NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) (the “Company”), Southeast Asia’s next generation digital ecosystem, today announces a US$1.8 million minority investment in Singapore-based telecoms embedded SIM (eSIM) infrastructure and digital connectivity platform, Gorilla Networks Pte Ltd (“Gorilla”). The investment represents Society Pass’s entry into the fast-growing global eSIM market, which Straits Research projects to expand from US$11.2 billion in 2025 to US$25. ...

Core Viewpoint - Telenor has agreed to sell its 24.95% stake in True Corporation for approximately NOK 39 billion, marking a significant divestment after 25 years in Thailand [1][6]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The sale price is set at THB 11.70 per share, which represents a 36% increase from the closing price on the first trading day post-merger in March 2023, and a 4% premium to the last three months' volume-weighted average share price [7]. - Telenor will also have a mutual put/call option for the remaining 5.35% stake two years after the initial sale, priced at the higher of THB 11.70 per share or the market price at that time [1]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The proceeds from the sale of the 24.95% stake are expected to be THB 100.9 billion (approximately NOK 32.3 billion), with an additional THB 21.9 billion (approximately NOK 6.9 billion) anticipated from the option exercise [11]. - Telenor expects to recognize an accounting gain of approximately NOK 14.7 billion at the closing of the initial sale, with NOK 1.6 billion related to recycling historical currency translation differences [13]. Group 3: Strategic Context - This divestment aligns with Telenor's strategy for structural simplification and focuses on enhancing shareholder value through capital discipline and effective capital allocation [9][12]. - The sale follows Telenor's recent divestment of Telenor Pakistan, indicating a broader strategy to create structural value in Asia [8]. Group 4: Company Growth and Market Position - Telenor has established market leadership in Thailand over the past 25 years, significantly contributing to mobile connectivity for millions [4][6]. - The merger of dtac and True in 2023 created Thailand's largest telecom-tech company, positioning it for future investments in 5G, AI, and digital services [5].

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SGX: Z74), or Singtel, has long given the impression of being a stable, albeit boring, blue-chip company that provides steady dividend income. At least, that’s how I’ve viewed the company for the longest time.However, the group’s recent transformative initiatives may finally be bearing fruit; its latest half-year results for the period ended 30 September 2025 (1HFY2026) provide supportive evidence.In this article, let’s take a deeper look at the group’s latest results — ...

Europe Credit Research 09 January 2026 Today we publish our 2026 Investment Grade TMT Outlook, highlighting our views on the key themes we expect to drive European TMT spreads in 2026, and provide a variety of trade ideas based on our current views on these items. We hope it proves useful to you; please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any further questions. J P M O R G A N Investment Grade TMT Europe Corporate Credit - Technology, Media & Telecommunications Key Themes for 2026 Andrew Webb AC (4 ...

Group 1 - Pascal Grangé will retire in 2026 and has handed over his office as Deputy Chief Executive Officer effective 31 December 2025 [1] - The Board of Directors did not appoint a new Deputy Chief Executive Officer to replace Pascal Grangé, and Stéphane Stoll was appointed Chief Financial Officer on 1 August 2025 [1] - The termination of Pascal Grangé's executive office does not involve specific financial conditions such as severance benefits or non-competition indemnities [2] Group 2 - Pascal Grangé's fixed remuneration is €950,000, with potential variable remuneration subject to performance conditions [2] - The amounts proposed for Pascal Grangé's remuneration will be detailed in the Company's Universal Registration Document [3] - Pascal Grangé will serve as an advisor to the Group's senior management until his retirement, as per the terms of his employment contract [3] Group 3 - Bouygues operates in over 80 countries with 200,000 employees, focusing on construction, energies & services, telecoms, and media [4]

Core Viewpoint - Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica announced its decision to delist its American Depositary Shares (ADS) from the New York Stock Exchange, attributing this move to the administrative burden and costs associated with maintaining the listing [1] Group 1 - Telefonica cited the administrative burden as a significant factor in its decision to delist from the NYSE [1] - The company also mentioned the costs involved in keeping the ADS listed as a reason for the delisting [1]

Group 1 - The company is evolving its business model to focus on acquiring and operating AI-driven software and network infrastructure companies in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America [1] - Society Pass aims to invest in and acquire equity stakes in data center and telecom operators to strengthen its market position in the next generation e-commerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia [1] - The CEO highlighted the successful listing of NusaTrip Incorporated, which was acquired for under US$5 million and recently listed on Nasdaq with a market capitalization exceeding US$70 million, showcasing the company's ability to create shareholder value [2] Group 2 - Society Pass was founded in 2018 and operates in fast-growing markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, which together represent over 80% of the Southeast Asian population [3] - The company operates three interconnected verticals: digital media, travel, and lifestyle, leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and transform the retail value chain in Southeast Asia [3] - Society Pass completed its initial public offering in November 2021 and began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA [4]

Investment Rating - The report suggests a bullish outlook on commodities, particularly recommending long positions in commodities and oil/energy as the best trades for 2026 [3][4]. Core Insights - The report highlights a significant shift in market dynamics, indicating that commodities are outperforming bonds in the current inflationary growth environment, contrasting with the previous era of secular stagnation [2][3]. - It notes that LatAm stocks have increased by 56% year-to-date, indicating strong performance in the region [3]. - The report emphasizes the importance of monitoring bond market reactions to the "run-it-hot" trade, as they pose a potential threat to stock and credit market upside in 2026 [4]. Summary by Sections Market Performance - Year-to-date performance shows gold at 59.1%, stocks at 19.6%, and commodities at 6.7%, while oil has declined by 16.8% [2]. - The report indicates that the biggest inflows have been into cash ($112.3 billion) and bonds ($15.4 billion), with a notable outflow from tech stocks [13][17]. Investment Strategies - The report advocates for long positions in commodities and oil/energy, viewing them as contrarian trades that are likely to yield positive returns in 2026 [3]. - It suggests tactical long positions in zero coupon bonds in anticipation of Fed cuts, while also recommending mid-cap stocks as a favorable investment due to their relative undervaluation [16]. Economic Indicators - The BofA Bull & Bear Indicator has decreased to 6.0, indicating a neutral sentiment in the market [60]. - The report notes that the current economic environment is characterized by rising bond yields in Japan and China, which are seen as secular floors for global yields [18]. Sector Analysis - Inflows into high-yield bonds ($2.3 billion) and emerging market debt ($2.4 billion) are highlighted, indicating a positive sentiment towards these sectors [17]. - The report also mentions significant outflows from tech stocks, suggesting a shift in investor preference towards more stable sectors [17][40].

U.S. prosecutors are probing a group of telecoms firms after BlackRock's private credit arm, HPS Investment Partners, said it lent them over $400 million backed by receivables that appear to be fake, ... ...

Core Insights - Spanish telecoms group Telefonica is set to meet with union leaders to discuss a new strategy that is expected to include voluntary redundancies as part of its restructuring efforts [1] Company Strategy - The upcoming meeting with union leaders indicates a significant shift in Telefonica's operational approach, focusing on workforce reduction through voluntary redundancies [1]