Author: Jordan

Weighed down by real estate losses, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board returned 6.5% in fiscal 2026, well off its benchmark’s 11.7% return. The gain raised its asset value to C$320.6 billion ($228.4 billion), up from C$300 billion a year earlier.The pension fund attributed the underperformance to macroeconomic trends that “created a more challenging environment for private markets,” adding that the use of public-market-based benchmarks can diverge from private asset performance over shorter time horizons. Currency movements erased 2.2% from its return during the fiscal year, partially offsetting the 5.8% currency gain from fiscal 2025.“Despite heightened volatility and uncertainty, PSP Investments…

Recently, Oppenheimer placed Alexandria Real Estate Equities on its preferred sell list, reinforcing broader Wall Street caution toward the life science-focused REIT despite its strong presence in innovation hubs. At the same time, Alexandria has been recognized as a top-tier employer in talent readiness, suggesting its people-focused culture may be an important intangible asset for long-term competitiveness. Next, we’ll see how Oppenheimer’s preferred sell rating and cautious sentiment might influence Alexandria’s existing investment narrative and risk profile. AI is about to change healthcare. These 41 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part -…

Dudley Building Society has reduced rates across its residential, buy-to-let and expat mortgage ranges, with cuts of up to 1.10%. Dudley Building Society has reduced mortgage rates across its residential, buy-to-let and expat ranges, with selected products falling by as much as 1.10%. Available for both purchase and remortgage customers, the changes cover 2-year and 5-year fixed rate mortgages, discounted rate products, residential interest-only options and selected buy-to-let and expat products. Among the reductions, the residential 5-year fixed rate at 75% loan-to-value has fallen from 6.20% to 5.10%, while the residential expat 2-year fixed rate at 75% LTV has reduced…

KAREN JOY BACUDO Finance Editor Festina Finance has secured a growth investment of more than EUR €25 million from Birchway Capital, valuing the Danish pensions technology company at about EUR €200 million. The investment gives the UK-based growth equity firm a stake in a business focused on software for pensions, life insurance and financial planning. The new funding will support further development of Festina Finance’s life and pension platform, team growth and expansion across European markets. Festina Finance operates in Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK and Norway, and employs more than 200 people. Its platforms are used by customers responsible…

The BSA also noted that in 2025, building societies paid savers £2.1 billion more in interest than the average rates offered by the largest banks. “With the Bank Rate unchanged, many homeowners and prospective buyers will welcome the stability after several weeks of uncertainty,” said Paul Broadhead (pictured right), head of mortgage and housing policy at the Building Societies Association. “While mortgage interest rates remain higher than at the start of the year, the market remains active with strong competition between lenders and average mortgage rates have reduced over the past three months. “What these figures demonstrate is the value…

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A South Buffalo couple returned home from a trip to find city workers had entered their yard and cut down a tree without their permission.Dan and Sarah Marinaro have lived at the property for 42 years. They said the tree is more than 200 years old. When it was damaged last weekend during a storm, the city cut it down without notifying them. “We got a phone call Monday from my brother who said they’re tearing your tree down,” Dan said.After calling the city to find out why, they were told workers responded to a 311…

Propertymark has called on the Home Office to simplify its draft Right to Rent guidance, warning that current regulations are too complex for letting agents to implement effectively in day-to-day operations. The professional body submitted its response to a government consultation on a new Code of Practice designed to prevent unlawful discrimination in the rental sector. The organisation highlighted that existing guidance fails to adequately address the operational realities of letting agents who conduct checks on behalf of landlords. Compliance challenges Right to Rent checks require landlords and agents to verify the immigration status of prospective adult tenants before a…

Sharon AI announced an oversubscribed $1.6 billion strategic financing to accelerate the expansion of its AI factories across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The financing was anchored by Situational Awareness and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, along with new and existing institutional and strategic investors. The transaction includes a private placement of approximately $900 million, split between common stock and pre-funded warrants, along with a private placement of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% convertible senior notes due 2032. Sharon AI plans to use the proceeds to support its previously announced six-year strategic compute collaboration with NVIDIA. Through…

On June 15, 2026, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed H.583 into law, establishing Vermont’s first statutory framework specifically addressing private equity (PE) firm and hedge fund influence over clinical decision-making in the health care sector.1 H.583 does not prohibit PE or corporate ownership of health care facilities, but it does restrict decision-making on key clinically related business matters to licensees. Given this, although the bill doesn’t technically create ownership restrictions, it does create restrictions on what the PE or corporate owner can have control over. Whether it will be easier to utilize a PC-MSO structure to comply with the law…

Thomas Cook (India) Limited has introduced an industry-first cross-border rewards programme for its Forex Card customers, rewarding international spending across leading global retail brands and payment platforms. The initiative is designed to encourage greater adoption of cashless payments while enhancing the value proposition of prepaid forex cards for Indian travellers.As international travel becomes increasingly digital, travellers are relying more on contactless and wallet-based payments for everyday expenses, from dining and shopping to transportation and entertainment. Recognising this shift, Thomas Cook India has launched a rewards programme that offers customers meaningful benefits on overseas spending while promoting secure, cashless transactions.Under the…