Healthcare · Energy
PARK CITY, Utah, August 14, 2026--WEBs Investments Inc. (WEBs) announced today its intention to close 11 series within its Defined Volatility Sector ETFs suite of funds: WEBs Energy XLE Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Materials XLB Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Industrials XLI Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Consumer Discretionary XLY Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Consumer Staples XLP Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Health Care XLV Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Financial XLF Defined Volatility ETF, WEBs Tec
Aug 14 · 23:00·Business Wire
Finance · Retail
Washington, D.C.--(August 14, 2026) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged New York resident Andrew Spaventa and three entities he owned and controlled with fraud and other violations in connection with unregistered securities offerings of private funds that purportedly provided retail investors an opportunity to invest in shares of “pre-IPO” private companies while charging hidden fees. According to the SEC’s complaint, between approximately...
Aug 14 · 21:12·Newsfile
Real estate · Energy
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 14, 2026 -- The utility-funded coalition pushing for a utility bailout in Sacramento, deceptively named "Wildfire Victims First," issued a press release August 10(opens in new tab) touting three "housing advocates and labor leaders" encouraging Newsom...
Aug 14 · 20:47·PR Newswire
Finance · Retail
NEW YORK, August 14, 2026--Seritage Growth Properties (NYSE: SRG) (the "Company"), a national owner and developer of retail, residential and mixed-use properties today reported financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026.
Aug 14 · 20:22·Business Wire
Finance · SaaS
HONG KONG, August 14, 2026 - In recent years, the digital economy has deeply penetrated global consumer markets. The online fashion industry, with its unique advantages of lightweight operations, high iteration speed, and global reach, has entered a golden period of rapid growth, unlocking substantial development space and opportunities for related sectors. In this context, enterprises equipped with digital core capabilities, global expansion advantages, and distinctive supply chain systems are gradually securing a competitive edge in industry development.
As a leading enterprise in the global online fashion industry, SHEIN accurately captures the trends of digital consumption. Relying on its original business model, intelligent supply chain system, and global operational capabilities, it continues to break through industry bottlenecks, drives the transformation and upgrading of the global fast fashion sector, and sets a benchmark for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas.
Benchmarking Against Fashion Enterprises Inditex and H&M: Forging a Distinctive LATR Operational Model
Founded in 2012, SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle enterprise. The Company has consistently pursued a global footprint, benchmarking itself against leading international fashion conglomerates including Inditex and H&M, setting it apart from conventional region-focused Chinese brands.
The Company now owns an array of globally renowned fashion brands, with its business footprint spanning roughly 160 markets worldwide. It has cultivated diversified revenue streams to effectively mitigate risks stemming from over reliance on a single market, forged a robust and sophisticated global commercial ecosystem, and secured a prominent position within the core global fast fashion sector.
The distinctive LATR operational model is the core moat that propels SHEIN to the forefront of the industry. In contrast to peers such as Inditex and H&M, whose models tend to converge and lack meaningful differentiation, SHEIN’s proprietary operational system has significantly optimized the operational value chain of the fashion industry, cultivating a distinctive and defensible competitive advantage.
In terms of business model innovation, SHEIN has achieved a disruptive breakthrough by pioneering its proprietary operational model, the Large-scale Automated Test Reorder (LATR) system. This model represents the optimal solution to the long-standing trilemma confronting the fashion apparel industry, and has fundamentally revolutionized the traditional operational logic governing apparel production, sales, and iteration.
Supported by the Company’s end-to-end smart supply chain and responsive global fulfillment infrastructure, the LATR system facilitates the optimal equilibrium across product assortment diversity, speed-to-market in design, and inventory control. Consequently, it addresses the persistent trilemma that has long beset the industry, and serves as a catalyst for the global fast-fashion sector’s transition from a conventional extensive-growth model to a refined, digitally-enabled, and sustainable development trajectory.
The impressive growth figures underscore SHEIN’s robust momentum. From 2023 to 2025, the Company’s active customers increased from 186 million to 273 million, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.2%, significantly outpacing traditional international industry giants.
In terms of operational efficiency and value creation, SHEIN’s advantages are particularly distinctive. Its operational efficiency substantially surpasses that of its peers, with inventory turnover days of only 36 days, markedly better than the industry benchmarks of 71 days for Inditex, 114 days for Fast Retailing, and 164 days for Adidas.
Meanwhile, underpinned by a rigorous cost-control and highly pragmatic corporate culture, the Company has consistently pursued cost reduction and efficiency enhancement initiatives, continuously optimizing its cash flow. Furthermore, SHEIN demonstrates strong cash generation capabilities and has made a solemn commitment to maintain a dividend payout ratio of no less than 50% following its listing, thereby delivering stable returns to investors.
Sound Financial Fundamentals and Valuation on Par with Global Fashion Giants
Driven by its proven business model, continuously iterating technological capabilities, and global channel footprint, SHEIN has recorded sustained and solid growth in operating performance, alongside steadily improving profitability.
According to the Prospectus, SHEIN generated net revenue of US$41.8 billion in 2025, representing a CAGR of 14.2% from 2023 to 2025, with steady revenue expansion and sustained growth momentum. During the same period, the Company achieved a net profit of US$2.064 billion, reflecting excellent earnings quality and underscoring its exceptional operational resilience and growth vitality.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Company sustained its steady growth trajectory, generating net revenue of US$9.1 billion for the period, representing a year-over-year increase of 1.1%. Against the backdrop of global consumer market volatility and intensifying industry competition, it maintained positive growth, demonstrating solid commercialization and monetization capabilities as well as robust resilience to risks.
Against the industry benchmark of 25x price to earnings ratio (P/E ratio) for Inditex in FY2027 and 20x P/E ratio for H&M in FY2027, SHEIN, underpinned by its differentiated business model, strong growth momentum and leading operational efficiency, possesses the fundamental basis for a valuation that is comparable to, or even on par with, global fashion giants.
Current market analysts assign SHEIN a P/E valuation range of 20x to 30x, positioning it between H&M and Inditex. According to Reuters, the Company’s target valuation for this IPO is in the range of US$35 billion to US$40 billion, fully reflecting its solid operational fundamentals and long-term growth potential.
Innovation drives industrial upgrading. Deep cultivation fuels global development. With over a decade of deep engagement in the industry, SHEIN, leveraging its unique business model, solid supply chain capabilities and deep global brand equity, has completed a transformative leap from a rising Chinese cross-border player to a global fashion leader.
Following its successful listing on the Hong Kong capital market, SHEIN will leverage the international capital platform of the Hong Kong stock market to further deepen technological innovation, optimize its global footprint and reinforce its industry moats. With vast market headroom and abundant growth momentum, the Company’s future development potential is well worth investors’ high expectations.
Aug 14 · 07:41·ACN Newswire
Finance · SaaS
- Customers can now make Visa card payments directly when using SFHK’s doorstep pickup and delivery services, adding a more secure and convenient card payment option to SFHK’s service.
- From today until 30 November 2026, Visa cardholders can enjoy an exclusive HKD3 cash rebate for every HKD30 spent on eligible single SFHK transactions after registering on the designated rewards platform, applicable to both doorstep delivery payments and parcel shipments at SF Stores.
HONG KONG, August 14, 2026 - 13 August 2026, Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced a partnership with S.F. Express (Hong Kong) Limited ("SFHK"), to bring secure, seamless and contactless card payment experiences to everyday sending and receiving services, enabling customers to pay conveniently and confidently throughout their logistics journey. Building upon Visa acceptance currently available at SF stores, this collaboration extends contactless payment to more touchpoints, allowing customers to pay with Visa directly at their doorsteps when sending or receiving parcels via couriers. By integrating Visa’s safe and efficient payment capability from purchase to delivery, the partnership delivers a smoother, safer and more flexible experience for consumers.
Enhancing logistics payment flexibility to meet evolving consumers and merchant needs
As eCommerce continues to grow, delivery has become one of the most frequent consumer touchpoints. While cash on delivery has traditionally remained popular by giving buyers a sense of comfort and reassurance when receiving physical goods, there is a growing preference for digitalised payment options. As cashless habits take hold, the market is transitioning from traditional cash on delivery to modernised digital payment on delivery at the point of handover.
To meet this demand, Visa provides a trusted, secure payment method that consumers already rely on daily. By expanding Visa card acceptance across SFHK's network, customers can now use their preferred Visa cards when receiving or sending parcels at their doorsteps. SFHK couriers equipped with smart handheld devices – enabled by The Payment Cards Group (Yedpay)’s digital payment solution – can process payments directly upon delivery or pickup, covering a full range of payment scenarios including freight charges and Cash-on-Delivery (COD). This preserves the reassurance of paying only when the package arrives, while delivering the speed, security, and convenience of digital payments.
Furthermore, as a major global trade hub, Hong Kong is experiencing rising demand for doorstep payment options when consumers purchase from international merchants. By extending Visa acceptance across the delivery process, Hong Kong consumers can shop from overseas merchants and boutique brands with greater ease, enjoying a familiar and trusted payment option upon delivery.
"As one of the world's most important trading hubs, Hong Kong depends on the efficient movement of goods, services and payments," said Paulina Leong, General Manager of Visa Hong Kong and Macau. "SFHK plays a vital role across logistics customer touchpoints, making it an ideal partner as we work to deliver a seamless and secure end-to-end commerce journey. By integrating Visa's global payment capabilities with SFHK's extensive delivery network, we are helping to modernise how payments are accepted across logistics touchpoints, streamlining operations, reducing cash handling, and bringing greater efficiency, convenience and security to courier and delivery services. As digital trade continues to grow, we believe this model can be scaled across markets to benefit logistics providers, merchants and consumers alike.”
SFHK’s extensive service network drives seamless integration of digital payments across delivery touchpoints
As one of Hong Kong’s leading logistics providers, SFHK operates an extensive network with service coverage across Hong Kong supported by over 140 SF Stores, providing convenient access points across the city. With high daily parcel volumes and multiple consumer touchpoints, SFHK has evolved into a high-frequency platform connecting customers with delivery services across both physical and digital environments.
Mr. Steve Shum, Head of Hong Kong and Macau Regions at SF Express, stated, "We are pleased to partner with Visa to bring greater payment flexibility to our customers across Hong Kong. At SF, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the logistics and delivery experience, and offering more payment choices is an essential part of that commitment. This collaboration extends Visa payment beyond our SF stores directly to customers’ doorsteps, enabling a seamless contactless payment experience when sending and receiving parcels. We look forward to exploring further opportunities with Visa to seamlessly integrate digital payment into smart logistics, continuously elevating the overall logistics service experience in Hong Kong."
Exclusive promotional offers for Visa cardholders in Hong Kong
To celebrate the partnership, Visa and SFHK are launching an exclusive limited-time promotional offer for customers across Hong Kong. From today until 30 November 2026, Visa cardholders can enjoy HKD3 cash rebate for every single HKD30 spent on eligible SFHK transactions.
To participate, customers can register via the Visa Select Rewards platform prior to making a transaction. Eligible rebates will be credited directly to the cardholder’s statement, providing a seamless and rewarding payment experience.
For registration and more details, please visit the Visa Select Rewards Platform:
https://visaselectrewardhk.com/campaign/C202607290001
Please click here to download the high-resolution images.
[1] Eligible Cardholders can enjoy the Promotion up to four 4 times during promotional period. Terms and Conditions apply.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
About SFHK
SFHK leverages its robust logistics network to provide customers with a diverse range of courier services and one-stop integrated logistics solutions. Our core business in Hong Kong encompasses local, cross-border, and international express and logistics services, cold chain delivery, warehouse management and distribution, as well as SF Locker services for last-mile delivery.
For more details, please visit our website: https://htm.sf-express.com/hk/en
Media Contact
Visa
Visa
Stefanie Wong
Melody Kung
Corporate Communications Manager
Senior Account Executive
Visa Hong Kong and Macau
Hoffman Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2842 2314
Tel: +852 6056 7860
Email: stefanie.wong@visa.com
Email: mkung@hoffman.com
SFHK
Jessie Chan
Assistant Manager, Public Affairs
S.F. Express (Hong Kong) Limited
Tel: +852 3123 5106
Email: sfnws@sf-express.com
Aug 14 · 02:18·ACN Newswire
Retail
Amazon's investments are boosting the state's economy while creating opportunities for those who call Maryland home.
Aug 13 · 16:20·Amazon
Finance · AI
NEW YORK, Aug 13, 2026 - SunScout Holding Limited (NYSE American: SNSC) develops autonomous solar-powered robotic mowers and complementary solar energy solutions. The company has principal operations in New Zealand and the United States and is incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
SunScout commenced concurrent trading on NYSE American and NYSE Texas on August 12, 2026, becoming the first issuer with this combination of domicile and operational footprint to list on both exchanges. The offering was priced at $5.00 per Class A ordinary share, yielding gross proceeds of approximately $15.5 million. Upon closing, the company will have approximately 23.1 million Class A ordinary shares outstanding, implying a market capitalization of roughly $115.5 million based on the offer price.
NYSE Texas, launched by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in March 2025 and headquartered in Dallas, currently hosts listed companies with an aggregate market capitalization exceeding $3.9 trillion, positioning it as a significant U.S. capital‑markets hub. The dual listing is expected to enhance SunScout’s brand visibility across the United States, particularly in Texas, where the company is pursuing strategic expansion, while also broadening its investor base.
Three‑Pronged Clean‑Tech Portfolio; SunScout Products Emerges as Key Growth Driver
As detailed in its prospectus, SunScout designs, develops, manufactures, and commercializes autonomous solar‑powered robotic mowers alongside complementary solar‑energy solutions. Its operations are organized into three segments: SunScout Products (autonomous solar-powered robotic mowers and complementary products), solar power development solutions, and engineering products and services under the Brunton Engineering brand, which encompasses clean‑energy hardware and high‑precision manufacturing.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the company reported total revenue of approximately $4.8 million, representing year‑over‑year growth of 93.6%. Solar power development solutions contributed approximately 40.9% of total revenue, while engineering products and services accounted for approximately 31.1%. Revenue from SunScout Products rose to approximately 28.0% of total revenue, up from approximately 18.5% in FY2024, demonstrating strong growth momentum.
The prospectus explicitly notes that while solar power development and engineering services currently generate the majority of top‑line revenue, the SunScout Products segment captures long‑term growth opportunities aligned with global market expansion and is positioned as a core growth engine, accelerating the company’s transition toward a higher‑value, product‑driven business model.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the global robotic lawn mower market is on a robust growth trajectory, valued at roughly $2.4 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $4.7 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4%. Robotic mowers still represent a small fraction of the broader lawn‑equipment market, leaving significant room for penetration.
Rising labor shortages and escalating lawn‑maintenance costs are fueling demand for automation. Concurrently, regulatory initiatives worldwide to phase out gasoline‑powered outdoor equipment are gaining momentum, accelerating industry electrification. Shifting consumer preferences toward intelligent, convenient solutions are fostering deeper integration of robotic mowers with smart‑home ecosystems and the Internet of Things (IoT), creating substantial headroom for automated electric mowing solutions.
Proprietary DSA Technology Enables True Off‑Grid Operation
SunScout’s core competitive advantage lies in its proprietary Deployable Solar Array (DSA) technology, which allows its robotic mowers to operate entirely on solar power, achieving genuine off‑grid performance without reliance on electrical outlets. Conventional gasoline‑powered mowers emit carbon emissions, and while existing electric mowers eliminate direct emissions, they remain dependent on fixed charging infrastructure, constraining operational range and flexibility.
The DSA mechanism enables solar panels to automatically deploy when stationary, tripling the surface area to maximize solar‑energy capture for onboard battery charging; panels retract during movement to preserve maneuverability. This design supports fully solar‑dependent, zero‑emission autonomous mowing, augmented by autonomous navigation and AI‑powered obstacle avoidance capabilities.
According to the company, few competing products can function completely independent of external power sources. This capability unlocks deployments at sites without power outlets or charging facilities—such as golf courses, public parks, and large‑scale green spaces—delivering meaningful advantages for continuous autonomous field operations. Over the longer term, DSA‑based hardware insulates operating costs from electricity‑price inflation and enables rollouts in regions with limited or unreliable grid infrastructure.
SunScout also emphasizes that its technology platform is highly adaptable and platform‑agnostic, opening potential applications beyond lawn mowing, including agricultural robotics, onboard solar‑charging systems for electric vehicles, autonomous patrol robots, and other mobile machinery.
Three‑Tier Product Lineup and Rapidly Expanding Global Distribution
SunScout’s autonomous solar‑powered robotic mower portfolio comprises three modular models: the residential‑grade SunScout Eco, light‑commercial SunScout Pro, and large‑institutional‑focused SunScout ProMax. The modular architecture supports incremental upgrades without extensive redesign, facilitating efficient global deployment across diverse terrain and climate conditions.
For example, the entry‑level SunScout Eco integrates high‑efficiency photovoltaic panels into the top housing, converting sunlight to supply all energy required for propulsion, cutting assemblies, and onboard electronics. The unit employs a multi‑sensor suite and AI‑enhanced dual‑camera visual navigation to map work zones, identify lawn boundaries and obstacles, and optimize mowing routes. For larger and more complex sites, RTK satellite navigation is available to deliver centimeter‑level positioning accuracy.
On commercial‑channel development, SunScout has established distribution partnerships with Wrissmer Werkstattsysteme GmbH (WWS) in Europe and MowBot Limited in Australia and New Zealand, and is in active discussions regarding potential distribution cooperation with major retailers, including Walmart.
Beyond robotic hardware, the company provides end‑to‑end solar power development solutions, including system design, installation, and full engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients. Through its Brunton Engineering brand, it also offers engineering products and services leveraging nearly 30 years of precision‑fabrication and mechanical‑engineering expertise, and is an accredited supplier to the New Zealand Defence Force.
On the manufacturing front, assembly is currently conducted via SunScout Asia in Thailand. The company is advancing the establishment of an assembly and distribution center in Austin, Texas, through its U.S. subsidiary, which will build domestic production capacity and support long‑term North American expansion, aligning with U.S. policy emphasis on domestic robotics and technology supply chains. Recent actions by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) restricting authorizations for certain foreign‑produced robotic products further underscore the growing importance of domestic manufacturing and supply‑chain resilience.
Net proceeds from the offering are expected to be used primarily for: (i) construction of the Austin manufacturing facility; (ii) sales and marketing activities; (iii) product research and development; (iv) inventory procurement; (v) repayment of one loan; (vi) consideration for the acquisition of Brightway Energy LLC; and (vii) general working capital purposes.
Against the backdrop of accelerating global clean‑energy transition and continued expansion of the robotic‑mower market, market participants will closely monitor whether SunScout can leverage its proprietary off‑grid solar‑robotics technology to differentiate itself amid intensifying industry competition.
Note: This translation has been calibrated against the company’s registration statement on Form F‑1 (File No. 333‑295248), as declared effective by the SEC on August 11, 2026. All financial data, segment descriptions, and legal status reflect the prospectus disclosures. Certain distributor names and retail discussions are retained as stated in the prospectus; for definitive terms, please refer to the final prospectus.
For more information, please contact:
Golden Fleece Cross-border Consulting Co., Limited
Email: heidiho@goldenfleece.hk
Aug 13 · 15:00·ACN Newswire
AI · Retail
Austin, Texas—Aug 13, 2026 Oracle today announced the general availability of Oracle Exadata Database Service on Exascale Infrastructure on Oracle AI Database@AWS , bringing Exadata-class performance and pay-per-use economics to Oracle AI Database workloads of any scale. Oracle and Amazon Web Services (AWS) also signed an expanded, long-term strategic collaboration agreement focused on accelerating customer migration
Aug 13 · 12:00·Oracle
AI · Retail
SAP is committed to innovation in order management.
Aug 13 · 11:15·SAP
AI · Retail
“What I really like about the glasses is the speed at which I get the information I need – instead of waiting for someone to read a letter or waiting for someone to tell me what I have in the fridge, I’ll just do it on impulse. Now I’m doing things for myself independently, that maybe before I wouldn’t have done.” — Brian Manning, Vision Ireland Meta is donating 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta glasses to Vision Ireland, Ireland’s national sight loss charity. This is enough for every blind and visually impaired adult the charity supports – because we believe the Future is for Everyone. Ray-Ban Meta glasses, built in collaboration with Europe’s EssilorLuxottica, are one of the fastest growing consumer products and we are making sure we are building them for everyone. People use our glasses because they’re genuinely helpful – from listening to music, to live translation and hands-free calls – and they can be life-changing for people who are blind or have low vision. These glasses will give people who are blind or low vision in Ireland access to transformative AI technology that can help with everyday tasks like reading text, identifying objects and accessing information about the world around them. Vision Ireland is Ireland’s national sight loss charity and earlier this year jointly hosted an AI glasses Demo Day at Meta Ireland HQ. Team members from Vision Ireland and advocates from across the blind and low vision community were given hands-on tutorials with Meta’s AI glasses, and took part in a roundtable discussion where demo participants shared their feedback on their experience using the glasses. How People will Receive Their Glasses Eligible people who are blind or low vision can register their interest online via meta.vi.ie or via the dedicated phone number +353 1 882 1910. Vision Ireland will then manage a phased roll-out process from application, assessment, eligibility and selection through to in person training and support. Training & Support Every pair of glasses will include access to training, funded by Meta, designed to help people use them effectively. Training will cover how their glasses can identify objects, read text, and manage everyday tasks using only their voice — a step change in daily independence. In-person events: Vision Ireland will host events across the country where people can receive their glasses, get hands-on guidance from trained staff, and connect with other participants in the programme. Helpdesk support: Vision Ireland helpdesk will be available to support recipients with follow up questions after their training. Ireland is the home of Meta’s international headquarters and one of Meta’s largest hubs outside the US. We’ve had a significant presence in the country dating back to 2009 and now have multiple sites across the country, including our Reality Labs facility in Cork – which has played a crucial role in the development of next-generation display solutions for Meta’s AI and AR wearables, the next generation of computing. Clonee Data Center in Meath is also part of Meta’s global infrastructure that brings to life our technologies and services. Anne O’Leary, Vice President and Head of Meta Ireland, said: “I’m incredibly proud of today’s landmark donation of 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta glasses to Vision Ireland, our country’s national sight loss charity. We’ve already seen how these glasses can transform the daily lives of those with sight loss, and this partnership means that this game changing technology will continue to have a far-reaching impact for those who are blind or visually impaired.” Dina Powell-McCormick, President and Vice-Chair, Meta said: “Through this partnership with Vision Ireland, we are bringing Ray-Ban Meta glasses to thousands of blind people across the country. I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful this technology is for blind veterans in the U.S., and we’re committed to making it accessible around the world. We believe the future is for everyone, and this partnership is a powerful example of that commitment.” Chris White, Chief Executive Officer, Vision Ireland: “This transformative gift of 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta glasses to the blind and vision-impaired community will give thousands of people greater independence, confidence and choice in their everyday lives. As Ireland’s national sight loss charity, Vision Ireland is immensely proud to lead the national rollout and help ensure this innovative technology delivers meaningful and lasting impact.”
The post The Future Is for Everyone: Free AI Glasses for Every Blind and Visually Impaired Adult Vision Ireland Supports appeared first on Meta Newsroom.
Aug 13 · 05:00·Meta
AI · Retail
Doug Herrington, Amazon's CEO of Worldwide Stores, explains why conversational AI is the next format shift in retail—just as the catalog gave way to the search bar.
Aug 12 · 16:55·Amazon