Latest news with #AIC
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Undiscovered Asian Gems with Strong Potential In July 2025
As global markets reach new heights, buoyed by favorable trade deals and robust economic indicators, the Asian markets are also experiencing a wave of optimism. With recent developments in trade agreements and economic resilience, investors are increasingly looking towards small-cap stocks in Asia for their potential to capitalize on these dynamic conditions. In this environment, identifying promising companies involves assessing their ability to adapt to changing market landscapes while leveraging regional growth opportunities. Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Asia Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating AIC NA 26.88% 54.47% ★★★★★★ Toho 72.03% 6.01% 64.19% ★★★★★★ PSC 15.34% 1.17% 10.86% ★★★★★★ Nantong Guosheng Intelligence Technology Group NA 8.02% 1.71% ★★★★★★ HeXun Biosciences NA 74.95% 119.41% ★★★★★★ Zhejiang JW Precision MachineryLtd 12.36% 4.29% -22.66% ★★★★★★ Wholetech System Hitech 3.31% 15.16% 19.61% ★★★★★☆ Zhejiang Jinghua Laser TechnologyLtd 2.85% 4.02% -2.43% ★★★★★☆ Ningbo Henghe Precision IndustryLtd 66.02% 5.50% 23.91% ★★★★☆☆ Keli Motor Group 35.39% 9.99% -14.86% ★★★★☆☆ Click here to see the full list of 2601 stocks from our Asian Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Quechen Silicon Chemical Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Quechen Silicon Chemical Co., Ltd. operates in the manufacture and supply of silica both in China and internationally, with a market capitalization of CN¥8.11 billion. Operations: Quechen Silicon Chemical generates revenue primarily from its Specialty Chemicals segment, amounting to CN¥2.21 billion. Quechen Silicon Chemical, a nimble player in the chemicals sector, has shown robust growth with earnings surging 23.4% over the past year, outpacing the industry's modest 4% rise. The firm is trading at a compelling value, sitting 33.4% below its estimated fair value. It boasts high-quality earnings and maintains an impressive debt-to-equity ratio that has shrunk from 9% to just 2.3% over five years. With strong free cash flow and profitability ensuring no worries about cash runway, Quechen appears well-positioned for continued growth with forecasts suggesting an annual earnings increase of nearly 11.82%. Click here and access our complete health analysis report to understand the dynamics of Quechen Silicon Chemical. Understand Quechen Silicon Chemical's track record by examining our Past report. HangzhouS MedTech Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Hangzhou AGS MedTech Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, production, sale, and service of endoscopic surgery equipment and accessories in China with a market cap of approximately CN¥6.65 billion. Operations: HangzhouS MedTech generates revenue primarily from the sale of endoscopic surgery equipment and accessories. The company's net profit margin has shown a notable trend, reflecting its financial health and efficiency in managing costs relative to its revenue streams. With no debt over the past five years, HangzhouS MedTech showcases financial prudence, underscored by high-quality earnings. The company's earnings growth of 25.9% in the last year significantly outpaced the Medical Equipment industry average of -2.2%. Trading at a value 24.8% below its estimated fair value, it offers an attractive proposition compared to peers and industry standards. Levered free cash flow has shown a steady rise, reaching US$267.89 million recently, hinting at robust operational efficiency despite capital expenditures of US$41.16 million in the same period. Future growth prospects appear promising with forecasted annual earnings growth of 20.76%. Dive into the specifics of HangzhouS MedTech here with our thorough health report. Explore historical data to track HangzhouS MedTech's performance over time in our Past section. Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in the development and manufacture of innovative regenerative medical products, with a market cap of CN¥4.96 billion. Operations: Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies generates revenue through the development and manufacture of regenerative medical products. The company's financial performance is highlighted by a notable net profit margin, reflecting its efficiency in managing costs relative to its revenue streams. Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies, a nimble player in the medical equipment sector, showcases impressive financial health with no debt and an earnings growth of 83.5% over the past year, outpacing the industry average of -2.2%. The company has transitioned to positive levered free cash flow recently, reaching CNY 102.39 million by mid-2025 from negative figures in prior years. Despite recent share price volatility, Medprin's strategic moves include a private placement at CNY 48.03 per share to raise funds for asset purchases and operational support, reflecting robust shareholder confidence and positioning it well for future endeavors. Delve into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies. Gain insights into Medprin Regenerative Medical Technologies' past trends and performance with our Past report. Taking Advantage Take a closer look at our Asian Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals list of 2601 companies by clicking here. Already own these companies? Bring clarity to your investment decisions by linking up your portfolio with Simply Wall St, where you can monitor all the vital signs of your stocks effortlessly. Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage. Curious About Other Options? Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SHSE:605183 SHSE:688581 and SZSE:301033. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cost of living: Which are the cheapest and most expensive countries in Europe?
Prices vary significantly between countries in Europe. Significant differences exist even between neighbouring countries such as Austria and Hungary — or Germany and Poland. But how can we best compare prices across Europe? And what are the most expensive and cheapest countries across the continent? Price level indices are a good way to help us understand how expensive or cheap goods and services are in each country. They compare national price levels to the EU average and are calculated using Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs). According to Eurostat, PPPs act like an artificial common currency, as they show how much people can buy with the same amount of money across countries. The results are based on price surveys covering more than 2,000 consumer goods and services, conducted across 36 European countries. How are prices compared across countries? There are several price level indices that compare the cost of different goods and services — such as food, drink, clothing, hotels, and more. In addition to these individual or group indices, there are two main indicators that show the 'overall' price level of consumer goods and services: One is actual individual consumption (AIC), which measures all goods and services actually consumed by households. It includes consumer goods and services purchased directly by households, as well as services provided by non-profit institutions. The indicator also includes services provided by the government for individual consumption such as health and education services. Another indicator is household final consumption expenditure (HFCE), which studies total spending on individual goods and services by resident households. In other words, AIC looks at what households use — including services they don't directly pay for — and HFCE shows what they spend money on. Eurostat notes that AIC is often used in international comparisons, as it captures more than the narrower concept of household consumption. Euronews has therefore used AIC figures for comparisons, although consumption data is also included in the chart. Switzerland is 3.9 times as expensive as Turkey As of 2024, out of 36 countries, Switzerland is the most expensive, with prices at 184% of the EU average — 84% higher than the average. Turkey is the cheapest, with prices at 47% of the EU average, meaning they are 53% lower than the EU average. This makes Switzerland 3.9 times as expensive as Turkey, revealing the sharp contrast in price levels across Europe. A price level above 100 means a country is more expensive than the EU average; below 100 means it's cheaper. Cheapest and most expensive countries: Bulgaria vs Luxembourg In the EU, Luxembourg is the most expensive country, with prices 51% higher than the EU average. Bulgaria and Romania are the cheapest members, at 57% of the EU average. This means Luxembourg is about 2.7 times as expensive as Bulgaria and Romania, showing a significant but smaller gap compared to the difference between Switzerland and Turkey. Ten EU countries have prices above the EU average. Denmark (143%) and Ireland (141%) follow Luxembourg as the most expensive. Among the EU's four largest economies, Germany (109%) and France (108%) are slightly above average, while Italy (98%) and Spain (91%) are below. Geographic patterns in price levels Western and Northern European countries tend to have high price levels. Switzerland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and Finland all show significantly above-average prices. These are generally high-income countries with strong currencies and higher living costs. All five Nordic countries— Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland — also consistently rank near the top. In contrast, Central and Eastern European countries generally have lower price levels. Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and the Baltic States — Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia — are all below the EU average. These regions typically record lower labour costs. Price levels are also lower in the EU candidate countries. They included Turkey, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Why are the EFTA countries so expensive? Two European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries — Switzerland and Iceland —rank first and second in 2024, with Norway in sixth place. In a 2018 analysis based on 2017 figures, Lars Svennebye of the EFTA Statistical Office explained that high workforce productivity and corresponding high salaries were key factors behind the high price levels in EFTA countries. Factors contributing to price disparities Filippo Pallotti, PhD Candidate in Economics at University College London, told Euronews Business that across Europe, the most expensive countries to live in tend to be the most productive. 'Productivity gains in tradable sectors (like manufacturing and tech) drive up wages economy-wide - even in non-tradable sectors such as hairdressing, hospitality, and real estate, where productivity growth is slower,' he said. Comparing the highest and lowest ends of the EU, Pallotti pointed out that hourly labour costs mirror price levels — around €55 in Luxembourg, €50 in Denmark, and just €11 in Bulgaria. 'But when comparing coffee at €4 in Copenhagen versus €1 in Sofia, it's the interplay of strong tradable-sector productivity and the resulting elevated wages across all sectors that chiefly explains the gap." he added. Pallotti also noted that beyond wages, productivity itself stems from several key factors: capital intensity, technology adoption, human capital, institutional quality, infrastructure, and foreign investment - including skilled management and talent inflows. Other contributing factors - VAT and indirect taxes, cost of regulation, urban density, transport infrastructure, and even currency valuations - play roles in shaping prices. Earnings not included in price comparisons Individual or household incomes are not included in price level comparisons. 'These figures are pure price comparisons of goods and services. They do not take the level of wages, salaries or other measures of personal income into account,' Lars Svennebye told Euronews Business. This means that someone living in a country with a high price level may still be able to buy more goods and services than someone in a country with a lower price level, depending on income. Price levels vary significantly across different categories. For example, the price level for alcohol and tobacco in the EU was nearly three times higher in Ireland (205%), the most expensive country, than in Bulgaria (69%), the cheapest. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Times
4 days ago
- General
- Business Times
Salvation Army raises S$450,000 for key programmes; launches initiative to support caregivers
[SINGAPORE] The Salvation Army Singapore has raised more than S$450,000 from the 29th edition of its Red Shield Appeal event this year, which took place at Goodwood Park Hotel on Friday (Jul 25). It also announced the launch of 'It Takes A Village', a new initiative developed with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). The S$450,000 raised is in addition to S$6 million donated by legacy donors. The funds will support Salvation Army's key programmes across 14 centres islandwide. Tan Bee Yit, regional officer of Salvation Army for the Singapore region, said: 'Our work ranges from long-term residential and medical care for the elderly (to) family-based programmes supporting incarcerated parents and their children.' In 2024, more than 25,000 individuals and families benefited from the charity's programmes. Salvation Army will continue strengthening its core programmes and ensure they remain 'inclusive and effective', Tan said. Supporting caregivers On Friday, Salvation Army also launched the 'It Takes A Village' initiative, supported by AIC. This follows a pilot, launched in 2024, focusing on expanding outreach and establishing partnerships and builds on Peacehaven's services. To date, more than 17,500 caregivers have been engaged through the initiative. 'As caregiving becomes increasingly pressing in our ageing society, it is important to build a strong peer support network for our caregivers too, providing accessible training and practical resources to ease their caregiving journey,' Tan added. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Teo Shiyi, executive director of Peacehaven, noted that one-quarter of Singapore residents will be aged 65 or older by 2030, and family sizes are getting smaller. 'The emotional, social and sometimes physical demands placed on the primary caregiver can be immense. With smaller family sizes, this primary caregiver may have nobody else to help share the burden – for advice, for emotional support, for respite,' he said. 'It Takes A Village' aims to benefit informal caregivers – such as family members and migrant domestic workers – and will revolve around three core pillars: caregiver empowerment, emotional and peer support, and community connection. Besides offering training to help caregivers manage day-to-day care responsibilities, the initiative will provide a support network and connect them to relevant services. Dr Katie Avery, education director at Peacehaven, said: 'Ultimately, 'It Takes A Village' seeks to uplift the well-being of both caregivers and care recipients by fostering resilience, connection and dignity through community.' The initiative will bring caregiving out of clinical settings and into more everyday environments and promotes care in home and community settings. More than 10 organisations have joined the initiative. Founding member Fortuna Tan, who was a caregiver to her late mother-in-law, emphasised the importance of such support groups as demand for eldercare outpaces the level of informal and community support available. 'This network fills a much-needed gap in psychosocial and peer support, offering a space where caregivers can share experiences and tips, while finding respite and meeting others in similar situations,' she said.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Airlines instructed to prevent unauthorised carriage of live animals into India
In a bid to prevent the unauthorised carriage of live animals into India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued fresh guidelines to airlines operators, official sources said on Friday (July 25, 2025). Amid multiple instances reported by airlines regarding the carriage of live animals into India by passengers without proper declaration or clearance, classified as unbeknownst imports, the DGCA asked the operators to devise strategies to detect and deter the violation of deportation conditions. Going by rules laid down by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services and Indian Customs, such animals were subject to immediate deportation to their country of origin, with appropriate intimation to concerned stakeholders and authorities in that country. Though the carriage of animals/birds by air was governed by the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) of 1985, the DGCA's advisory intended to further guide and ensure compliance with the latest instructions/orders of the Indian Customs and other law-enforcing agencies and facilitate the safe and legally compliant deportation animals by all aircraft operators/airlines operating in India. Responsibility of airlines The aviation regulator said in case of detection of any unbeknownst imports of live animals into India, the concerned airline would be responsible for their immediate deportation. 'The airline that transported the undeclared live animals shall be solely responsible for deportation in accordance with applicable laws. All costs associated with deportation, including animal handling, in-transit welfare, documentation, and repatriation logistics shall be borne by the airline,' the advisory said. As part of the preventive measures, the operators were advised to make sure that the employees deployed at check-in counters, boarding gates and in-flight operations were adequately trained and sensitised on customs and quarantine rules and regulations pertaining to transport of live animals. Passenger advisories and signage regarding restrictions on import of live animals should be displayed prominently, the sources said.
CNA
19-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Singapore launches new online tool to help healthy adults plan end-of-life care
SINGAPORE: Adults with no existing serious illnesses can now document their end-of-care life preferences online for free, without the need to meet a facilitator, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Saturday (Jul 19). The advance care planning (ACP) tool, known as myACP, was officially launched by Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung at the Plan Your Legacy Today roadshow in Bedok. MOH said the tool, jointly developed with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and the Government Technology Agency (GovTech), is a 'significant step forward' in making advance care planning more accessible to Singaporeans. "We need more open and early conversations about future care needs. Don't be pantang, but be open and honest," said Mr Ong, using a local term for avoiding certain topics out of superstition or tradition. "That way, we prepare ourselves emotionally and mentally for the future, together with our loved ones. Normalise the discussions." HOW IT WORKS The online tool guides users aged 21 and above to document their care preferences. These include medical treatment approaches, daily care needs, and personal preferences related to hygiene, companionship and religious requirements. The tool also enables individuals to indicate their priorities between comfort care and life-sustaining treatments. Individuals are to appoint up to two nominated healthcare spokespersons who will convey their care preferences if they are unable to speak for themselves in the future. The myACP service will be available for those with no existing serious illness, such as cancer or dementia. Those with existing serious illnesses will continue to undergo facilitated advanced care planning sessions tailored to their medical condition, said MOH. Those who prefer face-to-face guidance or are less comfortable with digital tools can continue to seek assistance at advanced care planning community nodes. MOH said more than 77,000 advance care plans were completed in Singapore as of Jul 11 this year. This is a 40 per cent increase from 55,000 plans completed from 2011 to 2024. This growth reflects increasing awareness of the importance of legacy planning, but that more can be done to translate awareness into action, noted the ministry. The Legacy Planning Roadshow, jointly organised by MOH, AIC, the Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB), the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Public Service Division, is part of a multi-year legacy planning campaign to encourage Singaporeans to take action on their legacy plans. The roadshow helps members of public understand ACP, Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), CPF nomination and wills through informational booths, education talks and guided consultations. More information on advance care planning can be found at the MyLegacy@LifeSG website. PROGRESS The introduction of myACP comes amid ongoing efforts under the ministry's National Strategy for Palliative Care (NSPC), which was launched in July 2023. MOH reported progress in expanding care capacity, easing hospital-to-home transitions, strengthening palliative competencies in the community and improving the affordability of palliative care services. The number of inpatient hospice beds has grown by 15 per cent, from 260 in 2023 to about 300 as of Mar 31 this year. Home palliative care places have also increased by 25 per cent, from 2,400 to almost 3,000 in the same period, and will further grow to 3,600 places by end-2025. MOH also said hospital-to-home transitions were smoothened under the NSPC, with public hospitals implementing standardised compassionate discharge protocols to simplify the process for terminally ill patients who wished to return home for their final days. 'The equipment rental scheme, launched in end October 2024, provides subsidised equipment which supports patients discharged home for palliative care. It has benefited more than 1,000 Singaporeans to date,' added the ministry. MOH noted the strengthening of palliative care competencies in nursing homes. Previously, nursing home residents approaching their end of life would likely have returned to hospitals to be managed. 'Today, 62 or approximately two-thirds of nursing homes in Singapore have worked with the public hospitals to develop palliative care capabilities which allow their residents to pass on in the comfort and familiarity of their nursing homes.' Financial support for palliative care has likewise improved. Last year, MOH raised the MediShield Life daily claim limits for inpatient palliative care and removed the lifetime MediSave withdrawal limit for all home palliative and day hospice patients who use their own MediSave. Subsidies are also enhanced for all community palliative care patients. Since the implementation of the NSPC, MOH said the number of hospital deaths has declined from 62.5 per cent in both 2022 and 2023 to 59.8 per cent in 2024. 'This translates to thousands of Singaporeans being able to spend their final days in their preferred setting outside of hospitals,' said MOH, adding that it targets to further reduce the number of hospital deaths to 51 per cent by 2027.
