Tesla Expands Affordable Model 3 Lineup in Europe to Boost EV Demand 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
UPS MD-11 Crash Prompts Families to Prepare Wrongful Death Lawsuit 
Netflix’s $72 Billion Warner Bros Discovery Deal Reshapes the Entertainment Landscape 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
Lockheed Martin Secures $1.14 Billion Contract Boost for F-35 Production 
Momenta Quietly Moves Toward Hong Kong IPO Amid Rising China-U.S. Tensions 
Waymo Issues Recall After Reports of Self-Driving Cars Illegally Passing School Buses in Texas 
Visa to Move European Headquarters to London’s Canary Wharf 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
IKEA Expands U.S. Manufacturing Amid Rising Tariffs and Supply Chain Strategy Shift 
Boeing Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Could Close Soon Amid Ongoing Conditions 
Anthropic Reportedly Taps Wilson Sonsini as It Prepares for a Potential 2026 IPO 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
Australia Moves Forward With Teen Social Media Ban as Platforms Begin Lockouts 
Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (OTC: UOVEY) reported a 9% year-on-year rise in Q4 net profit, surpassing analyst expectations. Net profit climbed to S$1.52 billion ($1.13 billion), driven by higher net interest income and loan growth, exceeding the S$1.46 billion estimate from analysts polled by LSEG.
UOB maintained its 2025 guidance, expecting a cost-to-income ratio around 42%, at the upper end of its previous 41%-42% range. CEO Wee Ee Cheong highlighted the bank’s strategic investments in regional platforms, projecting continued revenue growth.
The bank announced a S$3 billion ($2.24 billion) capital return plan, including a special dividend of 50 Singapore cents per share in 2025 and a S$2 billion share buyback program. Additionally, UOB declared a final dividend of 92 Singapore cents per share for 2024, up from 85 Singapore cents a year ago.
Net interest margin (NIM), a key profitability indicator, slightly narrowed to 2.00% in Q4 from 2.02% a year earlier. Despite strong Q4 results, analysts cautioned that potential global economic challenges, including U.S. trade policies, could impact growth in 2025.
UOB’s earnings follow DBS Group’s (OTC: DBSDY) strong Q4 results, which included a dividend capital return plan that pushed its shares to record highs. Rival Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation is set to release its financial results on February 26.
