Finance
Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia eye deeper cooperation, Arab expansion into Asia
Hong Kong’s finance minister has discussed deeper cooperation with his Saudi counterpart during a meeting in Switzerland, while calling on Arab firms to expand into mainland China and Asian markets via the city.
On his first day in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also met Nigeria’s vice-president Kashim Shettima, an American stablecoin issuer and an Israeli artificial intelligence (AI) unicorn.
The city government on Tuesday said that during the meeting with Saudi Arabia’s finance minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Chan hailed the “encouraging progress” in cooperation over the past two years and looked forward to boosting bilateral financial and business ties.
“Chan emphasised that Hong Kong, with its unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’, serves as an international financial centre connecting the mainland and the world,” a government spokesman said, referring to the city’s governing principle.
“He welcomed Saudi Arabia’s capital and enterprises to utilise Hong Kong as a high-quality platform to expand into the mainland and the Asian markets.”
Hong Kong authorities have been keen on tapping into wealthy Middle Eastern markets. The Saudi Exchange was recognised by the Hong Kong stock exchange, allowing potential secondary listings in the city. A new exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking Saudi equities was also listed in the city.
Paul Chan aims to ‘clear up doubts about Hong Kong’ at Davos forum
Paul Chan aims to ‘clear up doubts about Hong Kong’ at Davos forum
As political and business leaders gathered in Davos for the annual event, the city government said Chan, accompanied by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah, aimed to explain the latest developments in Hong Kong and promote new advantages and opportunities.
The finance minister on Monday also met Jeremy Allaire, CEO of stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Financial and Ori Goshen, co-CEO of artificial intelligence company AI21 Labs.
Circle, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Boston, is the issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin, USD coin (USDC). It was reportedly planning to go public this year, marking a significant milestone in merging cryptocurrency with traditional financial markets.
AI21 Labs is an Israeli generative AI start-up backed by Intel to compete against OpenAI and Anthropic among other players. The Tel Aviv-based company, founded in 2017, was able to secure rounds of funding during a time when the country was at war.
The finance minister told them that Hong Kong was pressing ahead with developing digital assets in a “prudent and orderly manner”, according to the spokesman.
Chan also said the authorities were consulting the public on regulating stablecoins to set an appropriate regulatory framework and promote the responsible and sustainable development of the industry.
‘Hong Kong is an ideal option for foreign investment despite market pressures’
‘Hong Kong is an ideal option for foreign investment despite market pressures’
He welcomed fiat-based stablecoin companies to set foot in Hong Kong to provide more innovative and convenient financial services to the community and called on AI companies to consider the city as a gateway to the Asian market.
Last year, the scandal involving JPEX, an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange, cast a shadow over Hong Kong’s aspirations to become a global virtual asset hub and revealed regulatory gaps soon after the city rolled out rules requiring cryptocurrency exchanges to meet investor protection standards.
More than 2,000 people have come forward as victims in the case involving alleged losses of about HK$1.6 billion (US$204.5 million). The total number of arrests linked to the platform rose to 66 as of November, but no one has been charged yet.
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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