China Inc by BBW

Macao's end of an era, and a ghost ship in search of a business

An era has ended in Macao with the planned closure of the city's remaining "satellite casinos" by the end of the year. Does this represent the latest step in the corporatization of Macao? And former financier-turned-educator-turned -food seller Qudian has announced it's pulling out of its latest foray into last-mile delivery. What value for investors is there in this kind of ever-changing company?

Labubu fever, and a skincare brawl

An early edition toy based on the red-hot Labubu character has fetched a record $150,000 in a recent auction. What's driving the craze, and is it sustainable? And a high-profile tussle between two leading skincare brands has left one of them bruised, with its stock down 30%. How can investors steer clear of this kind of damage?

WeRide's big share repurchase, and Huawei's PC Harmony

Huawei has released a PC version of its Harmony operating system, as well as two models using the OS. How likely are other PC and smartphone makers to adopt this made-in-China OS? And WeRide has launched a $100 million share buyback less than a year after its IPO. What prompted the move, and is this the best use of its dwindling cash?

Zeekr's Buyout Stalls, and Chagee's Returns Cool

A group of early investors in NEV maker Zeekr have protested a recent privatization bid for the company, saying it's too low. Will the buyer heed their complaints and raise its offer? And Chagee's maiden quarterly results show its revenue grew at just half the rate of its new store openings. What's behind the evaporting returns?

Russia's Chinese Car Indigestion, and the Fall of a Chinese Chip Magnate

After zooming over the last few years, China's car exports to Russia skidded by 44% in the first quarter. What put on the brakes? And former microchip superstar Zhao Guowei has been sentenced to death for waste and corruption. What led to his downfall?

Starbucks Seeks a China Partner, and Vaping Looks to Diversify

Starbucks has reportedly sent invitations to several parties interested in buying part of its struggling China operations. What kind of partner is the U.S. coffee giant likely to choose? And vaping companies are scrambling to diversify production away from China over concerns about Donald Trump's tariffs. Where are they going, and will they escape the tariff threat?

Uber's Chinese Robotaxi Romance, and Webull's Strong Debut

Uber has signed new alliances with Chinese robotaxi operators Momenta and Pony AI, and fortified an existing partnership with WeRide. Why the sudden embrace of Chinese robotaxis? And Webull's stock has charged from the gate with massive gains following its SPAC listing. What's driving this company, which is an unusual hybrid of a U.S.-based business with strong China ties?

A Bagel Success Story, and a Red Bull Slayer

Tim Hortons is tasting some new success in China with a bagel formula. Will this mark the start of a turnaround for the struggling chain? And a Red Bull killer named Eastroc has filed to list in Hong Kong. What’s the secret to its success, and will it attract investors to its story?

Delisting Speculation, and a New Tea Listing

Speculation is growing on a potential delisting of Chinese shares from New York in the growing US-China trade war. Could such a mass delisting really happen? And a purist premium tea maker named Chagee raises $400 million in a Nasdaq IPO. What sets this company apart from its many rivals?

Fintech Lender Rebound, and a Hotel Mess

Fintech lenders are entering a new golden era, with Jiayin reporting 46% growth for its core consumer lending business in last year's fourth quarter and forecasting similar gains this year. What's driving this rebound? And hotelier H World is still trying to fix a German acquisition from 2019 that wiped out its profit in the fourth quarter of last year. Will the Chinese hotelier be able to turn around this money-losing offshore asset?