 billion and net profit rose 11.22% to RMB 1.898 billion, marking another quarter of double-digit growth in both metrics. Preliminary results for the first half of 2026 showed revenue of RMB 8.486 billion, up 10.80% year on year; profit before tax of RMB 4.081 billion, up 7.82%; and net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 3.518 billion, up 10.28%. This marked a fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in both revenue and attributable net profit, making Bank of Chongqing the only bank among the 42 listed on China's A-share market to do so. A closer look at the revenue mix shows that net interest income has been the principal growth engine. It reached RMB 12.459 billion in 2025, an increase of 22.44%. The momentum remained firm in 2026, with first-quarter net interest income rising 12.83% to RMB 3.548 billion, pointing to another solid first-half performance. As a locally rooted city commercial bank, Bank of Chongqing has played an active role in supporting the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Growth backed by strong demand from the real economy is more sustainable and gives the bank a defensible revenue base in an increasingly competitive market. Fee and commission income tells a different story. Banks' fee businesses have entered a period of deep adjustment amid tighter enforcement of rules requiring reported bancassurance commission rates to match actual payments, lower mutual-fund distribution fees, and volatility in wealth-management markets. Sharper swings in wealth-management markets produced a marked divergence in fee income among listed city commercial banks in 2025. Against the backdrop of interest-rate liberalization, while a handful of institutions continued to grow on the back of the sector's winner-takes-more dynamics, the industry remained broadly under pressure, with several listed city commercial banks recording declines of around 30% in net fee and commission income. Bank of Chongqing held up relatively well: the decline in its fee income narrowed in 2026, with early signs of stabilization and recovery. The bank has also made headway in improving the quality of its fee income. In 2025, it ranked first in Chongqing by non-financial corporate bond underwriting volume, market share, and number of issues. It also led locally incorporated financial institutions across western China. In trade finance, cross-border renminbi settlement volume increased by more than 120% year on year. These higher-quality fee income streams, underpinned by stronger service capabilities, are gradually displacing traditional conduit business and emerging as a new growth driver. Net interest margin, or NIM, rose to 1.39% in 2025 from 1.35% in 2024, an increase of 4 basis points. A breakdown of asset yields and funding costs shows what drove the improvement: Although the average yield on loans fell by 12 basis points, the average cost of deposits declined by 37 basis points. The larger reduction in funding costs offset downward pressure on asset yields, enabling the bank to deliver a stronger improvement in NIM than the industry average and highlighting more effective management of deposit pricing. Total assets reached RMB 1.034 trillion at the end of 2025, up 20.67%, taking the bank above the RMB 1 trillion threshold. Expansion continued in 2026: assets rose to RMB 1.108 trillion at the end of March, up 7.20% from year-end, and to RMB 1.109 trillion at the end of June, up 7.27% from end-2025. Market observers see the bank's growth potential at its new scale as evidence that its “Five Highs” operating strategy, centered on ambitious goals, strategic transformation, efficient operations, quality service, and high-quality growth, is gaining traction. Through greater efficiency and higher-value services, Bank of Chongqing has achieved a step-change in scale and built a more differentiated competitive position as it moves toward the ranks of leading listed commercial banks. As a locally rooted financial institution, Bank of Chongqing has anchored its growth in China's Western Development strategy and achieved a step-change in scale as it grew in tandem with the regional economy. Outstanding corporate loans rose 30.95% year on year at the end of 2025. Backed by coordinated execution across the organization, credit was directed to national priorities including the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, as well as Chongqing's '33618' modern manufacturing cluster system. The annual report showed a 60% increase in outstanding loans to technology-based enterprises and 40% growth in green lending. Manufacturing loans posted their largest absolute increase and fastest growth in five years. Outstanding financing in support of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor exceeded RMB 55 billion. This lending not only supports the real economy but also embeds the bank more deeply in customers' transaction flows, helping it attract substantial low-cost demand deposits as its balance sheet expands. 2. Risk: Broad-Based Improvement in Forward-Looking Indicators Reinforces Asset Quality Bank of Chongqing has put its belief that 'risk management creates value' into practice by upgrading its risk controls and steadily reducing risk exposure. At the end of 2025, the non-performing loan ratio fell by 11 basis points year on year to 1.14%. More importantly for investors, forward-looking asset-quality indicators improved in tandem: the special-mention loan ratio and overdue loan ratio declined by 70 basis points and 37 basis points from the start of the year to 1.94% and 1.36%, respectively. Asset quality improved further in the first quarter of 2026. At the end of March, the non-performing loan ratio fell by another 2 basis points to 1.12%, while the provision coverage ratio rose by 1.02 percentage points from year-end to 246.60%. The continued improvement in these forward-looking indicators, together with steadily rising provision coverage, reduces the risk of potential problem loans migrating into the non-performing category, strengthens the margin of safety, and highlights the bank's capacity to absorb credit risk. 3. Institutional Views: Capital Replenishment Potential and the Case for a Valuation Re-rating At the end of 2025, the bank's core Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 8.53%. Rapid asset growth has consumed some capital, but the bank's RMB 13 billion convertible bond is now in its conversion period. Chongqing Expressway Group's decision to convert its holdings into shares may be only the beginning. By the end of March 2026, the bank's core Tier 1 and total capital adequacy ratios had risen to 8.67% and 12.57%, respectively. Institutional estimates suggest that full conversion of the remaining bonds could materially strengthen capital and create room for continued balance-sheet expansion during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period. After Bank of Chongqing released its annual and first-quarter reports, the market response was broadly positive. Analysts at CITIC Securities, China Merchants Securities, Zhongtai Securities, Guotai Haitong Securities, China Galaxy Securities, and Zheshang Securities published a series of follow-up notes, with ratings ranging from Buy and Overweight to Recommend and Outperform. The common thread across the reports was that the bank's move beyond RMB 1 trillion in assets was not simply a story of scale; it was also accompanied by tangible progress in lowering funding costs and improving asset quality. 4. Conclusion: A Clear Case for a Return to a More Reasonable Valuation Taken together, Bank of Chongqing's performance in 2025 and the first half of 2026 points to several positive shifts: assets have crossed RMB 1 trillion, revenue and profit growth have returned to double digits, NIM has bottomed and begun to recover, and risk indicators continue to decline. These stronger fundamentals could increasingly feed through to the bank's market valuation. According to a June 9 report by BOCOM International, the banking sector was trading at between 0.5 and 0.8 times book value, near the bottom of its valuation range. That has sharpened investor focus on listed banks' share-price performance and market-capitalization management practices. Changjiang Securities argues that a turning point in fund flows into bank stocks is already in place. Broad-based index funds tracking the CSI 300 recorded net outflows of nearly RMB 1 trillion in the first half of 2026, while active mutual funds' exposure to banks fell to a record low. The brokerage believes the impact of those reductions has now been fully absorbed, and that bank valuations will enter a slow, gradual recovery from the second half of 2026. With sector NIMs stabilizing and earnings expectations improving, high-quality regional city commercial banks are drawing renewed institutional interest. As confidence in Bank of Chongqing's re-rating case grows, a higher weighting in institutional portfolios, together with the stock's high dividend yield and low valuation, could help the shares move decisively out of undervalued territory and toward a more reasonable valuation.
- Addressing Cross-Border Transit Demand at New Huanggang Port: Weixin Pay, Wonder and Koon Wing Motors Join Forces to Introduce 'Wonder Transit X' Smart Mobility PlatformWith the imminent inauguration of the new Huanggang Port, cross-border transport demand between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is set to rise further. To drive the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s green minibuses and facilitate cross-border travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, Wonder, a leading FinTech and payments platform for merchants in Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific, Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), and Koon Wing Motors signed a cooperation intention at the “Hong Kong Minibus Smart Transit Cooperation Signing Ceremony” held on 18 August 2026. This cooperation marks a pivotal milestone in the integration of public transportation between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. By deploying the Wonder Transit X smart mobility platform across Hong Kong’s green minibus network, the initiative will comprehensively drive innovation in smart payments, smart ticketing, and digital operations, delivering a seamless, frictionless commuting experience for local residents and cross-border passengers, further deepening the integration of FinTech with Hong Kong’s public transit sector. Under the cooperation agreement, Wonder Transit X will be integrated into the green minibus fleet operated by Koon Wing Motors, seamlessly bridging Weixin Pay, Wonder’s smart mobility solutions, and the local green minibus network. In particular, routes servicing the new Huanggang Port will introduce Wonder Transit X to support a versatile array of electronic payment methods, including Weixin Pay, thereby streamlining cross-border commutes for both tourists and local residents. This cooperation will introduce various digital payment options and digital operational capabilities to these critical routes, elevating the passenger journey while empowering operators to optimize ticketing, transaction processing, and daily administrative efficiency. This deployment signifies the official expansion of Wonder Transit X into Hong Kong’s green minibus sector, laying a solid foundation for the digital transformation of local public transport. Wayne Chen, Regional Head of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Weixin Pay, said, “Minibuses are a cornerstone of Hong Kong's transit infrastructure, essential for both the immersive travel experiences of tourists and the everyday needs of Greater Bay Area residents. We believe this cooperation with Koon Wing Motors will significantly optimize transit efficiency, eliminate the friction of cash handling, and digitally transform the 'last mile' of cross-border connectivity.” Ma Kiu Sang, Director of Yan Yan Motors Ltd., a subsidiary of Koon Wing Motors, said, “To enhance the commuting experience for passengers utilizing our green minibuses post-clearance at the Heung Yuen Wai and new Huanggang ports, we have upgraded our fleet with a state-of-the-art digital payment system. In addition to Octopus, cross-border passengers can now pay fares using Weixin Pay, credit cards and a wide array of digital payment methods, making every journey smoother and more convenient.” Jason Ngan, Founder and CEO of Wonder, said, “This cooperation underscores Wonder’s unwavering commitment to advancing smart city infrastructure through FinTech. By integrating Wonder Transit X into an expanding network of green minibuses, we are delivering more accessible, diversified, and globally recognized payment options to passengers, while injecting fresh impetus into the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s public transit system. Whether serving local residents, mainland visitors, or international tourists, our platform ensures everyone can utilize their preferred payment methods for a frictionless and inclusive travel experience. Given the intensifying cross-border connectivity, incorporating commonly used payment tools in the Chinese Mainland like Weixin Pay into minibus routes connecting port-adjacent communities directly addresses the pragmatic needs of cross-border passengers. We look forward to working with Weixin Pay and Koon Wing Motors to seamlessly integrate smart payment capabilities into the daily commutes of Hong Kong citizens and facilitating cross-border travel, further cementing Hong Kong's leading position as an international smart city.” Wayne Chen, Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), Regional Head of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; Ma Kiu Sang, Director of Yan Yan Motors, a subsidiary of Koon Wing Motors; and Jason Ngan, Founder and CEO of Wonder, at the Hong Kong Minibus Smart Transit Cooperation Signing Ceremony. Digitalizing Public Transit: Elevating the Passenger Experience and Operational Efficiency Public transportation is an integral component of daily life in Hong Kong. In tandem with ongoing smart city initiatives, the digital transformation of public transit has become paramount. This cooperation will offer convenience to passengers on the relevant green minibus routes. Local residents, Mainland visitors and international travelers can seamlessly settle fares using a comprehensive suite of digital payment solutions tailored to their preferences, including Weixin Pay, PayMe, UnionPay, UnionPay app, JCB, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diners, and BOC Pay. This effectively eliminates the reliance on cash and exact change — a critical advantage during peak transit hours and short-haul journeys. Furthermore, digital payments ensure transparent transaction records and instant confirmation, granting passengers peace of mind and real-time visibility into their fare expenditures. Over the long term, this cooperation will drive the modernization of minibus services, aligning them more closely with the contemporary needs of the public. Beyond serving local communities, this cooperation significantly refines the cross-border travel experience between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland. Specific routes act as vital arteries connecting border communities, offering essential transit links for frequent cross-border travelers. Notably, as a flagship infrastructure project between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the new Huanggang Port's connecting minibus routes will feature this diversified digital payment system. Mainland visitors can utilize familiar platforms such as Weixin Pay, mitigating the friction of acquiring Hong Kong currency upon arrival and ensuring a fluid transit experience. As minibus services increasingly integrate with border checkpoints, community transit hubs, and broader railway networks, this streamlined payment infrastructure will be instrumental in enhancing cross-border travel convenience. For operators, the Wonder Transit X platform centralizes fare configuration, transaction logging, and operational data analytics, substantially reducing administrative overhead. The system dynamically accommodates complex fare structures across varying routes, section fares, and passenger categories, supporting fare collection and management for various ticket types including adults, children and seniors. Leveraging robust digital transaction ledgers and backend administrative tools, operational teams can gain better insights into transaction and operational conditions across various routes, laying the groundwork for digital fleet management and service optimisation, ultimately elevating the experience for both frontline drivers and passengers. Green minibuses under Koon Wing Motors now feature a new electronic payment system offering a wide range of payment methods including Weixin Pay, PayMe, UnionPay, UnionPay app, JCB, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diners and BOC Pay. Wonder Transit X: “Any Payments. Any Transportation.” Wonder Transit X is a comprehensive, all-in-one smart payment platform engineered specifically for the transit sector. Anchored by the product philosophy of “Any Payments. Any Transportation.”, it integrates passenger payment processing, fare routing rules, transaction confirmation, and fleet management into a single platform. The platform is designed to deliver a streamlined, intuitive, and secure payment experience for commuters, while empowering operators with robust tools for complex fare structures, transaction records, and day-to-day fleet operations. Beyond green minibuses, Wonder Transit X supports various modes of transport and integrates with existing transport systems, making it highly adaptable for taxis, ferries, and broader public transit applications. Smart Upgrades for Green Minibuses: A Benchmark for Public Transit Digitalization This cooperation illustrates the seamless expansion of smart transit platforms from fundamental payment gateways into comprehensive ticketing and operational management solutions. By unifying payment processing, fare structuring, and operational analytics, the platform fosters a more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable public transit model. This implementation will serve as a benchmark and operational blueprint for other public transport operators considering smart mobility solutions in the future. Through this cooperation, Weixin Pay is extending its frictionless payment ecosystem deeper into daily commuting scenarios. Passengers utilizing Weixin Pay will benefit from the enhanced convenience of using their preferred payment option on designated green minibuses. Ultimately, this cooperation not only accelerates the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s green minibuses but also enhances cross-border mobility by optimizing the transit payment experience at border checkpoints. It simultaneously promotes the growth of Hong Kong's local payment ecosystem, cross-border payment convenience, and smart mobility services, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong's smart city development. Green minibus routes operated by Koon Wing Motors serve vital port-adjacent communities, delivering a smart travel experience for cross-border passengers between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Wonder: Committed to “Making Payments Simple” Through Technology As a leading FinTech platform serving businesses in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, Wonder's mission is to "make payments simple", leveraging technology to simplify payment processing, collections, and capital management. The platform integrates online and offline collections, corporate accounts, digital payments, business expense management, transaction management, and digital financial services. Furthermore, it supports digital onboarding, e-KYC, instant settlement, and SME financing. Through these solutions, Wonder empowers businesses to maximize operational efficiency and expand their payment capabilities across diverse sectors, spanning business operations, public services, and daily mobility. Backed by robust technological capabilities and a culture of innovation, Wonder has achieved notable milestones in recent years, including: secured a USD6 million Series A funding round led by Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) / PCCW in 2019; introduced the T+0 instant settlement for digital taxi payments in Hong Kong in 2023, accelerating daily fare reconciliation for drivers; recognized as the first FinTech firm authorized by the Hong Kong Transport Department to deploy digital payment acceptance infrastructure within taxis in 2024; appointed as Octopus's inaugural omnichannel payment service provider in Hong Kong, enabling merchants to accept Octopus and over 30 alternative payment methods seamlessly via a unified platform; and successfully raised a USD12 million venture debt from HSBC Innovation Banking in February 2026 to support business growth across the Asia-Pacific region and product development. Please click here to download the high-resolution images. About Wonder Wonder is a leading payments and FinTech platform for merchants in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to leveraging technology to simplify payment processing, collections, and capital management for businesses across all industries. The platform provides one-stop payment, capital management and digital financial solutions for merchants and enterprises of varying scales, encompassing online and offline collections, corporate accounts, digital payments, business expense management, transaction management, and instant settlement. Wonder is Hong Kong’s first full-stack omnichannel payments platform, allowing merchants to complete KYC onboarding digitally in minutes, open an account, accept payments, pay digitally, and manage transactions, all from a single platform. Key products include Wonder App, Wonder Terminal, Wonder Dashboard, Wonder Card, Wonder Taxi, and Wonder Transit X. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Wonder completed a USD 6 million Series A funding round led by Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) / PCCW and raised a USD 12 million venture debt from HSBC Innovation Banking. The Company has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Chinese Mainland, continuously driving the advancement of payments, FinTech, and digital operational services across Asia. For more information, please visit https://wonder.app. About Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) Weixin Pay is the mobile payment solution integrated within the Weixin/WeChat application and is one of China's leading mobile payment services. Its mission is to provide users and businesses with secure, convenient, and professional payment experiences. In China, Weixin Pay covers nearly every aspect of daily life, both online and offline. The cross-border Weixin Pay service is available in 78 countries and regions, supports 36 currencies, and covers a wide range of scenarios including restaurants, retail, transportation, tourist attractions, and education payments, helping international merchants effectively serve Chinese consumers. Visit https://pay.weixin.qq.com/ About Koon Wing Motors Koon Wing Motors manages a comprehensive network of green minibuses across Hong Kong, serving as a long-standing transit provider for residents. Capitalizing on extensive expertise in green minibus fleet management and operations, Koon Wing Motors remains steadfastly committed to enhancing the accessibility and reliability of public transportation, delivering a seamless, frictionless commuting experience for local residents and cross-border passengers. For media enquiries, please contact: Frement Financial PR Team Tel: (852) 9461 9199
- Addressing Cross-Border Transit Demand at the New Huanggang Port: Weixin Pay, Wonder and Koon Wing Motors Join Forces to Introduce 'Wonder Transit X' Smart Mobility Platform, Driving Digital Transformation of Green Minibuses and Fostering Public Transit Integration Between HK and the Chinese MainlandWith the imminent inauguration of the new Huanggang Port, cross-border transport demand between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is set to rise further. To drive the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s green minibuses and facilitate cross-border travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, Wonder (the “Company”), a leading FinTech and payments platform for merchants in Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific region, Weixin Pay, and Koon Wing Motors reached a cooperation intention at the “Hong Kong Minibus Smart Transit Cooperation Signing Ceremony” held on 18 August 2026. This cooperation marks a pivotal milestone in the integration of public transportation between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. By deploying the Wonder Transit X smart mobility platform across Hong Kong’s green minibus network, the initiative will comprehensively drive innovation in smart payments, smart ticketing, and digital operations, delivering a seamless, frictionless commuting experience for local residents and cross-border passengers, further deepening the integration of FinTech with Hong Kong’s public transit sector. Under the cooperation agreement, Wonder Transit X will be integrated into the green minibus fleet operated by Koon Wing Motors, seamlessly bridging Weixin Pay, Wonder’s smart mobility solutions, and the local green minibus network. In particular, routes servicing the new Huanggang Port will introduce Wonder Transit X to support a versatile array of electronic payment methods, including Weixin Pay, thereby streamlining cross-border commutes for both tourists and local residents. This cooperation will introduce various digital payment options and digital operational capabilities to these critical routes, elevating the passenger journey while empowering operators to optimize ticketing, transaction processing, and daily administrative efficiency. This deployment signifies the official expansion of Wonder Transit X into Hong Kong’s green minibus sector, laying a solid foundation for the digital transformation of local public transport. Wayne Chen, Regional Head of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Weixin Pay, said, “Minibuses are a cornerstone of Hong Kong's transit infrastructure, essential for both the immersive travel experiences of tourists and the everyday needs of Greater Bay Area residents. We believe this cooperation with Koon Wing Motors will significantly optimize transit efficiency, eliminate the friction of cash handling, and digitally transform the 'last mile' of cross-border connectivity.” Ma Kiu Sang, Director of Yan Yan Motors Ltd., a subsidiary of Koon Wing Motors, said, “To enhance the commuting experience for passengers utilizing our green minibuses post-clearance at the Heung Yuen Wai and new Huanggang ports, we have upgraded our fleet with a state-of-the-art digital payment system. In addition to Octopus, cross-border passengers can now pay fares using Weixin Pay, credit cards and a wide array of digital payment methods, making every journey smoother and more convenient.” Jason Ngan, Founder and CEO of Wonder, said, “This cooperation underscores Wonder’s unwavering commitment to advancing smart city infrastructure through FinTech. By integrating Wonder Transit X into an expanding network of green minibuses, we are delivering more accessible, diversified, and globally recognized payment options to passengers, while injecting fresh impetus into the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s public transit system. Whether serving local residents, mainland visitors, or international tourists, our platform ensures everyone can utilize their preferred payment methods for a frictionless and inclusive travel experience. Given the intensifying cross-border connectivity, incorporating commonly used payment tools in the Chinese Mainland like Weixin Pay into minibus routes connecting port-adjacent communities directly addresses the pragmatic needs of cross-border passengers. We look forward to working with Weixin Pay and Koon Wing Motors to seamlessly integrate smart payment capabilities into the daily commutes of Hong Kong citizens and facilitating cross-border travel, further cementing Hong Kong's leading position as an international smart city.” Wayne Chen (left), Regional Head of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Weixin Pay; Ma Kiu Sang (center), Director of Yan Yan Motors Ltd., a subsidiary of Koon Wing Motors; and Jason Ngan (right), Founder and CEO of Wonder, are pictured at the Hong Kong Minibus Smart Transit Cooperation Signing Ceremony. Digitalizing Public Transit: Elevating the Passenger Experience and Operational Efficiency Public transportation is an integral component of daily life in Hong Kong. In tandem with ongoing smart city initiatives, the digital transformation of public transit has become paramount. This cooperation will bring significant convenience to passengers on the relevant green minibus routes. Local residents, Mainland visitors and international travelers can seamlessly settle fares using a comprehensive suite of digital payment solutions tailored to their preferences, including Weixin Pay, PayMe, UnionPay, UnionPay app, JCB, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Diners, and BOC Pay. This effectively eliminates the reliance on cash and exact change—a critical advantage during peak transit hours and short-haul journeys. Furthermore, digital payments ensure transparent transaction records and instant confirmation, granting passengers peace of mind and real-time visibility into their fare expenditures. Over the long term, this cooperation will drive the modernization of minibus services, aligning them more closely with the contemporary needs of the public. Beyond serving local communities, this cooperation significantly refines the cross-border travel experience between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland. Specific routes act as vital arteries connecting border communities, offering essential transit links for frequent cross-border travelers. Notably, as a flagship infrastructure project between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the new Huanggang Port's connecting minibus routes will feature this diversified digital payment system. Mainland visitors can utilize familiar platforms such as Weixin Pay, mitigating the friction of acquiring Hong Kong currency upon arrival and ensuring a fluid transit experience. As minibus services increasingly integrate with border checkpoints, community transit hubs, and broader railway networks, this streamlined payment infrastructure will be instrumental in enhancing cross-border travel convenience. For operators, the Wonder Transit X platform centralizes fare configuration, transaction logging, and operational data analytics, substantially reducing administrative overhead. The system dynamically accommodates complex fare structures across varying routes, section fares, and passenger categories, supporting fare collection and management for various ticket types including adults, children and seniors. Leveraging robust digital transaction ledgers and backend administrative tools, operational teams can gain better insights into transaction and operational conditions across various routes, laying the groundwork for digital fleet management and service optimisation, ultimately elevating the experience for both frontline drivers and passengers. Green minibuses under Koon Wing Motors now feature a new electronic payment system supporting a wide range of payment methods including Weixin Pay, PayMe, UnionPay, UnionPay app, JCB, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Diners, and BOC Pay. Wonder Transit X: “Any Payments. Any Transportation.” Wonder Transit X is a comprehensive, all-in-one smart payment platform engineered specifically for the transit sector. Anchored by the product philosophy of “Any Payments. Any Transportation.”, it integrates passenger payment processing, fare routing rules, transaction confirmation, and fleet management into a single platform. The platform is designed to deliver a streamlined, intuitive, and secure payment experience for commuters, while simultaneously empowering operators with robust tools for managing complex fare structures, transaction records, and day-to-day fleet operations. Beyond green minibuses, Wonder Transit X is also capable of supporting various modes of transport and integrating with existing transport systems, making it highly adaptable for taxis, ferries, and broader public transit applications. Smart Upgrades for Green Minibuses: A Benchmark for Public Transit Digitalization This cooperation illustrates the seamless expansion of smart transit platforms from fundamental payment gateways into comprehensive ticketing and operational management solutions. By unifying payment processing, fare structuring, and operational analytics, the platform fosters a more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable public transit model. This implementation will serve as a benchmark and operational blueprint for other public transport operators considering smart mobility solutions in the future. Through this cooperation, Weixin Pay is extending its frictionless payment ecosystem deeper into daily commuting scenarios. Passengers utilizing Weixin Pay will benefit from the enhanced convenience of using their preferred payment option on designated green minibuses. Ultimately, this cooperation not only accelerates the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s green minibuses but also enhances cross-border mobility by optimizing the transit payment experience at border checkpoints. It simultaneously promotes the growth of Hong Kong's local payment ecosystem, cross-border payment convenience, and smart mobility services, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong's smart city development. Green minibus routes operated by Koon Wing Motors serve vital port-adjacent communities, delivering a smart travel experience for cross-border passengers traveling between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Wonder: Committed to “Making Payments Simple” Through Technology As a leading FinTech platform serving businesses in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, Wonder's mission is to "make payments simple", leveraging technology to simplify payment processing, collections, and capital management. The platform integrates online and offline collections, corporate accounts, digital payments, business expense management, transaction management, and digital financial services. Furthermore, it supports digital onboarding, e-KYC, instant settlement, and SME financing. Through these solutions, Wonder empowers businesses to maximize operational efficiency and expand their payment capabilities across diverse sectors, spanning business operations, public services, and daily mobility. Backed by robust technological capabilities and a culture of innovation, Wonder has achieved notable milestones in recent years, including: secured a USD6 million Series A funding round led by Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) / PCCW in 2019; introduced the T+0 instant settlement for digital taxi payments in Hong Kong in 2023, accelerating daily fare reconciliation for drivers; recognized as the first FinTech firm authorized by the Hong Kong Transport Department to deploy digital payment acceptance infrastructure within taxis in 2024; appointed as Octopus's inaugural omnichannel payment service provider in Hong Kong, enabling merchants to seamlessly accept Octopus and over 30 alternative payment methods via a unified platform; and successfully raised a USD12 million venture debt from HSBC Innovation Banking in February 2026 to support business growth across the Asia-Pacific region and product development. Please click here to download the high-resolution images. About Wonder Wonder is a leading payments and FinTech platform for merchants in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to leveraging technology to simplify payment processing, collections, and capital management for businesses across all industries. The platform provides one-stop payment, capital management and digital financial solutions for merchants and enterprises of varying scales, encompassing online and offline collections, corporate accounts, digital payments, business expense management, transaction management, and instant settlement. Wonder is Hong Kong’s first full-stack omnichannel payments platform, allowing merchants to complete KYC onboarding digitally in minutes, open an account, accept payments, pay digitally, and manage transactions, all from a single platform. Key products include Wonder App, Wonder Terminal, Wonder Dashboard, Wonder Card, Wonder Taxi, and Wonder Transit X. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Wonder completed a USD6 million Series A funding round led by Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) / PCCW and raised a USD12 million venture debt from HSBC Innovation Banking. The Company has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Chinese Mainland, continuously driving the advancement of payments, FinTech, and digital operational services across Asia. For more information, please visit https://wonder.app. About Weixin Pay Weixin Pay is the mobile payment solution integrated within the Weixin/WeChat application and is one of China's leading mobile payment services. Its mission is to provide users and businesses with secure, convenient, and professional payment experiences. In China, Weixin Pay covers nearly every aspect of daily life, both online and offline. The cross-border Weixin Pay service is available in 78 countries and regions, supports 36 currencies, and covers a wide range of scenarios including restaurants, retail, transportation, tourism attractions, and education payments - helping international merchants effectively serve Chinese consumers. About Koon Wing Motors Koon Wing Motors manages a comprehensive network of green minibuses across Hong Kong, serving as a long-standing transit provider for local residents. Capitalizing on extensive expertise in green minibus fleet management and operations, Koon Wing Motors remains steadfastly committed to enhancing the accessibility and reliability of public transportation, delivering a seamless, frictionless commuting experience for local residents and cross-border passengers. For media enquiries, please contact: Frement Financial PR Team Tel: (852) 9461 9199
- The Rosen Law Firm PAROSEN, LEADING INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Avis Budget Group, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Against Pentwater Capital Management LP - CARWHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), including those who bought Avis common stock to cover a short position, between February 20, 2025 and April 21, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 29, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Avis securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation...
- Alchemy Labs Inc.Alchemy Labs Reports 17% Revenue Growth and 38.7% Gross Margin in Second Quarter 2026Alchemy Labs Inc. (TSXV: ALCH) ("Alchemy" or the "Company"), a Canadian nanotechnology company developing advanced protective solutions for the automotive and defence industries, today reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2026. All amounts are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Business Highlights (Three Months Ended June 30, 2026):Improved automotive product availability, supporting a return...