NEW YORK, Sept. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) (OTCQX: ACGP) has voluntarily delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Associated Capital Group, Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “ACGP”. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quot ...

Report Industry Investment Rating Not provided Core Viewpoints of the Report Crude oil prices may fluctuate strongly in the short term, but there is still downward pressure in the medium and long term. Support factors include the unexpected decline in US crude oil inventories, the narrowing of the discount of crude oil from the Middle East to Asia, the incomplete dissipation of geopolitical risk premiums, and the structural differentiation of fuel demand at the end of the Northern Hemisphere summer. Suppressing factors include the expectation of OPEC+ to accelerate the exit from production cuts, the increase in US exports, seasonal refinery maintenance, and cautious macro - sentiment [3]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 1. Daily Market Summary - **Crude Oil Futures Market Data Changes**: On August 21, 2025, the SC crude oil main contract rose 1.68% to 490.9 yuan/barrel, breaking through the recent oscillation range. The prices of WTI and Brent main contracts remained at $62.84/barrel and $67.04/barrel respectively. The SC - Brent spread widened from $0.21/barrel to $1.35/barrel (a 542.86% increase), and the SC - WTI spread rose from $4.41/barrel to $5.55/barrel. The Brent - WTI spread was stable at $4.2/barrel. The spread between the near - month and the third - consecutive contract of SC narrowed from - 4.2 yuan/barrel to - 2.0 yuan/barrel [1]. - **Supply - Demand and Inventory Changes in the Industrial Chain** - **Supply**: US crude oil exports rebounded to over 4 million barrels per day in August - September, the highest since the beginning of the year. OPEC+ accelerating the lifting of 2.2 million barrels per day of voluntary production cuts still suppresses market sentiment. UK sanctions on Iranian business entities may increase the risk of restricted Iranian crude oil exports [2]. - **Demand**: The US gasoline demand peak season is nearing its end, and refinery maintenance may suppress short - term crude oil processing demand. As of the week ending August 15, commercial crude oil inventories in the US dropped by 6 million barrels to 420.7 million barrels. The Asian market is significantly differentiated, with Singapore's light/medium distillate inventories rising to 17 - week and 6 - week highs, and fuel oil inventories dropping to an 8 - week low [2]. - **Inventory**: US natural gas inventories have been accumulating less than expected, indicating energy demand resilience. The narrowing of the SC far - month discount may imply increased spot purchasing momentum in the Asia - Pacific region [2]. - **Price Trend Judgment**: Crude oil prices may fluctuate strongly in the short term, but there is still downward pressure in the medium and long term. Later, attention should be paid to OPEC+ production policy adjustments, the sustainability of US exports, and changes in Asian distillate inventories [3]. 2. Industrial Chain Price Monitoring - **Crude Oil**: The prices of most crude oil futures and spot contracts increased on August 21, 2025. The SC - Brent and SC - WTI spreads widened, while the Brent - WTI spread narrowed. US commercial crude oil inventories decreased, and the US refinery weekly operating rate and crude oil processing volume increased slightly [5]. - **Fuel Oil**: The prices of most fuel oil futures and spot contracts increased on August 21, 2025. Singapore's fuel oil inventories decreased, while some US distillate inventories increased [6]. 3. Industry Dynamics and Interpretations - **Supply**: US crude oil exports are expected to exceed 4 million barrels per day in August and September, reaching the highest level since the beginning of the year, due to refinery maintenance and the price advantage of WTI in Asia [7][8]. - **Demand**: Air Canada expects flights to operate close to the normal schedule tomorrow [9]. - **Inventory**: US natural gas inventories increased by 13 billion cubic feet in the week ending August 15, less than expected. Singapore's light and medium distillate inventories rose to multi - week highs, and fuel oil inventories dropped to an 8 - week low [10][11]. - **Market Information**: The UK imposed sanctions on an Iranian business tycoon and several key enterprises in his network [12]. 4. Industrial Chain Data Charts The report provides multiple data charts, including the prices and spreads of WTI and Brent first - line contracts, the spread between SC and WTI, US crude oil production, refinery operating rates, and inventories of various types of oil products [13][15][17]

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that Associated Capital (AC) plans to voluntarily delist its Class A common stock from the New York Stock Exchange and withdraw its registration with the SEC [1] Group 2 - On Monday morning, Associated Capital's stock fell by 4.5% following the announcement [1]

Group 1 - The publication of Xi Jinping's "On Upholding Comprehensive and Deepening Reform" volumes one and two by the Central Literature Publishing House [5] - The emphasis on high-quality development in Tibet, aligning with the new development stage and integrating into the new development pattern [6] - The implementation of integrated protection and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grass, and sand, resulting in the rejuvenation of over 120 million acres of land [7] Group 2 - In July, China's industrial production remained stable, with most industries and products experiencing growth, supported by the equipment manufacturing sector [10] - The overall progress in autumn grain production is steady, with an increase in area under cultivation [11] - The express delivery business volume in China grew by 18.7% year-on-year in the first seven months, totaling 1.1205 billion packages [12]

Core Viewpoint - Air Canada has announced a sudden suspension of all flights due to a strike by its flight attendants, impacting travel during the peak summer season [3]. Impact on China-Canada Routes - Air Canada's flight attendants began their strike on August 16, leading to a complete halt of operations, including the cancellation of all flights to and from China, Japan, and South Korea [6][7]. - The strike has caused a surge in ticket prices for alternative routes, with prices for flights from Shanghai to Vancouver exceeding 30,000 yuan for connecting flights and direct flights being sold out [7][8]. Slow Recovery of China-Canada Routes - The recovery of flight capacity between China and Canada has been slower compared to the US, with only 254 round-trip flights recorded in July 2025, representing 26.1% of pre-pandemic levels [11]. - Restrictions on the number of flights operated by mainland Chinese airlines to Canada have contributed to high ticket prices, with economy class tickets often exceeding 20,000 yuan [13]. - Although the Canadian Transportation Agency lifted some restrictions in October 2024, the current flight capacity has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, which exceeded 70 flights per week [14].

Group 1 - Air Canada announced a complete suspension of operations due to a strike by its 10,000 flight attendants, starting from August 16 at 12:58 PM local time [1] - The airline had previously warned of flight reductions between August 15 and 18, and all flights to and from China and Japan were canceled on August 15 [3][4] - Air Canada is the only airline allowed to operate flights to China under current bilateral air traffic agreements, making its sudden suspension significantly impact ticket prices and availability on the China-Canada routes [3][8] Group 2 - The recovery of flight routes between China and Canada has been slow, with only 26.1% of pre-pandemic flight volumes restored by July 2025, compared to 26.3% for China-U.S. routes [6] - Restrictions on the number of flights operated by Chinese airlines to Canada have kept ticket prices high, with economy class tickets often exceeding 20,000 yuan [8] - Chinese airlines are gradually increasing their flight frequencies to Canada, with Air China planning to double its flights from Beijing to Vancouver starting August 27 [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the ongoing layoffs in Silicon Valley and the paradox of AI's efficiency gains leading to increased costs in other areas, particularly in rework and corrections [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: AI's Impact on Employment and Costs - Many companies are adopting AI with the expectation of reducing costs and increasing efficiency, but the reality is that they are often spending more on rework due to AI-generated errors [23][24]. - A significant portion of entry-level jobs is expected to be replaced by AI, with predictions of unemployment rates in the U.S. potentially rising to 10%-20% [7]. - The initial savings from AI implementations are often negated by the costs associated with correcting AI mistakes, leading to a cycle of increased expenditure [8][10][36]. Group 2: The Rise of New Roles and Responsibilities - A new profession has emerged focused on correcting and refining AI-generated outputs, indicating a shift in job roles from creation to correction [4][13]. - Companies are increasingly hiring specialists to address issues caused by AI, such as bugs in code or errors in customer service interactions, which were previously manageable without AI [15][20][21]. - The need for human oversight in AI operations is becoming more apparent, as AI cannot fully replace the judgment and responsibility required in many work scenarios [21][48]. Group 3: Consumer and Brand Reactions - There is growing consumer backlash against companies that overly rely on AI, with brands facing negative perceptions when AI fails to meet expectations [34][36]. - High-profile cases, such as Klarna's experience with AI customer service, illustrate the risks of sacrificing quality for cost savings, leading to a reversal in staffing strategies [39][40]. - The failure of AI-driven initiatives, such as the automated store experiment, highlights the limitations of current AI capabilities and the necessity for human intervention [42][45]. Group 4: Long-term Perspectives on AI Integration - Historical patterns suggest that new technologies, including AI, often experience initial setbacks before achieving their full potential, as illustrated by the "J-curve" concept [46][47]. - Companies must recognize that while AI can enhance processes, it cannot replace the need for human oversight and accountability, especially when errors occur [48].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by graduates of hotel management programs, particularly those from prestigious institutions like EHL, in securing meaningful employment within the hotel industry, highlighting a disconnect between education and job market realities [2][4][14]. Employment Landscape - Hotel management is characterized as a high-investment, low-return field, with many graduates not entering the hotel industry [2][3]. - At EHL, only 54% of graduates find jobs in the hotel sector, while 46% pursue careers in consulting, finance, and retail [4][6]. - The average starting salary for management trainees in first-tier cities is between 7,000 to 9,000 yuan, significantly lower than the starting salaries in finance and tech sectors [15][16]. Educational Concerns - The curriculum in domestic hotel management programs is criticized for being broad but lacking depth, leading to a superficial understanding of the industry [20][21]. - Many educators in domestic programs may not have substantial industry experience, which affects the quality of education [23][24][25]. - The article contrasts the practical focus of EHL's curriculum with the theoretical and exam-oriented approach of many domestic institutions [26]. Industry Perception - There exists a societal bias against hotel work, often viewed as low-status despite the industry's significant economic contribution [28][33]. - The article points out the double standards in how society appreciates hotel services while simultaneously devaluing the work behind them [29][30]. Career Development - Despite the low starting salaries, the hotel industry offers structured career advancement opportunities, including comprehensive training and evaluation mechanisms [40]. - The article suggests that high-investment education in hotel management can lead to long-term career benefits, particularly in broader service industries [46][48]. Conclusion - The article concludes that while the hotel management profession faces significant challenges, the skills acquired through education can be valuable in various sectors, emphasizing the need for a shift in how the industry and society perceive hotel management roles [43][49].

Core Insights - The high-end accommodation market in Qingdao is expanding rapidly, with over 20 five-star standard hotels established in the last five years, including several international brands making their debut in Shandong [1][2][3] - Major international hotel groups are increasingly opening their first locations in Qingdao, with eight out of the top ten global high-end hotel management groups choosing to establish their first hotels in the city [3][4] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Qingdao's hotel market is experiencing a surge in demand, with hotel order volumes increasing by 28% year-on-year, driven by the upcoming May Day holiday and a growing "holiday economy" [2] - The Marriott International Group has significantly expanded its presence in Qingdao, with multiple brands including St. Regis, Westin, and Le Meridien already operational, and new projects like the dual-brand Qingdao Jinmao hotels set to open soon [2][3] - The InterContinental Hotels Group has also announced the opening of its first Indigo hotel in Qingdao, emphasizing local cultural integration and unique guest experiences [3][4] Group 2: Economic and Tourism Potential - Qingdao is recognized as a city with international tourism appeal, supported by its strong economic foundation, including being one of China's major foreign trade ports and home to significant enterprises like Haier and Tsingtao Brewery [6][7] - The city is actively pursuing new industries and has been approved as a pilot city for asset investment companies, indicating a robust economic growth trajectory with a projected GDP of 16,719.46 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a 5.7% increase from the previous year [8][9] Group 3: Challenges and Opportunities - Despite the influx of international hotel brands, Qingdao's hotel market still faces challenges, with 80% of its hotels being low-end, and only 2% classified as high-end, indicating a significant imbalance in accommodation quality [10][11] - The seasonal nature of tourism in Qingdao leads to high vacancy rates during off-peak months, with summer accounting for 60% of annual tourist traffic, highlighting the need for improved year-round demand [11][12] - The local economy's reliance on traditional industries and the lack of strong private enterprises contribute to insufficient business travel demand, which is crucial for sustaining high-end hotel occupancy [12][13] Group 4: Investment Strategies - The high vacancy rate in Qingdao's office buildings, currently at 35%, presents an opportunity for converting these properties into mid-to-high-end hotels, leveraging their prime locations and existing infrastructure [14][15] - Upgrading low-efficiency assets, particularly older hotels with good locations, could meet the rising demand for quality accommodations and enhance the overall hotel market [15][16] - Redefining hotel experiences to incorporate local culture and community engagement could attract both tourists and local residents, creating a unique destination within Qingdao [16][17]