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Frost & Sullivan Launches New Industry-Tuned AI Brand Equity and Market Presence Advisory Service Powered by Optivara

New service helps companies assess and strengthen their brand presence across AI assistants and search platforms

LONDON, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan today announced the launch of its AI Brand Equity and Market Presence service, powered by Optivara. This service enables companies to understand how they appear across AI answer engines, how they compare to competitors, their competitive placement by funnel stage, and whether AI-generated market narratives reflect the position they have worked to build.

Designed for marketing, brand, communications and strategy leaders seeking to understand how AI systems represent their organisations throughout the buyer journey, the service identifies visibility gaps, competitive advantages, narrative inconsistencies and the external sources influencing AI-generated answers. These findings are translated into prioritised actions spanning content, messaging, digital authority, third-party validation and market positioning.

For two decades, digital discovery was shaped largely by search engines. Today, buyers are increasingly asking AI systems which suppliers to consider, how companies compare, what risks to evaluate, and which providers are best positioned for their needs. These AI systems are effectively becoming top-of-funnel sales reps.

The service combines Optivara’s AI industry-tuned market presence platform with Frost & Sullivan’s industry expertise, analyst insights, and subject-matter expert validation. Clients receive a market presence benchmark, a competitive peer map, an AI-answer narrative review, a source diagnosis, and a detailed SWOT analysis. From that, an actionable roadmap to better control AI brand dynamics and drive demand is developed and implemented.

“AI is quickly becoming part of how buyers form a first impression of a market, a category, and a supplier,” said Brian Cotton, Senior Vice President of Growth Advisory at Frost & Sullivan. “What makes this service so valuable is not just the technology. It is Frost & Sullivan’s ability to help tune the Optivara platform and interpret the findings through an industry lens. Our analysts and subject matter experts understand the market context, the competitors, the buying criteria, and the strategic shifts our clients are trying to make. That is the difference between getting data and getting results.”

“Optivara was built to reverse-engineer how AI thinks about companies, why they are being represented that way, and what can be done to improve it,” said George Schoenstein, Co-Founder at Optivara. “Partnering with Frost & Sullivan brings an important layer of market expertise and industry-tuning to the process. Together, we can help leadership teams understand whether AI is reinforcing their strategy, missing their story, or allowing competitors and third-party sources to define the narrative. Together, this enables companies to optimise the impact of their marketing dollars.”

To learn more about Frost & Sullivan’s AI Brand Equity and Market Presence advisory services, or request an introductory consultation and demonstration, contact Brian Cotton at brian.cotton@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Pipeline Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation, and leadership. The company’s Growth Pipeline as a Service provides the CEO’s Growth Team with transformational strategies and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth opportunities. For over 60 years, Frost & Sullivan has partnered with investors, corporate leaders, and governments to identify, prioritise, and execute transformational growth strategies.

Your Transformational Growth Journey Starts Here: Schedule Your Growth Pipeline Dialog™ with the Frost & Sullivan team.

Contact:
Kristina Menzefricke
Marketing & Communications
Global Customer Experience, Frost & Sullivan
kristina.menzefricke@frost.com

About Optivara
Optivara is the industry-tuned Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) platform built for agencies. We help agency teams measure and improve client AI answer engine performance by reverse-engineering competitors and top performers in a segment and translating those insights into a roadmap and SWOT analysis to win across the entire customer journey. Our human-in-the-loop, industry-tuned expert models show exactly what to do to improve visibility, reputation, and geographic answer engine performance, while our Generative Positioning Score™ (GPS) provides a consistent way to measure progress over time. To learn more, visit www.optivara.ai or contact pr@optivara.ai

Fosun International Reports 1H2026 Results: Total Revenue RMB86.96 Billion, Net Profit RMB1.72 Billion

Highlights:

  • Total revenue reached RMB86.96 billion, and profit attributable to owners of the parent reached RMB1.72 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 160.3%;
  • Operational quality of core industries steadily improved, with industrial operation profit reaching RMB3.69 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 17%;
  • Global operational capabilities continued to improve, with overseas revenue reaching RMB49.16 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.3% and accounting for 56.5% of the Group’s total revenue;
  • Investment in technology innovation reached RMB4.2 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 16.7%. Innovative drugs entered a period of intensive approvals and value realization, with a total of 20 indications of 7 innovative drugs approved for launch both domestically and overseas;
  • Adhering to proactive and prudent liquidity and debt management, Fosun generated proceeds equivalent to more than RMB12.0 billion from the divestment of non-strategic and non-core assets in the first half of the year, bringing the total debt to total capital ratio down to 55.7%;
  • MSCI ESG rating was upgraded to the highest rating of AAA, reflecting continued recognition from international authoritative institutions.

HONG KONG, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fosun International Limited (HKEX stock code: 00656, “Fosun International”), together with its subsidiaries (“Fosun” or the “Group”), today announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the “Reporting Period”).

In the first half of 2026, Fosun continued to advance its business streamlining and core business-focused strategy. Powered by the twin engines of innovation and globalization, the operational quality of its core industries, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, insurance and finance, and cultural tourism and consumer businesses, steadily improved and gained collective momentum, driving a notable increase in profitability. During the Reporting Period, the Group’s total revenue reached RMB86.96 billion, remaining broadly stable despite the continued divestment of non-strategic and non-core assets; industrial operation profit reached RMB3.69 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 17%; and profit attributable to owners of the parent reached RMB1.72 billion, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 160.3%.

During the Reporting Period, Fosun’s asset base remained solid, with its subsidiaries Fosun Pharma, Yuyuan, Fosun Insurance Portugal (Fidelidade), and Fosun’s Tourism segment generating a total revenue of RMB63.88 billion, accounting for 73.5% of the Group’s total revenue. Overseas revenue reached RMB49.16 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.3%. Its share of total revenue rose by 3 percentage points to 56.5%, underscoring the success of its globalization strategy.

Meanwhile, Fosun adhered to proactive and prudent liquidity and debt management, maintaining sufficient liquidity buffer. During the Reporting Period, the Group generated proceeds equivalent to more than RMB12.0 billion from the divestment of non-strategic and non-core assets. As at 30 June 2026, cash, bank balances and term deposits amounted to RMB61.214 billion, an increase compared to the end of 2025; the total debt to total capital ratio was 55.7%, a further decrease compared to the end of 2025. A healthy debt ratio and ample cash reserves strengthen the Group’s risk resilience while also enhancing its capacity to seize investment opportunities.

Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun International, said: “Over the past few years, Fosun has steadfastly advanced its business streamlining and core business-focused strategy, and completed a systematic realignment of ‘repairing the roof on a sunny day’. The strong earnings recovery we delivered in the first half of this year validates our strategic direction and sustained focus. Fosun has now returned to a growth trajectory and is well-positioned to accelerate its growth going forward.”

Adhering to Innovation-Driven Development, Innovative Drugs Enter a Period of Intensive Approvals and Value Realization

In the first half of 2026, Fosun remained committed to innovation-driven development, fully embraced AI applications, accelerated the conversion of its technology innovations into tangible value, and continued to enhance operational efficiency. During the Reporting Period, Fosun’s investment in technology innovation reached RMB4.2 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 16.7%. Its global innovation system integrating “independent R&D + investment incubation + ecosystem collaboration” continued to gain momentum, fostering a series of globally competitive innovations.

With a focus on addressing unmet clinical needs, Fosun’s Health segment delivered notable technology innovation achievements. During the Reporting Period, innovative drugs entered a period of intensive approvals and value realization. Fosun Pharma had a total of 20 indications of 7 innovative drugs approved for launch both domestically and overseas. Among them, FUMAINING (luvoxmetinib tablets) was approved for the treatment of paediatric and adolescent patients with relapsed or refractory Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), continuing to fill the gap in the treatment of rare diseases. In terms of neurodegenerative diseases, Fosun Pharma continued to advance its innovation pipeline. Building upon the rights obtained to develop, register, manufacture and exclusively commercialize AR1001 in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and 10 agreed Southeast Asian countries, Fosun Pharma further secured a global exclusive option for AR1001, with the right to exercise the option, thereby expanding the licensed territory to key global markets including the U.S., Europe and Japan, where it would act as the marketing authorization holder in such regions. Meanwhile, post-marketing confirmatory clinical trials for sodium oligomannate capsules in Chinese mainland have progressed steadily, with more than 1,000 patients enrolled as of 31 July 2026. In addition, HT001, an oral brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in-licensed by Hengtai Bio, an investee and incubated company of Fosun Pharma, commenced its Phase I clinical trial in Australia.

As a core subsidiary in the Health segment, Fosun Pharma achieved operating revenue of RMB20.377 billion. Revenue from innovative drugs recorded a year-on-year increase of 13.84%, with their contribution to pharmaceutical business revenue rising to 33.35%, establishing innovative drugs as a key growth driver.

In terms of biologic innovative drugs, Fosun continued to deliver breakthroughs in the first half of the year. HANSIZHUANG, independently developed by Henlius, received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its perioperative indication in gastric cancer, making it the world’s first and only anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for this indication and pioneering a postoperative “chemo-sparing” regimen. HLX43, a core asset in the innovative pipeline, is a potential best-in-class (BIC) broad-spectrum anti-tumor PD-L1 ADC. It has demonstrated preliminary clinical efficacy characterized by high efficacy and low toxicity across multiple solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To date, more than ten clinical studies of HLX43 as monotherapy or in combination regimens have been initiated, with over 1,500 patients enrolled globally, continuing to evaluate its broad therapeutic potential across multiple solid tumors.

During the Reporting Period, Henlius showcased strong organic growth momentum and sustainable earnings generation, with revenue reaching RMB3.5882 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 27.3%, and net profit amounting to RMB430.4 million, up 10.3% year-on-year.

Amid the AI wave, Fosun deepened the application of AI across its core businesses and global industrial ecosystem, with a focus on harnessing AI to deliver “practical productivity” and creating tangible industry value.

Fosun Pharma completed the upgrade of its “PharmAID® Pharmaceutical Intelligence Platform V2.0”, establishing four key components to support AI-powered product development across the full lifecycle, from early-stage R&D and clinical validation to post-launch commercialization. As of the end of the Reporting Period, Fosun Pharma had rolled out more than 25 high-value AI projects, with more than 50 use cases simultaneously underway. These initiatives span multiple business functions, including pharmaceutical project evaluation, target prediction and molecule optimization. Two AI‑assisted and structurally generated new molecules have entered the preclinical candidate (PCC) stage. In March 2026, the next-generation recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) injection, independently developed by Henlius, was approved to begin clinical trials in China. Leveraging its “AI for Science” platform, Henlius significantly shortened the enzyme-molecule design cycle from 18 months to 5 months.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, Fosun deeply integrated AI into its cultural tourism, insurance, and intelligent manufacturing businesses. Fosun’s Tourism segment accelerated the implementation of “AI G.O” and partnered with a leading technology company to engage in deep collaboration across three key areas: using AI to enhance guest experience, advancing its transition to cloud- and AI-native platforms, and supporting global growth. Leveraging the resource demand brought about by AI technologies, Hainan Mining swiftly expanded its presence in core upstream resources such as fluorite.

Deepening Global Operations to Enhance Quality and Efficiency, Domestic and Overseas Insurance Companies Deliver Broad-Based Improvements

Supported by its business presence and profound operations in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, Fosun comprehensively advanced its strategy of “Combining Global Resources with China’s Capabilities”, deeply integrating China’s manufacturing capabilities, service capabilities, and innovation dividends with the global market. During the Reporting Period, the Group’s overseas revenue reached RMB49.16 billion, accounting for 56.5% of total revenue.

In the first half of 2026, Fosun’s subsidiaries continued to build on their globalization capabilities, achieving a series of major breakthroughs in international expansion.

In the field of healthcare, Fosun Pharma’s overseas business revenue grew 16.45% year-on-year, accounting for 31.30% of total revenue.This represents an uplift of 3.11 percentage points, and the revenue mix continues to improve. Henlius’ HANSIZHUANG was approved for three new indications in the European Union (EU), while HLX11 (pertuzumab injection) was approved in the EU and two HLX14 (denosumab injection) products were approved and commercially launched in Canada. To date, Henlius has 10 products approved in over 60 countries and regions across Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania, and has benefited over 1.1 million patients worldwide. Fosun Health continued to advance its internationalization strategy, actively expanding into markets such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR, while building an open, stable, and professional international medical collaboration network. In addition, the International Medical Center of Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital was officially inaugurated, forming a full-process, closed-loop international medical service system.

In terms of the consumer and cultural tourism businesses, Yuyuan generated revenue of RMB532 million in Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR in the first half of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 285.83%, while revenue from the Japanese market reached RMB306 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.09%. The jewelry business also made notable progress in overseas expansion. Laomiao opened 5 new stores in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, overseas markets and duty-free channels, bringing the total number of stores across these channels to 15. Club Med continued to expand its global destination network. Club Med Urban Oasis Hangzhou Longwu officially opened in April 2026, while Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari had its soft opening in July 2026.

In the intelligent manufacturing segment, Hainan Mining’s integrated value chain of “Bougouni Lithium Mine in Mali + Hainan Xingzhihai Lithium Salt Processing” operated steadily, serving as a key driver of the company’s earnings growth. It completed the delivery of three shipments totaling 70,000 tons of lithium concentrate from Mali, Africa, to Yangpu Port in Hainan, China in the first half of the year. Wansheng’s phosphate ester flame retardant project at its Thailand facility successfully commenced operations, filling the gap in Wansheng’s overseas manufacturing footprint in this area and further strengthening the resilience of its global supply chain.

With the ongoing advancement of its globalization strategy, Fosun’s domestic and overseas insurance companies delivered broad-based improvements in the first half of 2026. As of the end of the Reporting Period, Fidelidade held a 30.1% overall market share in Portugal, its international business accounted for 26.7% of its consolidated total business, while gross written premiums from overseas markets reached EUR1.035 billion. Despite losses from multiple storms in Portugal during the Reporting Period, Fidelidade recorded net profit attributable to owners of the parent of EUR165 million, up 23.8% year-on-year.

Benefiting from its high-quality client base, disciplined underwriting and global business footprint, Peak Reinsurance maintained solid performance. During the Reporting Period, reinsurance revenue and gross written premiums increased by 25.0% and 11.8% year-on- year, respectively, while net profit after tax reached USD89.70 million. Building on its sound financial strength and growing market position, Moody’s upgraded Peak Re’s rating from Baa1 to A3 in April 2026, with a “stable” outlook.

In Chinese mainland, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance recorded gross written premiums of RMB8.38 billion in the first half of 2026, up 52.2% year-on-year. Net profit reached RMB780 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 270% and exceeding its net profit for the full year of 2025. Fosun United Health Insurance reported a 36.2% year-on-year increase in revenue and net profit of RMB572 million.

Committed to Business for Good, MSCI ESG Rating Upgraded to AAA

During the Reporting Period, Fosun continued to gain international recognition for its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Its MSCI ESG rating was upgraded to the highest rating of AAA. It was once again included in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2026 and ranked among the top 1% in the Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2026. In addition, its FTSE Russell ESG score remained above the global industry and Chinese corporate averages. It was selected as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series for the fifth consecutive year.

Fosun consistently contributed the “China Solution” to malaria control efforts in Africa. As of the end of the Reporting Period, Fosun Pharma had cumulatively supplied more than 460 million vials of its independently developed artesunate for injection worldwide, saving more than 92 million patients with severe malaria. The “Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Program”, centered on the SPAQ-CO® series of products, has benefited more than 330 million children in Africa.

The “Rural Doctors Program”, initiated by Fosun Foundation, continued to cover 78 project counties in 16 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, supporting 25,000 rural doctors and benefiting 3 million rural families and 16.34 million rural residents. In the first half of 2026, the program provided a total of more than 12,590 group accidental and critical illness insurance policies for rural doctors in project counties, carried out intelligent upgrading for 59 clinics or hospitals, and supported 263 rural doctors in obtaining the qualification of Assistant General Practitioner. Launched in May, the “AI Rural Doctor Assistant 2.0” achieved a 100% service-success rate and a 92% user-satisfaction rate among rural doctors.

Looking ahead, Guo Guangchang said: “The earnings recovery we delivered in the first half of the year was no coincidence. It was the result of Fosun’s long-term commitment and sustained focus on its core businesses. Going forward, we will continue to advance innovation-driven and global development in industries where we have established competitive advantages. With a clear path ahead, we are confident that we can steadily restore annual profit to the RMB10 billion level.”

Bybit Makes Institutional-Grade Assets Accessible, Expanding RWA Earn With nOPAL, Plume’s BlackOpal Vault

nOPAL unlocks access to a real-world credit yield with BRL exposure hedged and liquidity actively managed

DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, deepens its institutional play with the addition of nOPAL to Bybit RWA Earn. Following a successful launch in June, Bybit RWA Earn has now listed nOPAL, an on-chain credit product built on Brazilian credit card receivables. nOPAL is managed by BlackOpal Finance and structured as a vault on open finance platform, Plume. The access gives Bybit users exposure to a yield source drawn from real commercial activity, structured with currency risk hedged, liquidity actively maintained, and institutional commitments and an investment grade rating behind it.

nOPAL – Capturing Premium Emerging-Market Opportunities

nOPAL’s yield is generated when Brazilian merchants sell their future credit card receivables to BlackOpal at a discount in exchange for upfront cash. When regulated acquirers settle those transactions through the Visa and Mastercard networks, the full amount is paid directly to BlackOpal, and the discount becomes the yield distributed to investors. Brazilian central bank rules require that settlement be paid to the registered holder of the receivable rather than to the merchant, which gives nOPAL a risk profile distinct from traditional unsecured merchant credit.

Local-currency credit markets like Brazil’s credit card receivables market used to be largely inaccessible to crypto-native capital for two structural reasons: FX risk and potential illiquidity from settlement timing. nOPAL on Bybit RWA Earn addresses both barriers:

  • The BRL/USD exposure is hedged through institutional non-deliverable forwards, so returns are denominated and received in USD regardless of currency movements.
  • Liquidity is maintained through a dedicated liquidity allocation, including USCC liquidity as well as nTBILL and cash, to support redemptions independently of the underlying receivables’ settlement cycle.

As of August 2026, nOPAL has recorded a 30-day rolling yield of approximately 12% and holds over $70 million in total value locked. Since November 2025, the strategy behind nOPAL has purchased more than 7,000 receivables with zero defaults and zero credit losses. Subscriptions and redemptions are denominated in USDC, with a minimum investment of 500 USDC and no subscription or redemption fees.

nOPAL is designed to keep credit risk away from investors. Payment comes from regulated acquirers through the card networks, not from the merchant, so the product carries no consumer credit risk. Every receivable is bought outright and held in a bankruptcy-remote structure. Redemptions are accepted daily and settle within one to five business days.

The credit card receivables underlying nOPAL, originated and managed by BlackOpal, carry an investment-grade risk rating from Cicada Partners. The strategy has secured institutional commitments of over $300 million to be deployed over the next 12 months, spanning both Web3-native and traditional asset allocators.

“The organic growth of Bybit RWA Earn attests to strong user demand for real-world opportunities integrated on-chain, signaling a new era in financial product innovation as the Bybit platform increasingly serves as a powerful distribution layer,” said Jerry Li, Head of Financial Products & Wealth Management at Bybit.

“Some of the most compelling sources of yield have historically remained within institutional channels, not because they were inaccessible in principle, but because the infrastructure to distribute them more broadly did not exist. nOPAL on Bybit shows what is possible when that changes. By bringing differentiated institutional credit strategies on-chain through compliant, regulated vault infrastructure, we can open up new sources of yield alongside the vaults already available to the Bybit community,” said Chris Yin, CEO of Plume.

“BlackOpal’s core mission is to bring institutional-grade emerging market asset-backed finance to global capital markets. Brazilian credit card receivables are short-dated and settled through the global card networks, delivered with currency hedging and independent verification built in across the platform. Our track record speaks for itself. Partnering with Plume and Bybit puts this asset class in front of millions of investors for the first time, and we are proud to be delivering on the promise of on-chain open finance,” said Jason Dehni, CEO of BlackOpal.

Bybit Makes Institutional-Grade Assets Accessible, Expanding RWA Earn With nOPAL, Plume's BlackOpal Vault
Bybit Makes Institutional-Grade Assets Accessible, Expanding RWA Earn With nOPAL, Plume’s BlackOpal Vault

Bybit RWA Earn is a platform enabling institutional-grade financial access for eligible Bybit users through tokenized real-world asset (RWA) strategies. Through its diverse product strategy, Bybit RWA Earn brings unique global opportunities to the Bybit community seeking yield in a world of volatility.

nOPAL is now available on Bybit to eligible investors through the RWA Earn product category, alongside two tokenized institutional bond funds, the PIMCO Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund, and the CMB International Investment Grade Bond Fund. To mark the launch, eligible participants will receive an additional promotional APR on top of nOPAL’s underlying yield.

Terms and conditions apply. For restricted regions, eligibility criteria, detailed product information and yield mechanisms, and other requirements, users may visit:  Bybit RWA Earn introduces nOPAL with a limited-time 5% APR launch boost

Disclaimer: RWA Earn is not principal protected and involves risk of loss. APR figures shown are based on historical NAV performance, are not guaranteed, and may change over time. Actual returns may differ materially. Availability varies by jurisdiction and user eligibility.

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform 

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com
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Anycubic’s 11th Anniversary Celebration Is Coming: 11 Years, 11 Million Ideas

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Anycubic, a global 3D printing brand, is preparing to mark its 11th anniversary with “11 Years, 11 Million Ideas: Make-It-Real with Anycubic.”

Anycubic’s 11th Anniversary Celebration Is Coming: 11 Years, 11 Million Ideas
Anycubic’s 11th Anniversary Celebration Is Coming: 11 Years, 11 Million Ideas

Starting September 2, the anniversary sale will feature special pricing, the Anniversary Mystery Box, a creator campaign, and additional member benefits for Anycubic users worldwide.

The campaign runs in three stages:

  • Early Access: August 26 – September 1
  • Anniversary Celebration: September 2 – 28
  • Last Call: September 29 – October 8

The Anniversary Prices Are Still a Secret

The anniversary prices haven’t been revealed yet. Customers who subscribe to Anycubic’s Early-Access Alerts will be notified when the prices go live on September 2, covering selected 3D printers, materials, accessories, and more.

The Anniversary Mystery Box

Eligible users can open up to three boxes during the campaign, with one chance available per day.

Prizes include Anycubic 3D printers, order refunds of up to $1,000, 12KG of 3D printing materials, and $5 off printer coupons. Five winners will get to choose between a Photon P1 Max and a Kobra 3 Max V2 Combo, while 11 winners will receive an order refund worth up to $1,000. Another 11 winners will receive 12KG of materials. Full terms are available on the official anniversary campaign page.

Share What You Make

Makers can also take part in Anycubic’s “11 Years, 11 Million Ideas” creator campaign by sharing their 3D printing projects and stories for a chance to earn up to 1,000 Makeronline points.

More Benefits for Anycubic Members

Members will receive additional benefits during the anniversary campaign, including a 30-day return window, 70% off 1KG filament redemptions, and an extra 180 days of warranty coverage.

The Invite & Earn program will also give both the referrer and the new customer a gift card worth 5% of the order value once the order is delivered.

Subscribe to Anycubic’s Early-Access Alerts to receive the anniversary prices and campaign updates when they go live on September 2.

Anniversary Campaign: August 26 – October 8, 2026

 

Retirement Costs Soar Faster Than Inflation, Monthly Spend Hits HK$15,090: Over 72% of HK Retirees Wish They’d Acted Sooner

  • IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Indexrises to 131.6 — Monthly Spending Reaches HK$15,090
  • Retiree Living Costs Have Risen Nearly 3 Times Faster Than General Inflation Since 2020

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – The Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK), in collaboration with YF Life Trustees Ltd. (YF Life Trustees), today launched the “IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index” (Index). While the Index has been tracking retiree living expenses since its inception in 2020, this year marks the first time IFPHK and YF Life Trustees have partnered to expand the study to cover both Hong Kong and Macau, providing a broader regional benchmark.

Retirement Costs Soar Faster Than Inflation, Monthly Spend Hits HK$15,090: Over 72% of HK Retirees Wish They'd Acted Sooner

The findings show that retiree inflation in Hong Kong has continued to outpace general inflation. The Index rose to 131.6 in 2026, up from 127.0 in 2023 and 100 in 2020, while average monthly spending increased to about HK$15,090 in 2026. On an annualised basis, the Hong Kong Retirement Expense Index grew by more than 5% per annumfrom November 2020 to May 2026, compared with about 1.8% per annum for Hong Kong’s Composite CPI over the same period, showing that retiree living costs have effectively appreciated close to three times faster than Hong Kong’s general Composite CPI over the same period, underscoring how retirement-specific inflation — driven by travel and dining — is materially outpacing headline price trends.

Furthermore, the study reveals that more than 72% of retirees carry at least one regret regarding their retirement preparation. Most commonly, respondents feel they should have started saving or investing earlier and learned about financial planning sooner, while many continue to express concerns about medical costs, inflation, longevity risk and the risk of outliving their savings.

Dr. Paris Yeung, Chief Executive Officer of IFPHK, stated: “The findings show that satisfaction alone does not mean retirees are fully prepared. More than 72% say they have regrets, and the most common regrets point clearly to the need to start saving, investing and planning earlier. At the same time, retiree inflation has been rising faster than headline inflation, which means future retirees need more robust and flexible plans to protect their purchasing power over time. Through this expanded collaboration with YF Life, we aim to provide deeper regional insights to help future retirees plan with greater confidence.”

He added: “Turning regret into action requires starting earlier, integrating healthcare protection into retirement planning, viewing MPF as a steady retirement paycheck, and engaging qualified financial planners to address estate planning gaps. More importantly, retirement planning should shift from a rigid, set-and-forget approach to a flexible plan that adapts to each retiree’s evolving needs—what we call moving from a ‘fixed plan’ to a ‘flexible, evolving strategy’. Our goal is to help future retirees achieve sustainable and wellplanned golden years.”

Mr. Alvin Tse, Chief Executive Officer of YF Life Trustees, stated: “As the exclusive Project Sponsor of this expanded regional study, YF Life is proud to collaborate with IFPHK on this critical benchmark for Hong Kong and Macau. The 2026 data clearly shows that while retirees desire active lifestyles, they are heavily squeezed by medical inflation and the fear of outliving their wealth. To bridge this gap, retirees must shift away from viewing retirement savings as a static lump sum. By maximizing the flexibility of the MPF through phased withdrawals and mixed-asset strategies, alongside pairing them with lifetime annuity-style income streams and robust medical protection, individuals can effectively convert accumulated assets into a predictable, lifelong paycheck. True financial peace of mind comes from building an integrated fortress that safeguards against both market volatility and longevity risk.”

Key Highlights of the Study:

  • Retiree Inflation Has Outpaced General Inflation: The Index rose from 100 in 2020 to 131.6 in 2026, with average monthly retiree expenses increasing to about HK$15,090 and the Index growing at more than 5% per annum versus about 1.8% for Hong Kong’s Composite CPI for the same period. This escalation is driven partly by travelling and cross‑boundary transport—with roughly four out of five retirees visiting GBA Mainland cities and spending about RMB 1,100 per trip. This suggests that general inflation figures may understate retirees’ actual cash‑flow needs, highlighting the importance of planning for inflation‑protected retirement income and periodically rebasing budgets using a retiree‑specific living expense index rather than general CPI so they can maintain their intended post‑retirement lifestyle.
  • Retirees’ Satisfaction Masks Ongoing Financial Anxiety and Planning Gaps: Although many retirees report being satisfied with their current retirement life, concerns remain widespread, with 51% worrying about unexpected medical expenses, 41% about inflation and 77% still lacking any form of estate or asset planning. This suggests that retirees should turn present satisfaction into future resilience by building healthcare and contingency reserves, setting clear drawdown rules to manage longevity risk, and putting in place basic estate and incapacity documents such as wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance directives well before potential health or family crises arise.
  • Conservative Spending but Widespread Regret—Especially Among Asset‑Rich Retirees
    Actual retirement spending remains conservative, with average retirement expenses in 2026 equal to about 49% of pre‑retirement income. Yet more than 72% of retirees say they would have done something differently in preparing for retirement, most notably saving or investing earlier, learning financial planning earlier and communicating more openly with family about money and care needs. This pattern emphasizes that future retirees should start disciplined saving, investing and family financial discussions much earlier, even when their asset position appears comfortable.
  • MPF Transitioning Toward Income Support: While most eligible retirees still treat MPF as a lump sum, with about 76% having fully withdrawn their benefits in 2026, the scheme is gradually shifting toward an income‑support role, as 22% now use MPF to fund monthly expenses, up from 12% in 2023. Retirees are encouraged to treat MPF as part of a structured retirement income strategy, considering phased withdrawals, annuity‑style income solutions, and planned drawdowns rather than a single cash‑out, converting accumulated MPF assets into a more predictable and sustainable retirement paycheck.

Hashtag: #IFPHK #YFLife #RetirementPlanning

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

About “IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index”

The “IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index” was jointly launched in 2026 by the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK) and YF Life Insurance International Limited. Since 2020, the Index has been the only long-term, retirement-specific benchmark tracking retirees’ actual living expenses. As the first study of its kind by IFPHK, the Index tracks and measures long-term changes in retirees’ actual living expenses with reference to the Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the expenditure weightings published by the Government.

In the Hong Kong survey conducted in June 2026, NielsenIQ (NIQ) interviewed 304 retirees aged 55 to 74 with monthly personal income of at least HK$20,000 before retirement and not receiving means-tested social security or charitable support.

About IFPHK

IFPHK was established in June 2000 as a non-profit organization for the fast–growing financial industry. The Institute is the sole licensing body in Hong Kong authorized by Financial Planning Standards Board Limited to grant the much-coveted and internationally recognized CFP® certification and AFP® certification to qualified financial planning professionals in Hong Kong and Macau. Currently there are more than 236,000 CFP certificants in 29 regions; the majority of these professionals are in the U.S., China, Japan, Canada and Brazil. As at 28 February 2026, Hong Kong had approximately 3,238 CFP certificants.

At present, IFPHK has 5,298 members in Hong Kong including 956 Qualified Retirement Adviser (QRA) holders; and represents financial planning practitioners in diverse professional backgrounds such as banking, insurance, independent financial advisory, stock broking, accounting, and legal services.

About YF Life Trustees Ltd. & YF Life

YF Life Trustees is a member of YF Life Insurance International Limited (YF Life), and was among the first group of institutions approved as a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme trustee. The company specializes in providing MPF services and is committed to creating long-term value for its scheme members.

The major indirect shareholders* of YF Life Insurance International Limited (“YF Life”) include Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”), which itself has over 170 years of experience and is one of the Five Largest US Life Insurance Companies**, as well as Yunfeng Financial Holdings Limited, among others. YF Life is a long-term strategic partner of Barings. We stay at the forefront of Hong Kong’s insurance industry with our superior global investment capabilities, extensive partnership network, and fintech innovation.

* MassMutual and Yunfeng Financial Holdings Limited have indirect shareholdings in YF Life.
** The “Five Largest US Life Insurance Companies” are ranked according to the results of “Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual)” and “Insurance: Life, Health (Stock)”on total revenues for 2025, and based on the FORTUNE 500 as published on June 3, 2026.

HKT to participate in GenA.I. Sandbox++ to develop AI Agent identity verification


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – HKT (SEHK: 6823) – HKT Payment Limited[1], HKT’s financial services arm, has been selected by Hong Kong’s financial regulators to participate in the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) Sandbox++ initiative and conduct a pilot trial on registration and verification for AI agent-initiated payment flows, helping to advance responsible innovation in Hong Kong’s financial sector.

As AI agents rapidly gain traction in financial services, they are becoming capable of initiating payments, wallet top-ups, peer-to-peer transfers, and cross-institution transactions on behalf of users. Yet, current Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) frameworks were not designed to address the verification of AI agents or determine who is ultimately responsible for their actions.

In collaboration with Red Date Technology, a provider of decentralised technology and digital infrastructure, HKT will develop an “Agentic ID” framework built on Decentralised Identifiers (DIDs) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs). Under this framework, each AI agent will be bound to a verified individual or enterprise principal, providing a more secured and standardised way to register and verify AI agents acting on behalf of individuals and enterprises.

Designed to strengthen security and governance, the “Agentic ID” framework aims to enhance identity verification, help mitigate the risk of impersonation or unauthorised actions, and establish a clearer audit trail for AI-driven transactions. It also leverages the zero-knowledge proof technology, which enables data to be verified and used without being revealed, giving users full ownership and control over their private information.

Monita Leung, CEO, Digital Ventures, HKT, said, “As the adoption of AI agents in payments and financial services is accelerating, robust safeguards are critical to maintaining trust, security and accountability. Through participating in the GenA.I. Sandbox++ initiative, we are committed to supporting the development of practical solutions for the responsible use of AI in digital finance. We believe this project will contribute to Hong Kong’s vision in establishing a resilient and future-ready fintech hub, as well as advancing the broader ‘AI+’ initiative.”

Launched by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority in collaboration with Cyberport, the Gen A.I. Sandbox++ initiative promotes cross-sector collaboration and the responsible adoption of AI across Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem.


[1] HKT Payment Limited (Stored Value Facilities Licence Number: SVF0002)

Hashtag: #HKT

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

About HKT

HKT is a technology, media, and telecommunications leader with more than 150 years of history in Hong Kong. As the city’s true 5G provider, HKT connects businesses and people locally and globally. Our end-to-end enterprise solutions make us a market-leading digital transformation partner of choice for businesses, whereas our comprehensive connectivity and smart living offerings enrich people’s lives and cater for their diverse needs for work, entertainment, education, well-being, and even a sustainable low-carbon lifestyle. Together with our digital ventures which support digital economy development and help connect Hong Kong to the world as an international financial centre, HKT endeavours to contribute to smart city development and help our community tech forward.

For more information, please visit www.hkt.com.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hkt

Issued by HKT Limited.
HKT Limited is a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability.

About Red Date Technology

Red Date Technology is a leading Hong Kong-headquartered technology provider specialising in blockchain infrastructure, decentralised identity solutions, and next-generation financial technology. The company’s Agentic ID framework and Unified Agentic Payment Gateway represent its latest innovation in enabling trustworthy AI agent transactions within regulated financial ecosystems.

Thongmang Sinkhole Victims Set for LAK 147.93 Billion Compensation

A picture of Thanongxay Khoutphaythoune, Vice Chairperson of the People's Council of Vientiane Capital during the meeting, and the sinkhole led to 4 people missing in Thongmang village, Xaythany district, Vientiane Province on 2 January. (Photo by VientianeMai)

Vientiane authorities have set a compensation package worth LAK 147.93 billion (USD 6.5 million) for residents affected by sinkholes and ground subsidence linked to potash mining activities in Thongmang village, Xaythany district.

According to state media, the compensation was calculated by a special force to help residents affected by ground collapses restore damaged land, crops, buildings, irrigation systems, and roads.

The compensation package includes LAK 97 billion (USD 4.3 million) for damaged land, LAK 29.34 billion (USD 1.3 million) for crops and agricultural production, and LAK 13.82 billion (USD 615,888) for damaged buildings and other structures.

Another LAK 7.67 billion (USD 341,750) will be used to repair and restore irrigation systems and roads affected by the ground subsidence.

The official announcement did not specify how many residents or households are eligible for compensation, whether the package includes the families of the four villagers who have been missing since January, or when payments are expected to be approved and distributed.

The proposed compensation follows a series of sinkhole incidents in Thongmang, where authorities have recorded at least five major ground collapses since May 2025.

The most serious incident occurred on 2 January, when a large sinkhole opened just outside the village, leaving four people missing and prompting authorities to evacuate 38 households. Officials linked the collapses to underground potash mining, which was halted in July 2025 as stabilization work continued.

In June, Vientiane authorities began developing a compensation framework for residents affected by the sinkholes, covering damage to land, crops, agricultural assets and structures.

This latest calculation puts a total value on those losses, but authorities have yet to say when affected residents will receive compensation.

ATFX World Trading Cup Gains Momentum as Traders Worldwide Compete for USD 210,000

Registration extended to 14 September 2026 following strong global response, giving more traders the opportunity to compete


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – ATFX World Trading Cup is under way, bringing together new and existing ATFX clients from around the world to compete for a USD 210,000 cash prize pool. Eligible traders can register through the Client Portal until 14 September 2026, giving them time to join the competition as it progresses through its regional stages towards the World Finals.

ATFX World Trading Cup offers traders worldwide the opportunity to compete for a USD 210,000 prize pool

Under the theme, “Fight for Your Region. Trade for the Crown.”, ATFX World Trading Cup puts trading performance at the centre of the trading competition. Traders compete across multiple stages, with rankings determined by Profit % Return. This approach rewards strategic growth rather than the size of a trader’s starting capital, helping to create a more level basis for competition.

To take part, traders must open a live trading account, complete verification, and register through the Client Portal with the required minimum deposit. Tournament is open to eligible new and existing ATFX clients who want to test their skills against traders from their regions and beyond.

ATFX World Trading Cup runs across three stages: Regional Qualifiers from 17 August to 2 October, Regional Finals from 14 October to 13 November, and World Finals in December 2026. Each stage raises the stakes as participants compete for progression to the World Finals.

The journey culminates in a live finale in Hong Kong, where the elite Top 3 from each region will win an all-expenses-paid trip to compete against the best of the best. The ultimate World Champion will claim a USD 100,000 grand prize, with an additional USD 60,000 distributed among the finalists.

Eligible traders can register for ATFX World Trading Cup until 14 September 2026. Full terms and conditions, including eligibility criteria, are available at https://www.atfx.com/en/promotions/world-trading-cup.
Hashtag: #ATFX #ATFXWorldTradingCup #WorldTradingCup #TradingCompetition






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

About ATFX

is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 24 locations and holds 10 regulatory licences and authorisations, including UK’s FCA, Australia’s ASIC, Cyprus’ CySEC, the UAE’s CMA, Hong Kong’s SFC, South Africa’s FSCA. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX delivers exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.

For further information, please visit ATFX website .