Core Points - Mark R. DeFazio, Founder, President & CEO of Metropolitan Commercial Bank, was honored at the grand opening of the Boro Park Jewish Community Council Community Center, marking a significant milestone for the organization [2][4] - The new facility will enhance BPJCC's ability to serve the local community with expanded services including workforce development, mental health counseling, legal assistance, and support for vulnerable populations [4][12] Company Involvement - Metropolitan Commercial Bank played a crucial role in the establishment of the Community Center by donating the use of the property under a 10-year lease, showcasing the Bank's commitment to community-based institutions [3][4] - The Bank's leadership expressed deep respect for BPJCC's work and highlighted the importance of partnerships that uplift lives and strengthen community ties [6][4] Community Impact - The celebration of the Community Center's opening was attended by various civic, faith, and political leaders, emphasizing the collaborative effort to support the community [5][6] - BPJCC serves as a vital resource for individuals facing hardship, providing comprehensive social services and fostering community connections through public events [12][13]

FedEx Corporation - FedEx reported a revenue increase of 2.8% year-over-year to $22.2 billion in FQ1, with EPS at $3.83, surpassing the consensus of $3.61 and last year's $3.60 [5] - The operating income for the quarter was $1.30 billion on an adjusted basis, exceeding the consensus of $1.22 billion, with an operating margin rate of 5.8%, up from 5.6% a year ago [5] - FedEx is advancing its planned spin-off of FedEx Freight into a new publicly traded company, expected to be completed by June 2026, with the new ticker symbol FDXF [6] - For FY26, FedEx anticipates revenue growth of 4% to 6% and EPS between $17.20 and $19.00, with a midpoint of $18.10, compared to the consensus of $18.36 [6] Cracker Barrel Old Country Store - Activist investor Sardar Biglari is targeting Cracker Barrel's CEO Julie Felss Masino in a proxy fight, urging shareholders to vote against her re-election [7] - Biglari criticized the company's recent rebranding efforts, labeling them as one of the worst brand blunders of the century, and stated he had warned against the rebranding in November 2024 [8] - Biglari currently holds a 2.9% stake in Cracker Barrel, owning 654,141 shares [8] Novo Nordisk - Novo Nordisk has laid off its U.S. sales team focused on obesity and diabetes education, part of a broader restructuring under new CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar [10] - The layoffs, affecting several hundred employees, are aimed at cutting costs and regaining competitive edge against Eli Lilly after losing market dominance and over $400 billion in market value since mid-2024 [11]

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Canada emphasizes that stablecoins must be as safe and stable as traditional bank account balances before they can be scaled up for broader use [1][2]. Group 1: Opportunities and Challenges - Stablecoins offer significant opportunities to modernize Canada's payment infrastructure, but caution is necessary due to potential risks [2]. - Canada faces higher international money transfer costs compared to the U.S. and U.K., creating challenges for immigrant communities sending remittances [2]. - An average unskilled laborer loses 5-10% on micro remittances through traditional networks, while stablecoins can reduce this cost to less than 1% [3]. Group 2: Regulatory Landscape - Canada currently lacks federal stablecoin regulation, relying on provincial frameworks and federal anti-money laundering provisions [4]. - There is a call for Canada to consider federal stablecoin regulation similar to other countries to enhance competitiveness [4]. - Survey data indicates that nearly 60% of Canadian business leaders believe the country will lose competitiveness without further payment innovation [4]. Group 3: Global Context and Integration - Canadian firms risk losing global market opportunities if they do not trial stablecoins in local ecosystems, especially as the U.S. gains advantages under the GENIUS Act [5]. - Successful Canadian fiat-backed stablecoins will depend on their integration with domestic payment systems, local utility, global interoperability, and regulatory clarity [5]. - The emergence of neutral, trustless blockchains like Ethereum and Solana is expected to drive sovereign nations to issue digital currencies [6].

Core Viewpoint - The Middlefield Canadian Income Trust reported its half-yearly financial results for the period ending June 30, 2025, highlighting strong performance in dividend-paying Canadian equities amidst geopolitical and economic uncertainties [2][12][13]. Financial Highlights - Dividends paid were 1.375 pence per share quarterly, with a guidance of 5.5 pence per share for 2025, resulting in a yield of 4.3% [6]. - The share price was 129.00 pence, while the net asset value (NAV) per share was 134.61 pence, with net assets totaling £143.3 million [6][68]. Investment Performance - The Fund generated total returns of 13.9% on its share price and 2.6% on net assets, outperforming the benchmark total return of 4.3% [13][48]. - Positive contributions to performance came from stock selection in financials, energy, and real estate sectors, while the utilities sector detracted from performance [13][48]. Sector Exposure - The Fund focuses on larger capitalization Canadian and U.S. high yield equities, particularly in sectors like real estate, financials, and energy [7][9]. - As of June 30, 2025, sector allocations included 23.8% in real estate, 21.4% in energy, and 21.3% in financials, with significant overweights compared to the benchmark [23]. Shareholder Engagement and Strategic Transition - The Fund is pursuing a rollover into a newly created actively managed UCITS ETF, providing shareholders options for cash exit or ETF shares [21][30]. - Engagement with shareholders, particularly Saba Capital Management, has been ongoing to ensure alignment with shareholder interests [19][20]. Gearing and Financial Management - Gearing relative to total assets was consistent at 16%, with net gearing decreasing from 19.3% to 18.4% by June 30, 2025 [22]. - The Fund has no borrowings as of June 30, 2025, following the repayment of existing loans [25][31]. Earnings and Dividends - The Fund's earnings per share totaled 2.82 pence for the six months ended June 30, 2025, with a dividend coverage ratio of 1.03 [26]. - The Board approved a 0.2 pence increase to the annual dividend target, reflecting a commitment to consistent dividend growth [26]. Market Outlook - The Canadian market remains attractive due to economic resilience, sound fiscal management, and favorable political conditions, with Canadian equities trading at a discount to U.S. peers [43][44]. - The Fund is well-positioned to capitalize on trends in financials, real estate, and energy sectors, which are supported by durable cash flows and long-term growth opportunities [43][44].

隔夜息报3.24536%，升18.536基点;一周拆息升9.334基点，报3.19941%，两周则升6.881基点，报 3.44595%。长息方面，六个月拆息升2.506基点，报3.41536%，一年期则升0.429基点，报3.36161%。 智通财经APP获悉，9月19日，港元拆息全线向上，而与楼按相关的一个月拆息报3.41607%，升5.518基 点，且连升两日;反映银行资金成本的三个月拆息报3.42673%，升2.846基点。 | 到期日 | 港元利息结算率 | | --- | --- | | 陽夜 | 3.24536 | | 1 星期 | 3.19941 | | 2 星期 | 3.44595 | | 1 个月 | 3.41607 | | 2 个月 | 3.42083 | | 3个月 | 3.42673 | | 6个月 | 3.41536 | | 12 个月 | 3.36161 | ...

Group 1 - DBS Group Holdings, Franklin Templeton, and Ripple Labs have partnered to offer trading solutions for accredited investors using tokenized money market funds and U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins [1][2] - The collaboration will enable the listing of Franklin Templeton's sgBENJI token on the DBS Digital Exchange, with Ripple's USD stablecoin also being listed [2] - Eligible DBS clients can trade RLUSD for sgBENJI tokens, allowing for portfolio rebalancing into stable assets 24/7 while earning yield during market volatility [3] Group 2 - Franklin Templeton launched a blockchain-powered money market fund in 2023, with total assets exceeding $736 million, primarily backed by government securities and cash [4] - Each share of the fund is represented by one BENJI token, and Franklin Templeton is pursuing a spot exchange-traded fund tracking the XRP token [4]

Market Overview - The Indian equity market has experienced significant volatility over the past year, with a notable rebound occurring in the last six months, particularly from March 2025, following a steep correction from the late-September 2024 peak [1] - During the six-month period ending September 17, 2025, the Nifty 50 Total Return Index (TRI) increased by 14%, while the Nifty Midcap 150 TRI and Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI rose by 21% and 24%, respectively [1] Mutual Fund Activity - The rebound in the market coincided with steady mutual fund inflows, with managers investing nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore into equities during the same period [2] - This influx of liquidity, combined with market volatility, provided active managers with opportunities to acquire quality stocks at attractive prices [2] Midcap Stock Selection - Active fund managers have consistently added specific midcap stocks to their portfolios over the past six months, focusing on those with significant increases in equity scheme participation from February to August 2025 [4] - The top three midcap stocks identified are Swiggy, One97 Communications, and IDFC First Bank [5] Individual Stock Performance - The number of active equity schemes holding Swiggy increased from 90 in February 2025 to 144 in August 2025, with new investments from HDFC Flexi Cap, Axis Midcap, and Nippon India Multi Cap [5] - One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, saw its active equity scheme count rise from 51 to 103 during the same period, with new entries from Motilal Oswal Large & Midcap, Canara Rob Mid Cap, and UTI Multi Asset Allocation [6] - IDFC First Bank experienced a significant increase in active schemes, rising from 9 in February 2025 to 48 in August 2025, with notable new investors including Sundaram Mid Cap, Franklin India Mid Cap, and Bandhan Value Fund [6]

Core Points - The Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point cut in the federal funds rate target range to 4.00% to 4.25%, marking the first rate cut since December of the previous year and the beginning of a new easing cycle amid concerns over a slowing job market [1][2] - The Fed's shift in focus from inflation control to employment support is evident, as it acknowledged a slowdown in job growth and removed previous language indicating a robust labor market [1][2] - Fed Chairman Jerome Powell described the rate cut as a "risk management measure" in response to a complex economic environment, balancing the need for easing against persistent inflation [2][3] Economic Implications - The decision to cut rates by 25 basis points rather than 50 reflects a cautious approach, aiming to transition to a neutral rate level that supports employment without exacerbating inflation [3] - The median expectation among Fed officials suggests a further 50 basis points reduction by the end of the year, indicating a preference for gradual adjustments [3] - The rate cut is expected to weaken the relative returns on dollar assets, potentially driving international capital towards emerging markets, which could alleviate local financing pressures in the short term [3][4] Challenges and Risks - The initiation of a rate cut cycle while core inflation remains at 3.1% raises concerns about the long-term value of the dollar and the implications for the global reserve currency status [4] - The easing environment may temporarily relieve debt servicing pressures for high-debt economies, but structural issues remain unresolved, posing risks if financing conditions tighten unexpectedly [4] - The Fed's balancing act between controlling inflation, supporting employment, and managing political pressures is more complex than in previous easing cycles, with a structurally higher neutral rate limiting the scope for monetary easing [5] Global Impact - For China, the Fed's rate cut presents both opportunities and challenges, as it may attract capital inflows while also increasing market volatility [5] - The interconnectedness of global economies necessitates close monitoring of U.S. monetary policy effects, emphasizing the need for policy coordination to mitigate potential risks [5]

Group 1 - Investors in the bond market are adjusting their positioning following the Federal Reserve's shift in monetary policy [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the performance and analysis of Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NYSE: NLY) stock, comparing it with Rithm Capital, suggesting that investors interested in mREIT should consider holding Rithm instead of NLY [1] - Sensor Unlimited, an economist with a PhD, has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade, focusing on asset allocation and ETFs related to these sectors [2] Group 2 - The analysis emphasizes the importance of dynamic asset allocation to generate high income and growth while managing isolated risks, offering two model portfolios for different investment strategies [1]