19 hours ago

Low-cost airlines in the United States are seeking temporary tax relief as rising jet fuel prices put pressure on their operations. The increase, linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran, has already led to higher baggage fees, reduced flights and slower capacity expansion across North America. A group of budget carriers has approached lawmakers to suspend certain federal ticket taxes to ease cost pressures. Without intervention, airlines indicate that passengers may face higher travel costs. The situation also adds strain to financially weaker carriers like Spirit Airlines, which is already dealing with restructuring challenges.Read more

23 Apr 2026

Canada’s housing starts recorded a decline in the past month, going against market expectations of an increase. Data released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation showed a 6 per cent drop compared to the previous month, with the annualised pace falling below economist estimates. The slowdown reflects a weaker-than-expected construction trend despite earlier momentum. The revised figures for the previous month were also highlighted, indicating that while activity had been stronger earlier, the latest data points to some moderation in residential development across the country.Read more

23 Apr 2026

Egypt’s Talaat Moustafa Group has announced plans to develop a large mixed-use city named The Spine to the east of Cairo, with an investment of around USD 27 billion. The project will be developed in partnership with the National Bank of Egypt and structured as a Special Investment Zone alongside the developer’s existing Madinaty project. Spread across about 2.4 million square metres, it will include residential, commercial, hospitality, and green spaces. The development is expected to contribute significantly to Egypt’s economy through tax revenues and job creation.Read more

23 Apr 2026

USA Rare Earth has agreed to acquire Brazil-based miner Serra Verde in a USD 2.8 billion deal comprising cash and shares, as part of its strategy to build an integrated rare earth supply chain. The transaction includes a USD 300 million cash component and equity issuance, with completion expected later this year. Serra Verde’s Pela Ema mine, one of the few sources outside Asia capable of producing key magnetic rare earths, strengthens supply security ambitions in Western markets. The acquisition follows recent US-backed funding support for both companies and aligns with efforts to reduce reliance on Asian supply chains for critical minerals.Read more

23 Apr 2026

Britain’s aviation regulator has proposed allowing Heathrow Airport to recover up to USD 433 million in early expansion-related costs. The move is aimed at supporting planning and design work as the airport prepares for a proposed third runway. The regulator believes early cost recovery is necessary to ensure timely project delivery while maintaining consumer safeguards. The proposal is currently under consultation, with a final decision expected in the coming months. The development comes as Heathrow faces capacity constraints and rising competition from other major European airports.Read more

23 Apr 2026

Neinor Homes has announced a planned leadership transition, with current CEO Borja García-Egotxeaga set to step down at the end of 2026. The company has named its Chief Financial Officer, Jordi Argemi, as the successor, with a phased transition already underway. Argemi has been appointed co-CEO and will take full charge from 2027. The move is aimed at ensuring continuity following a period of expansion in Spain’s residential sector. Argemi has played a key role in several major deals, including mergers, partnerships, and acquisitions that have shaped Neinor’s growth strategy in recent years.Read more

23 Apr 2026

FBG Holdings Bhd announced that its subsidiary has accepted a letter of award from MTD Construction for a specialist contractor role in the MIROS crash test facilities laboratory equipment project. The contract, valued at MYR 40.2 million, marks a significant addition to the company’s order book. The project involves supplying and managing specialised laboratory systems for crash testing infrastructure. This development reflects steady demand in infrastructure-linked technical projects and follows similar contract wins by regional construction-linked firms in recent quarters.Read more

23 Apr 2026

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust has entered into two major transactions in Singapore, involving the sale of Asia Square Tower 2 and the acquisition of Paragon. The combined deal value stands at around SGD 6.4 billion. The move reflects the trust’s strategy to shift capital from a leasehold office asset to a freehold mixed-use development with stronger returns. The sale is expected to generate a notable gain, while the acquisition is likely to improve distribution per unit. The transactions also highlight continued investor interest in prime Singapore real estate assets.Read more

23 Apr 2026

US homebuilders are expected to report another difficult year as rising tariffs, ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, and elevated inflation continue to compress margins and weaken buyer demand. Analysts note that the sector is still dealing with the effects of underproduction caused by past labour shortages and restrictive zoning rules, which have kept home prices high. Builders are increasingly relying on incentives such as mortgage rate buydowns to sustain sales. Spring demand has been weaker than previous years, with industry observers flagging continued cost pressure and uncertain recovery in housing activity.Read more

23 Apr 2026

National Australia Bank has indicated a sharp rise in credit impairment charges for the first half of the year, driven by global uncertainty linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. The lender expects higher bad debts as economic risks increase, particularly affecting sectors like transport, agriculture, construction and commercial real estate. Additional provisioning and market volatility are likely to impact its capital position. The bank also plans to raise funds through a discounted dividend reinvestment plan. This move follows a similar step by Westpac, highlighting broader stress in the banking sector due to global inflation and interest rate pressures.Read more