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Hanmi Secures Export Deal with Mexican Partner Sanfer for GLP-1 Obesity Drug and More

Hanmi Signs Exclusive Partnership with New Mexican Partner Laboratorios Sanfer, Covering Efpeglenatide and Diabetes Treatments 

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hanmi is accelerating its global market entry with efpeglenatide, Korea’s first domestically developed GLP-1 class obesity and metabolic disease treatment.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical, the core operating company of Hanmi Science, announced on January 28 that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Mexican pharmaceutical company Laboratorios Sanfer for efpeglenatide, its GLP-1 obesity therapy, as well as the Dapalon Family, Hanmi’s flagship diabetes treatment portfolio (Dapalon Tab. and Dapalon Duo SR Tab.).

Under the agreement, Hanmi will supply efpeglenatide and the Dapalon Family, while Laboratorios Sanfer will be responsible for regulatory approval, marketing, distribution, and sales within Mexico.

Mexico is one of the countries with the highest obesity rates globally, with obesity prevalence reaching 36.86%, while diabetes prevalence stands at 16.4%.[1] As demand in the market extends beyond weight loss and maintenance therapy to include blood glucose management, the agreement reflects confidence in efpeglenatide’s global scalability and strategic value.

Founded in 1941, Sanfer is Mexico’s largest privately held pharmaceutical company. Leveraging its extensive sales and distribution network across Latin America and its in-house R&D capabilities, Sanfer has established itself as a leading pharmaceutical company in the region. The company operates in more than 20 countries across Latin America as well as in the United States and recently strengthened its position as Mexico’s largest biopharmaceutical company through the acquisition of Probiomed.

The partnership is expected to gradually expand collaboration across efpeglenatide and other metabolic disease treatments, including additional product launches and joint marketing strategies over the mid- to long term.

Ricardo Amtmann, CEO of Sanfer, stated, “As a leading pharmaceutical company in Mexico and Latin America, our vision is to improve patients’ lives through innovative, high-quality products. With healthcare costs accounting for 34.6% of household spending in Mexico, improving accessibility to innovative treatments is critical.[2] Hanmi’s efpeglenatide and diabetes treatment portfolio meet these needs.” He added, “Through this partnership, we aim to contribute to addressing the rapidly growing challenges of obesity and diabetes in Mexico.”

Jae-hyun Park, CEO of Hanmi Pharmaceutical, said, “This agreement marks an important milestone that demonstrates Hanmi’s formulation capabilities and R&D competitiveness on the global stage. As the Mexican government places greater emphasis on standardizing healthcare services and strengthening the management of chronic diseases, we find it especially meaningful that Hanmi’s independently developed, Korea’s first GLP-1–based obesity and metabolic disease treatment, together with our innovative diabetes treatment portfolio, will be able to contribute to improving the health of the Mexican population.”

Meanwhile, Hanmi completed its regulatory application for efpeglenatide to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on December 17, 2025. In September 2025, the company also submitted an IND for a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating combination therapy with SGLT-2 inhibitors and metformin, which was approved on January 21, 2026. Hanmi is pursuing an expansion of efpeglenatide’s indications from obesity into diabetes, with obesity approval targeted for the second half of 2026 and an additional diabetes indication planned for 2028.

Contact info:

Official Websites: www.hanmipharm.com, www.linkedin.com/company/hanmipharm
innovation@hanmi.co.kr, +82-02-410-0467

[1] World Obesity Federation(Global Obesity Observatory)
https://data.worldobesity.org/rankings/?age=a&sex=t
International Diabetes Federation
https://diabetesatlas.org/data-by-location/country/mexico/

[2] Mexico Business_Health Sector Represented 5.2% of Mexico’s GDP in 2024
https://mexicobusiness.news/health/news/health-sector-represented-52-mexicos-gdp-2024

 

A New Era in Options Trading! Futu Partners with Nasdaq to Deliver Monday & Wednesday Expirations for Greater Flexibility and Opportunity

HONG KONG, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU) (“Futu”), a leading securities trading and wealth management fintech platform, today announced that its Futubull and overseas independent brand Moomoo platforms will launch support for Nasdaq’s newly introduced Monday and Wednesday options on day one, making Futu one of the first brokers to offer this innovation. This move once again positions Futu at the forefront of the industry in providing top-tier derivatives tools, further meeting the growing global investor demand for flexible options [1] trading and precise risk management.

This launch follows recent SEC approval for Nasdaq to expand options expirations for a premier group of nine high-profile securities [2]—including the so called “Magnificent Seven” stocks, Broadcom (AVGO), and the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT)—will no longer be limited to traditional Friday expirations. Trading frequency will increase from once a week to three times per week, significantly enhancing flexibility for short-term options trading, hedging efficiency, and the ability to capture market volatility.

 As a global strategic partner of Nasdaq, Futu celebrated the introduction of these groundbreaking products by livestreaming an exclusive discussion for its global community, featuring Neil McDonald, CEO of Moomoo U.S and Tanya Patwa, Head of U.S. Options Sales, Nasdaq. The conversation provided cutting-edge insights into these newly available options and the evolving options trading landscape.

Moomoo celebrated the introduction of these groundbreaking products by livestreaming an exclusive discussion for its global community, featuring Neil McDonald, CEO of Moomoo US, and Tanya Patwa, Head of U.S. Options Sales, Nasdaq
Moomoo celebrated the introduction of these groundbreaking products by livestreaming an exclusive discussion for its global community, featuring Neil McDonald, CEO of Moomoo US, and Tanya Patwa, Head of U.S. Options Sales, Nasdaq

High-Net-Worth Investors Actively Manage Risk Using Advanced Options Tools

In the heightened market volatility environment of 2026, options played a crucial role in risk management. According to the “2026 Hong Kong Retail Investor Report” recently released by Futu Securities, options trading volume on the platform grew nearly 50% year-on-year. 67% of surveyed HNW investors [3] used options to manage costs or amplify gains, or conduct effective hedging, demonstrating that investors are proactively employing options to manage risk and seize opportunities amid volatility. At the same time, overall U.S. stock options trading volume on the Futu platform surged 86% year-on-year in 2025, reflecting an explosive global demand for U.S. stock options.

Extended Options Expiration Dates Unlock New Investment Strategies; Futu Tools Help Simplify Options Trading

Futu offers up to 13 built-in options strategies, from basic to advanced, allowing for both simplicity and customization, allowing flexible customization of strategy portfolios. The new expirations unlock more strategic possibilities for traders of all levels.

  • For fundamental traders, they can now align options strategies more precisely with key market events like earnings reports or economic data releases. .
  • For income-focused strategies like Covered Calls or Cash-Secured Puts, traders can potentially amplify premium collection by increasing trade frequency from once (with Friday options) to three times a week.
  • And for sophisticated 0DTE (0 Days to expiration) options traders, these expirations enable them to strategically position themselves to either benefit from, or protect against, the amplified gamma-driven price accelerations these very contracts can create.

To help traders navigate this dynamic environment confidently, Futubull provides an industry-leading suite of intuitive, real-time tools:

  • The Options Chain: Presents all available contracts for a stock or an ETF, sorted by expiration date and strike price. It displays key real-time data—including premiums, volume, Greeks, and IV—for calls and puts, enabling quick opportunity and risk assessment.
  • The Options Price Calculator: Allows investors to model how an option’s theoretical price may change based on the three key factors: time to expiry, underlying stock price, and IV. This helps in evaluating the reasonableness of a current price and planning entry/exit timing.

Jeff Shi, Regional Director at Futu Securities stated: “On October 10 last year, when U.S. stocks experienced a sharp decline, the Futubull platform recorded its all-time highest options trading volume in the Hong Kong market. This shows that, rather than retreating in the face of market fluctuations, investors are actively using options to manage risk proactively. With Nasdaq now offering more flexible U.S. stock options trading choices, savvy investors can better utilize options for volatility management, lock in entry costs, and enhance profit potential, thereby balancing risk and return in volatile conditions.”

Remarks

[1] Options contracts are derivative products. Trading in options is not suitable for many members of the public. You should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for you in light of your experience, objectives, financial resources and other relevant circumstances. The risk of loss in trading options is substantial. In some circumstances, you may sustain losses in excess of your initial margin funds. Placing contingent orders, such as “stop-loss” or “stop-limit” orders, will not necessarily avoid loss. Market conditions may make it impossible to execute such orders. You may be called upon at short notice to deposit additional margin funds. If the required funds are not provided within the prescribed time, your position may be liquidated. You will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account. You should therefore study and understand options before you trade and carefully consider whether such trading is suitable in light of your own financial position and investment objectives. If you trade options, you should inform yourself of exercise and expiration procedures and your rights and obligations upon exercise or expiry.

[2] The nine Qualified Securities include: NVIDIA (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL/GOOG), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon (AMZN), Broadcom (AVGO), and iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).

[3] High-net-worth investors defined as surveyed investors with annual income above HK$5 million in this report.

CNN International Teams Up with Hyundai Motor Company for global campaign including exclusive sponsorship of new CNN Originals Series, K-Everything

HONG KONG, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) and Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor) are expanding the long-term partnership between the two companies with a new enhanced global campaign that will connect Hyundai Motor with CNN’s worldwide audience in new ways.

CNN International Teams Up with Hyundai Motor Company for global campaign including exclusive sponsorship of new CNN Originals Series, K-Everything
CNN International Teams Up with Hyundai Motor Company for global campaign including exclusive sponsorship of new CNN Originals Series, K-Everything

This campaign includes Hyundai Motor being the exclusive sponsor of K-Everything: a CNN Originals Series which will trace the roots of Korean culture with some of the biggest names in Korea’s creative scene. From Seoul to Singapore and beyond, the four-part series delves into the passion, innovation, and global appeal driving Korean cultural phenomenon.

This new host-led multi-platform travel series, K-Everything with Tony-award nominated actor, director, producer, and social advocate Daniel Dae Kim is currently in production. K-Everything follows Daniel Dae Kim on a quest to discover how Korea has sparked a global pop culture movement and will feature four dedicated episodes spotlighting music, film, food and beauty featuring some of Korea’s biggest names in each field – including singer Taeyang, actor Lee Byung-hun, Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Corey Lee, and supermodel Irene Kim. Airing on CNN International in the spring of 2026, all four episodes will stream on HBO Max. Additionally, a dedicated digital hub will feature a rich suite of digital and social content celebrating Korean creativity and cultural impact.

CNNIC’s 22-year long-standing partnership with Hyundai Motor has included many successful collaborations around inspiring programming, aligning with Hyundai’s enduring commitment to progress, creativity, and global impact. These include sponsorships for Visionaries – a 2024 series spotlighting extraordinary individuals and inspiring leaders across art, business, technology and sport, and Saved by the Future – a 2020 series that explored how innovation would shape the way we live in the future. As a global brand deeply rooted in Korea, Hyundai has grown alongside the nation’s own journey of innovation and progress. This latest campaign is rooted in storytelling and explores how Korea has emerged as a global cultural powerhouse – influencing the worlds of music, food, film, fashion, and technology.

“We’re delighted to further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Hyundai Motor Company as we collaborate on new creative concepts that showcase the influence of Korean culture and the nation’s role in driving global impact on creativity, identity, and innovation,” said Cathy Ibal, Senior Vice President, CNN International Commercial. “This innovative cross-platform campaign also marks a first for CNN – the first time that we have worked with a brand partner on a CNN Originals Series for widespread distribution to reach audiences worldwide. We are excited that this opportunity comes with Hyundai as it shows how the two companies are evolving and building on our trusted partnership over many years.”

Hyundai Motor’s sponsorship of K‑Everything, a CNN Original Series exploring South Korea’s cultural influence, reflects the company’s Korean heritage and its commitment to supporting meaningful cultural storytelling. The initiative highlights K‑culture’s global rise through the in‑depth and authentic narratives that are a hallmark of CNN Original Series, and aligns with Hyundai Motor’s brand vision of Progress for Humanity by fostering inspiration and cultural exchange in markets worldwide.

– Ends –

About CNN International Commercial

CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) is responsible for the business operations of CNN’s properties outside of the United States. All commercial activities for brands such as CNN International, CNN Arabic, CNN Style and CNN Business are aligned within the division. This encompasses the advertising sales, sponsorship partnerships, commercial content development, content sales, brand licensing, distribution and out-of-home operations, business development and marketing for the world’s leading international news provider. CNNIC is a recognised industry leader in international advertising sales and its use of award-winning commercial content, produced through its Create unit and driven by its advanced data usage and digital capabilities, has resulted in strong and enduring partnerships with many of the world’s most recognised brands. Its Content Sales and Licensing unit has relationships with more than 1,000 affiliates ranging from licensing the CNN brand through to content supply contracts as well as offering consultancy services. For more information visit http://commercial.cnn.com

About Hyundai Motor Company

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai

Follow our Hyundai Global Newsroom Instagram channel @hyundai_mediahub

Hoymiles Secures India’s Largest-ever Microinverter Deal with Kosol Energie Totaling 360 MW

AHMEDABAD, India, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hoymiles Power Electronics Inc., a global leader in smart solar and energy storage solutions, is proud to announce the signing of a milestone agreement with Kosol Energie, one of India’s premier renewable energy solutions providers. The signing ceremony, held on January 26 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and attended by senior executives from both companies, celebrated the supply of 360 MW of Hoymiles’ high-performance HMS series microinverters—the largest single microinverter deal in the Indian market to date.

Hoymiles 360 MW microinverter deal with KOSOL Energie in India
Hoymiles 360 MW microinverter deal with KOSOL Energie in India

Strategic vision for India’s energy transition

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Kalpesh Kalthia, Chairman & Managing Director of Kosol Energie Pvt. Ltd, said, “This 360 MW microinverter deal is a defining milestone not just for Kosol Energie, but for India’s solar journey. By adopting advanced microinverter technology at this scale, we are reinforcing our commitment to safety, efficiency, and long-term performance. Our partnership with Hoymiles reflects our shared vision of accelerating India’s transition to a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future.”

“The landmark 360MW microinverter deal between Hoymiles and Kosol Energie marks a pivotal moment for Hoymiles’ expansion in India. This collaboration opens new avenues for executing large-scale projects across the country with state-of-the-art microinverter technology,” said Piyush Sharma, Channel Business Director of Hoymiles India. “As India’s first and largest-ever deal for any microinverter company, it will significantly support India’s Rooftop Solar (RTS) growth by enabling the execution of best-in-class, high-quality solar projects nationwide.”

Empowering India with global expertise and a localized approach

Hoymiles is already contributing to numerous solar projects in India, including a 100 kW solar setup commissioned at Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala. The company is known for:

  • A trusted global brand: A proven track record in the US, Europe, and the Middle East ensures financial and operational stability for large-scale developers.
  • Outstanding cost-effectiveness: Integrated multi-channel design significantly lowers installation and per-watt cost for homeowners and business owners.
  • Comprehensive local after-sales: A 24/7 global service support and a local technical team ready to assist with on-ground requests.

About Hoymiles

Founded in 2012, Hoymiles is a global smart energy solution provider, specializing in microinverters and storage systems. With a vision of a clean, sustainable future, Hoymiles strives to lead the smart energy industry through advanced technology and reliable products.

For more information, visit www.hoymiles.com

Lao National Arrested in Major Drug Trafficking Crackdown in Central Thailand

Thai police arrested a Lao national and four Thai suspects, seizing 2.5 million meth pills in central Thailand; investigation ongoing. (Phot credit: Khok Charoen Police Station in Lopburi Province, Thailand).

Thai authorities have arrested a Lao national and four Thai suspects in a major drug trafficking operation, seizing more than 2.5 million methamphetamine pills in central Thailand as part of a coordinated crackdown on cross-border narcotics networks.

Khok Charoen Police Station in Lopburi Province announced the arrests on 26 January.

The Lao suspect was identified as Lattanaxay Sikhotsombath, 30, a resident of Savannakhet Province in central Laos. According to Thai authorities, Lattanaxay transported methamphetamine from Laos into Thailand using a private vehicle. Police intercepted him in Khok Charoen district as he was moving the drugs for delivery to Ang Thong Province.

The operation yielded six sacks containing 2,514,000 methamphetamine pills valued at more than THB 75 million (approximately USD 2.4 million). Authorities linked the shipment to a drug warehouse in Ang Thong Province and connected it to the same trafficking network involved in a previous major seizure in Lopburi Province that netted nearly 10 million pills.

Police also arrested four Thai nationals known publicly only by their first names: Chatchawan, 25; Nattawut, 35; Narit, 36; and Pramot, 28. They allegedly served as route scouts, receivers, and coordinators for storage and distribution across central Thailand.

Investigators said the network employed cross-border routes and sophisticated logistics to evade checkpoints. Police are expanding their investigation to identify additional suspects, trafficking routes, and financial connections.

Earlier on January 21, Thai authorities arrested two Lao nationals from Salavan Province in Mukdahan Province, opposite Savannakhet Province along the Mekong River, seizing approximately 820,000 methamphetamine pills.

US FDA Approves First Daily Oral GLP‑1 Treatment for Weight Management, Showing Comparable Results to Injectable Therapy

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novo Nordisk’s new once-daily pill for weight management, designed to help people reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction over the long term. In clinical trials, patients achieved an average weight reduction of 16.6% from baseline. The therapy is also indicated to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events* such as heart attack and stroke in certain patients. Novo Nordisk expects to launch the pill in the United States in early January 2026.

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a once-daily oral GLP‑1 medicine to help people reduce excess body weight and maintain weight loss over the long term. The Novo Nordisk treatment marks a milestone in medical obesity care by offering the convenience of a pill with weight-loss results comparable to therapies that have typically required injections. The approval provides a new option for patients who need medical support for obesity but have been reluctant to use needles.

Data from the global OASIS 4 clinical trial showed the once-daily pill delivered significant weight-loss results. Participants lost an average of 16.6% of their starting body weight after about a year of consistent treatment.[1] One in three patients achieved weight loss of more than 20%—a level that can translate into meaningful improvements in daily functioning and quality of life for people living with obesity. The findings suggest the oral option can deliver weight loss comparable to the once-weekly injectable version already available.

Beyond weight loss, the therapy is also approved to reduce the risk of serious heart and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, in certain patient groups. Clinical data showed approximately a 20% reduction in cardiovascular risk among patients with heart disease who also have obesity or overweight. This means obesity management with this therapy addresses more than appearance—it offers meaningful protection for heart health and the potential to extend lifespan.

“The pill is here. With the approval of our once-daily oral GLP-1 treatment, patients will have a convenient pill option that can help them achieve weight loss comparable to injectable therapy,” said Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk. “As the first oral GLP-1 treatment for people living with overweight or obesity, this new option provides patients with a convenient choice to start or continue their weight loss journey. No other current oral GLP-1 treatment can match the weight loss results delivered by this therapy, and we are very excited for what this will mean for patients.”

The development has drawn attention as Indonesia faces a growing obesity challenge. According to the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (Survey Kesehatan Indonesia, SKI), the obesity rate among adults has reached 23.4%—meaning roughly one in four adults lives with obesity. Central obesity, often reflected in abdominal fat, was recorded at 36.8% among people aged 15 and above. These conditions increase the risk of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Beyond the health impact, obesity also carries an economic cost: a 2016 study by Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) estimated obesity-related losses in Indonesia at around tens of billions of rupiah annually when factoring in healthcare spending and productivity losses.

From Indonesia’s perspective, Sreerekha Sreenivasan, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Indonesia, emphasized that this breakthrough is a vital part of a long-term mission to transform obesity care. “In Indonesia, we are facing a critical rise in obesity, which frequently acts as a gateway to other life-threatening conditions like diabetes and heart disease. For many, lifestyle changes alone are not enough, and they deserve access to comprehensive medical support,” she stated. “The rapid pace of scientific innovation, including the innovation of GLP-1 therapies, proves that the medical community is now better equipped than ever to treat obesity as the serious chronic disease it is—moving the conversation far beyond personal appearance and toward long-term health and survival,” she added.

Sreenivasan emphasized that Novo Nordisk’s current focus in Indonesia is collaborating with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to strengthen the understanding that obesity is a serious chronic disease requiring medical attention. “We are currently very focused on education, building healthcare capacity, and expanding access to existing treatments. At present, a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 therapy from Novo Nordisk is already available in Indonesia as a medical solution for patients,” she explained.

Experts emphasize that obesity is a complex, chronic disease—not simply the result of a lack of willpower or discipline. In people with obesity, hormonal systems that regulate hunger and fullness are often disrupted, causing the body to resist weight loss and defend a higher weight. GLP‑1–based treatments work by mimicking a natural hormone that acts on appetite centers in the brain, helping people feel fuller for longer, reduce food intake, and achieve gradual, more sustainable weight loss.

Although the GLP-1 pill is expected to reach the US market in early January 2026, the development signals where obesity treatment is heading globally. The public is encouraged to view obesity as a medical condition that deserves serious care— not simply a matter of personal appearance. People who struggle to lose weight, have abdominal obesity, or have been diagnosed with related conditions such as diabetes or hypertension are advised to consult a doctor for a comprehensive assessment and an appropriate treatment plan.

More information on obesity, its health risks, and evidence-based approaches to weight management is available on the educational website platform NovoCare.id. The site provides easy-to-understand resources for the public, including information on the role of modern treatments such as GLP‑1 therapies in supporting long-term obesity management.

Novo Nordisk’s GLP‑1 treatment for weight management is a prescription medicine prescribed by healthcare professionals following consultation. It is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults with obesity or overweight manage their weight. Obesity is often accompanied by other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, heart disease, and joint pain. Clinical studies have demonstrated that GLP‑1–based weight management therapy can help many patients achieve significant weight loss and improve various risk factors associated with heart health and metabolic function.

*CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke

[1]Based on the trial product estimand: treatment effect if all people adhered to treatment

 

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 78,500 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.idFacebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

Agoda Unveils Goa and Dubai as Top Choices for Republic Day Long Weekend Escapes

Domestic accommodation searches for January 23 – 26 more than doubled (115%) year-on-year, while outbound travel increased by 63%

SINGAPORE, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the Republic Day holiday falling alongside a weekend in 2026, Indian travellers were already planning their next break after the recent Christmas and New Year period. Agoda data shows that accommodation searches for the Republic Day window of January 23–26 are higher than last year, with domestic searches up by 115% year-on-year and outbound searches rising by 63%. Goa leads domestic search interest, while Dubai tops international destinations, suggesting travellers were looking to make the most of the year’s first long weekend.

In addition to Goa ranking the most searched domestic destination for the Republic Day long weekend, Pondicherry ranked second, with searches rising by 211% year-on-year, followed by Udaipur in third place with growth in travel interest of 148%. Beyond the top three destinations, Varkala and Ooty showed the highest growth in searches among the top ten destinations, recording a 188% and 182% growth respectively. In addition, Jaipur and Varanasi also saw increased travel interest during the holiday period, with 154% and 142% growth in searches respectively.

For those looking to spend the Republic Day weekend abroad, Dubai, Phuket and Bangkok were the top three destinations by overall accommodation search recording year-on-year growth of around 84%, 77% and 56%, respectively. Among the top ten destinations, Phu Quoc Island emerged as the fastest-growing getaway for the holiday period, recording a year-on-year growth in travel interest of over 11x and Krabi saw 163% growth while Ho Chi Minh City witnessed a nearly twofold (99%) growth in interest.

Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, “Long weekend travel now reflects a more deliberate and meticulous planning approach. As the first extended break of the year, Republic Day set the tone for early travel decisions. This year’s trends point to broader destination choices, blending domestic stays with nearby international markets that suit a long‑weekend format. For travellers looking to make the most of such long weekends, Agoda supports these trips with value deals across stays, flights and activities.”

Travelers planning their getaways can explore Agoda’s extensive offerings, including over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities. Running from 14 to 28 February, Agoda’s Mega Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with special flash sales of up to 70% on 17 February and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 10 to 13 February. The latest deals are available on the Agoda app or at agoda.com/deals.

 

Longbridge Securities’ user asset grew 220% YoY in 2025, as it built an AI-native investing experience

SINGAPORE, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Throughout 2025, Longbridge Securities continued to place technological innovation at the core of its strategy, and steadily expanded its global investment services. Beyond connecting investors to global markets, Longbridge further explored how investment can be integrated into everyday life. Building on its strong growth momentum, the annual user assets increased by 220% and the global user base grew by 120%. Outside Singapore, Longbridge Securities is the fastest-growing fintech brokerage in the Hong Kong market.

Solid growth across key business metrics, global user base increases by 120%

Against the backdrop of shifting global market conditions and evolving investor needs, Longbridge Securities achieved steady growth across several core business metrics in 2025. The annual user assets increased by 220% and the global user base grew by 120%. Furthermore, the total nominal order value reached US$1.5 trillion, with 55.7 million orders processed over the year. These results reflect the continued improvement of the platform in terms of trading infrastructure, product capabilities, and user trust.

Longbridge’s long-term investment in financial technology innovation and trading experience was also recognised through multiple industry awards, including the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) FinTech Awards 2025: FinTech Innovation Award – Singapore, Asia FinTech Awards 2025: Investment Tech of the Year, Moneyhero Group Best of Awards 2025: Best Emerging Broker, as well as the EDigest 2025: Best Technology Innovation Broker, HKEJ: Financial Services Awards 2025 – Outstanding AI FinTech Brokerage, and the Hong Kong 01 FinTech Leadership Awards 2025 – AI Brokerage Platform. These accolades underscore market recognition of Longbridge’s technological capabilities and holistic service model.

Longbridge Group opens its first flagship store in Hong Kong, Longbridge Café

Longbridge Securities continued to expand the applications of investment services in 2025, supported by the Longbridge Group’s broader ecosystem strategy to better integrate investing into everyday life. This year, Longbridge Group opened its first brand flagship store, Longbridge Café, in Hong Kong. Through this, Longbridge is able to blend investment discussions with lifestyle settings, providing investors with a physical space for interaction and idea exchange.

Since its opening at the end of September, it has welcomed over 50,000 visitors, held over 20 investment sharing, communication and brand activities, and distributed over one million coffee coupons throughout its launch period. By extending financial services to physical life scenarios, Longbridge Café pioneered Asia’s first innovative venue, combining financial services with lifestyle experiences.

As the Longbridge Café operating model continues to mature, the Longbridge Group plans to further expand similar physical locations in Singapore and Hong Kong, extending the application of investment services in lifestyle scenarios and strengthening in-person connections within the investment community.

Continuous product iteration enhancing the AI-powered investing experience

Driven by user needs and trading efficiency, Longbridge continued to optimise its trading systems and product functions throughout 2025. During the year, both the desktop and mobile applications underwent more than 16 updates introducing and optimizing more than 110 features across multiple trading scenarios, including multi-leg options strategies, U.S. fractional shares and U.S. stocks recurring investment. User-focused benefits such as lifetime $0 commission trading, market data credits, options teaming and tiered fee structures further helped reduce trading costs.

Simultaneously, as one of the core intelligent products, PortAI underwent several significant upgrades during the year. It has evolved from an information-based tool to an investment assistant with reasoning capabilities and personalised memory. Throughout the year, PortAI has generated 57.3 million portfolio updates, responded to over 557,000 investment-related queries and analysed over 28,000 earning reports, helping users plan ahead and supporting their decision-making.

Community engagement has also continued to grow steadily, with the number of daily active users increasing by 120% year-on-year, generating over 760,000 posts and accumulating over 67 million views. Through these efforts, Longbridge has been able to form a vibrant investment community centered around market insights, trading experience, and strategy sharing.

Looking ahead: Strengthening Global Investment Infrastructure

Looking ahead, Longbridge Securities will continue to strengthen its focus on technological innovation, user experience and lowering barriers to investing. In pursuit of its vision to build the global trading infrastructure and network that delivers the best trading experiences, serving over 10% of retail investors worldwide, the company will continue to improve product functions and service scenarios to provide investors with a more efficient, transparent, and diversified investment journey. Committed to its mission of “Analyse Better, Trade Smarter, and everyone’s invited”, Longbridge Securities aims to empower users to make more confident investment decisions amid ever-changing market conditions.

About Longbridge Securities Singapore

Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. (“Longbridge Securities Singapore” or “Longbridge Securities”, Co. Reg. No. 202111825D) is an AI-driven online brokerage focussing on supporting international trading through a dedicated global network and robust technical infrastructure. Founded in March 2019, Longbridge Securities holds a total of 22 financial licenses or regulatory approvals across markets including the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and has raised over US$150 million from leading financial and investment institutions. Long Bridge Securities Pte. Ltd. is a licensed entity regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) (Licence No. CMS 101211), holding a Capital Markets Services licence and operating as an Exempt Financial Adviser.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).