What Trump's Deal with Vietnam Says About His Trade Talks
WSJ Senior Reporter Jon Emont explains what we know about President Trump's trade deal with Vietnam and what it says about his negotiations. Photo: WSJ; Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images

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Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025
Nearly a Quarter of Respondents Have a Poor Impression of Digital BanksOnly 30% of Users Prefer Digital Banks for Financial Management HONG KONG, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ECHO ASIA, in collaboration with students from Global Business Studies, CUHK Business School, is pleased to announce the release of the Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025. The survey gathered insights from 508 Hong Kong residents through an online questionnaire*, with findings revealing that 24.1% of respondents have a negative impression of digital banks, and only 31.7% consider digital banks their primary account. This study aims to explore public perceptions and opinions of digital banking in Hong Kong, identify reasons behind the low adoption rate, and propose strategies for improvement. *Results were analyzed based on 361 complete responses. This research project is led by ECHO ASIA, with students from Global Business Studies, CUHK Business School, serving as the "Knowledge and Research Partner." The team members include Ms. Audrey Chan, Ms. Cheri Cheng, Ms. Hannah Chu, Ms. Kayla Yu, and Ms. Yoyo Chan. The research methodology and questionnaire design also benefited from the advice of Dr. Fred Ku, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Co-Director of Global Business Studies, who serves as Honorary Advisor to this study. The study was conducted through an online questionnaire, with over 80% of respondents aged between 18 and 49, mainly covering Generation Z and Millennial consumers. The digital banking market in Hong Kong is experiencing rapid growth, with the number of users continuously rising and account holders now exceeding 2.2 million. The city's fintech environment continues to improve, supported by a regulatory framework and innovation strategies that are driving industry transformation. Our team aims to leverage this survey to provide concrete data from the users' perspective, offering valuable insights for regulators and financial institutions. This initiative seeks to support informed decision-making and further promote the healthy development of Hong Kong's digital banking ecosystem. Highlights of ECHO ASIA's "Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025": Digital Bank Adoption Steadily Rising, Yet Users Still Prefer Traditional Banks Over 62.9% of respondents currently hold a digital banking account, indicating strong coverage and adoption of digital banking services in Hong Kong. Among respondents aged 18 to 49, about two-thirds (66.3%) have digital bank accounts, while half of those aged 50 and above also maintain digital banking accounts. This demonstrates that digital banking primarily serves Generation Z and Millennials, while its reach is gradually expanding to a broader age demographic. The research data reveals key trends and challenges in the usage of digital banks in Hong Kong, highlighting that traditional banks continue to dominate the market. Although over half of the respondents (54.2%) have held digital bank accounts for more than two years, only 31.7% consider digital banking their primary account. This suggests that while digital banks have established a foothold in the market, their frequency of use remains relatively low. User Needs Unmet and Security Concerns Pose Major Challenges Among respondents who do not use digital banks as their primary channel, 68.3% cite unmet needs, security concerns, or unfamiliarity with digital banking services as reasons. Some also prefer physical or traditional banks. These findings underscore the need for digital banks to enhance user experience, diversify services, and strengthen security measures to build greater trust and awareness, thereby increasing usage and market share. Account Opening Promotions Define Digital Banks' Market Position The most valued service identified by respondents (33.5%) is digital banks' account opening promotions. Over half (52.6%) believe these promotions outperform those of traditional banks, demonstrating the effectiveness of digital banks' marketing strategies in attracting new users. Conversely, about 23% regard savings services as most valuable, but more than half (53.2%) feel traditional banks better meet their savings needs, revealing room for digital banks to improve long-term trust and core financial offerings. Public Expectations for Higher Deposit Rates and Cashback Rewards Regarding marketing strategies, over half of respondents (52.4%) recommend competitive deposit rates and lower minimum deposit thresholds to boost confidence. Additionally, 43.5% suggest offering higher cashback on credit or debit cards (e.g., 1-2% local spending, 3-5% overseas). This indicates digital banks must balance short-term incentives with long-term product competitiveness, especially in savings and interest rate design, to compete effectively with traditional banks and enhance user retention. Establishing Physical Branches Key to Building Trust in Digital Banks 70.1% of respondents are unclear or unaware of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's current and upcoming digital banking policies, such as renaming digital banks, removal of retail banking services, and allowing physical branches. This points to limited public understanding of policy, operational models, and development of digital banks. Nearly a quarter (24.1%) hold negative views of digital banks. More than half of respondents identify the lack of physical branches (56.2%) and reliance solely on mobile apps (54.9%) as defining features of digital banks. Notably, 57.6% believe permitting digital banks to establish physical branches would significantly boost their confidence. Although physical branches differ from the original digital banking model, this policy could effectively address Hong Kong residents' security concerns and enhance trust. Conclusion Founder of ECHO ASIA, Samson Tong further elaborates: "ECHO ASIA is honored to partner with the student team from Global Business Studies, CUHK Business School to announce the latest "Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025." This survey offers insights into the latest developments in Hong Kong's digital banking landscape, as well as the experiences and needs of Hong Kong users, providing the industry with a multi-faceted market analysis. Since the official launch of 8 digital banks in 2020, market acceptance has been steadily increasing. By the end of 2023, digital banks collectively accumulated 2.2 million deposit customers in Hong Kong. However, their overall market share among all retail banks in Hong Kong remained relatively low, at approximately 0.3% by the end of 2023. Our survey concludes that digital banks have a clear path to success by boosting customer engagement and driving more active use of their products and services." Dr. Fred Ku, Associate Dean of the CUHK Business School and Co-Director of Global Business Studies, stated: "Our research reveals a critical turning point in the development of digital banking in Hong Kong. While previous studies have primarily focused on the breadth of adoption—measuring account growth—our study is the first to delve deeply into the depth of usage, uncovering that only 31.7% of users consider digital banks their primary account. This significant gap highlights the fundamental challenge digital banks face in transitioning users from trial to trust. Particularly noteworthy is our focus on the 18-49 age group—the younger generation who not only represent the future backbone of the banking industry but also define the standards for digital financial services. Our findings show that nearly half of users feel digital banks do not fully meet their comprehensive financial needs, while 70% of respondents lack awareness of relevant regulatory policies. These insights provide clear directions for both industry players and regulators to improve. We hope this research will serve as an empirical foundation to help Hong Kong's digital banking sector overcome development bottlenecks and achieve true fintech adoption." For high-resolution photos, please download them from here. About Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025 The Hong Kong's Digital Banking User Experience Survey 2025 seeks to address the knowledge gap regarding digital banking trends in Hong Kong. It provides valuable insights into user experiences and expectations, enabling industry stakeholders to develop targeted strategies to enhance the competitiveness of digital banking products and services. The survey evaluates public awareness, usage frequency, purposes, and user experiences with digital banks, while offering analysis on barriers, challenges, and opportunities for growth in Hong Kong's digital banking sector. About ECHO ASIA We are Asia-Pacific's newest social enterprise - ECHO ASIA is a digital communications agency focused on promoting and supporting sustainability and B Corp values, by offering meaningful digital, social, branding, ESG communications solutions to corporates and various organizations across Asia-Pacific. ECHO ASIA's mission is to help businesses and non-profit organisations achieve sustainable growth through strategic and professional campaigns and events. The ultimate end result is to achieve and help others achieve sustainable growth until it becomes immeasurable. Last year, the ECHO ASIA team released the "Sustainable Consumer Choice Survey 2024," which garnered significant attention from the public, businesses, and local media. ECHO ASIA website: ASIA Instagram: About Global Business Studies (GBS) Programme at the CUHK Business School Launched in 2005, the Global Business Studies (GBS) programme at the CUHK Business School has gained wide recognition in the international education arena and is regarded as one of the most competitive programmes in Hong Kong. GBS attracts outstanding students from both Hong Kong and around the world. The programme is committed to cultivating students' business acumen, global vision, and leadership capabilities, nurturing future leaders who will make a global impact. Students not only participate in exchange programmes at top universities in Europe and North America, but also further develop their professional expertise through a diverse array of international exposures, case competitions, and career development initiatives. These opportunities strengthen their professional skills and global competitiveness. GBS graduates have made their mark across various fields, including finance, consulting, multinational corporations, and non-profit organizations. Many have also ventured into entrepreneurship and social enterprises, actively driving social progress with innovative thinking. Global Business Studies (GBS) Programme website: Special Thanks We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the prize sponsors of this Digital Banking User Experience Survey and Research: GreenPrice, Beetales and In Lieu. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ECHO ASIA Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Asian Penny Stocks To Monitor In July 2025
As global markets experience varied performances, with the U.S. indices hitting record highs and Japan facing trade negotiation challenges, investors are keenly observing the shifting dynamics in Asia. Amidst these developments, penny stocks—traditionally smaller or newer companies—continue to capture attention for their potential value and growth opportunities. While the term may seem outdated, these stocks still hold relevance as they often represent companies with solid financial foundations that could offer stability and potential upside in a fluctuating market landscape. Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Lever Style (SEHK:1346) HK$1.29 HK$813.93M ★★★★★★ Ever Sunshine Services Group (SEHK:1995) HK$2.08 HK$3.6B ★★★★★☆ TK Group (Holdings) (SEHK:2283) HK$2.28 HK$1.9B ★★★★★★ CNMC Goldmine Holdings (Catalist:5TP) SGD0.43 SGD174.27M ★★★★★☆ Goodbaby International Holdings (SEHK:1086) HK$1.14 HK$1.9B ★★★★★★ T.A.C. Consumer (SET:TACC) THB4.42 THB2.65B ★★★★★★ Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) (SGX:BS6) SGD2.21 SGD8.7B ★★★★★☆ Ekarat Engineering (SET:AKR) THB0.92 THB1.35B ★★★★★★ Beng Kuang Marine (SGX:BEZ) SGD0.20 SGD40.44M ★★★★★★ BRC Asia (SGX:BEC) SGD3.16 SGD866.95M ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 993 stocks from our Asian Penny Stocks screener. Let's take a closer look at a couple of our picks from the screened companies. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: PSG Corporation Public Company Limited, with a market cap of THB14.79 billion, operates in turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and large-scale construction projects in Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its plant and building construction segment, amounting to THB2.82 billion. Market Cap: THB14.79B PSG Corporation, with a market cap of THB14.79 billion, operates in the EPC and construction sectors in Thailand and Laos. Despite being debt-free and having short-term assets significantly exceeding liabilities, PSG's earnings have declined substantially over the past year, with revenue dropping to THB642.96 million from THB1.49 billion a year ago. The company's net profit margin has also decreased from 51.6% to 26.8%. Recent volatility in share price could be attributed to these financial results and strategic moves like the recent MOU with Electricite du Laos for renewable energy projects, potentially enhancing future growth prospects amidst current challenges. Navigate through the intricacies of PSG Corporation with our comprehensive balance sheet health report here. Evaluate PSG Corporation's historical performance by accessing our past performance report. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: CSE Global Limited is an investment holding company that provides integrated industrial automation, information technology, and intelligent transport solutions across the Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with a market cap of SGD436.54 million. Operations: The company's revenue is derived from three primary segments: Automation (SGD194.36 million), Communications (SGD232.04 million), and Electrification (SGD434.78 million). Market Cap: SGD436.54M CSE Global Limited, with a market cap of SGD436.54 million, shows a stable financial foundation with short-term assets exceeding liabilities and well-covered interest payments by EBIT. Despite experiencing a 5.4% annual decline in earnings over the past five years, recent profit growth of 16.9% signals potential recovery, outpacing industry averages. The company's seasoned management and board add strategic depth, further enhanced by the recent appointment of Mr. Ravinder Singh as Non-Executive Director to bolster governance capabilities. However, dividend sustainability remains questionable due to insufficient free cash flow coverage despite trading below estimated fair value. Click here to discover the nuances of CSE Global with our detailed analytical financial health report. Assess CSE Global's future earnings estimates with our detailed growth reports. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Zhejiang CONBA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. focuses on the research, development, production, and sales of pharmaceuticals and health products in mainland China, with a market cap of CN¥11.27 billion. Operations: The company's revenue primarily comes from its operations in China, totaling CN¥6.38 billion. Market Cap: CN¥11.27B Zhejiang CONBA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. demonstrates a solid financial position with short-term assets of CN¥4.5 billion surpassing both short and long-term liabilities, and its debt is well-covered by operating cash flow. Despite a slight decline in quarterly revenue to CN¥1.68 billion, the company maintains profitability with net income at CN¥189.4 million and improved profit margins from 8.1% to 9.3%. However, its return on equity remains low at 8.7%, and the board's average tenure suggests inexperience, potentially impacting strategic decisions amidst an unstable dividend track record despite trading below estimated fair value by 16.6%. Dive into the specifics of Zhejiang CONBA PharmaceuticalLtd here with our thorough balance sheet health report. Examine Zhejiang CONBA PharmaceuticalLtd's past performance report to understand how it has performed in prior years. Navigate through the entire inventory of 993 Asian Penny Stocks here. Want To Explore Some Alternatives? We've found 16 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yeild of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SET:PSG SGX:544 and SHSE:600572. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@


Wall Street Journal
30 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
JGBs Edge Lower; Focus Likely on U.S. Tariffs
0017 GMT — JGBs edge lower in price terms in the morning Tokyo session. Focus is likely on Wednesday's deadline of the 90-day pause on so-called reciprocal tariffs. 'President Trump said the U.S. will send letters to trading partners outlining unilateral tariffs that will take effect on 1 August,' Commerzbank Research analysts say in a note. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Bessent said several big agreements are close. The five-year JGB yield is up 1 bp at 0.980%; the yield on the No. 378 10-year issue is up 1 bp at 1.425%. (