Latest news with #8.5
Business Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
China Reits make ‘significant turnaround', with growth outpacing regional peers: Aprea
[SINGAPORE] Chinese real estate investment trusts, or C-Reits, have outpaced some of their regional peers, including Singapore's, in the first half of this year. The performance of C-Reits this year reflects a 'significant turnaround' for an asset class that had plunged to record lows at the start of last year amid a slowing Chinese economy and real estate sector, said the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (Aprea). From January to June 2025, the CSI Reits Total Return Index, which tracks the total returns of C-Reits, rose 14.2 per cent, higher than the 8.5 per cent returns posted by the GPR/Aprea Composite Reit Index, which tracks real estate securities in 12 Asia-Pacific countries and territories. Its performance is in contrast to last year, when the CSI Reits Total Return Index consistently lagged behind the GPR/Aprea Composite Reit Index. When compared to individual countries, the total returns of C-Reits were also ahead of the returns in Singapore (6 per cent), Malaysia (10.8 per cent), Japan (10.1 per cent), India (10.1 per cent) and Australia (10 per cent). C-Reits also outperformed the broader Chinese market between January and June: the SSE Composite Index, the stock market index for the Shanghai Stock Exchange, posted a 2.8 per cent growth over the same period. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Aprea, which advocates for the real estate sector in the region, said that yield-seeking investors drove the sector's growth. A rally in Chinese tech stocks due to growing interest in artificial intelligence also fuelled optimism over the expansion of digital infrastructure assets. Housing, highway and data centre C-Reits, in particular, performed well, said Sigrid Zialcita, the chief executive officer of Aprea. Affordable housing C-Reits performed strongly due to supportive government policies; highway Reits that own toll roads generate stable and long-term cash flows, appealing to investors. The upcoming listing of data centre C-Reits will generate more vibrancy in the sector, added Zialcita. She noted that data centre Reits GDS and Southern Runze Technology Data Center Reit were oversubscribed and issued at the top of their price ranges this year. C-Reits are a relatively new asset class, with the first nine Reits debuting in China just four years ago. There are now 68 C-Reits listed on China's exchanges with a market capitalisation of more than US$20 billion. Zialcita said that yields of C-Reits have grown as China's monetary authorities embark on an easing cycle. 'While this has compressed of late, investors remain conscious that their defensive characteristics make C-Reits a vital component of an investment portfolio, particularly now when uncertainty is skyrocketing,' she said. Hong Kong leads Reit returns Despite their recent performance, the total returns for C-Reits lagged those of Hong Kong (22 per cent) and the Philippines (14.6 per cent) between January and June this year. Hong Kong Reits were buoyed by their potential inclusion in China's stock connect schemes, as well as a bullish stock market. Reits in the Philippines also did well following interest rate cuts by the Philippine central bank and asset injections by Philippine Reits, Zialcita noted. Dividend yields for C-Reits were, however, behind those of regional peers. Data from Aprea indicated that the yield for C-Reits as at June 2025 was 5.4 per cent, lower than Singapore-listed Reits (6.3 per cent), Hong Kong Reits (6.7 per cent) and Malaysia Reits (5.8 per cent).
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Universal Studios UK: predicted price of park day tickets
Excitement builds as Universal Studios prepares to open in the UK 🎢 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Universal Studios is set to open a massive new theme park near Bedford in 2031 The resort aims to attract millions of visitors in its first year Ticket pricing details remain unconfirmed but are eagerly anticipated Costs will likely vary by ticket type, season, and additional perks like queue-skipping Local discounts are possible but have yet to be confirmed for UK residents It's no secret at this point that Universal Studios is expanding its global footprint with a new UK theme park slated to open in 2031. The finished resort near Bedford, which is expected to encompass between 476 and 700‑acres of space, is expected to draw about 8.5 million visitors in its first year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But as excitement builds around what could become one of the country's biggest tourist attractions, many are already wondering: how much will tickets cost? From single-day entry to family passes and queue-skipping perks, here's what UK visitors might expect to pay - and whether locals could benefit from discounted rates when the gates finally open. (Photo: GREGG NEWTON/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images How much could Universal Studios UK tickets cost? While pricing for the UK park remains unannounced, we can estimate ticket costs by examining current pricing at Universal's Orlando Resort in Florida. Bear in mind though that estimating the future ticket price for a trip to Universal Studios UK is challenging. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That's not only because the resort is still at least six years from opening, but also due to the dynamic pricing models used at other Universal parks, where costs fluctuate based on demand and the time of year. Add to this the potential impact of inflation and changes in the UK economy, and it becomes even trickier to predict what guests might actually be asked to pay in 2031. Universal Orlando Resort also comprises four parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and the newly opening Epic Universe - ticket prices vary based on the number of parks visited and the duration of the stay. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But let's assume that ticket prices in the UK will be comparable to those in Orlando, adjusted for local economic conditions. Single-day ticket (adult): Expect prices to fall between £80 and £120, depending on the season and demand. Expect prices to fall between £80 and £120, depending on the season and demand. Single-day ticket (child): Children's tickets typically come in around £5–10 cheaper, so likely between £70 and £110. Children's tickets typically come in around £5–10 cheaper, so likely between £70 and £110. Multi-day tickets: Visitors buying two or more days of access may benefit from reduced per-day pricing. A three-day pass could cost around £220–£300 per adult and £190–£270 per child. Visitors buying two or more days of access may benefit from reduced per-day pricing. A three-day pass could cost around £220–£300 per adult and £190–£270 per child. Family of four (2 adults, 2 children): For a three-day visit, expect a total in the region of £850–£1,100, depending on the package and whether it includes extras. For a three-day visit, expect a total in the region of £850–£1,100, depending on the package and whether it includes extras. Express passes / queue-jump add-ons: At other Universal parks, Express-style passes add a cost — often £60–£100 per person, per day. If similar pricing applies in the UK, a family of four could pay an additional £240–£400 per day for this perk, potentially doubling the cost of a single-day visit. How might Universal UK's ticket prices compare to other theme parks? Families in the UK are used to some relatively low theme‑park day rates, so how do the costs projected above compare? At some attractions owned by Merlin, such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, and Legoland, day rates can be as low as £29. Families used to lower pricing may find the rates at Universal Studios UK steep, but Universal's global brand and immersive themed lands may justify a premium. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Will local Bedfordshire residents get a discount? Universal Orlando Resort offers discounts to Florida residents, sometimes up to $50–65 (£37-48) off multi‑day tickets purchased online. But it's not yet clear whether similar discounts will be available for UK residents at the new park. Local resident discounts are a standard practice in the US to encourage repeat visits. At the Japan park, there are some limited local‑only discounts, but nothing like a blanket local discount program. If Universal adopts a similar US-style approach in the UK, we may seen special offers for residents that could include annual passes, multi-day tickets, or exclusive promotions tailored to local guests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It would also be reasonable to expect Universal UK to offer some local pricing or launch offers, especially in the early years of opening to build word‑of‑mouth and loyalty. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Universal Studios UK: predicted price of park day tickets
Excitement builds as Universal Studios prepares to open in the UK 🎢 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Universal Studios is set to open a massive new theme park near Bedford in 2031 The resort aims to attract millions of visitors in its first year Ticket pricing details remain unconfirmed but are eagerly anticipated Costs will likely vary by ticket type, season, and additional perks like queue-skipping Local discounts are possible but have yet to be confirmed for UK residents It's no secret at this point that Universal Studios is expanding its global footprint with a new UK theme park slated to open in 2031. The finished resort near Bedford, which is expected to encompass between 476 and 700‑acres of space, is expected to draw about 8.5 million visitors in its first year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But as excitement builds around what could become one of the country's biggest tourist attractions, many are already wondering: how much will tickets cost? From single-day entry to family passes and queue-skipping perks, here's what UK visitors might expect to pay - and whether locals could benefit from discounted rates when the gates finally open. (Photo: GREGG NEWTON/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images How much could Universal Studios UK tickets cost? While pricing for the UK park remains unannounced, we can estimate ticket costs by examining current pricing at Universal's Orlando Resort in Florida. Bear in mind though that estimating the future ticket price for a trip to Universal Studios UK is challenging. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That's not only because the resort is still at least six years from opening, but also due to the dynamic pricing models used at other Universal parks, where costs fluctuate based on demand and the time of year. Add to this the potential impact of inflation and changes in the UK economy, and it becomes even trickier to predict what guests might actually be asked to pay in 2031. Universal Orlando Resort also comprises four parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and the newly opening Epic Universe - ticket prices vary based on the number of parks visited and the duration of the stay. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But let's assume that ticket prices in the UK will be comparable to those in Orlando, adjusted for local economic conditions. Single-day ticket (adult): Expect prices to fall between £80 and £120, depending on the season and demand. Expect prices to fall between £80 and £120, depending on the season and demand. Single-day ticket (child): Children's tickets typically come in around £5–10 cheaper, so likely between £70 and £110. Children's tickets typically come in around £5–10 cheaper, so likely between £70 and £110. Multi-day tickets: Visitors buying two or more days of access may benefit from reduced per-day pricing. A three-day pass could cost around £220–£300 per adult and £190–£270 per child. Visitors buying two or more days of access may benefit from reduced per-day pricing. A three-day pass could cost around £220–£300 per adult and £190–£270 per child. Family of four (2 adults, 2 children): For a three-day visit, expect a total in the region of £850–£1,100, depending on the package and whether it includes extras. For a three-day visit, expect a total in the region of £850–£1,100, depending on the package and whether it includes extras. Express passes / queue-jump add-ons: At other Universal parks, Express-style passes add a cost — often £60–£100 per person, per day. If similar pricing applies in the UK, a family of four could pay an additional £240–£400 per day for this perk, potentially doubling the cost of a single-day visit. How might Universal UK's ticket prices compare to other theme parks? Families in the UK are used to some relatively low theme‑park day rates, so how do the costs projected above compare? At some attractions owned by Merlin, such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, and Legoland, day rates can be as low as £29. Families used to lower pricing may find the rates at Universal Studios UK steep, but Universal's global brand and immersive themed lands may justify a premium. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Will local Bedfordshire residents get a discount? Universal Orlando Resort offers discounts to Florida residents, sometimes up to $50–65 (£37-48) off multi‑day tickets purchased online. But it's not yet clear whether similar discounts will be available for UK residents at the new park. Local resident discounts are a standard practice in the US to encourage repeat visits. At the Japan park, there are some limited local‑only discounts, but nothing like a blanket local discount program. If Universal adopts a similar US-style approach in the UK, we may seen special offers for residents that could include annual passes, multi-day tickets, or exclusive promotions tailored to local guests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It would also be reasonable to expect Universal UK to offer some local pricing or launch offers, especially in the early years of opening to build word‑of‑mouth and loyalty.
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
MLB Trade Deadline: Merrill Kelly, Seth Lugo, and other starting pitchers who could be on the block
The MLB trade deadline is just a week away, with the clock running out at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31st. I thought I would help us prepare for that moment by creating a little cheatsheet of starting pitchers who could be moved at the deadline, and others who might find themselves in starting roles after teammates leave town. This is not meant to be an analytically-focused document. My goal is to give you as many names of pitchers who may be on a new team by August so that you can begin to think about what might come to pass. I'll offer some quick thoughts on whether I'm interested at all in where this player ends up or not, but this is mainly about allowing us to get a better sense of the starting pitcher landscape. Starting Pitchers on Expiring Contracts I think Lugo will be the best pitcher moved at the deadline. He has a $15 million player option for 2026, and the Royals have to assume that he'll exercise that and try to cash in on one more big payday before his age 36 season begins. I don't think the Royals will be able to afford him when he does that. The Diamondbacks claim they're not selling at the deadline, but they really should be and likely will be once this week ends and they see how far out of the playoff race they are. Gallen and Kelly are both free agents at the end of the season, so trading at least one of them makes sense for Arizona to at least get something for them before they potentially walk. While Gallen has fallen off the last two years, Kelly has been sneaky good and could be a great addition to a contender's rotation. We know that the Orioles are looking to trade away players who are not under control next season. That's Eflin, Morton, and Sugano. There's a strong chance that all three of them are dealt. Morton has really turned it around since being removed from the rotation in April, and we know that he can be an impactful starter when the curve is working. Eflin has been a consistent starter for the last four years, and if he looks good in his return from the IL this week, then his market could heat up a bit as well. Soroka seems like a lock to be traded at the deadline. He's on a one-year contract, and the Nationals will look to get something for him rather than let him walk for nothing. The 27-year-old also has a bit of helium as a second-half breakout candidate thanks to a 3.89 xFIP and 3.57 SIERA that suggest his 5.10 ERA is not indicative of how good he's been. Of course, Washington would love him to flash at least one strong start before the deadline. The Reds are in an interesting situation. They are two games over .500, which is great, but they are also 8.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. Will they make a push for that final spot or stand pat? Can they make a push while also dealing away Nick Martinez, who will be a free agent at the end of the season? Martinez has been effective as both a starter and a reliever in his career, and is the type of versatile veteran that a contending team would love. The White Sox are certainly sellers, and they're almost certain to trade away the two veterans they added earlier this season. Houser was signed in April after he was cut by the Rangers, and Civale came over in the trade for Andrew Vaughn. Both have pitched well enough that they could be a low-cost move for a contending team to add a back-end rotation piece at the deadline. It's odd to suggest that the Brewers would trade away a starting pitcher when they currently have one of the best records in baseball, but they also have too many starting pitchers. As of right now, they don't even have Logan Henderson, Tobias Myers, and Nestor Cortes in their rotation. They could easily trade away a starter and still have a tremendous rotation. Cortes and Quintana are both veterans with playoff experience, which would be attractive to other teams, but also be attractive to the Brewers. They just feel like the most likely pieces to be moved. Who would have thought that Patrick Corbin would have trade value in 2025, but who also would have thought that he would pitch to a 3.91 ERA at 36 years old. The Rangers would almost certainly take what they can get for a pending free agent that they never expected to rely on this season anyway. Heaney is in a similar situation to Corbin, except he's actually pitched worse with a 5.03 ERA in 102 innings for the Pirates. Still, he's a known commodity around the league, and some team may want to add a veteran left-hander to their rotation. Hey look, another veteran lefty that could be had at the deadline. Anderson has an elite changeup and a career 4.28 ERA, which will always make him interesting to a team that needs a lefty for their rotation. The Angels should have traded him at the deadline last year when he had a 3.81 ERA, but, well, it's the Angels. I'm convinced that Zack Littell is being traded. It's just the perfect Rays move. Yes, they're in playoff contention, and, yes, Littell has been solid for them, but he's also a free agent at the end of the season, and the Rays don't like getting nothing for a player who leaves them. They could trade Littell now for bullpen help or a high-upside lower-minors prospect and then slot Joe Boyle into his spot in the rotation and likely have a better starting rotation while getting back a controllable asset. It just seems like a move they'd lock in. The Twins have fallen out of contention and are now looking to deal away players who are not locked into contracts with the team. Paddack seemed to be on his way out early in the season, but he put together a solid stretch in May and June. Unfortunately, his production has dipped of late, which may make him less enticing to teams looking for starting pitching. Multi-Year Starting Pitchers I don't think either one of these guys gets moved. Yes, I guess it's feasible given that their names have come up in rumors, but I just wouldn't expect it. I also don't think Peralta is being traded. Yes, the Brewers have plenty of starting pitcher options, and they moved on from Corbin Burnes when they felt like they couldn't re-sign him, but Peralta won't be a free agent next season, and this Brewers team has the best record in baseball. Maybe they trade Peralta next year or in the offseason. I think it's far more likely that Eovaldi gets dealt. He has two years remaining on his contract, but he'll be 36 years old next season and is paid $29 million for 2026 and $24 million for 2027. The Rangers love him because he's good, but also because he's a vocal leader, which allows Jacob deGrom to quietly go about his business without having to be a mouthpiece for the team. That's a role deGrom loves to play. I think that will cause the Rangers to keep Eovaldi, but he's certainly older than many of the young stars on the team, so maybe they move him to try and get younger with their pitching staff. The Pirates are cheap, so they probably don't want Keller's salary on the books anymore. He has three years and about $55 million left on his deal, which won't impede a team that has seen him flash the upside of an SP2 at times. With so many pitchers flourishing away from Pittsburgh, there are likely teams out there who would take a gamble to see if they can optimize his pitch mix to have him hit that upside more consistently. With guys like Ryan and Peralta unlikely to be moved, Keller might be the best controllable starter on the market (other than one I'll mention in Miami). Bradley's name has come up in some trade rumors of late, and, like I mentioned with Littell, he could be a perfect fit for the Rays BOTH selling and buying at the deadline. Bradley is 24 years old and has one more year before he even enters arbitration. Then he'll be under team control until 2029. However, his salary will begin to rise starting in 2027 when his arbitration years begin, and the Rays have not been able to get things to click for Bradley. They could potentially move him for a sizable return and know that they have guys like Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour to fill his spot in the rotation. Coming into the season, I think Alcantara would have been everybody's pick to be the best starting pitcher available at the deadline, but he has really tanked his value with a poor season coming off Tommy John surgery. The Marlins could still trade him, but a team would have to make an offer that suggests they believe Alcantara can get back to near Cy Young levels. If not, the Marlins will just hold on and hope he increases his value next spring. Which means Cabrera could be the starter that Miami moves this year. He has changed his arm slot and gone more sinker-heavy this year, which has really helped his overall performance; however, he has never been a consistent performer at the big league level and has also battled injuries. This might be a chance for Miami to sell high. Abel recaptured a lot of value this season after a mediocre year in Double-A last year. He struggled a bit at the MLB level, but he's just 23 years old and has the type of upside that teams would be attracted to. He's essentially a top prospect pitcher that's also MLB-ready, like Kyle Harrison, who was a key component in the Rafael Devers deal. The Phillies will have a fully locked-in rotation once Aaron Nola comes back, and Andrew Painter is at Triple-A, so perhaps they would use Abel as a trade piece to bring in a big-time bat, like Jarren Duran, or a reliever, like Emmanuel Clase or Cade Smith. No, Detmers is not currently a starting pitcher, but there are certainly teams out there that would love to trade for the 26-year-old and put him back in the rotation. Still, he's arbitration-eligible for three more seasons and is pitching well for the Angels as a reliever, so I can't see them trading him. Springs is the exact type of pitcher we'll joke about not having value, but actually does. He has a career 3.60 ERA in 427.2 big league innings and has a 3.11 career ERA in 280.1 innings as a starting pitcher. Teams are going to look at that from a pitcher who is owed only $10.5 million in each of the next two seasons and see that as a better deal than anybody they might be able to land on the free-agent market.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ICC to offer AI-enabled platform to help microbreweries with state-wise compliance
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) would collaborate with technology partners to develop an AI-enabled, open-access compliance platform to help microbreweries simplify and streamline adherence to complex state-wise excise norms, ICC sustainability committee chairman Sushilkumar Eashwaran has said.'Green brewing must move from optional to operational. ICC is committed to helping the industry adopt AI-led solutions that are good for business and the planet,' he said while speaking at the Brewery Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru on speakers highlighted how technology can reduce costs, enhance quality, and support environmental goals such as AI-driven fermentation control and predictive maintenance to water efficiency monitoring and carbon usage tracking. 'AI is now as important as yeast in the brewing process. It empowers brewers to be sustainable, scalable, and smart,' said Aadithya Shivkumar Eashwaran, ICC Committee Chairman – Brewery & event saw participation from brewers, investors, machinery specialists, and policymakers to explore next-gen growth opportunities in one of India's fastest-growing beverage sectors, the ICC said in a ICC estimates the India's beer market to reach a market size of $ 456 billion with a projected CAGR of 8.5% in five years, the statement nearly 45–50% of India's beer consumption coming from South India and Bengaluru standing tall as the country's craft beer capital, the city offered the ideal setting. From its dynamic pub culture to its liberal excise policy, Bengaluru has become a beacon for innovation in brewing, said ICC chairman (South) Shivkumar Eashwaran.'India's young demographic and evolving taste for craft beers create an exciting climate for brewers, innovators, and investors. This conclave is about unlocking that in a responsible, future-ready way, he added.
