TPV Technology, a key global display manufacturer, delivered flat revenue growth in 2024 but faced a sharp earnings decline. Its first-quarter 2025 results underscore intensifying operational challenges, including worsening cash flow and rising debt, clouding its short-term financial outlook.

Central Bank governor Chin-Long Yang has stepped forward to dispel rumors regarding exchange rate fluctuations, urging the market not to speculate on foreign exchange issues. He stressed the importance of maintaining order and stability in the forex market to prevent adverse effects on the real economy. Yang also highlighted that the Central Bank has detected signs of speculative currency trading by “vultures” and is closely monitoring the situation.

The US is charting a new course for defense spending, with President Donald Trump’s administration proposing a 13% increase that would push the Pentagon’s 2026 budget to an unprecedented US$1.01 trillion. While funding for medical research and education faces deep cuts, the White House is prioritizing investments to strengthen national security, deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and revitalize America’s defense industrial base. The move aligns with a global trend of escalating military budgets, as nations respond to heightened geopolitical tensions.

On May 5, On Semiconductor (Onsemi) reported a 22% revenue drop to US$1.45 billion in the first quarter of 2025, with margins squeezed by lower utilization and pricing pressures. The company is streamlining its portfolio, exiting non-core businesses, and boosting silicon carbide (SiC) wins in China’s EV market to navigate the downturn.