Finance
‘Hong Kong is an ideal option for foreign investment despite market pressures’
Hong Kong remains one of the “most ideal options” for international investment despite pressure on capital markets, the finance chief has said, pointing to an ongoing net-inflow of funds into the city.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po struck the upbeat note on his weekly blog on Sunday, ahead of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, which he will be attending.
“It is true that in the face of the global high interest rate environment and multiple external adverse factors, Hong Kong’s asset market has been under pressure in the past year,” Chan said.
“However, it is also true that investment opportunities have become more attractive, and many funds are waiting for chances to look for investment opportunities.”
In the first 11 months of 2023, total deposits reached HK$16 trillion (US$2.04 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 4.1 per cent, of which deposits in Hong Kong dollars rose by 1.7 per cent year-on-year to HK$7.6 trillion, Chan added.
Taken together with preliminary figures from December, the minister said the total growth in deposits last year was expected to reach 5 per cent.
“The figures reflect that between entry and exit, funds are still in a state of ‘net inflow’,” he said.
Hong Kong may take ‘year or two’ extra to achieve budget surplus, Paul Chan says
Hong Kong may take ‘year or two’ extra to achieve budget surplus, Paul Chan says
Chan’s positive assessment comes amid a four-year slump in the city’s stock markets, and wider economic malaise despite earlier hopes of a post-pandemic rebound.
The Hang Seng Index was down about 13.8 per cent in 2023, according to its year-end report, marking its fourth straight year of decline. It also had its worst start to the year since 2016, as a slowdown in mainland China’s growth and longer than expected policy tightening in the US continued to dent sentiment.
Housing prices have also fallen to their lowest in seven years, down about 20.6 per cent from the market’s peak in September 2021, as the city’s slowing economy and high interest rates undercut demand.
Buyers opt for cheaper homes in Hong Kong’s first 2024 weekend sales
Buyers opt for cheaper homes in Hong Kong’s first 2024 weekend sales
But Chan said international investors sought out the most “cost-effective return opportunities” and thus were not focused on “past numbers”, but rather “potential for future growth”.
“Many international investors who are familiar with the Hong Kong market agree that the city is one of the most ideal options,” he said.
The finance chief added that there were “great advantages” in Hong Kong’s wealth management sector, pointing to a 2023 report by US-based Boston Consulting Group which estimated that the city would experience a 7.6 per cent growth rate in the industry between 2022 and 2027.
He also highlighted efforts to diversify the city’s economy, including the “vigorous promotion” of innovation and technology industries, including in artificial intelligence, data science and biomedicine.
900 technology companies drawn to Hong Kong amid city’s innovation drive
900 technology companies drawn to Hong Kong amid city’s innovation drive
Chan said he would introduce and promote the city’s developments while attending the summit in Davos this week.
The summit is an annual event which brings together public officials, business leaders and civil society groups from around the world. This year’s meeting runs from January 15 to 19 under the theme of “Rebuilding Trust”.
“I hope that everyone will strengthen cooperation and achieve better economic growth together,” Chan said.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah will join parts of the summit, along with Airport Authority chairman Jack So Chak-kwong, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing chairwoman Laura Cha Shih May-lung and MTR Corporation CEO Jacob Kam Chak-pui.
Finance
What is Considered a Good Dividend Stock? 2 Financial Stocks That Fit the Bill
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
UK watchdog says car finance legal challenge hearing unlikely before October
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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