Finance
New regulator pledges transparency as China works to prevent investor exodus
China’s new financial regulator has made fresh pledges to increase regulatory transparency, stability and predictability, the latest of several attempts to restore investor confidence following a stock meltdown and high-profile personnel changes.
“[We’ll] strengthen the interconnection of domestic and overseas financial markets and better facilitate cross-border investment and financing,” the commission said in its article, which detailed how to make China a “financial superpower”.
These signals are being sent at a time when foreign investors, including greenfield capital and portfolio holders, are hesitant to decide their next move and worried over the future of China’s policy choices.
The world’s second-biggest economy achieved 5.2 per cent gross domestic product growth in 2023, but market sentiment has remained low thanks to a protracted property industry slump, beleaguered employment figures and ballooning debts held by local governments.
Foreign investors have turned to other markets in the past year amid these factors and heightened geopolitical tensions, pushing the country’s annual net receipt of foreign direct investment (FDI) to a 30-year low in 2023.
‘We play with our money, so are careful’: is China uninvestable or invaluable?
‘We play with our money, so are careful’: is China uninvestable or invaluable?
According to data released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Sunday, direct investment liabilities – a measure of both FDI inflows and outflows – rose by US$33 billion last year over 2022. This was a drop of 82 per cent year on year, and the lowest annual level for the investment metric since 1993.
However, Wang Chunying, a spokesperson for the forex regulator, said the foreign inflow of securities investment in China improved in the fourth quarter of 2023, with net inflow reaching a two-year high.
“This shows more foreign capital comes to China to invest in business and allocate renminbi assets”, she said in a statement, adding that China’s balance of payments will stabilise in 2024 as “both the internal and external environments will generally improve”.
The gauge rose more than 1 per cent on Monday and 0.2 per cent on Tuesday, following a long Lunar New Year holiday that saw stronger-than-expected consumer spending led by tourism and cinema sales.
China’s middle class seek safe haven for wealth amid economic slowdown
China’s middle class seek safe haven for wealth amid economic slowdown
While committing to more openness and transparency, the CFC vowed to make Shanghai more competitive and influential as an international financial centre and consolidate the status of Hong Kong.
It also emphasised the importance of “high-level security”, pledging to keep all financial activities under control.
Officials should “identify, warn against, expose and handle risks as early as possible, and prevent small things from becoming magnified and big things from blowing up”, said the commission in the article.
Beijing sees managing financial risks as critical for China’s future development, as stability is being tested by government debt loads, widespread corruption and financial services that are lagging behind the country’s rapid advances in technology and manufacturing.
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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