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Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Chinese economy stays challenged but some consumer stocks offer potential: BOA
[SINGAPORE] While headwinds persist for the Chinese economy and consumer confidence stays low, a select range of stocks could defy broader market trends and outperform their peers, said the Bank of America (BOA). Despite improved market sentiment, the Chinese economy remains saddled by challenged consumption growth and elevated youth unemployment alongside deflationary pressures, BOA analysts noted in a report last Thursday (May 29). However, stocks related to five themes could benefit from Chinese consumer spending, the BOA analysts said. Specifically, these are stocks that focus on the categories of health and wellness; affordable luxury; pragmatic goods and services; personal experiences and emotional value; as well as intellectual property. These 'new consumption' stocks display 'significant divergence in performance' amid softer market trends and sharply outperformed their peers in earnings growth and share prices, BOA analysts said. With clear value propositions – be it emotional value, functionality or affordability – these stocks are favoured over large-cap premium brands or market proxy players, they added. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Energy drinks, outdoor brands win on post-pandemic health, wellness focus An increased interest in health and wellness among Chinese consumers post Covid-19, has benefitted stocks focusing on these themes, BOA said. In the beverage market, energy drinks and soft drinks that focus on health and anxiety alleviation logged stronger sales growth compared to liquor or beer, the analysts noted. Outdoor brands including Amer Sports enjoyed nearly 40 per cent year-on-year growth compared to the overall domestic sportswear market, which logged sales growth only in the single-digit percentages. Online healthcare experienced 'rapid growth' fuelled by rising demand for proactive and preventive health management, and the increasing penetration of online drug purchasing. Affordable luxury gains amid deflationary environment Consumers tend to be price sensitive in deflationary environments. Within the passenger vehicle market, domestic brands nearly doubled their market share from 33 per cent in 2020 to 65 per cent in the first four months of 2025, thanks to better price-performance than European and Japanese brands, the report said. With improved product offerings, local brands in the smartphone market such as Xiaomi and Huawei have taken market share away from Apple. This trend towards affordability is reflected in travel, where short-haul and domestic trips via railways and budget airlines have been on the rise; and domestic, 'affordable luxury' hotel chains have wrestled market share away from global five-star hotels. Policy stimulus, subsidies boost demand for pragmatic items The analysts also observed an increased focus on the utility and functionality over brand names among consumers. Boosted by policy stimulus, sales for home appliances, furniture and consumer electronics rose by 20 to 25 per cent year-on-year for the first four months of 2025, outpacing overall retail sales growth, they noted. Mass market brands such as Geely, Leapmotor and XPeng are expected to outperform premium/luxury brands including Zeekr, Li Auto and Nio. Consumer willingness to spend on experiences The analysts noted that consumers are willing to invest time and money in experiences. Consumers are travelling more albeit spending less and treating themselves to 'small delights' such as new snacks, online games, cosmetics and pets. Companies such as Tencent and NetEase posted gaming revenue growth for Q1 2025. Meanwhile, Chinese snackmaker Yankershop reported 76 per cent year-on-year growth in 2024, significantly higher than that of the overall snack industry, thanks to its innovative konjac products. Co-branded products get boost from consumer spend on intellectual property BOA analysts highlighted that consumer spending on intellectual property-related goods and services – such as Labubu toys or domestic movies like Ne Zha – drives up sales for co-branded products. For instance, Pop Mart's retail sales rose by 165 to 170 per cent for Q1 of 2025, with China sales up by 95 to 100 per cent. The success of the animated movie Ne Zha 2, which contributed to around 60 per cent of China's Q1 2025 box office, also drove sales of co-branded products such as milk, teas and toys.
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
EBRD Boosts Green Finance in Morocco with €70M Loan to Bank of Africa
Doha – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has partnered with multiple international organizations to provide a €70 million loan to Bank of Africa (BOA), aimed at promoting green lending in Morocco's private sector. The bank announced the financing package on Thursday, noting that it combines resources from the EBRD, Green Climate Fund (GCF), European Union (EU), and Canada through the EBRD's High-Impact Partnership on Climate Action (HIPCA). The funding will be split between a €35 million senior unsecured loan from GCF and another €35 million co-financed by HIPCA. This initiative falls under the EU-backed Morocco Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience Programme (GEFF+). BOA will use these funds to extend green loans to Moroccan private-sector companies, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises seeking to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. The loan comes with a comprehensive technical cooperation package worth €6 million. The EU will provide €2.38 million in investment grants, while GCF will contribute the remaining €3.62 million. This support will help BOA develop its green lending practices and encourage private companies to invest in low-carbon technologies. The technical cooperation will also promote equal opportunities and women's access to climate finance. It includes training for BOA branch staff in gender-responsive green finance, capacity-building, and awareness-raising sessions to accelerate investments in sustainable energy across Morocco's private sector. Bank of Africa, the third-largest bank in Morocco, is listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange with presence in 32 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. It has been a key EBRD partner in green finance, with €113 million in green loans already extended through this cooperation. This financing initiative is part of a broader push by EBRD in Morocco this month. On May 6, BMCI became the first Moroccan bank to receive a comprehensive €65 million Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) Plus package from EBRD and partners, marking their fifth partnership. Other recent EBRD investments in the North African country include a $25 million equity investment in Dislog Group, disclosed on May 9, to strengthen the company's capital structure and advance its mergers and acquisitions strategy. Additionally, on May 13, Aya Gold & Silver secured a $25 million EBRD loan to develop its Boumadine polymetallic project. Morocco, a founding member of the EBRD, became one of the Bank's countries of operation in 2012. To date, the EBRD has invested €5.4 billion in Morocco through 117 projects.
Ya Biladi
15-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
EBRD backs Bank of Africa with €70m to boost climate finance in Morocco
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is joining forces with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the European Union, and Canada to support green finance in Morocco. Through its High-Impact Partnership on Climate Action (HIPCA), the EBRD is extending a €70 million loan to the Bank of Africa (BOA) under the Morocco Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience programme (GEFF+), EBRD announced on Thursday. The package includes two senior unsecured loans of €35 million each, one from the GCF and the other co-financed by HIPCA. It aims to support Moroccan private companies, including MSMEs, in investing in climate adaptation and mitigation technologies. A €6 million technical cooperation package will accompany the financing, with the EU and GCF contributing €2.38 million and €3.62 million respectively. It will help BOA strengthen green lending practices, train staff on gender-responsive climate finance, and promote equal access for women. «This facility will expand and accelerate investments in sustainable energy», said the EBRD, noting BOA's pivotal role in green finance, with €113 million in green loans already disbursed.
Qatar Tribune
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Sheikh Joaan meets with Bangladesh Olympic Association President
Tribune News Network Doha H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met with General Waker-uz-Zaman, President of the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), who is currently visiting Doha. The meeting focused on exploring ways to strengthen bilateral sports cooperation and promote the exchange of expertise between both committees in the period ahead. The two sides discussed the ongoing progress of the Olympic movement in Bangladesh and the country's growing engagement at the continental level, reflecting its broader aspirations to cement a stronger presence on the Asian sports stage. His Excellency Sheikh Joaan reaffirmed the QOC's commitment to supporting National Olympic Committees across Asia and globally through knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable sports development and the advancement of the Olympic Movement. The talks also touched on preparations for the 20th Asian Games, set to be held next year in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Both sides exchanged views on ways to coordinate efforts and technical expertise to prepare their national teams, while exploring opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the lead-up to this major continental event. The visit highlighted Qatar's leading role in advancing sports development both regionally and internationally, and its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships within the global Olympic community. At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties expressed their shared aspiration to maintain close coordination and collaboration, in a manner that will further deepen ties between the QOC and the BOA and bring direct benefits to athletes in both countries as they prepare for upcoming competitions.
United News of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
All India bridge meet: Monica Jajoo leads the team board
Kolkata, May 1 (UNI) The 8th All India Shree Cement Bridge Championship got off to a fine start with Team Monica Jajoo leading the field scoring 83.79 Victory Points (VPs) at the end of the 5th of the total eight preliminary rounds in team event on the inaugural day of the meet here on Thursday. Earlier in the morning the championship,a category one event of the country`s bridge calender being participated by about five hundred players from different parts of the country and a couple of European nation- Holland and Norway, was inaugurated by chairperson of E A Express Avenue Kavita Singhania in presence of chairman of Shree Cement H M Bangur, President of Bridge Federation of India (BFI) Prasad Keni, president of Bengal Olympic Association ( BOA) Chandan Roy Chowdhury , BOA Vice President Biswarup Dey and BFI Secretary Debasish Ray were also present. Close on the heels of Team Mionica Jajoo are Team Mohta ( 76.88 VPs), Mavericks ( 74.68 VPs), Team E i S K ( 71.96 VPs), Dhampur Sugar ( 71.70 VPs ). Last year`s champions Formidables which is represented by the players who won the gold at the recently held Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East Championship at Dubai, made a slow start and are at the sixth position with 71,51 VPs and they are being followed by Guha & Five, E A Bridge, Indian Chain wolf and others. After completion of the eighth round top sixteen teams will qualify for the knock-out stage. UNI PC SSP
