China’s Unitree Robotics, a high-profile robotics unicorn based in Hangzhou, is planning an initial public offering (IPO) with a target valuation of up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion), according to sources familiar with the company’s plans. Unitree gained global attention last year with videos showcasing robots capable of human-like mobility—walking, climbing, and carrying loads....
Emerging Market Portfolios Attract Nearly $45 Billion in August – But Cracks Appear
Investors funneled $44.8 billion into emerging market (EM) equities and debt portfolios in August, the largest inflow in almost a year, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF). Jonathan Fortun, senior economist at IIF, notes: “Investor positioning appears increasingly sensitive to headline risk and policy noise, especially in economies exposed to external shocks or...
Italy Engages Pirelli and Shareholders to Address Governance Concerns
Italy’s government is working “constructively” with Pirelli and its investors to resolve a governance dispute that has impacted the tyre maker in recent years. The government aims to ensure that Pirelli remains fully competitive in all markets while complying with evolving regulatory requirements. The focus is on managing the role of state-backed Chinese shareholder Sinochem,...
Switzerland and UBS Signal Willingness to Compromise on Capital Rules
Switzerland and UBS are reportedly signalling a willingness to find common ground on new bank capital requirements, potentially paving the way for parliament to approve rules acceptable to both the government and the bank. UBS has strongly criticised the government’s proposed regulations—introduced in June after the 2023 Credit Suisse collapse—which would have required an additional...
Botswana Launches New Sovereign Wealth Fund to Drive Growth and Jobs
Botswana has established a new sovereign wealth fund aimed at economic diversification, job creation, and management of state-owned companies. This initiative comes as the Southern African nation faces a downturn in its diamond-dependent economy, which contributes roughly 75% of exports and one-third of fiscal revenue. Unlike the existing Pula Fund, which primarily serves as a...
Figure Technologies Upsizes IPO Amid Surging Crypto Interest
Stablecoin issuer Figure Technologies has increased both the size and price range of its IPO, now targeting $20–$22 per share and 31.5 million shares, potentially raising $693 million and valuing the company at $4.66 billion. Trading is set to begin on Nasdaq under the symbol FIGR this Thursday. Co-founded in 2018 by tech entrepreneur Mike...
