Finance
20 major companies to open or expand in Hong Kong this week: finance chief
“These key companies will help attract upstream, midstream and downstream companies in related sectors to cluster in Hong Kong, promoting the vibrant development of the entire innovation and technology ecosystem,” Chan said.
The news came as Chan promised Hong Kong would continue to develop as an international innovation and technology centre, on top of being a multinational supply chain management giant and trade finance hub.
“While traditional markets in Europe and the United States remain important for Hong Kong’s exports of goods, their share has significantly decreased,” he wrote.
Chan said the proportion of exports to the United States fell from 18.6 per cent of the total in 2003 to 6.5 per cent last year and exports to the European Union went down to 6.6 per cent from 10.5 per cent over the same period.
But exports to Asean countries over the time frame went up from 6.1 per cent to 7.9 per cent, which made the bloc Hong Kong’s second-largest export market after mainland China. The proportion of exports destined for the Middle East went up to 3.3 per cent.
Chan said geopolitical developments, global manufacturing adjustments, supply chain restructurings, and the emergence of nearby ports with excellent facilities had reshaped production and export patterns of businesses and affected Hong Kong’s export performance.
Hong Kong plans e-commerce festival ‘to boost city’s brands in mainland’
Hong Kong plans e-commerce festival ‘to boost city’s brands in mainland’
He explained that large manufacturers had adjusted their supply chains, but many medium-sized ones had yet to do so.
Chan added environmental, social and corporate governance, as well as high interest rates, had led to difficulties in trade finance, which had affected some businesses.
“Hong Kong has a solid foundation in trade and various related professional services, providing favourable conditions to capture the opportunities arising from these changes,” he said.
“The key lies in assisting companies in strengthening supply chain and value chain management, and creating higher value for their cross-border businesses through a focus on more efficient commercial and professional services.”
He said the city’s goal, laid out in February’s budget, was to establish itself as a one-stop shop able to offer services that included supply chain management, trade financing, consulting, talent development, and corporate training.
Chan added the city wanted to tap into the estimated 50,000-plus medium-sized manufacturers in the Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta, many of which would need to engage with overseas businesses as they expanded internationally.
Hong Kong finance chief says Beijing’s growth target ‘not easy, but achievable’
Hong Kong finance chief says Beijing’s growth target ‘not easy, but achievable’
Chan said Hong Kong’s advanced financial infrastructure could provide companies with a variety of funding options and highlighted that more than 70 of the world’s top 100 banks had operations in the city.
“Mainland enterprises settling in Hong Kong will have access to more efficient and lower-cost trade financing services,” he added.
Chan said the city would launch the first phase of the mBridge this year, which will allow cross-border transactions using central bank digital currencies and boost payment speed as well as reduce costs.
The multi-central bank digital currency platform is a cross-border payment and foreign exchange transaction scheme being developed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in collaboration with the central banks of the mainland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Gary Ng Cheuk-yan, a senior economist at corporate and investment bank Natixis, agreed Hong Kong had to adapt to new demands because of a “global supply chain reshuffle”.
“The city will not only need to connect mainland and Hong Kong firms to new markets, but will also have to attract trade and capital flows that could have bypassed the city,” he said.
“The core advantages of Hong Kong remain in free capital flows and low taxes, meaning it is easy for firms to manage trade and investment here.”
But Ng added the city should be prepared for geopolitical problems and stiff competition from other jurisdictions such as Singapore, which held a natural advantage in the Asean bloc of countries as a fellow member.
“Hong Kong will have a role to play, but it will not be as easy as in the past,” he said.
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada
Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.
That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.
Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.
AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders
AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.
Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.
One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.
In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.
AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.
TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant
Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.
Finance
Martha Aguirre, former El Paso ISD interim superintendent, resigns as CFO as district finds ‘key financial challenges’
El Paso Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Martha Aguirre, who served as interim superintendent last year, resigned this week as the district said it had discovered “key financial challenges.”
The district issued a news release late Thursday afternoon that lacked details but indicated that a recent review had raised questions about the district’s fund balances, a key indicator of financial health.
“Through this process, key financial challenges were identified that must be addressed prior to closing out the 2025-26 school year including a current budget shortfall that is being actively addressed ahead of the district’s final financial presentation to the Board of Trustees in June,” the news release said.
A CFO is charged with developing a school district’s budget and overseeing its finance department. The EPISD Board of Trustees must adopt a budget for the 2026-27 school year by the end of the fiscal year June 30. The operating budget for the current school year is $547 million.
EPISD Deputy Superintendent David Bates will oversee the budget while the district searches for an interim and permanent CFO, district officials said in a statement.
EPISD Board President Leah Hanany said trustees were notified about Aguirre’s resignation this week. She said the district plans to give the public more information on the current year’s budget during a board meeting later this month.
“The board was also notified of a potential budget shortfall for the 2025 budget, but we don’t have final numbers yet. My understanding is that we are still primed to pass a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in June,” Hanany said in a statement.
Aguirre could not be reached for comment. EPISD’s CFO makes $148,200 to $209,900 a year, according to the district’s administrative pay plan.
She served as EPISD’s interim superintendent from June to December 2025 after the district’s former superintendent, Diana Sayavedra, resigned under pressure from the board. She returned to her position as CFO when Brian Lusk was hired as EPISD’s new permanent superintendent.
Aguirre’s resignation comes amid an uncertain budget season after a state funding calculation error tied to school property tax breaks caused EPISD to lose out on $17 million in projected revenue. In late April, EPISD officials estimated it would cause the district’s spending to exceed its revenue next year by $10 million.
The district is also considering calling for a bond election in November to upgrade its aging campuses as part of the larger 2024 Destination District Redesign initiative to close schools and improve the ones that remain open.
El Paso Teachers’ Association President Norma De La Rosa said Aguirre’s departure was unexpected.
“We’re right in the middle of the committee meetings for a possible bond and getting ready to get that budget to the June board meeting for next school year. So, to say that I’m highly surprised is an understatement,” De La Rosa told El Paso Matters.
Aguirre started working with the district in 1996 as a general clerk, according to a video published by the district.
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