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Tim Hortons® Premium Signature Store at Sunway Pyramid drops Unique Brews and Coffee Crafting Magic


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Get ready Malaysia for fresh brews, fresh vibes and a ‘Sip, Savor, Repeat’ lifestyle unlike any other.

Tim Hortons® Premium Signature Store at Sunway Pyramid drops Unique Brews and Coffee Crafting Magic

Tim Hortons®, the iconic coffeehouse from Canada, is now pouring warm coffee culture at Sunway Pyramid with the launch of its first signature store in Malaysia. With over six decades of coffee expertise, Tim Hortons® is now offering Malaysians an elevated, premium coffeehouse experience with its delicious freshly prepared food and specialty beverages.

The Tim Hortons® Signature Store at Sunway Pyramid marks the fourth store in Malaysia, following successful openings at Sunway Velocity Mall, IOI City Mall Putrajaya, and Aeon Mall Bukit Tinggi. More stores are set to open as part of the brand’s ambitious expansion plan across the nation. This new flagship store promises to deliver an unparalleled, elevated in-store experience, combining Canadian heritage with the warmth and hospitality that makes Tims® a beloved global brand.

Tim Hortons® Premium Signature Store

What Makes the Signature Store Special

Freshly Prepared, Premium Food & Drinks: At Tim Hortons®, we believe in serving freshly prepared, delicious food that pairs perfectly with our signature beverages. From artisanal sourdough melts to comforting pasta bakes and our irresistible Timbits®, every bite is a taste of freshness served with care.

  • Signature Lattes & Iced Capps®: Maple Cinnamon Latte, Maple French Vanilla, Dark Chocolate Cream Chip, Strawberry Cream (RM13.00 – RM19.00)
  • Sourdough Melts: Maple Chicken Deli & Cheese, Grilled Cheese & Caramelised Onion, Pesto Chicken & Mozzarella (RM16.00 – RM19.00)
  • Pasta Bakes: Classic Aglio Olio, Truffle & Smoked Chicken Carbonara, Pesto Cream Chicken & Mozzarella, Beef Ragu Bolognese (RM16 – RM19)
  • Donuts & Timbits® (starting from RM 1.50 up)
  • Malaysian Specials: Butterscotch Ondeh-Ondeh Iced Capp, Teh Tarik Tribute Iced Capp, Sambal Chicken Grilled Cheese Wrap (RM12.00 – RM15.00)

Discover our unique, elevated brews at our Craft Bar where guests can enjoy exclusive brewing methods such as Kyoto Drip, Chemex, and V60 Pour Over made with 100% premium Arabica beans. The store also features Single Origin beans like Colombian and Mexican Light beans, making each sip unforgettable for coffee lovers.

Tims Rewards Program: Members get to earn 1 point for every RM1 spent, skip the queue through pre-orders and pickup and enjoy exclusive member privileges.

Grand Opening Promotions: December 20–22, 2024

To celebrate the launch of the Signature Store, Tim Hortons® is offering exciting promotions* for members from December 20–22, 2024:

  • Complimentary weekly Latte (S) for 6 months for the first 100 customers with any purchase
  • 1-for-1 Large Maple Cinnamon Latte
  • Exclusive Tim Hortons® Keychain with a minimum spend of RM50

Tim Hortons® is now available on Grab and Food Panda in Malaysia. The menu is made of ingredients that are carefully sourced from Halal-certified suppliers. Tims also ensure no pork, lard or alcohol are served at the establishment.

Additionally, as part of the company’s mission to make a positive impact in the local community, Tim Hortons® Malaysia is partnering with Mercy Malaysia through the “Tims for Good MY®” initiative. For every Kaya-Filled donut sold, 100% of the proceeds will go to Mercy Malaysia.

*Terms & Condition apply at the store.

Hashtag: #TimHortons #PremiumSignatureStore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

ZJLD’s “Zhenjiu World Tour — Light Chasers in Antarctica” Successfully Concluded

Promoting Creative ESG Practices and Forging on a Sustainable Future Together


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – The first baijiu company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ZJLD Group Inc. (“ZJLD” or the “Company”, SEHK stock code: 06979. HK), is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Kweichow Zhenjiu, successfully held the “Zhenjiu World Tour — Light Chasers in Antarctica” voyage from November 27 to December 7. The event aimed to raise awareness of environmental protection across society, emphasizing the responsibilities that enterprises should uphold in sustainable development. The “Kweichow Zhenjiu” giant cruise carried over 200 “Zhen Fans” as it set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, embarking on a journey of more than ten days and traversing a total of 1,585 nautical miles to reach the mysterious Antarctic Peninsula, allowing participants to experience the breathtaking beauty of this “Last Pure Land on Earth.”

Antarctica has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the “50 Places You Must Visit in a Lifetime,” celebrated for its unique ecological environment and breathtaking natural scenery. This event allowed Zhen Fans to engage closely with Antarctica’s glaciers and penguins, fostering a deeper understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem and the history of scientific exploration. It also underscored the pressing issue of “global warming”, urging society to raise awareness and take concrete measures to reduce carbon emissions.

The Light Chasers in Antarctica event marks the second installment in the series, following the “Zhenjiu World Tour —Light Gatherers on Mount Everest” held in April. During the Everest expedition, the Zhenjiu team dedicated nine days to reach the Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters, where they conducted a three-day waste cleanup. This effort showcased Zhenjiu’s commitment to environmental protection, aiming to enhance public consciousness and inspire more individuals to engage in ecological initiatives and collaborate in safeguarding our planet.

Mr. Paul Ng, the Executive Director and Head of International Operations, said, “This challenging voyage embodies our Company’s ESG philosophy, aiming to cultivate a profound awareness about the significant impact of global climate change on our planet and our lives through the lens of ‘The Beauty of Nature.’ We believe that a company’s success is defined not only by its financial performance but also by its capacity to inspire and galvanize others towards the pursuit of sustainability. We aspire to ignite a passion within more individuals and businesses to embrace ESG practices, gathering a collaborative effort to protect our home.”

As a pioneer in sustainable development within the liquor industry, Kweichow Zhenjiu actively responds to national Dual Carbon targets and continuously fine-tunes its ESG practices, incorporating water resource management systems, climate change risk control, and packaging recycling into its corporate strategy. The Company has attained remarkable achievements in ESG. For two consecutive years, it has been rated as one of the “Wind China Listed Companies ESG Best Practice 100” and was the only baijiu company on the list.

This event epitomized the ZJLD brand’s spirit and gave participants an unforgettable experience that resonated deeply. Moving forward, ZJLD remains committed to advancing sustainable development practices and encouraging a broader coalition of businesses and individuals to join ESG efforts and create a more harmonious and sustainable corporate and living environment.
Hashtag: #ZJLD

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ZJLD Group Inc.

Zhen Jiu was established in 1975 in Zunyi, Kweichow, China’s primary production area of sauce-aroma baijiu. In 1988, it was honored with the National Quality Award at the 5th National Wine Appreciation Conference. In the same year, it was announced by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Communication Department of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and the Great Hall of the People Management Bureau to become one of the two sauce-aroma baijiu served at state banquets. It is also known as one of the “Three Representative Baijiu Brands in Kweichow”.

ZJLD Group Inc. is a leading baijiu group in China that is devoted to offering premium baijiu products, including sauce-aroma, mixed-aroma, and strong-aroma. In 2023, the Company was the third-largest private baijiu company in China in terms of revenue, according to Frost & Sullivan statistics. It also was the largest IPO fundraising company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2023. The Company operates four baijiu brands in China, including two national baijiu, Zhen Jiu and Li Du, and two regional brands, Xiangjiao and Kaikouxiao. ZJLD prides itself on inheriting the time-honored baijiu-brewing techniques and reinvigorating them to develop iconic products. It strives to create a wide variety of aromatic and mellow baijiu products to meet the diverse preferences of consumers, seize broader market opportunities, and promote traditional Chinese baijiu culture.

Octopus expands seamless payment experience nationwide this December


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Octopus Cards Limited (“Octopus”) is expanding its fast, simple, and secure payment experience for customers traveling in the Mainland.

Launch of WeChat QR for CUP (EN)

Starting this December, customers can scan to pay at merchants accepting Weixin Pay QR code payment, using Octopus wallet, enabling customers to seamlessly top up in Hong Kong Dollars and pay like a local in Mainland China.

This initiative builds on Octopus’ commitment to simplifying travel and cross-border commerce for Hong Kong residents: from the Octopus UnionPay card launched two years ago for worldwide QR payments to the Octopus-China T-Union card for public transport in more than 336 cities nationwide.

For visitors to Hong Kong, Octopus opened its network to allow QR payments from all the major digital wallets in China, accelerating the digitalisation of the taxi fleet, and making digital payments more readily available.

Octopus is committed to providing cross-border payment solutions for Hong Kong residents and Mainland travellers, enhancing convenience for both tourism and business travel. This new Weixin Pay QR code solutions significantly increases payment acceptance points in Mainland China, further enriching the travel experience for Octopus customers as they explore more regions across the country.

To encourage adoption of the new service, Octopus will waive foreign exchange transaction fees until 31 December 2024.

Hashtag: #八達通 #OctopusCards

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Octopus Cards Limited (Licence Number: SVF0001)

Operating under the Stored Value Facilities Licence, Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) provides innovative offline and online Octopus payment services to meet customers’ diverse payment needs. Launched in 1997 by OCL, the Octopus system in Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading and most extensively accepted contactless smartcard payment systems. Its aspiration is to bring diversity and inclusion in payment to customers of all facets of life.

Today, more than 24 million Octopus cards and products are in circulation; spanning businesses including public transport, parking, retail, self-help services, schools, and leisure facilities, and access control for residential and commercial buildings. There are almost 190,000 Octopus acceptance points in the market. Octopus’ application has been extended to online and mobile payment arenas with services including Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch, Octopus on Samsung Pay, Octopus on Huawei Pay, Octopus App, Octopus Wallet, Octopus Mastercard® and UnionPay, bringing new payment experiences to customers.

The Octopus Group exports its unique experience and technology overseas, offering consultancy services across the world. The mission of OCL is simple: Making everyday life easier. For more information about OCL, please visit .

Acrew Capital and Money20/20 Index Finds almost 80 % of Asian companies have a launched an AI initiative


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Money20/20, the world’s leading fintech show, and the place where money does business has together with Acrew Capital launched ALL IN ON AI: Financial Services Adoption Index 2024 showcasing that 167 out of 221 top financial services companies globally have initiated AI initiatives since January 2023.

Source: Money 20/20
Source: Money 20/20

Money20/20 and Acrew Capital’s analysis of publicly announced initiatives reveals a region that’s increasingly vying to set the pace. 32 Asian financial services companies were part of the global report and after more in-depth analysis of the Asian companies participating in the report, Money20/20 and Acrew Capital found a number of interesting findings.

North America Dominates, But Asia Rises

The state of AI adoption across regions delivers expected patterns and some surprising results. The leaderboard highlights this nuanced story: while North American firms command the top spots, Asian institutions are making their presence felt. Xero is the standout leader in Asia, its six initiatives also make it a global leader, punching above its weight relative to larger companies on the overall leaderboard. Japan’s financial giants—Rakuten, Mizuho, and Mitsubishi UFJ—along with India’s Paytm have each launched three significant AI initiatives, placing them among the global top performers. This is evidence that Asia’s leading financial institutions are pursuing AI with strategic aggression.

A global high of AI initiatives launched in Asia

Almost 80% of Asian companies have launched an AI initiative. In total, out of the 32 companies from Asia (including Oceania), 25 of those, or 78%, have announced initiatives publicly. This is a global high and a testament to the region’s ability to leapfrog traditional development cycles. These 25 companies have launched 44 initiatives, averaging 1.76 per company. This impressive number reflects strategic aggression rather than merely following the global AI playbook. Backed by proactive government policies and a digital-first economy, Asian financial institutions are transforming AI from a competitive advantage into a competitive requirement.

Generative AI

When it comes to Gen AI, Asian institutions have positioned themselves to rapidly close the gap with North America. The regional leaderboard of Gen AI leaders shows the ambition and momentum in the region. New Zealand’s Xero stands out with five Gen AI initiatives, placing it at the forefront not just in Asia but globally. What makes Xero’s leadership noteworthy is its relative size compared to the few companies that rank higher globally.

Japan’s financial giants are setting the pace in Asia. Mizuho Financial Group and Rakuten each have three Gen AI initiatives, illustrating Japan’s technology leadership. Other notable players include Paytm from India, Ant Group from China, Grab from Singapore, and Sapiens from Israel, each with two Gen AI initiatives, demonstrating the depth of regional adoption. In total 29 Gen AI initiatives were identified in Asia, showcasing the region’s remarkable momentum in Gen AI.

“Although our report shows that North America is leading the way in AI adoption in financial services, we are discovering that Asian companies are not far behind. The data, especially regarding generative AI, demonstrates significant investment and commitment in Asia. At Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok next April, the most influential leaders in AI and fintech will convene to discuss new AI initiatives, use cases, and products across our five stages. We can’t wait to share more insights in person with the industry,” said Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20.

For a more in-depth analysis of the Asia-based companies, please email: man@midas-pr.com and we’ll email you the overview.

Hashtag: #money20/20

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Vinhomes recognized by Euromoney as Best Residential Developer in Vietnam for 2024


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Vinhomes Joint Stock Company has received the prestigious award for Best Residential Real Estate Developer in Vietnam for 2024 from Euromoney global financial magazine. The accolade acknowledges Vinhomes’ significant contributions to developing superior urban areas and advancing the quality and scale of Vietnam’s real estate sector to international levels.

Photo

Organized by Euromoney global magazine, the Euromoney Real Estate Awards represent one of the most established and respected ranking systems in the global real estate sector. These awards recognize businesses that make substantial contributions to urban development, enhance quality of life, and generate positive societal and economic value.

Vinhomes has been recognized for its exceptional reputation, strategic approach to project development and diverse product portfolio, as well as its commitment to providing superior service and enhancing the living standards of its residents, thereby playing a leading role in the development of the Vietnamese real estate sector.

Vinhomes’ significant land holdings provide a solid platform for sustained growth in the years ahead. The Company currently manages a portfolio of 30 urban developments situated in prime locations throughout Vietnam, including notable large-scale projects such as Vinhomes Ocean Park 1 (420ha), Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 (458ha), Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 (294ha), Vinhomes Grand Park (271ha), Vinhomes Royal Island (877ha), and Vinhomes Golden Avenue (116ha).

Vinhomes is a pioneer in developing fully serviced urban environments with top-tier infrastructure, creating some of Vietnam’s most desirable places to live. Adhering to timely handover schedules and offering exclusive resident programs, Vinhomes projects consistently achieve impressive occupancy rates shortly after commencement of operations. Notably, the low-rise developments of Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 and 3 have attracted tens of thousands of residents and fostered a robust business community within just over two years of handover, emerging as prominent destinations on the Northern Vietnam tourism, entertainment, and culinary landscape due to their large scale and innovative programming.

Vinhomes demonstrates its prominent market position through robust sales performance, contributing to enhanced market liquidity and providing positive momentum to the broader real estate sector, even during periods of market headwinds. The Company’s ongoing diversification of its product portfolio, encompassing commercial housing, social housing, and industrial real estate, facilitates flexible adaptation to evolving market conditions.

Consequently, both the brand equity and real estate assets of Vinhomes have demonstrated consistent appreciation. Furthermore, the Company has maintained positive business performance over the years, including navigating the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to this Euromoney recognition, Vinhomes was awarded “Real Estate Developer of the Year 2024” at the Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2024 and was also recognized by Brand Finance as one of the top 10 most valuable brands in Vietnam. These successive accolades from prominent international organizations underscore Vinhomes’ leading position and its ongoing commitment to innovation, contributing significantly to the advancement of the Vietnamese real estate market and the broader national economy.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes #BestResidentialRealEstateDeveloper

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Easy Zero Carbon Living by behavioural change in Clothing, Food, Housing, and Transport – Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutrality Campaign Competitions Awards Presentation Ceremony

Over 13,000 Participants Engaged in Diverse Empowering Educational Activities and Competitions – New Carbon Neutral Living Culture Emerges in Hong Kong


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutrality Campaign organized by the Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA) held its Awards Presentation Ceremony this afternoon at the HKPC Building, with Mr. Wong Chuen-fai, JP, Commissioner for Climate Change, and Dr. Cheng Kam-chung, SBS, MH, OStJ, JP, Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee as officiating guests. Close to 300 participants and guests joined and celebrated with the award winners.

The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutrality Campaign Competition Award Presentation Ceremony recognise magnificent crowd of carbon reduction winners.
The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutrality Campaign Competition Award Presentation Ceremony recognise magnificent crowd of carbon reduction winners.

Ms. Julianne Doe, President of the Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA), stated, “The year-long Carbon Neutrality Campaign successfully attracted over 13,000 people registering to participate, which is truly encouraging. This reflects our society’s strong support and active engagement in environmental initiatives, confirming that Hong Kong’s sustainability culture is already in place. The competitions participants collectively reduced a total of 150 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by over 6,500 trees in one year. If expanded to the entire population of Hong Kong, this saving ratio could lead to over 84,000 tonnes of carbon reduction annually.” Ms. Doe urged fellow Hong Kong people to continue to protect the environment and work in concert towards carbon neutrality.

Mr. Wong Chuen-fai, Commissioner for Climate Change said, Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, through measures on net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction. This Carbon Neutrality Campaign supported by the Environment and Conservation Fund serves as a pivotal force in mobilizing community engagement across different sectors, enhancing public awareness and participation, and driving behavioural change towards the carbon neutrality goals of the city.”

Mr. Leung Wing-mo, Ambassador of the Carbon Neutrality Campaign, remarked, “Becoming a ‘Zero Carbon Champion’ as the ambassador of the Campaign enables me to convey the critical message of carbon neutrality to friends across all ages and sectors. I am deeply touched by the efforts of every participant. Let us expand and sustain together the vision of zero carbon living—for ourselves, our future generations, and our only home, the Earth.”

Artist Candice Yu and Candy Lo were invited to present awards on the occasion. Previously, alongside Leung Wing Mo, Campaign ambassador “Zero Carbon Champion”, the former Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, they filmed clips in an online video series to share carbon reduction tips in an easy-to-understand manner. “Gourmet Carbon Reduction” expert Candice Yu stated that choosing local, organic, and seasonal ingredients in daily meals can reduce transportation and carbon emissions, while properly planning food portions helps avoid waste. Candy Lo’s “Eco-Friendly Living” tips, on the other hand, include selecting energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home appliances, minimizing household waste, reducing waste at source, and supporting clean recycling.

The Carbon Neutrality Campaign Competition attracted over 13,000 people who registered to participate and achieved an impressive reduction of 150 tonnes of carbon among qualified contestants. Top-performing teams were honored at the ceremony with practical and meaningful prizes, including carbon credits, local hotel stays, and theme park tickets. In addition, special awards were presented to property management companies and schools to recognise their efforts in driving carbon reduction among tenants, building occupiers and students.

Winners of the grand prize, titled “Carbon Reduction Champion”, not only achieved significant carbon reduction but also provided creative low-carbon living tips across clothing, food, housing, and transport such as:

Clothing: Consider the necessity for new purchases before buying or upcycle materials like fabric from broken umbrellas into reusable handbags.

Food: Bring your own containers for takeout, support local agricultural products, or even grow your own food.

Housing: Create eco-friendly cleaning agents, use bamboo mats, or enhance natural ventilation by opening windows to reduce reliance on air conditioning.

Transport: Walk or cycle more to minimize car usage and promote sustainable travel habits.

Let’s embrace zero carbon in clothing, food, housing, and transport.

Hashtag: #EasyZeroCarbonLiving

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutral Campaign

The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutral Campaign is a comprehensive effort aimed at promoting carbon neutrality across various sectors. Our campaign seeks to raise public awareness and encourage community involvement in carbon neutrality, with the ultimate goal of fostering persistent behavioral changes. To achieve this, we provide guidance and resources for individuals and organizations to implement sustainable practices and reduce their carbon emissions. Additionally, we strive to foster a culture of sustainability and inspire collective action towards carbon neutrality. Through this campaign, we hope to build a more sustainable future and contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.

During the 10-month contest period, eight major seminars, three experiential activities, and multiple lectures for schools and businesses were held, attracting over 4,000 participants. The seminars invited experts from various fields to share knowledge on climate change and carbon neutrality, while the experiential activities allowed participants to learn how easy it is to practice a low-carbon lifestyle. Additionally, the Carbon Neutrality Campaign launched an eight-episode series hosted by Ambassador Leung Wing-mo, featuring many celebrities recording “One Minute Low Carbon Tips”.

For more information about the campaign, please visit: .

About The Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association

The Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA) was established as a non-profit organisation in September 1996 by a group of local women professionals and entrepreneurs. The association aims to develop and inspire leadership skills in young women; to provide support for women professionals and executives in achieving their full career potential; to promote the well-being and healthy aging of women; and to liaise with the HKSAR government to formulate policies for achieving these goals. For more information, please visit

Year of Extremes: 2024 Market Review by Global Broker Octa


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – 2024 has been a year of contradictory events, significant economic changes, and major political shifts. On a positive note, it was the year when global central banks finally managed to tackle inflation, partly induced by the negative and far-reaching effects of the COVID pandemic and partly by the more recent geopolitical events.

Octa

After holding borrowing costs near record highs for most of 2023, almost all major central banks started to cut rates in 2024. However, the pace of interest rate reductions varied, leading to a divergence in monetary policy expectations between different economies, which, in turn, resulted in notable exchange rate fluctuations among major currencies.

On a negative note, however, 2024 has been a year of lingering political uncertainty and geopolitical instability. Although investors learned to coexist with the simmering conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, a sense of underlying unease persisted. Adding to this sense of anxiety is the changing political landscape.

Indeed, numerous elections took place in tens of countries around the world in 2024. Investors were particularly concerned about the parliamentary elections in France, the general elections in the United Kingdom, and the presidential and congressional elections in the United States. The market still feels the effect of these elections, with traders and investors anticipating major changes in economic policies and trying to front-run their impact on global assets.

The U.S. Dollar (USD) has been the best-performing currency in 2024 among the 20 global currencies that Octa Broker tracks. From 29 December 2023 to 13 December 2024, the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which measures the value of the greenback against the basket of six foreign currencies (the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona, and Swiss franc) rose by almost 6%. However, the index has undergone substantial fluctuations over the course of the year. Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, explains: ‘The dollar index has been on a rollercoaster ride in 2024, soaring to new multi-month heights and plummeting to fresh multi-month lows. Although the greenback looks like the best-performing currency in 2024 so far, the lion’s share of its appreciation occurred during the latter part of the year and has been mostly driven by expectations for a major shift in U.S. trade policy.’

Top 20 currencies performance in 2024

Source: Octa Broker calculations
Source: Octa Broker calculations


Indeed, the market is concerned that Donald Trump’s proposed immigration and trade policies could have inflationary consequences, prompting the Federal Reserve (Fed) to adopt a less dovish monetary policy. As a result, the divergence in investors’ monetary policy expectations between the Fed and other major central banks has widened, leading to higher capital inflows into the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the U.S. economy has been outperforming other advanced economies in 2024 and is expected to continue to do better than the rest in 2025 as well. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of advanced economies in 2024 will average just 1.8%, whereas the U.S. GDP is projected to expand by 2.8%.

Because the dollar advanced higher, most major currencies are poised to conclude the year with negative performance. The only exception is the British pound, which is anticipated to finish the year virtually unchanged compared to 2023. ‘The relative strength of the U.S. dollar is only one of many reasons why most other major currencies underperformed in 2024. Other factors, however, are specific to individual countries and a major bearish factor this year specifically has been the lack of political certainty, which currencies do not like,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, EURUSD, the most liquid and widely traded foreign exchange (Forex) pair in the world, has been weakened by political uncertainty in the eurozone’s largest economies—France and Germany—where political stalemate led to high-profile resignations and early elections. Likewise, when the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a snap parliamentary election, GBPUSD experienced one of the biggest one-day declines of 2024. Moreover, the sluggish growth in the eurozone and the U.K. has prompted investors to anticipate additional rate cuts from both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE). In contrast, the Fed is expected to slow down its easing cycle, further widening the interest rate differential between the U.S. dollar on the one hand and the euro and sterling on the other.

Despite its safe-haven status, the Japanese yen (JPY) was the most volatile currency among the majors. Three-month implied options volatility for the yen, a measure of trader hedging demand, averaged around 9.73% in 2024, whereas the total average across seven major currencies was 7.46%. ‘USDJPY traders have had a wild ride in 2024. It has been a total rollercoaster, to be honest. I think fortunes were made and lost here very quickly. This outgoing year has been truly historical for the JPY,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, during the year’s first half, the bullish dollar momentum has propelled the pair to a multi-decade high. Then, as rumours of potential intervention by Japanese authorities to bolster the yen began to spread, the USDJPY pair started to decline. A massive sell-off accelerated in late July after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised interest rates to 15-year highs and announced details on how it will reduce its huge bond buying. Kar Yong Ang explains: ‘At that time, it looked like BoJ was taking a surprisingly hawkish stance. Its decision really shook the markets and caused investors to reassess popular JPY carry-trades.’

The commodities’ performance varied greatly, and each deserves a separate story to tell, but coffee, lithium, gold, and silver have certainly been the biggest stories in 2024.

Just recently, the prompt-month futures contract of arabica coffee traded on Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) hit an all-time high. It is up some 70% year-over-year (y-o-y), which makes it the best-performing commodity in 2024 among 20 other commodities that Octa Broker tracks. ‘Like many other soft commodities, both arabica and robusta coffee futures are almost entirely driven by the whims of the weather. This year, Brazil, [the world’s largest coffee producer], experienced its worst drought in 70 years, whereas Vietnam, [another key producer] was faced with both drought and heavy rainfall,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, according to official customs data, Vietnam’s coffee exports in the first half of this year were 893,820 metric tons, down 11.4% from a year earlier. Traders are very much concerned about the 2025 global crop outlook, and prices have reflected these worries.

In contrast, lithium has been the worst-performing commodity in 2024 as the sale of electric vehicles (EV) started to level off while capital investments from previous years boosted production capacity and led to oversupply. According to Refinitiv, the price of Lithium Hydroxide futures contracts traded on the Commodity Exchange (COMEX) was down 42.3% y-o-y as of December 13, 2024.

As for precious metals, 2024 has been a record-setting year, especially for gold. The price for the yellow metal has been setting a new all-time high essentially every month in 2024. Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, outlines three main factors that have contributed to such a meteoric rise in gold prices. ‘It all boils down to three sources of demand: safe-haven demand due to intensifying geopolitical tensions, investor demand due to less tight monetary policy globally, and structural demand from global central banks as part of de-dollarization and diversification efforts.’ As many times before, gold has once again proved its underlying value as a protective asset during times of uncertainty and may continue to shine in the months ahead. Although the price of silver did not set any new records, its y-o-y performance was even more impressive than that of gold: +28.6% (as of December 13).

‘Perhaps surprisingly, but despite growing geopolitical tensions, crude oil prices went down annually. This is mostly because non-OPEC members—notably, the U.S.—have managed to increase production but also because investors were worrying about the health of the Chinese economy, the main importer of crude oil,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker.

Top 20 commodities performance in 2024

Source: Octa Broker calculations
Source: Octa Broker calculations

2024 also witnessed significant developments in the cryptocurrency market, particularly for Bitcoin. On March 8, its price set a new all-time high of $70,000. On 5 December, it finally managed to achieve another key milestone of $100,000 per coin. However, Bitcoin was not the best-performing digital coin of 2024. The price of Doge has increased four-fold. Most of the gains in the crypto sphere were in response to Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections. Such a favourable market reaction to Trump’s victory stems from investors’ belief that his Administration, coupled with a friendly Congress, will effectively deregulate the crypto industry, facilitate its expansion, and implement a coherent regulatory framework that will serve investors and consumers for years to come. ‘It should be said, argues Kar Yong Ang, that this belief is not without foundation. Trump has managed to lure many crypto fans to his side with his bold moves, clear views, and a strong focus on deregulation.’

Top 5 crypto coins performance in 2024
Source: Octa Broker calculations
Source: Octa Broker calculations

Overall, 2024 has been a year of uneven economic growth and significant political shifts. While central banks successfully addressed inflationary pressures globally, diverging monetary policies led to notable currency fluctuations. At the same time, geopolitical tensions have been on the rise, while political uncertainty persisted.

The U.S. dollar emerged as the strongest currency, driven by a strong U.S. economy, a tightening monetary policy stance, and expectations of potential policy shifts. Other major currencies, such as the euro and the British pound, faced headwinds from economic sluggishness and political instability.

In the commodity markets, 2024 was a year of extremes. While arabica coffee prices soared to record highs due to supply shortages, lithium prices plummeted as oversupply concerns mounted. Precious metals, particularly gold, experienced a remarkable surge, driven by safe-haven demand, easing monetary conditions, and central bank buying.

Meanwhile, the main crypto coins broke new records and seem to be poised for major transformations in 2025.
Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Hongkong Land Launches Next-Generation Tenant Engagement Service for the Professional Community in Central

  • The new app delivers a highly personalised user experience and includes new features, content and services to enhance the working lives of professionals in the Central Portfolio
  • The launch comes as Centricity celebrates five years of innovation in Central community building

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Hongkong Land announced the launch of Centricity App 2.0. The new and improved digital gateway provides office tenants and their staff with more personalised and seamless access to Hongkong Land services, spaces, privileges and experiences in the Hongkong Land’s Central portfolio, all in the palm of one’s hand.

The new app features a customised homepage displaying your building and personalised greetings, offering quick access to preferred functions and services for a seamless and efficient workday.
The new app features a customised homepage displaying your building and personalised greetings, offering quick access to preferred functions and services for a seamless and efficient workday.

The launch of the new digital engagement service, the most comprehensive of its kind in the Hong Kong market, comes as Hongkong Land’s Centricity platform – an exclusive collection of spaces and services designed to enhance the working lives of tenants – celebrates its fifth anniversary with strong growth in usage. Since its inception in 2019, Centricity has become a vibrant community-building platform in Central, offering an extensive blend of online and offline amenities for businesses, their employees, non-profit organisations and luxury brands.

Neil Anderson, Director and Head of Office, Commercial Property, Hongkong Land, said: “Centricity is an unmatched tenant engagement platform in Hong Kong and we are delighted by its success as it marks its fifth anniversary. As well as providing tenants and their employees with convenient and flexible access to a broad range of services, amenities and spaces in the heart of Central, it curates exclusive privileges and experiences that meet their diverse needs. In short, it embodies our newly introduced brand promise – “Experience is central.”

“The launch of our next generation tenant service, Centricity App 2.0, exemplifies the Company’s core values. This innovative, highly personalised service anticipates what our tenants want from the workplace ecosystem of the future and underscores our focus on collaborating across multiple touch points in their working lives.”

The new digital service is the culmination of years of analysing tenant behaviours and usage data and anticipating their future needs. The new app sports a significantly refreshed look, enhanced features and exciting new content, elevating the user experience. Key highlights include a personalised and customisable landing screen, access to curated privileges and events and improved information sharing, with new real-time public transport arrival information in the core Central area.

Tenants will also benefit from more seamless access to workplace services provided by Hongkong Land. This will include temperature control in offices[1], indoor air quality monitoring, enhanced visitor access management and more convenient meeting rooms and hot desk booking at Centricity.

Leveraging the original Centricity App’s 22,000 registered users, the 2.0 app is expected to strengthen the professional community within Central by facilitating connections through events and information sharing among tenants and customers.

On the events side, it will complement Centricity’s Concentric Event Space in Chater House, a dynamic 7,000 sq. ft multi-purpose space for corporate and luxury customers. In 2024, Concentric received 230 bookings, a significant increase on the near-50 in its first full year of operation. A record 66% of bookings were by Central Portfolio tenants, highlighting the strong integration of Centricity within the Hongkong Land ecosystem.

Ms Iris Chan, Assistant General Manager, Hongkong Land, said: “Centricity is a focal point for the business and luxury lifestyle community in Central, Hong Kong. From Sotheby’s auctions and luxury brand fashion shows to wellness workshops and corporate functions, Centricity delivers exceptional experiences that enrich the working day lives of our more than 400 tenants and their guests.”

Centricity places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and has hosted more than 270 wellness-related events including yoga and meditation classes. Its wellbeing focus, coupled with innovations such as the app and Concentric’s ongoing success, reinforces Hongkong Land’s leadership in creating dynamic and engaging workspaces at the heart of the Central business district.


[1] Varies depending on access rights.

Hashtag: #HongkongLand

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Centricity

Launched in 2019, Centricity is an exclusive collection of spaces and services created to enhance working life for Hongkong Land tenants and their staff in Central, Hong Kong.

Centricity blends all-day dining (Catchic Bar & Restaurant), elegant event spaces (Concentric Event Space), a premium flexible office solution (Flex) and members’ privileges, all digitally linked through the Centricity App.

First launched in mid-2019, the Centricity App has enhanced tenants’ daily experiences within Hongkong Land’s Central Portfolio. App users can make restaurant bookings, order takeaways, monitor taxi queue times, check members’ events, book workplace services, arrange concierge services such as umbrella lending and shower room bookings, and receive privileges including select discounts at luxury stores and F&B outlets, among other features.

Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land is a major listed property investment, management and development group. The Group focuses on developing, owning and managing ultra-premium mixed-use real estate in Asian gateway cities, featuring Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products. Its mixed-use real estate footprint spans more than 850,000 sq. m., with flagship projects in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Its properties hold industry-leading green building certifications and attract the world’s foremost companies and luxury brands. The Group’s Hong Kong Central portfolio represents some 450,000 sq. m. of prime property. The Group has a further 165,000 sq. m. of prestigious office space in Singapore mainly held through joint ventures and five retail centres on the Chinese mainland, including a luxury retail centre at Wangfujing in Beijing. In Shanghai, the Group owns a 43% interest in a 1.1 million sq. m. mixed-use project in West Bund, which is due to be completed in 2028. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.