Category: 3. Business

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  • Five charts that will move markets in 2026

    Five charts that will move markets in 2026

    Markets feel like they’ve been stuck in a range for many months now. In fact, after the excitement of reciprocal tariffs in early April and the collapse in the Dollar thereafter, there really wasn’t much further action in 2025. That said, though markets look quiet on the surface, there’s several areas where tensions are building. Today’s post runs through five of these.

    • Markets price only two Fed cuts through end-2027: the black line in the chart below shows the Fed’s policy rate alongside what interest rate futures price for end-2026 (blue line) and end-2027 (red line). The White House spent a lot of time in 2025 leaning on the Fed to cut, so I find it completely implausible that we get only two cuts through 2027, especially with a new Trump-appointed Fed Chair. Markets are pricing “business as usual,” when it doesn’t seem like we’ll get that.

    • The Dollar looks vulnerable: I spent much of 2025 pushing back on all the apocalyptic Dollar talk, which struck me as overly emotional. A key barometer for me is how the Dollar is holding up against emerging markets (EM), which in my mind offers a better gauge for market sentiment than G10 crosses. As the blue line in the chart below shows, the Dollar has been falling steadily against EM since the Dec. 10 Fed cut. If the Fed ends up easing more than is priced – to my first point – the Dollar could fall a lot further.

    • Japan’s Yen is increasingly distressed: the Dollar isn’t the only currency that’s in trouble. As the black line in the chart below shows, the trade-weighted Yen has fallen to an all-time low versus the G10, even as long-term rate differentials have moved sharply in favor of the Yen (blue line). This kind of decoupling is a telltale indication of fiscal distress and parallels the UK bond market blow-up in 2022. Japan is trapped by its high public debt. Yen depreciation is the safety valve.

    • The Euro zone stumbles towards deflation: a large output gap has been opening up in Germany and markets are starting to recognize this. As the blue line in the chart below shows, 5y5y forward breakeven inflation is only 0.4 percent, which is – stunningly – below COVID levels. The ECB has been doing things it shouldn’t – it’s morphed into a fiscal bailout agency for high-debt sovereigns – and thinks a hawkish stance on interest rates will absolve it of its sins. What it’s really doing is compounding one error with another. A major policy mistake is unfolding here, which will only end when Germany puts its foot down at the ECB.

    • The debasement trade roars ahead: towards the end of 2025, there were lots of questions whether year-end dynamics were driving precious metals higher and whether the start of the new year would see a sharp pull-back. As the chart below shows, that clearly hasn’t happened. All indications are that the debasement trade is much stronger than any of us had expected. As crazy as it sounds, I think this means precious metals can go a lot higher.

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  • EDQP Reawakening 2026: Unlocking The Next Value-Up Cycle For Singapore Equities

    EDQP Reawakening 2026: Unlocking The Next Value-Up Cycle For Singapore Equities

    Mr Luke Lim, Chairman of SAS
    Mr Loh Boon Chye, CEO of SGX 
    Distinguished guests 
    Ladies and Gentlemen

    1. Good morning. 

    2. Thank you for inviting me to the inaugural Singapore Equities Forum. I’d like to thank the Securities Association of Singapore (SAS) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX) for organizing the Forum. 

    3. It is wonderful to see many key stakeholders representing brokers, research analysts, fund managers and investors, here today to collectively write the next chapter for Singapore’s equity market.

    4. But we are not just writing the next chapter for Singapore’s equity market. The Government has embarked on an Economic Strategy Review aimed at charting a forward-looking path for Singapore’s economy. We are therefore also in the midst of writing the next chapter of Singapore’s economic story, and the equity market is a key part of our strategy to empower, restructure and rejuvenate the economy.

    5. Earlier this week, we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Straits Times Index. Over six decades, STI has evolved alongside Singapore’s growth story. The STI is now anchored by our banks, telecommunications and real estate firms. In 2025, STI rose 23%, reflecting global tailwinds and renewed investor interest in Singapore equities.   

    6. However, there is much more to do, and we are committed to doing more. Our equity market’s true potential extends beyond the STI, with many promising companies that remain overlooked by investors. The Forum’s theme – “Unlocking the next value-up cycle for Singapore equities” is timely. It represents a call to action to spotlight these hidden gems and drive greater interest in the full spectrum of Singapore-listed companies. 

    7. Last November, the Equities Market Review Group concluded its review and released its final report, setting out a comprehensive set of measures developed through collaboration among various stakeholders. How we execute these measures matter. In a month, we welcome the Year of the Horse in the Lunar calendar. And I thought we could draw inspiration from this most impressive animal as we  unpack our strategy for our equity market. 

    8. Let us consider the three traits of the horse: its Spirit, its Gallop, and its Stamina.

    Spirit: Reigniting Market Vitality

    9. To “reawaken” a market, we must first infuse it with renewed Spirit. This is about energy and vitality, and it means sparking greater interest in our market. MAS has allocated S$3.95 billion, out of a total of S$5 billion, across nine fund managers through the Equity Market Development Programme. Our goal is to strengthen our local fund management industry, enhance equity research and listing support, and generate greater investor interest in a segment that has typically received less attention – our small- and mid-caps companies. 

    10. By appointing a diverse mix of local and global fund managers, we are drawing fresh capital and new investors into our ecosystem and our equity market. In turn, this will strengthen the local fund management and equity research ecosystem and bolster market liquidity.

    11. Beyond fund managers, the brokerage community – including those represented here through SAS today – plays an equally vital role in our ecosystem. Brokers drive participation across various investor segments, especially among retail investors. With your market expertise and strong local networks, you can raise visibility of promising companies through research coverage and investor dialogues, such as today’s Forum. By sharing insights widely and clearly, you help investors spot value in our market, reignite momentum and give business owners the confidence to raise capital here.  

    Gallop: Scaling through Structural Reform

    12. Once we have ignited our animal spirits, we must find our gallop. This represents the speed and scale of our systemic reforms to improve the overall effectiveness, fundamentals and competitiveness of our equity market. 

    13. MAS and SGX are pursuing a comprehensive range of reforms to deepen liquidity and improve trading and custody efficiency in our markets. Liquidity is also the lifeblood of the brokerage community, and I ask that you partner us on these key initiatives:

    a) Market-making incentives: We are developing market-making initiatives to tighten spreads and improve execution, making trading more cost-effective for investors, focusing on newly listed and next-tier small- and mid-cap stocks outside the STI.
    b) Enhanced retail accessibility: SGX plans to reduce board lot sizes from 100 to 10 units for securities priced above S$10. This lowers the “entry jump” for retail investors. Brokers can help us raise awareness of this improvement in accessibility for retail investors, particularly those just starting out.   
    c) Modernised custody infrastructure: SGX will modernise the Central Depository (CDP)’s post-trade custody model. This allows brokers to reimagine how they deliver execution and custody services seamlessly, unlocking new service possibilities for investors and strengthening our equity market’s value proposition. Investor support and education will be key in harnessing the full potential of this initiative.   
    d) Improved global connectivity: The SGX-Nasdaq dual listing bridge will connect Singapore and the United States, allowing companies to tap into liquidity in two time zones simultaneously. The goal is to attract more issuers as well as investors into the Singapore ecosystem. 

    14. To further power our gallop, MAS and SGX’s “Value Unlock” programme will help our listed companies better engage with investors and deliver sustainable shareholder value. “Value Unlock” does this in three thrusts. First, it provides grants to help companies develop capabilities. Second, it amplifies corporate stories. Third, it helps create communities that can promote peer learning and scale value creation efforts across different market segments. Over time, we hope to create a “flywheel” where liquidity attracts quality, and quality attracts even more liquidity. 

    Stamina: Sustaining Long-Term Value 

    15. Finally, we must also have Stamina. A market reawakening is not a sprint. It is a long-distance journey. We must sustain the positive momentum we saw in 2025.

    16. The upcoming Equity Market Implementation Committee, co-chaired by MAS and SGX, will be the “jockey” steering this process. The Committee will oversee the implementation of the Review Group’s recommendations with the same spirit of collaboration that created them. 

    17. Ladies and Gentlemen, as the Chinese idiom goes, the longer the journey, the better we can gauge the strength of the horse (路遥知马力). 

    18. As we welcome 2026 and approach the Year of the Horse, let us move forward with the Spirit to inspire, the Gallop to scale and the Stamina to succeed.
     
    19. Thank you. I wish all of us 马到成功 – to achieve what we have set out in this journey to achieve.

    ***

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  • Warning over scams targeting Manx.net email accounts

    Warning over scams targeting Manx.net email accounts

    Sam Hudson, a cyber intelligence and operations analyst at the CSC, said between the announcement of the move to Junara in October and mid-December, up to 40 Manx.net accounts had been compromised.

    That marked a spike when compared to the total of 100 throughout the year in 2024.

    The scams had left victims “shocked” and “quite a few people feeling bad that they had been misled” after their account had sent out “all these gift card scams to their contacts, with some people having bought them”, he said.

    He said it was important that members of the public did not put any weight on who was sending an email, and if the correspondence was unexpected and included links or attachments it should be considered suspicious.

    “Manx Telecom has warned customers that they and Junara would not send out emails with links in them,” he added.

    Those who receive suspicious emails have been urged to report them to the island’s Cyber Security Centre.

    He said: “For Manx.net users, if they are receiving phishing emails which are going to their main inbox, and if they are not comfortable with being able to identify them, it might be better to allow the account to close and move to a new email.”

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  • IRENA Assembly Charts Bold Energy Transition Agenda for 2026 – IRENA – International Renewable Energy Agency

    1. IRENA Assembly Charts Bold Energy Transition Agenda for 2026  IRENA – International Renewable Energy Agency
    2. Abu Dhabi To Host 16th IRENA Assembly From 10–12 January 2026, Bringing 1,500 Global Energy Leaders For First Major Energy Meet Of The Year  SolarQuarter
    3. Global Leaders To Outline Grid And Storage Solutions At IRENA Assembly To Support UAE Consensus And 2030 Climate Goals  SolarQuarter

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  • Firm ‘committed’ to Haverhill digestion plant despite refusal

    Firm ‘committed’ to Haverhill digestion plant despite refusal

    Muck Off Acorn, the campaign group that has fought against the plant, said it had “succeeded” in warding off the application after “years of relentless work”.

    The declaration came after it “received official confirmation” that the “threat of an appeal” being lodged by the company was no more.

    The news that the firm still hoped to one day build the facility, has been disappointing to those that oppose the project.

    “It’s really, really, disappointing, but not a surprise,” said Indy Wijenayaka, West Suffolk Council’s portfolio holder for growth and spokesperson for the group.

    “But why didn’t they appeal it straight away if they feel they are strong enough and their application is strong enough?

    “Why take the community through the anguish of a full process again, when we all know that it is going to have a detrimental effect on the whole area.”

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  • PSX to maintain positive momentum due to further monetary easing: report

    The positive momentum in the benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is expected to continue, fueled by further monetary easing, a strengthening external account position, and ongoing reforms supported by political stability, according to a weekly outlook note by AKD Research.

    The brokerage firm projected that the KSE-100 Index is expected to hit 263,800 by December 2026. Investor sentiment is anticipated to improve due to the potential inflow of foreign portfolio and direct investments, bolstered by stronger ties with the US and Saudi Arabia. 

    According to the brokerage note, the market moved upwards sharply during the week ended Friday, with the KSE-100 Index advancing 5,375 points, or 3% week-over-week, to close at 184,410 points. Market participation also strengthened by 25% WoW, with Average Daily Trading Volume up to 1.6 billion shares, compared to 1.3 billion shares in the prior week. 

    Momentum was driven by positive sentiments due to favourable macroeconomic indicators alongside improved relations and news of potential military equipment deals with multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan. Moreover, positive meetings with China to strengthen coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums and towards CPEC phase-II further helped improve the sentiment. 

    On the macroeconomic front, remittances for December 2025 totaled $3.6 billion, up 17% YoY, bringing the total for 1HFY26 to $19.7 billion, up 11% YoY. Central government debt fell by Rs 345 billion in 5MFY26 to Rs 77.5 trillion. Additionally, T-bill yields declined by 29, 34, 32, and 33 bps for the one-month, three-month, six-month, and 12-month papers, respectively, in the first auction following declining inflation. Cement offtakes grew by 1.5% YoY in December 2025, due to higher local dispatches. 

    Furthermore, SBP’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $141 million WoW, ending the week at $16.1 billion as of January 2nd. On the currency front, the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) appreciated by 0.03% WoW against the US dollar, closing the week at 280.02 PKR/USD.

    Other major news during the week included: 1) Gas circular debt rises to Rs 3.2 trillion, 2) Government considers a Rs 5/liter levy on MS and Diesel to aid the gas sector, 3) OGRA moves to scrap fixed returns in gas pricing, and 4) Pakistan cuts national average power tariff for CY26.

    Sector-wise, Transport, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Refinery, and Leather & Tanneries were among the top performers, up 7.2%, 6.5%, 6.3%, 6.0%, and 6.0% WoW, respectively. On the other hand, Textile Spinning, Vanaspati & Allied Industries, Jute, Miscellaneous, and Close-End Mutual Funds were among the worst performers, with declines of 6.6%, 4.7%, 1.4%, 0.7%, and 0.5% WoW, respectively.

    In terms of market flows, major net buying was recorded by Mutual Funds and Companies, with net purchases of $71.5 million and $35.5 million, respectively. Conversely, Banks and Foreigners were the major sellers, with net sales of $56.3 million and $42.5 million, respectively.

    Company-wise, top performers during the week included: 1) AICL (up 32.1% WoW), 2) MCB (up 12.9% WoW), 3) ABOT (up 11.5% WoW), 4) HALEON (up 11.4% WoW), and 5) SAZEW (up 10.5% WoW). The top laggards were: 1) PSEL (down 15.5% WoW), 2) SSOM (down 7.0% WoW), 3) GHGL (down 2.8% WoW), 4) DHPL (down 2.6% WoW), and 5) ISL (down 2.6% WoW).


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  • Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026: Paving the Way for a Net-Positive Future in Travel and Tourism

    Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026: Paving the Way for a Net-Positive Future in Travel and Tourism

    Published on
    January 10, 2026

    Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 brings together global leaders, innovators, and experts under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go” to address the interconnected challenges of sustainability. The event, which has become a symbol of the global sustainability agenda, is taking a bold step forward this year by reconsidering the role of travel and tourism in achieving a sustainable future.

    The travel and tourism industry, previously viewed as a sector focused on isolated environmental factors such as aviation emissions or hotel energy efficiency, is now being recognised for its role as a major system integrator. This year’s conference will focus on the interconnectedness of energy, mobility, infrastructure, finance, logistics, culture, and human behaviour, with a particular emphasis on how these systems can be brought together to ensure scaled sustainability.

    Rethinking Sustainability in the Travel Industry

    The conversation around sustainability in the travel sector has long been dominated by narrow concerns. Efforts often centred on reducing aviation emissions, improving the energy efficiency of hotels, or promoting carbon offset programmes. While these initiatives are important, experts emphasise that they are insufficient to address the full potential of the travel sector’s impact on global systems.

    The organisers of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week have underscored the need for a broader perspective, one that looks beyond the traditional boundaries and instead considers how travel and tourism intersect with, and can strengthen, multiple systems simultaneously. This shift in perspective offers a unique opportunity to build a more resilient and efficient global infrastructure—one that benefits not only the travel sector but also other interconnected industries.

    Transportation as the Key to Systemic Change

    One of the most significant areas where the travel sector can drive systemic change is in transportation. Innovations in electric mobility, sustainable aviation fuels, smart ports, and low-carbon logistics all depend on more than just technological advancements. These innovations require coordination across energy generation, grid flexibility, digital platforms, and financial systems to be truly effective.

    Experts stress that when transport planning is fragmented, inefficiencies multiply and lead to greater emissions and resource wastage. On the other hand, when systems are integrated and designed with long-term sustainability in mind, the compounded value created across multiple sectors can have far-reaching positive effects.

    Airports are one of the best examples of this evolution. They are no longer just points of arrival and departure; they are becoming energy hubs, mobility nodes, and data platforms that contribute to a city’s overall sustainability efforts. The growth of AI-enabled planning, resilient power grids, and sustainable fuel supply chains within the aviation sector represents just the beginning of this transformation.

    Urban Systems and Smart Cities: A New Way Forward

    Cities that are able to integrate sustainable travel, infrastructure, and energy demand from the outset are seeing far more successful outcomes than those that must retrofit systems later on. This integrated approach has the potential to create more efficient, sustainable urban environments that can manage the complex demands of urban life, including transport, waste management, and energy consumption.

    The relationship between tourism and urban systems is particularly important. Tourism is, in many ways, a real-time stress test for cities’ infrastructure, especially when it comes to transport, water, waste, and energy systems. The surge in visitor demand can either highlight weaknesses in urban systems or accelerate innovation, depending on how these systems are managed.

    Properly leveraging tourism can help push cities to adopt renewable energy solutions, invest in clean infrastructure, and explore nature-based solutions to urban challenges. Moreover, tourism can drive job creation, upskilling of local communities, and support for sustainable livelihoods, making it a critical tool for both environmental and economic sustainability.

    The Role of Leadership in Achieving a Net-Positive System

    To achieve a net-positive world, the leadership mindset must shift dramatically. Travel and transport operators, as well as urban planners, need to step into the role of stewards for interconnected systems. The success of sustainability efforts will no longer be measured by individual goals such as reducing carbon footprints or increasing recycling rates in isolation. Instead, the focus will be on how effectively data is shared, how incentives are aligned across sectors, and how long-term systemic value is created.

    Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week serves as an important platform for this shift. It brings together stakeholders from a variety of sectors, including energy, finance, technology, urban planning, mobility, and nature, in order to create a space for cross-sector dialogue. This collaborative environment is crucial for advancing the integrated approach that will shape the future of global sustainability.

    Travel and Tourism: A Key Engine of Change

    When designed with intent, travel and tourism has the potential to become one of the most powerful engines for a net-positive world. As more sectors begin to understand and embrace the interconnections between their work, the travel industry will increasingly be seen as a crucial player in driving the systemic change needed to achieve global sustainability goals.

    By viewing travel through a systems lens, with a focus on integrating sustainability efforts across multiple domains, the sector can become a key contributor to a more resilient and sustainable global infrastructure. As Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 draws to a close, the message is clear: it is through the intelligent connection of systems, rather than isolated optimization, that a truly sustainable future will be realised.

    The Future of Sustainable Travel

    Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 has paved the way for a new era of sustainable travel and tourism. Recognising the travel industry’s unique role as a system integrator, the event has triggered a paradigm shift that will reverberate across industries. As global leaders continue to advocate for systemic change, the travel and tourism industry must transform into a force for good, capable of fostering innovation, increasing efficiency, and creating a net-positive world for future generations.

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  • AARP Bulletin Warns About Class-Action Scams and Key 2026 Medicare and Social Security Changes

    AARP Bulletin Warns About Class-Action Scams and Key 2026 Medicare and Social Security Changes

    WASHINGTON—The January/February 2026 issue of AARP Bulletin provides Americans with timely, actionable reporting to help them protect their finances, make informed health decisions, and avoid fraud pitfalls.

    In this issue:

    New Medicare and Social Security Rules: AARP Bulletin breaks down what readers need to know for the new year, including newly negotiated prescription drug prices, increased Medicare premiums, a tax break for people 65 and older, and more. Read about these updates in this issue’s “In the News.”

    Class-Action Lawsuit Scams: As fraud grows more sophisticated, the Bulletin investigates a popular new tactic used to steal personal data. This issue’s Fraud Watch explains how legitimate class-action settlements work, why many people ignore real notices about money they may be owed, and the clear warning signs of fraud, including urgent deadlines, upfront fees, and requests for sensitive data. Experts from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network share steps readers can take to verify claims and avoid becoming a victim.

    Making Sense of Today’s Most Popular Annuities: We take a practical, no-jargon approach to investment-linked annuities, including Fixed-Index Annuities (FIAs), Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs), and Variable Annuities (VAs). Learn more about key trade-offs among the products, how to ask the right questions, and ultimately, decide whether one of these options fits your financial goals.

    The War on Diabetes: This issue’s cover story examines advances in prevention and treatment of this increasingly common disease, from wearable glucose monitors to lifestyle programs and emerging medications. The Bulletin’s roundup of experts also explores why so many adults remain undiagnosed or undertreated despite progress in treatment and care.

    ###

    About AARP

    AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPLatino and @AARPadvocates on social media.

    Media contact: Danny Alarcon, dalarcon@aarp.org

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  • Goldman Sachs Declares Preferred Stock Dividends

    Goldman Sachs Declares Preferred Stock Dividends

    NEW YORK, NY, January 9, 2026 – The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today announced that it has declared dividends on the following series of its non-cumulative preferred stock (represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of preferred stock, except for the Series Q Preferred Stock, the Series R Preferred Stock, the Series S Preferred Stock, the Series U Preferred Stock, the Series W Preferred Stock and the Series Z Preferred Stock in which each depositary share represents a 1/25th interest in a share of preferred stock):

    • $311.56 per share of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A;
    • $311.56 per share of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C;  
    • $306.45 per share of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D;
    • $922.38 per share of 5.50% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series Q;
    • $945.00 per share of 4.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series R;
    • $898.25 per share of 4.40% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series S;
    • $456.25 per share of 3.65% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series U;
    • $937.50 per share of 7.50% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series W; and
    • $856.25 per share of 6.850% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series Z.

    In addition, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has declared a dividend of $1,218.76 per share of Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E, and a dividend of $1,219.39 per share of Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F.

    The dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, Series Q Preferred Stock, Series R Preferred Stock, Series S Preferred Stock, Series U Preferred Stock, Series W Preferred Stock and Series Z Preferred Stock are payable on February 10, 2026 to preferred shareholders of record on January 26, 2026. The dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock are payable on March 1, 2026, but occurring on March 2, 2026 to preferred shareholders of record on February 15, 2026.

    Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.

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    Media Contact:

    Tony Fratto

    Tel: +1 212 902 5400

    Investor Contact:

    Jehan Ilahi

    Tel: +1 212 902 0300

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