CIMB Thai’s Q2FY2026 net profit surged over fivefold to 886.3 million baht, driven by lower credit losses and higher operating income. H1 net profit rose 47% to 1.49 billion baht. Loans grew 4.1%, deposits increased 2.6%, NPL ratio improved to 2.1%, with capital ratios remaining strong.

Key Points

Q2 FY2026 Performance:

• CIMB Thai’s net profit surged fivefold to 886.3 million baht, driven by higher operating income and a 76.3% drop in credit losses
• Net interest income rose 35.2%; operating expenses fell 4.5%

H1 FY2026 Results:

• Six-month net profit grew 47% to 1.49 billion baht
• NIM improved to 2%; credit losses dropped 30.4%

Balance Sheet Strength:

• Gross loans rose 4.1% to 242.2 billion baht; NPL ratio improved to 2.1%
• Capital adequacy ratio stood strong at 19.7%

Strong Second-Quarter Profit Growth

CIMB Thai Bank PCL, the majority-owned subsidiary of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, reported a more than fivefold surge in net profit for the second quarter of FY2026, reaching 886.3 million Thai baht, up from 174.5 million baht a year earlier. The strong performance was driven by a 76.3% drop in expected credit losses to 104.9 million baht and a 21.1% rise in operating income to 2.63 billion baht. Net interest income climbed 35.2% to 1.37 billion baht, while net fee and service income grew 16.7% to 352.3 million baht. Operating expenses also eased 4.5%, reflecting improved cost discipline alongside stronger revenue generation.

Resilient First-Half Performance

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, CIMB Thai’s net profit rose 47% to 1.49 billion baht, compared with 1.01 billion baht previously. CEO Wut Thanittiraporn attributed this to higher operating income, tighter cost control, and reduced loan-loss provisions. Operating income increased 9.8%, while expenses fell slightly and expected credit losses dropped 30.4% year-on-year. The net interest margin improved marginally to 2%, from 1.9%, as lower funding costs offset weaker asset yields, underscoring the bank’s ability to sustain profitability despite a challenging rate environment.

Solid Balance Sheet and Capital Strength

CIMB Thai’s balance sheet remained healthy as at end-June 2026. Total gross loans rose 4.1% to 242.2 billion baht, while deposits increased 2.6% to 309.2 billion baht. Asset quality improved, with the gross NPL ratio easing to 2.1% from 2.2%, and the loan loss coverage ratio strengthening to 179.3%. Total allowances for expected credit losses stood at 8.9 billion baht, exceeding regulatory requirements by 1.5 billion baht. The bank’s capital position remained robust, with total capital funds of 59.4 billion baht and a BIS ratio of 19.7%, including 15.4% Tier 1 capital—reflecting strong resilience and a solid buffer against potential risks.

Source : CIMB Thai’s 2Q profit jumps over fivefold on operating income, lower credit losses

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It’s “Showtime” again in Chicago.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms with free agent winger Patrick Kane on a two-year contract worth $16 million, carrying an $8 million average annual salary cap hit and a full no-move clause. The deal reunites Kane with the franchise where he became a superstar, three weeks into his free agency and roughly three years after the team traded him away to kick-start a rebuild.

Coming home to Chicago

Kane, 37, won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, in 2010, 2013 and 2015, after Chicago selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. He spent the first 16 seasons of his 19-year NHL career with the franchise, serving as the cornerstone of a dynastic run that saw the Blackhawks reach the playoffs nine straight seasons and advance to the conference finals five times.

Kane remains second all-time in points for the Blackhawks with 1,225, trailing only Hall of Famer Stan Mikita’s 1,467, and sits third in franchise history in both goals, with 446, and games played, with 1,161. His individual accolades with Chicago include the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2007-08, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2013, and both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL Players’ Association’s player of the year in 2015-16, a season in which he led the league with 106 points.

What the team is saying

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, who originally traded Kane to the New York Rangers in 2023 to help launch Chicago’s rebuild, praised the winger’s return in a team statement. “Day in and day out for 16 seasons, Patrick captivated the city of Chicago with his dazzling skill, creating some of the most memorable moments in Blackhawks history as he helped bring our storied franchise back to the pinnacle of our sport,” Davidson said. “He’s shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels, and we couldn’t be prouder for Patrick to once again call the United Center home and continue to shine in Chicago’s brightest lights.”

Davidson’s tone marks a notable shift from his earlier public stance on a potential Kane reunion. In 2024, Davidson said he did not “foresee us going back on” the decision to move on from Kane. More recently, however, Davidson signaled a change of heart, telling the radio show OverDrive on TSN 1050 Toronto that Chicago’s door remained open. “We’ll await his decision, but he knows our door is always open,” Davidson said. “He’s a Blackhawk at heart for life, even if he’s not wearing our jersey.”

A decision between two hometowns

Kane, who grew up in Buffalo, spent much of free agency weighing a return to Chicago against the possibility of signing with his hometown Buffalo Sabres. In the end, he chose Chicago, a decision Blackhawks star Connor Bedard had publicly campaigned for throughout the process.

Bedard, 21, was drafted first overall by Chicago just months after the team traded Kane away, meaning the two franchise-defining players never shared the ice together in Chicago. With Kane a free agent, Bedard made his case for a reunion directly. “I can’t imagine his first game back at the United Center, just the reaction he’d get and how much juice that would bring not only to our team but our fans as well,” Bedard said. “That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him.”

Bedard signed his own five-year, $75 million extension with the Blackhawks last week as a restricted free agent, cementing his long-term future with the franchise just before Kane’s return was finalized.

Filling a gap left by injury

Kane’s arrival carries added significance for Chicago given Bedard’s health status entering next season. Bedard underwent shoulder surgery this offseason and is expected to be sidelined into early November, leaving the Blackhawks without their top-line center for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. The team may look to Kane to help offset some of that lost offensive production early in the season, with the possibility of eventually pairing the two on the same line once Bedard returns to full health.

Kane’s recent form in Detroit

Before returning to Chicago, Kane spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings on a series of one-year contracts, worth $2.75 million in 2023-24, $4 million in 2024-25 and $3 million in 2025-26. He remained a productive player throughout that stretch, totaling 163 points across 189 games in Detroit, including 57 points, 16 goals and 41 assists, in 67 games last season. Despite Kane’s consistent production, the Red Wings missed the playoffs in each of his three seasons there, extending Detroit’s postseason drought to 10 straight years.

A career still adding to the record books

Kane enters his 20th NHL season ranked fourth among active players with 1,400 career points and sixth with 508 goals. Along the way, he scored his 500th NHL goal in January, broke Mike Modano’s record for career points by a U.S.-born player when he reached 1,375 points later that same month, and surpassed 1,400 points in April. He has also posted 138 points in 143 career Stanley Cup playoff games and was named one of the 100 Greatest Players in NHL history during the league’s centennial celebration in 2017.

Reflecting on his continued ability to perform at a high level, Kane said after last season ended, “I still think I have the ability to elevate my game at the most important times.”

With Kane now under contract through the 2027-28 season, the Blackhawks head into next season hoping his return can help accelerate a rebuild that has been underway since his 2023 departure, while Chicago has not made the playoffs since 2020. For Kane, the reunion offers a chance to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023, this time alongside a new generation of Blackhawks talent led by Bedard, in the arena where he first became a star nearly two decades ago.

Running a company leaves little room for downtime, yet founders and senior executives are under more visual scrutiny than most. Investor meetings, media appearances and constant video calls all put a smile under a spotlight that most professionals never had to think about a decade ago.

Cosmetic dentistry has responded to this shift, with several UK practices now specialising in subtle, natural-looking work designed to fit around demanding schedules rather than disrupt them. The goal for this audience is rarely a dramatic transformation, but a refined, long-lasting improvement that looks effortless rather than obviously “done”.

This list covers six UK cosmetic dentists worth knowing about for founders and professionals considering a smile upgrade, with an emphasis on subtlety, efficiency and results that hold up under constant public attention.

Bespoke Smile

Bespoke Smile has built a reputation as a premium, founder-led practice known for its focus on natural-looking results rather than the more dramatic, uniform look associated with older cosmetic dentistry trends. The clinic takes a patient-first approach, spending time understanding what a subtle upgrade should actually look like for each individual face and existing smile.

For busy founders and professionals, this matters as much as the treatment itself. Bespoke Smile offers advanced treatments designed around efficient scheduling, making it a practical option for people who cannot afford weeks of disruption around a demanding calendar. The focus throughout stays on long-lasting, understated upgrades rather than a visibly overhauled smile.

Established Central London Cosmetic Practices

Several long-standing cosmetic dental practices across central London offer comprehensive smile makeovers, ranging from whitening and bonding through to full veneer work. Many of these clinics have decades of experience and cater to a mix of local patients and international visitors seeking a full course of treatment during a single trip.

These practices tend to suit patients who want a wide range of options under one roof, though appointment availability can be more limited given the volume of patients they see.

Boutique Smile Design Studios

A newer category of boutique studios has emerged, focusing specifically on digital smile design and minimally invasive techniques. These studios typically use 3D imaging to preview results before any treatment begins, which appeals to detail-oriented professionals who want to see the outcome in advance.

The trade-off is usually price, since boutique studios often charge a premium for the personalised design process and one-to-one consultation time involved.

Multi-Location Dental Groups

Several dental groups with multiple UK locations have expanded their cosmetic offerings in recent years, making treatment more accessible outside London for founders based elsewhere in the country. These groups often standardise their processes across locations, which can mean more predictable pricing and scheduling.

The consistency comes at some cost to the highly individualised approach that boutique or founder-led practices tend to offer, which is worth weighing depending on personal priorities.

University-Affiliated Dental Hospitals

For patients seeking complex reconstructive or cosmetic work, university-affiliated dental hospitals offer access to specialists working at the more advanced end of the field, often at a lower cost than private clinics. Waiting times are typically longer, which makes this option less practical for anyone needing a quick turnaround.

This route suits professionals with more flexible schedules or those planning treatment well in advance of a specific event or milestone.

Choosing the Right Fit

According to the General Dental Council, patients considering cosmetic dental work should always confirm a practitioner’s registration and experience with the specific procedure being considered, regardless of how the practice is marketed.

This kind of due diligence matters even more for founders and executives, since a rushed choice made purely on convenience can end up costing more time to correct later than it saved at the outset.

More Coverage for Business Leaders

For more coverage of business leaders and the choices shaping their daily lives, BM Magazine’s leadership section regularly covers similar founder-focused lifestyle decisions.

These pieces often show how small, personal choices, from wellness routines to grooming, quietly support the bigger picture of how a founder is perceived by clients, investors and staff alike.

Conclusion

For founders and senior professionals, the right cosmetic dentist is less about the most dramatic transformation and more about a subtle, natural result that holds up under constant scrutiny and fits around an unpredictable schedule. Practices like Bespoke Smile that combine a patient-first approach with advanced, efficient treatment options are increasingly the preferred choice for this kind of client, though the right fit ultimately depends on individual priorities around cost, location and pace of treatment.

The company will announce the price band on July 24, with the issue expected to be open for subscription between July 29 and July 31. An email sent to Manipal Health Enterprises seeking comment remained unanswered.

The offering, which will be among the largest IPOs by an Indian healthcare services provider, comprises a fresh issue of shares worth up to ₹8,000 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 4.32 crore shares by promoters and existing investors.

Read more: Xtranet Technologies IPO Day 1: Issue booked 51% so far on retail push. Check GMP & other details

Promoter entities Imperius Healthcare Investments and Manipal Education and Medical Group India will pare their holdings through the OFS. Existing investors TPG SG Magazine, Seventy Second Investment Company, Novo Holdings Invest Asia and Phoenix Bear Investments are also expected to sell shares. The company plans to use most of the proceeds from the fresh issue to reduce debt. Around ₹5,378 crore has been earmarked to repay or prepay borrowings at subsidiary Manipal Hospitals, while about ₹574 crore will be used to acquire a minority stake in step-down arm Sahyadri Hospitals.

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This will be the second billion-dollar IPO in 2026 after SBI Funds raised ₹9,813 crore through the IPO, the largest in 2026 so far. The issue was subscribed 41.66 times.
Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, DBS Bank India, Goldman Sachs India Securities, Jefferies India, JP Morgan India and UBS Securities India are the book-running lead managers to the Manipal issue.

Mortgage rates rose again this week and reached the highest level in nearly a year, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said on Thursday.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed the average interest rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.58% this week, up from 6.55% last week.

This week’s reading is the highest in about 11 months, as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was last at 6.58% on Aug. 21, 2025. At this time a year ago, the rate was 6.74%.

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY TO IMPROVE AS HOME PRICE GROWTH COOLS, REALTOR.COM FORECASTS

An “Open House” sign in front of a home for sale in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on July 13, 2025.  (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week,” said Freddie Mac chief economist Sam Khater.

“As market conditions continue to evolve, borrowers should remember that shopping around for a mortgage rate can make a meaningful difference, potentially saving them thousands over the loan’s lifetime,” Khater added.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage also moved higher to 5.96%, up from 5.93% last week. A year ago, the 15-year fixed mortgage had an average rate of 5.87%.

STARTER HOME AFFORDABILITY IS CRAWLING BACK. THESE REGIONS ARE BEST FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

Mortgage rates are affected by several factors, including the Federal Reserve and geopolitics. Though mortgage rates are not directly affected by the Fed’s interest rate decisions, they closely track the 10-year Treasury yield. The 10-year yield rose slightly to 4.699% as of Thursday afternoon.

“While mortgage rates remain elevated, homebuyers may be better served focusing on the full cost of homeownership rather than trying to guess where rates will be a few months from now,” said Jeff DerGurahian, chief investment officer and head economist at LoanDepot.

“The tug-of-war between inflation and the renewed conflict between the U.S. and Iran is reflected in today’s rates, as higher oil prices raise concerns that elevated energy costs could filter into future inflation readings,” DerGurahian added.

RECORD DECLINE IN HOME ASKING PRICES OFFERS BUYERS AN AFFORDABILITY BOOST

A “New Listing” sign outside a home in Napa, California, US, on Monday, May 6, 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The latest mortgage data comes as conditions in the housing market have improved somewhat for buyers, many of whom have been on the sidelines as tight inventory has supported higher home prices and mortgage rates have held relatively steady.

Realtor.com recently released a midyear update to its 2026 housing market forecast that estimates home price growth will slow to 1.2% this year, a rate that’s slower than the original forecast for the year and is below the current pace of inflation. That means home prices would be effectively declining in real, inflation-adjusted terms.

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More than 1.5 million dozen shell eggs sold in six states have been voluntarily recalled over potential salmonella contamination, federal regulators announced Wednesday. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Midwest Poultry Services initiated the voluntary recall, affecting 1,589,577 dozen cartons of white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs. 

Officials said the recalled products were sold under several brands, including Kroger, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, Simple Truth, and Sunups, as well as various bulk Grade A and Grade AA eggs. 

The eggs were ultimately distributed to retail and food service customers in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi, as well as other smaller retail outlets, according to the FDA. 

ALLERGY MEDICATION RECALLED OVER POSSIBLE DRUG MIX-UP THAT COULD TRIGGER ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ REACTIONS

Country Morning Grade A Large 12-count eggs (top) and Brookshire’s Jumbo White Eggs 12-count (bottom) are among the recalled retail egg cartons. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Fox News)

The affected products were produced at two farms in Texas, according to the FDA.

Officials said the issue was discovered during routine environmental testing. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the eggs. 

“When we learned of a possible issue with egg safety, we began diverting eggs to a breaking plant where they would be pasteurized to kill any foodborne pathogens,” Midwest Poultry Services told FOX Business in a statement on Thursday. 

“We also began a robust internal investigation and initiated testing protocols to identify potential sources of SE,” the company added, referring to Salmonella Enteritidis. 

“Producing safe, quality food for those who eat our eggs is our highest priority, and this voluntary investigation and recall demonstrates that commitment.”

A 12-count carton of Kroger Grade A Medium eggs are subject to the Salmonella recall notice. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Fox News)

TARGET, KROGER, MEIJER FRUIT PURÉE POUCHES RECALLED OVER PLASTIC RISK: FDA

The recall includes various carton sizes and egg counts.

Consumers can identify affected products by the codes printed on the side of the carton. The eggs were packed and distributed between June 6 and July 3, with sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through Aug. 17.

The affected cartons also bear plant code P-1950 or 840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184.

Consumers who purchased the recalled eggs should not eat them and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

According to the FDA, salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults, frail individuals and people with weakened immune systems. 

Healthy people infected with salmonella may experience fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. 

In rare and severe cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause more serious illnesses, including arterial infections, infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis. 

A 2.5-dozen box of Cal-Maine Sunups Grade A Medium eggs is included in the Midwest Poultry Services recall. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Fox News)

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Consumers with questions can contact Midwest Poultry Services’ consumer helpline at 574-405-9531, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, or email recallassistance@mpseggs.com.

The couple’s system of sharing money remained the same even when Max was made redundant last year and they had to rely on Hannah’s salary of between £40,000 and £60,000.

“There was shock and panic initially,” Hannah, who did not want to disclose her precise salary, says. “But we sat down and really looked through where we could cut things out.”

They cancelled gym memberships and Sky TV and went through their finances to make sure they could cover their mortgage and bills on a lower income.

Max had trained at culinary school instead of doing A-levels and university, but had moved away from hospitality because he felt it would not pay enough.

When he was made redundant he wanted to use the opportunity to create his own business in something he genuinely enjoyed – but Hannah had reservations.

“At first I told him to set this up alongside getting another job but we quickly realised the business would take a lot of time and energy,” she says.

“We ran the numbers and decided that this was the right moment to take the risk given we don’t have kids and no one else is depending on us.”

Max spent £20,000 from his redundancy package buying and converting a horsebox trailer into a pizza truck, which now caters for weddings, parties and pop-ups.

He says the money he invested was their agreed limit to make the business work and if it failed he would find another job rather than putting in more.

The business now brings in between £4,000 and £6,000 a month in revenue and Max pays himself a salary that covers the mortgage.

“It will be incredibly frustrating for borrowers to see rates rise back up to where they were a month ago. The positive progress over recent weeks now feels all but lost, but what the market needs is a period of stability,” said Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts.

She said 100 deals had been pulled temporarily as lenders reconsider their pricing plans.

She suggested that anyone who needed to remortgage this year could lock in a new deal now with their existing lender ahead of time, but should also seek help from a broker to see whether there are better deals elsewhere.

“Brokers are an anchor during turbulent times as they can help borrowers keep abreast of changes and be there step by step when going through a mortgage application,” she said.

Borrowers had been heartened by the regular falls in mortgage rates during June and early July, but brokers say the latest changes are evidence of the uncertainty in the sector.

“Any borrower hoping for rate cuts to become an ongoing trend will need to rethink,” said David Hollingworth, of L&C Mortgages.

“Momentum has performed an about turn and now clearly shifted to fixed rates rising in the near term at least.”