Group 1 - Standard Chartered reported a full-year pretax profit increase of 16%, reaching $6.96 billion compared to $6 billion the previous year, but fell short of the $7.2 billion average analyst estimate [1] - The bank's revenue growth was driven by robust global banking and strong wealth inflows, particularly in its primary markets of Asia and Africa [1] - A $1.5 billion share buyback was announced, set to commence imminently [2]

Group 1 - Meta executives are moving forward with a plan to encrypt messaging services linked to Facebook and Instagram apps [1] - Internal warnings indicate that this encryption could hinder the company's ability to monitor and manage content effectively [1] - The decision reflects a broader trend in the industry towards prioritizing user privacy and security over content oversight [1]

Core Insights - Pfizer has entered a licensing agreement with Sciwind Biosciences for the type 2 diabetes treatment ecnoglutide, with potential payments reaching up to $495 million based on milestone achievements [1] - This deal is a strategic move for Pfizer to enhance its presence in the metabolic field within China [1] - Ecnoglutide is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonists class, which has attracted investments from various pharmaceutical companies [1] Company Developments - Sciwind Biosciences has received approval for ecnoglutide in China as of January and is also pursuing approval for an experimental version aimed at weight management [1] - The agreement includes an upfront fee and additional payments linked to regulatory and sales milestones, specifically for the commercialization of ecnoglutide in mainland China [1] - Unlike competitors' products, ecnoglutide will not be included in China's state-run health insurance for type 2 diabetes treatments [1]

Group 1 - Apple will move some production of its Mac Mini desktop computer to the U.S. from Asia [1] - The new manufacturing effort will begin later this year at a Foxconn facility in north Houston [1] - This decision was confirmed by Apple's chief operating officer Sabih Khan [1]

Oil hovers below seven-month high as traders eye U.S.–Iran talks, trade policy | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]Feb 24 (Reuters) - Oil prices hovered below an almost seven-month high on Tuesday as traders gauged the outlook for U.S.-Iran nuclear talk ...

Core Viewpoint - Elliott Management is attempting to acquire shares of Toyota Industries, claiming the current tender offer undervalues the company, which could disrupt Toyota's buyout plans and impact corporate governance in Japan [1]. Group 1: Elliott Management's Offer - Elliott Management has proposed to buy Toyota Industries shares at around market price from shareholders who support the tender offer [1]. - The firm believes that Toyota Industries shares are worth more than 26,000 yen each, significantly higher than the 18,800 yen proposed by Toyota [1]. - Elliott currently holds approximately 7% of Toyota Industries and must report any changes in its holdings [1]. Group 2: Toyota Industries' Buyout Attempt - Toyota Industries' share price closed at 20,200 yen ($130), which is about 7% above the proposed buyout price [1]. - The company extended its tender offer due to insufficient shareholder support and needs 9% of shareholders to agree to sell for a two-thirds majority [1]. - Shareholders who have agreed to sell include notable firms like Ibiden, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance [1]. Group 3: Implications for Corporate Governance - The situation is viewed as a test case for corporate governance in Japan, where regulators are encouraging companies to improve capital efficiency and reduce cross-shareholding arrangements [1]. - Ibiden has indicated that selling its Toyota Industries stock will enhance its corporate value and benefit its shareholders [1].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has reportedly trained its latest AI model on Nvidia's most advanced AI chip, the Blackwell, which may violate U.S. export controls [1][2]. Group 1: Company Information - DeepSeek's new AI model is expected to be released as soon as next week [1]. - The U.S. government believes that DeepSeek may attempt to remove technical indicators that could reveal its use of American AI chips [2]. - The U.S. policy emphasizes that Blackwell chips are not being shipped to China, indicating that DeepSeek's possession of these chips could represent a violation of export controls [2][4]. Group 2: Industry Context - The situation could further complicate discussions among Washington policymakers regarding Chinese access to advanced American AI semiconductor technology [3]. - The Chinese embassy in Washington has expressed opposition to the politicization of economic and technological issues, criticizing the expansive use of export controls [2].

Group 1 - Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to acquire ClearView Wealth for A$408.3 million (approximately $288.30 million) [1] - ClearView shareholders will receive a cash consideration of 65 Australian cents per share, representing a 21.5% premium to its last closing price [2]

Core Viewpoint - Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, announced he will continue as CEO for a few more years and may transition to the role of executive chairman thereafter [1]. Group 1 - Jamie Dimon confirmed his commitment to remain at the helm of JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S., for "a few years" [1]. - Dimon made this statement during the bank's investor day event held in New York [1].

Core Insights - ONEOK reported a decline in fourth-quarter profit per share, primarily due to a significant drop in earnings from its natural gas transportation segment linked to the divestiture of an interstate pipeline network in 2024 [1][3]. Financial Performance - The company's earnings per share fell to $1.55 in the fourth quarter, down from $1.57 a year earlier [3]. - Adjusted quarterly core profit for the natural gas pipelines unit decreased to $261 million from $417 million year-over-year, with the pipeline divestiture accounting for a $264 million decline [3]. - Quarterly adjusted core profit for the refined products and crude segment dropped approximately 6% to $567 million [4]. - The natural gas liquids business saw a 4% increase in quarterly core profit compared to the previous year, while the natural gas gathering and processing segment recorded a 10% increase [4]. Market Conditions - The company faced challenges from low oil prices during the quarter, with benchmark Brent crude averaging $63.13 per barrel, down 11.3% from the previous year [2]. - Falling oil prices have pressured midstream service providers like ONEOK, leading to reduced pipeline transportation volumes as upstream drilling activity declines [2]. Future Outlook - ONEOK anticipates net income for the current year to be between $3.19 billion and $3.71 billion, with the midpoint falling below analysts' average estimate of $3.65 billion [4]. - The company has been diversifying its portfolio through acquisitions over the past two years, including a Gulf Coast NGL pipeline system and other midstream companies [5].