Boeing Signals Progress on Delayed 777X Program With Planned April First Flight 
Novo Nordisk Warns of Profit Decline as Wegovy Faces U.S. Price Pressure and Rising Competition 
CK Hutchison Unit Launches Arbitration Against Panama Over Port Concessions Ruling 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Ford and Geely Explore Strategic Manufacturing Partnership in Europe 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Instagram Outage Disrupts Thousands of U.S. Users 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Shares of several Chinese brokerage firms climbed on Thursday after China International Capital Corp (CICC) revealed plans to acquire two competitors, sparking renewed expectations of consolidation across China’s $1.6 trillion securities industry. The state-owned investment bank announced it will absorb Dongxing Securities and Cinda Securities through share-swap deals designed to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and support ongoing financial market reforms.
Once completed, the merger will create China’s fourth-largest investment banking powerhouse with assets surpassing 1 trillion yuan (about $140 billion), placing it just behind industry leaders CITIC Securities, Guotai Haitong Securities, and Huatai Securities. The move aligns with Beijing’s long-term strategy to streamline the crowded brokerage landscape—currently home to roughly 150 firms—and cultivate globally competitive financial institutions capable of supporting the nation’s economic ambitions.
Citi analysts noted that the acquisitions would help CICC “replenish capital” and improve its scale relative to major rivals, especially given Dongxing and Cinda’s strong capital positions and established retail operations. Trading for all three companies—CICC, Dongxing, and Cinda—was suspended following the announcement.
The broader market responded positively, with investors betting on additional mergers and market restructuring. Capital Securities in mainland China advanced 5%, while Hong Kong-listed Orient Securities added 4%. Shenwan Hongyuan Group also gained 2.5%, reflecting optimism that more brokerage tie-ups could follow.
However, the full scope of CICC’s M&A ambitions remains uncertain. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that CICC had explored a potential merger with Galaxy Securities, signaling that more consolidation moves may be on the horizon as the government continues to push for stronger, more efficient financial institutions.
Overall, CICC’s latest acquisition plan underscores the accelerating transformation of China’s securities sector and highlights investor anticipation for further industry-wide restructuring.
