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Malay Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
As K-pop dominates the world, its home crowd is tuning out
SEOUL, July 31 — K-pop may be topping global charts and filling stadiums worldwide, but back home in South Korea, its shine appears to be fading. According to The Korea Herald, industry experts are raising concerns over the genre's weakening grip on the domestic market. Despite international success, K-pop is struggling to maintain momentum locally — especially with the lack of impactful rookie girl groups in early 2025, a key driver of fandom growth in past years. Citing the Circle Chart's 2025 Mid-Year Report, The Herald reported a 6.4 per cent drop in digital consumption for the top 400 songs, nearly 50 per cent below its 2019 peak. Physical album sales also declined by 9 per cent to 42.4 million units. Only seven albums surpassed the one million mark this year, down from nine in 2024. Experts say the industry's increasing focus on global audiences — through English-heavy lyrics and similar-sounding concepts — may be pushing local fans away. This global push is tiring local fans, Circle Chart's Kim Jin-woo said. Girl group dominance has also slipped. In 2024, five girl groups were in the Top 10. This year, only NewJeans, aespa and Ive made the cut, Kim told the paper. Meanwhile, solo acts are rising. Seven of the top 10 tracks in 2025 came from solo performers like Woodz and Hwang Garam — relatively unknown globally but resonating with Korean listeners. Critics argue that while idol music is flashy and energetic, it often lacks the emotional depth listeners now crave. 'Ballads or rock-inflected songs with strong melodic structure and individual expression are better suited for immersive listening,' music critic Lim Hee-yun was quoted as saying. Industry insiders warn that unless the domestic market is re-engaged, K-pop's long-term sustainability could be at risk — even as it thrives abroad.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Is Betting on Alibaba Stock. Should You?
After navigating a turbulent few years marked by regulatory crackdowns, economic uncertainty, and internal restructuring, Alibaba Group (BABA) is staging a compelling comeback. The Chinese tech giant has seen its stock rise 52.1% over the past year, a rally driven by the solid performance in its flagship e-commerce business and its rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cloud computing division. Besides focusing on accelerating its revenue growth, Alibaba is taking steps to streamline its operations and doubling down on areas with significant growth prospects, such as e-commerce, cloud computing, and AI infrastructure. By divesting non-core assets, the company is driving efficiency and long-term profitability. This strategic shift is positioning Alibaba to better weather macroeconomic headwinds and capitalize on high-growth opportunities in both the domestic and global markets. More News from Barchart Here's What Happened the Last Time Novo Nordisk Stock Was This Oversold As SoFi Raises 2025 Guidance, Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold SOFI Stock Here? Earnings Will Be 'Worse Than Expected' for UnitedHealth. How Should You Play UNH Stock Here? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! Most of the analysts covering BABA stock are bullish about Alibaba's outlook. Its healthy financials, strong position in high-potential segments, and renewed focus on operational excellence lay the groundwork that could fuel sustained growth down the road. AI-Driven Cloud Business to Accelerate Alibaba's Growth Alibaba's cloud computing division has emerged as a significant growth driver thanks to skyrocketing demand for AI-powered services. In the quarter ended March, Alibaba Cloud posted an 18% year-over-year increase in revenue, primarily driven by public cloud and AI-related offerings. Impressively, AI product revenue has now grown by triple digits for seven straight quarters. For the full fiscal year, Alibaba Cloud saw double-digit growth, and management remains confident that AI will continue to be a primary growth engine for years to come. The surge in BABA's cloud revenues is tied to growing adoption of AI technologies across industries. Alibaba is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, aiming to solidify its position in this fast-growing segment. These investments are already bearing fruit. AI applications are now expanding beyond back-end enterprise systems into customer-facing tools. Moreover, adoption isn't limited to large corporations. Notably, small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly integrating AI into their operations, creating a widening customer base for Alibaba's solutions. Notably, traditional sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture are exploring AI-driven efficiencies with Alibaba's tools, signaling a massive opportunity for long-term penetration. This industry-wide AI adoption reflects the breadth of Alibaba Cloud's growth potential, especially as more businesses look to modernize and optimize with tech-driven solutions. Momentum in Alibaba's E-Commerce Business Remains Strong While cloud and AI steal headlines, Alibaba hasn't taken its foot off the gas in its e-commerce business. Taobao and Tmall, the backbone of Alibaba's digital commerce empire, continue to deliver robust user growth. The number of premium loyalty members (88VIP) has now surpassed 50 million, an indication of increasing consumer engagement. In the latest quarter, revenue from customer management services, an important metric for gauging merchant activity, rose 12% year-over-year, while adjusted EBITA increased 8%. Alibaba is also enhancing the merchant experience, increasing support for sellers with high-quality products and services, which helps boost user satisfaction and long-term loyalty. On the international front, Alibaba's cross-border commerce arm, Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC), saw revenues jump 22% compared to the previous year. With a diversified global footprint and growing operational efficiency, AIDC appears well-prepared to navigate potential challenges from shifting trade regulations. The company remains on track to hit overall profitability in its international e-commerce operations in the current fiscal year. Analysts See Upside in BABA Stock Alibaba will continue to focus on its core businesses of e-commerce, AI, and cloud. Analysts see this focused strategy as a catalyst for sustained growth, especially as global demand for AI and cloud services continues to surge. Wall Street analysts have collectively rated Alibaba a 'Strong Buy,' signaling confidence in the company's trajectory. Their average price target for the stock stands at $157.91, roughly 33% higher than its current trading level. Should You Buy Alibaba Stock? With strong momentum in both its core e-commerce operations and its fast-growing, AI-driven cloud computing division, Alibaba is laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth. The company's focus on operational efficiency, divestment of non-core assets, and targeted investments in future technologies positions it to scale its business profitably. Wall Street's bullish sentiment, its exposure to high-growth sectors, and consistently solid financial performances suggest that Alibaba stock is a buy. On the date of publication, Sneha Nahata did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. 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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tokio Marine announces corporate rebrand of E.design Insurance
Tokio Marine Holdings has revealed plans to rebrand its subsidiary Insurance to drive growth in the domestic direct auto insurance market. will be renamed Tokio Marine Direct Insurance (TMDI), effective 1 October. Since its inception in 2009, Insurance has been operating within the Tokio Marine Group, focusing on providing direct auto insurance services. The rebranding is aimed at aligning the company's operations more closely with customer needs for accessible auto insurance services. As part of the rebranding initiative, TMDI will focus on refining the online user experience. This will involve the enhancement of online processes and the expansion of app features, utilising AI and the data held by the Tokio Marine Group. In a press release, the company said: 'Going forward, to increase access points with the market, including to become the chosen provider in segments we have not sufficiently engaged with so far, we recognise the necessity of strengthening and increasing awareness of the group's direct auto insurance business.' TMDI also plans to engage customers with personalised communication, sending emails that reflect individual preferences and patterns of app usage. The company added that it intends to create a more integrated approach by combining the strengths of both the direct and agency business models. TMDI, in collaboration with Tokio Marine Nichido, will use data analysis and customer feedback to inform the development of new products and services, and to enhance digital marketing strategies. In May, Tokio Marine Holdings launched Tokio Marine GX (TMGX), a new unit dedicated to underwriting insurance for businesses involved in green transformation. TMGX focuses on delivering specialised insurance and risk management solutions to support decarbonisation efforts and seize emerging green business opportunities. "Tokio Marine announces corporate rebrand of Insurance " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Russia Bans Refiners From Exporting Gasoline to Ensure Supplies
Russia banned gasoline producers from exporting the fuel until the end of August to meet accelerating demand, after drone attacks and Western sanctions temporarily disrupted seasonal maintenance. 'The decision was made to maintain a stable situation on the domestic fuel market during the period of high seasonal demand and agricultural field work,' the government said in a Telegram statement.
Reuters
24-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
American Airlines forecasts bigger Q3 loss as sluggish demand hits fares
July 24 (Reuters) - American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab forecast a bigger-than-expected third-quarter loss on Thursday, as sluggish domestic travel demand result in more unsold seats and an erosion in fares. Shares of the carrier fell nearly 3% in premarket trading. Most U.S. airlines withdrew their financial forecasts in April due to uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs and budget cuts. Demand in the domestic travel market has remained subdued with budget travelers approaching their plans with caution. American, which had enhanced its focus on the U.S. domestic market, sees itself more exposed to the trend. Summer, typically the peak money-making season for airlines, is falling short this year as sluggish demand for standard economy seats forces carriers to cut fares, undermining their pricing power. Industry executives and analysts have guided toward a stability in demand and the overall travel environment. American expects adjusted loss per share in the third quarter in the range of 10 cents to 60 cents, compared with analysts' estimates of 7 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG. The U.S. carrier reported a net income of $599 million, or 91 cents per share for quarter ended June 30, compared with $717 million, or $1.01 per share, a year earlier. Its total operating revenue marginally rose to about $14.4 billion.
