Business
Middle East Conflict to Push Global Growth to Lowest Rate Since COVID-19
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2026—The conflict in the Middle East is expected to slow global growth to the lowest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic amid higher energy prices, steeper inflation, and increased borrowing costs, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects report.
Summary
- The Middle East conflict is projected to slow global economic growth to 2.5% in 2026, the lowest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. Disruptions to energy markets, rising inflation, and increased borrowing costs are the primary drivers.
- Developing economies are expected to be hit hardest, with growth falling to a post-pandemic low of 3.6% in 2026. Gulf economies face near-zero growth, while rising debt levels and commodity price volatility continue to weaken fiscal positions across low-income countries. The World Bank Group has made up to $60 billion immediately available in response.
Global growth is forecast to slow to 2.5% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025. Forecasts for two-thirds of economies have been downgraded relative to January of this year. Global growth is expected to improve to 2.8% in 2027 but will remain 0.4 percentage point below the average during the 2010s. Weak growth in developing economies has stalled progress toward advanced-economy income levels. By 2028, developing economies other than China and India will have collectively experienced nearly a decade of no progress on narrowing their per capita income gap with advanced economies, the report finds.
“Developing countries have faced a series of challenges over the last decade,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. “The impact differs by country, but the basic test is the same: protect people and preserve stability today, without giving up on growth and jobs tomorrow.
In response to the current shock, we are providing liquidity where it is needed now — and we are ready with additional financing, guarantees, and private-sector solutions if pressures deepen. Our job is to help countries steady the ship, keep reforms moving, and emerge stronger on the other side.”
Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group
According to the report, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted energy markets, with Brent crude oil prices projected to average $94 a barrel in 2026, 36% above 2025 levels, assuming the worst disruptions abate in July. Fertilizer prices are forecast to increase significantly this year, with knock-on effects for food prices. Together, these pressures are pushing up global inflation, which is expected to rise to 4.0% this year, up substantially from 3.3% in 2025.
Yet downside risks are significant. If energy supply disruptions prove more severe than currently assumed and are accompanied by substantial financial stress, global growth could fall to just 1.3% in 2026, and inflation would rise to 4.4%.
This year, growth in developing economies is expected to drop to a post-pandemic low of 3.6%, down from 4.4% in 2025, before recovering to 4.2% in 2027. Economies in the Gulf that are directly affected by the conflict are expected to take the biggest hit as their growth tumbles from 3.9% in 2025 to close to zero in 2026. The report predicts growth will rebound in these economies—to about 5% in 2027–28—as trade recovers and spending on reconstruction begins.
The World Bank Group is committed to supporting all developing countries as they confront crises. In response to the conflict in the Middle East, it is immediately making up to $50–60 billion available through existing instruments, including $25 billion of pre-arranged financing. This can support social safety nets for the most vulnerable people, boost fiscal capacity, and provide working capital and liquidity support for firms and farms. To date, over 30 countries are actively working with the World Bank Group to enhance readiness and enable a rapid response to the crisis under this response plan. If the conflict and its economic fallout persist, the World Bank Group can scale up its support to $80–100 billion over 15 months.
South Asia is expected to see the strongest growth of any region in 2026, but even its growth will register a significant slowdown—from 7% in 2025 to 6.3% in 2026, the report finds. Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth is also slowing, with the biggest pressures coming through inflation, including high food prices due to the fertilizer supply shortages and price hikes.
“The conflict has taken a toll on global activity, but every crisis also brings an opportunity,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group.“This moment should be used to strengthen policy frameworks, invest in infrastructure, accelerate business-enabling reforms, and mobilize private capital to support job creation at scale.”
The report’s special-focus chapters examine fiscal challenges in developing economies. About two-thirds of developing economies—and nearly 90% of low-income countries—are commodity exporters. Yet these economies tend to have weaker fiscal positions than other developing economies, as they face more volatile and less diversified revenues. Five years after a positive commodity price shock, much of the revenue windfall is spent, rather than saved to strengthen fiscal positions. To manage commodity price volatility, policy makers should rely on frameworks, such as well-designed fiscal rules and sovereign wealth funds with clear stabilization mandates, alongside improved domestic revenue mobilization and greater economic diversification.
The other chapter explores how rising debt levels are making it harder for countries to respond to crises and invest in long-term development priorities—and driving up borrowing costs in the process. Since 2010, aggregate government debt in developing economies has climbed from under 40% of GDP to over 70%. The analysis finds that the more indebted a country already is, the more sharply its borrowing costs rise with additional debt. The effect is particularly acute in more vulnerable countries. For countries with elevated debt-to-GDP ratios, reducing debt levels can yield meaningful financial rewards: greater fiscal space to invest in infrastructure, health, and education, fueling economic growth and job creation.
Regional Outlooks
East Asia and Pacific: Growth is projected to fall to 4.2% in 2026 before firming to 4.4% in 2027.
Europe and Central Asia: Growth is forecast to slow to 2.1% in 2026 before edging up to 2.3% in 2027.
Latin America and the Caribbean: Growth is expected to slow to 2.2% in 2026 before rising to 2.5% in 2027.
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan: Growth is forecast to drop to 1.6% in 2026 before recovering to 5.0% in 2027.
South Asia: Growth is projected to fall to 6.3% in 2026 before rising to 6.9% in 2027.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Growth is expected to edge down to 4.0% in 2026 and rise to 4.4% in 2027.
The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. For more than eight decades, the World Bank Group has combined financing and hands-on experience to create jobs and opportunities in developing countries. We work with public and private partners to build more resilient economies—and achieve our vision of a world free of poverty on a livable planet. Our Knowledge Bank replicates and scales proven solutions to tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges.
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Building Practical Housing Solutions Across Greater Boston
Alpha Management Corporation is a family-owned real estate company that has spent decades helping shape the housing market across Greater Boston. Founded by Anwar Faisal, the company began with a simple goal: provide dependable property management built on integrity, innovation and reliable service.
Over the years, that vision has grown into a business that owns, develops and manages residential and commercial properties throughout communities including Allston, Brighton, Brookline, Fenway, Back Bay, Jamaica Plain, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton and Medford.
One area has remained at the centre of the company’s work for more than thirty years. Alpha Management has focused on helping students find practical housing close to universities. As enrolment has grown and on-campus accommodation has struggled to keep pace, many students have needed reliable off-campus options. Alpha recognised that demand early and made it a priority.
The company has worked with both domestic and international students while also partnering with universities to help simplify the housing search. At a time when some landlords hesitate to rent to students because of limited rental histories or other perceived risks, Alpha Management has continued serving this important part of the community.
That long-term approach reflects the company’s wider philosophy. Students contribute to neighbourhood businesses, public transport, restaurants and the local economy, making accessible housing an important part of Boston’s continued growth.
Today, Alpha Management Corporation continues to invest in its properties while maintaining the family values that shaped its beginnings. With decades of experience and a strong understanding of the Greater Boston housing market, the company remains a trusted leader in practical property management and student-friendly housing.
Alpha Management Corporation: Three Decades of Meeting Boston’s Housing Needs
Q&A with Alpha Management Corporation
Q: How did Alpha Management Corporation begin?
Alpha Management Corporation was founded by Anwar Faisal with the idea that property management should be built on integrity, reliable service and long-term relationships. What started as a small family business has grown into a company that owns, develops and manages residential and commercial properties across Greater Boston. Even as the company expanded, the focus on serving local communities has stayed the same.
Q: What has been the biggest change in the Boston housing market during that time?
One of the biggest changes has been the growing demand for housing near universities. Boston has always attracted students from around the world, but university enrolment has continued to increase while on-campus housing has remained limited. That has created lasting demand for practical off-campus accommodation close to campuses.
Q: Why has student housing become such an important part of the company’s work?
We recognised many years ago that students needed dependable places to live. They often value being close to campus more than having large apartments or luxury features. By providing housing near universities, we help meet a genuine need in the community.
Student housing is not a luxury. It is a practical necessity for thousands of people who come to Boston every year to study.
Q: Why do you believe students are so important to the city?
Students contribute far beyond the classroom. They support local cafés, restaurants, shops, transport services and neighbourhood businesses. Their families also visit throughout the year, adding further economic activity.
Universities are a major part of what makes Greater Boston successful, and suitable housing helps support that wider ecosystem.
Q: Some landlords are reluctant to rent to students. How has Alpha Management approached that challenge?
Many students are renting for the first time. They may have limited rental history, limited credit history or require co-signers. Some landlords see those factors as additional risk.
Our approach has been different. We have spent more than three decades working with students and understanding their circumstances. Experience has shown us that with clear communication and proper management, student housing can work well for both residents and property owners.
Q: Has working with universities been an important part of that process?
Yes. We have partnered with universities to help students find housing and make the transition to living in Boston easier. For many domestic and international students, finding accommodation is one of the biggest challenges before classes even begin.
Helping simplify that process has always been an important part of what we do.
Q: Alpha Management operates across many communities. How has that shaped the business?
Every neighbourhood has its own character and housing needs. We manage properties in areas including Allston, Brighton, Brookline, Fenway, Back Bay, Jamaica Plain, Cambridge, Somerville, Malden, Medford, Newton, West Roxbury and Norwood.
Having a broad presence across Greater Boston gives us a better understanding of local markets while allowing us to stay connected to the communities we serve.
Q: What makes successful property management today?
Property management is about much more than maintaining buildings. It is about understanding the people who live in them, responding when issues arise and building trust over time.
That means listening carefully, communicating clearly and taking a long-term view. Those principles have guided the company from the beginning.
Q: How do you see the future of housing in Greater Boston?
Demand will continue to be strong, especially in areas close to universities. That means practical housing solutions will remain important. As the market evolves, there will continue to be opportunities for property owners, universities and housing providers to work together to help meet growing demand.
Q: After more than three decades, what continues to motivate Alpha Management?
The answer has remained remarkably consistent. We want to provide quality housing that meets real needs. We are proud to have helped generations of students find homes near their universities while continuing to invest in communities across Greater Boston.
Our goal has never been simply to manage properties. It has been to provide dependable housing solutions that support residents, strengthen neighbourhoods and contribute to the long-term success of the region.
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Why Market Volatility May Be Part Of The Bull Case
Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of the suitability of any investment strategy for a particular investor. Invesco does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Investors should always consult their own legal or tax professional for information concerning their individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the authors, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals. NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE All data provided by Invesco unless otherwise noted. Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd.’s retail products and collective trust funds. Invesco Advisers, Inc. and other affiliated investment advisers mentioned provide investment advisory services and do not sell securities. Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by the sponsor, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., and broker-dealers including Invesco Distributors, Inc. PowerShares® is a registered trademark of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC (Invesco PowerShares). Each entity is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. ©2015 Invesco Ltd. All rights reserved.
Business
How to Start a Sports Prop Firm in 2026
Sports prop trading allows traders to place positions on sporting events through a funded account after completing an evaluation. Traders follow a set of rules covering areas such as profit targets, drawdown limits, and eligible markets before they can access firm capital.
The global sports trading market was valued at $11.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $123.4 billion in 2026. For entrepreneurs, this creates an opportunity to build a platform that combines trading challenges, reliable technology, and a smooth user experience.
Keep reading to learn how to build and launch a sports prop firm in 2026.
6 Steps to Start a Sports Prop Firm in 2026
Starting a sports prop firm needs the right business model, reliable technology, and clear operating procedures before opening your platform to traders.
Here are the 6 steps to help you build and launch a sports prop firm in 2026:
1) Understand the Sports Prop Firm Model
Before creating a sports prop firm, decide how your platform will operate. The trading model affects your evaluation process, your payout structure, and risk management.
Here are some of the most common trading models used by sports prop firms:
| Trading Model | How It Works |
| One-Step Challenge | Traders complete one evaluation by reaching a profit target while staying within drawdown rules before receiving a funded account. |
| Two-Step Challenge | Traders complete two evaluation phases before qualifying for funding. Each phase has its own trading objectives and risk limits. |
| Instant Funding | Traders pay a higher fee to receive immediate access to a funded account without completing an evaluation. Risk controls are usually stricter. |
| Scaling Programme | Traders begin with a smaller funded account and become eligible for larger account sizes after meeting performance milestones. |
| Subscription Model | Traders pay a recurring monthly fee to access challenges, trading tools or platform features. |
2) Set Up the Legal Structure and Compliance
This will depend on where the company is registered and how it plans to operate. It’s also important to prepare documents such as your Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and user agreements before accepting customers.
Compliance may include data protection requirements, anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, and record-keeping. If your platform operates in multiple countries, local regulations may differ.
3) Choose a White-Label Platform
Building a platform from scratch takes time, technical knowledge, and ongoing maintenance. A reliable and trusted sports prop firm software provider like Sports Prop Tech can help you launch faster by providing the core technology needed to run your business.
A typical white-label platform includes:
- Trader dashboards for tracking account performance and progress
- Challenge management tools for creating and managing evaluation programmes
- User registration and account management
- Reporting and analytics for monitoring trader activity
- Secure payment gateway integration
- Administrative controls for managing users and platform settings
- Sportsbook integrations and live odds feeds
- Automated account management for funded traders
4) Create Clear Trading Rules
Every rule should be easy to understand before someone starts an evaluation. This includes profit targets, daily loss limits, maximum drawdown, payout requirements, and account scaling rules where applicable.
You should also decide which sports, leagues and trading markets are available on the platform. Some firms may focus on major football competitions, while others include basketball, tennis, baseball or additional sports.
Clear rules reduce confusion and help create a consistent experience for every participant. If changes are made, they should be communicated clearly so traders always know what is expected.
5) Set Up KYC and Payment Processing
Before traders can receive payouts, you’ll need a secure process for verifying customer identities and handling payments.
Know Your Customer (KYC) checks are commonly used to confirm that users are who they claim to be. This process may include identity documents, proof of address, or other verification steps depending on your business requirements.
Your platform should support secure deposits, withdrawals, and transaction records. It’s also worth deciding how challenge fees, refunds, and payout requests will be managed.
6) Launch and Market Your Sports Prop Firm
Before opening registrations, test every part of the platform. Check the registration process, payment system, trader dashboard, reporting tools, and email notifications. Beta users can also provide useful feedback before the public launch.
Once everything is ready, focus on promoting your business through channels that match your audience. This may include:
- Search engine optimisation (SEO)
- Affiliate partnerships
- Social media
- Email marketing
- Educational content
Ready to Launch Your Own Sports Prop Firm?
Starting a sports prop firm takes planning, testing and the right technology. Before opening your platform to traders, make sure your trading rules, payment system, compliance checks and user dashboard all work as expected.
Running a few final tests can help you spot issues before launch and give new users a smoother experience. Once everything is in place, you’ll be ready to focus on growing your platform and building your community.
Business
Chiefs Coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s Wife Shot by Couple’s Son Sunday, Hospitalized in Stable Condition
The wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was shot by the couple’s son Sunday night at the family’s home in Virginia, according to multiple reports citing sources close to the situation.
Mia Bieniemy, 57, is hospitalized in stable condition, according to a source. Police in Loudoun County, Virginia, confirmed that a woman was being treated for “serious injuries” from multiple gunshot wounds but did not publicly disclose her identity.
Son Arrested and Charged
Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office confirmed the arrest and charges against Eric Bieniemy’s son in connection with the shooting. Sources told ESPN that Mia Bieniemy was shot in the chest and arm.
Elijah Bieniemy is being held without bond at a detention center in Loudoun County, according to police.
Details of the Sunday Night Shooting
Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Leah Paul said Monday that police responded to a report of a shooting at a home located on the 20000 block of Northpark Drive in Ashburn, Virginia, at 7:32 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. Deputies who responded found an adult woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and she was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
The home is located in Ashburn, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., in an area close to the Washington Commanders’ practice facility, where Bieniemy previously served as offensive coordinator.
Bieniemy Was at Training Camp When Shooting Occurred
Eric Bieniemy left the Chiefs’ training camp and was not in attendance for Monday’s practice. He had been with the Chiefs on Sunday in St. Joseph, Missouri, at the campus of Missouri Western State University for the team’s second practice of training camp, when the shooting occurred hundreds of miles away at his family’s Virginia home.
Bieniemy was with the Chiefs for training camp in Missouri when his wife was reportedly shot at their Virginia home.
Team Confirms Awareness, Offers Few Details
The Chiefs said in a statement they are “aware of the incident involving Eric Bieniemy’s family,” but did not provide further details. The team has not indicated whether Bieniemy plans to return to training camp or take any leave of absence while the situation unfolds.
A Long Coaching Career Across the League
Bieniemy’s coaching career has spanned some of the most notable stretches in recent NFL history. He has long been regarded as one of the best assistant coaches in the league, having served as the Chiefs’ running backs coach from 2013 through 2017 before taking over as offensive coordinator from 2018 through 2022, a period that coincided with the emergence of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and two of the franchise’s Super Bowl championships.
After that run in Kansas City, Bieniemy spent the 2023 season with the Washington Commanders before serving as UCLA’s offensive coordinator in 2024. He then joined Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s staff, where he was instrumental in helping the team finish third in the league in rushing last season. He returned to the Chiefs as offensive coordinator this year after Kansas City parted ways with former Bears coach Matt Nagy.
Bieniemy rejoined the Chiefs earlier this year as their offensive coordinator, a position he previously held from 2018 to 2022.
Family Ties to the Region
The location of Sunday’s shooting adds a notable layer to the story given Bieniemy’s coaching history in the Washington, D.C., area. His stint as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator under head coach Ron Rivera in 2023 placed him in the same region where his family’s home is located, near the team’s practice facility in Ashburn.
What Comes Next
As of Monday, authorities had not released additional details about what led to the shooting, and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office had not commented further beyond confirming the location, timing and charges against Elijah Bieniemy. Mia Bieniemy remained hospitalized in stable condition, according to sources cited by multiple outlets, though her exact prognosis and expected recovery timeline had not been publicly disclosed.
The Chiefs are in the midst of training camp as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season, and it remains unclear how the situation involving Bieniemy’s family will affect his participation in camp in the coming days. The team’s brief statement acknowledging awareness of the incident suggests further details may be forthcoming as the situation develops, though the organization has so far declined to elaborate beyond confirming it is aware of what happened.
This is a developing story, and additional details are expected to emerge as the investigation into the shooting continues and as Mia Bieniemy’s condition is further updated by medical officials or family representatives.
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Bank of Hawaii Q2 2026 slides: margin hits 2.78%, shares fall on revenue miss

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JetBlue overhauls fare options from basic economy to basic first class
A JetBlue Airbus A220-300 sits parked at Gate B40 at Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, MA, on Dec. 22, 2025.
Austin DeSisto | Nurphoto | Getty Images
JetBlue Airways is overhauling its fare options as it gears up to launch its domestic first-class seats and, yes, there is a restrictive basic option at the front of the plane.
Travelers flying on JetBlue will start by choosing how much legroom they want and how premium they want their seat to be.
The airline will have an economy section, or “Main,” a section with extra legroom seats that it calls “Even More,” which also come with earlier boarding and priority airport screening, and a domestic first class that it’s named BlueFirst, which it’s slated to debut later this year. From there, customers will have the following options for each class:
- Base: This is the lowest price. It includes a carry-on but not seat selection. Tickets are refundable as a travel credit and there is a fee to change or cancel the reservation. Travelers will earn 1 TrueBlue loyalty point per $1 spent.
- Standard: Seat selection is included, there’s no change or cancel fee (though customers will have to pay a difference in fare) and travelers will earn 3 TrueBlue points per $1 spent.
- Flex: Along with all the options in a standard fare, the perk here is that refunds will go back to the original form of payment.
With the new groupings, JetBlue is getting rid of the “Core” fares it sells now and putting economy class options in a “Main” category.
JetBlue’s lie-flat Mint business class, which is used on longer-haul flights like cross-country trips and flights to European destinations including Paris, London and Milan, will only have the Standard and Flex option.
JetBlue stopped short of offering a basic lie-flat business option that competitors United Airlines and Delta Air Lines launched this year. Those airlines have made similar moves to break up premium economy by offering different fares even at the front of the cabin. United this month said that on some aircraft it will charge a premium for a blocked middle seat.
JetBlue hasn’t yet provided a date for its BlueFirst seats, but the changes come as airlines are racing to capitalize on high demand for pricier seats from consumers seeking extra comfort and perks on board. JetBlue is set to report results on Tuesday.
Business
HP drops bid to remove manager
Hewlett Packard has dropped its attempt to remove the manager of Mike Lynch’s estate, agreeing that Jeremy Sandelson can continue in the role as the late entrepreneur’s family awaits a decision on whether it can appeal against a £920 million damages award.
Under the agreement reached between the parties, Sandelson will remain in place if permission to appeal is granted. The restructuring firm Interpath Advisory will take over if the application fails.
HP had sought earlier this year to oust Sandelson, a former partner at Lynch’s law firm, and replace him with Interpath, against the wishes of the family.
At a court hearing in April, HP’s lawyers argued that Sandelson had a “fundamental and irreconcilable” conflict of interest arising from his close ties to the family. The company said Interpath would be more impartial.
HP told the court that whoever managed the estate would inevitably end up probing the finances of Lynch’s widow, Angela Bacares, to assess whether her own assets could be used to pay what is owed. The £920 million is almost twice the value of Lynch’s entire estate, so alternative sources would be required to make up the full sum.
Sandelson has managed the estate since Lynch’s death in August 2024.
Lynch, the founder of the software company Autonomy, was found liable in 2022 over its 2011 sale to HP for £8.3 billion. HP claimed he had defrauded the company by inflating Autonomy’s value. A High Court judge subsequently ruled that his estate should pay HP £920 million, a figure made up of damages plus interest and costs. HP had earlier lodged a final claim of almost $1.8 billion against the estate.
Lynch was found not guilty by a US jury in June 2024, two months before his death. He was on holiday celebrating that verdict with his family when the Bayesian sank off the Sicilian coast during a storm. He died alongside his teenage daughter, Hannah, and five others.
In May, Italian investigators said the Bayesian’s crew, rather than the storm, were to blame for the sinking. Prosecutors had appointed experts to examine whether a freak weather event, described by witnesses as a “tornado”, was responsible.
The report found it amounted to “little more than a squall, a sudden increase in wind speed that precedes thunderstorms and downpours”, which the crew should have been able to manage.
According to the preliminary findings, the yacht capsized and sank due to the improper actions of the crew, their underestimation of the weather and a number of safety devices not being activated properly. The investigation is exploring alleged crimes including negligent shipwreck and multiple counts of manslaughter for the captain and two crew members, and has raised the possibility of liability on the part of the yacht’s builder.
The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is running a separate safety investigation into the foundering, which is being conducted in parallel to the Italian criminal inquiry. The builder, the Italian Sea Group, has separately filed a £400 million claim against Bacares, the yacht’s captain and two crew members.
The Bayesian sank two days after the death of Stephen Chamberlain, a co-defendant in Lynch’s fraud case. An inquest in June found the 52-year-old was hit and killed by a car after he took up running to deal with the stress of the US fraud trial the pair were facing.
Chamberlain’s father, Grenville, said his son had taken up ultramarathons to cope with the pressure. “In order to keep himself fit for the charges ahead, Steve took up running and committed himself to becoming an ultra long-distance runner,” he said.
“He ran hundreds of miles, travelling to Snowdonia and the Lake District so he was able to negotiate areas he was not familiar [with], in order to run 200 miles in all weather conditions.”
HPE, one of HP’s successor companies, was approached for comment.
Business
China’s CXMT Stock Soars 466% in Historic Shanghai Debut, Becoming the Nation’s Most Valuable Listed Company
Shares of Chinese memory chipmaker CXMT Corp exploded on their Shanghai trading debut Monday, surging 465.82% to close at 49.00 yuan, instantly catapulting the company to the top of China’s stock market by valuation and marking one of the most spectacular initial public offerings in recent financial history.
The stock, which priced its IPO at 8.66 yuan per share, closed the session up $40.34 in value terms, after touching as high as 54.65 yuan during intraday trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s technology-focused STAR Market.
Asia’s Biggest IPO of the Year
CXMT, formerly known as ChangXin Memory Technologies, raised 57.92 billion yuan, or approximately $8.6 billion, in the offering, making it the biggest mainland Chinese semiconductor listing on record and surpassing SMIC’s $7.5 billion Shanghai share sale in 2020. The IPO proceeds could rise to 66.61 billion yuan if an over-allotment option is fully exercised.
The listing was Asia’s largest IPO of 2026, with proceeds earmarked to expand production capacity, fund research and development, and strengthen the company’s working capital. The debut also outpaced the more than 100% first-day gain posted by China Resources New Energy following its $3.6 billion IPO earlier this month.
A New Most-Valuable Company in China
The rally lifted CXMT’s market capitalization to 3.65 trillion yuan, or roughly $539.21 billion, sharply up from $85.5 billion during the IPO process, making it the most valuable company listed in China and overtaking Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the market’s previous heavyweight. That valuation now exceeds Intel Corp’s roughly $464 billion market cap, positioning the Chinese chipmaker ahead of one of the world’s most storied semiconductor names just hours after its trading debut.
By the close of trading, CXMT shares settled at 49 yuan, giving the company a market capitalization of about 3.3 trillion yuan, still enough to overtake Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s 2.6 trillion yuan valuation.
A Rising Force in the Global Memory Market
Founded in 2016, CXMT manufactures dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, chips used in products ranging from smartphones and personal computers to AI servers, positioning it at the center of China’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency. According to its IPO prospectus, CXMT held a 7.67% share of the global DRAM market based on fourth-quarter 2025 sales, trailing industry leaders SK Hynix, Micron Technology and Samsung Electronics.
Analysts at Morningstar expect CXMT’s global DRAM market share to increase to 10% in 2026, citing strong AI infrastructure investment and growing demand for Chinese-made memory chips. The company’s financial turnaround has been dramatic in recent months, swinging to an operating profit of 35.43 billion yuan in the first quarter from a loss of 2.83 billion yuan a year earlier, driven by continued growth in global computing power demand and capacity allocation from major manufacturers.
Apple’s Reported Interest Adds Fuel
Part of the excitement around CXMT’s debut stems from reports that one of the world’s largest technology companies may already be evaluating its chips. Recent media reports showed that Apple was seeking approval from the Trump administration to use memory chips supplied by CXMT in devices sold outside the United States, as the company looks to diversify its supply chain amid a global memory shortage.
That reported interest from Apple has added weight to the view that CXMT could emerge as a legitimate global supplier rather than simply a domestically focused player serving China’s internal semiconductor ambitions.
Tight Global Supply Supports the Rally
Industry analysts pointed to persistent global memory shortages as a key factor underpinning investor enthusiasm for the listing. According to TrendForce analyst Ellie Wong, tight memory market conditions are expected to keep prices elevated through the end of 2027, with ongoing supply shortages pushing many customers to diversify their supplier base in ways that could meaningfully benefit CXMT.
Political Headwinds Remain
Despite the blockbuster debut, CXMT faces notable political obstacles to expanding its reach into Western markets. The Pentagon has included CXMT on its roster of Chinese enterprises with purported military connections, though this classification does not presently restrict American companies from conducting commercial transactions with the chipmaker.
Those restrictions, along with broader U.S. export controls on advanced chipmaking equipment, are expected to limit how quickly CXMT can scale its most cutting-edge production capabilities, even as its balance sheet and market valuation swell following Monday’s debut.
Part of a Broader Global Memory Boom
CXMT’s debut arrives amid a broader rally across memory chipmakers worldwide. SK Hynix experienced a 13% surge during its initial Wall Street trading session earlier this month, following a $26.5 billion capital raise in the largest-ever U.S. market debut by an international company, with the South Korean firm’s market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion in May. Both Samsung and Micron have also recently crossed the $1 trillion valuation threshold, milestones driven predominantly by intensifying demand for AI-oriented semiconductors.
A Word of Caution From Skeptics
Not everyone views the memory sector’s runup as sustainable. Some analysts have suggested the industry may be nearing a short-term peak in sentiment around the current memory cycle, noting that investors had already begun selling into the IPO, particularly within China itself, even as the broader business fundamentals of memory chipmaking remain durable over the long term.
CXMT’s explosive debut sets the stage for a closely watched stretch across the global semiconductor industry, with major memory chipmakers including SK Hynix and Micron set to report earnings in the coming days. Investors will be watching closely to see whether CXMT’s newfound scale translates into a genuine competitive threat to established DRAM leaders, or whether Monday’s rally proves to be a speculative debut-day frenzy that eventually cools as trading normalizes in the sessions ahead.
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