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Boursa Kuwait sees a 61.12% surge in its net profit for the first half of 2025
Currency traders watch monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), (left), and the foreign exchange rate between US dollar and South Korean won at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on July 30, 2025. (AP)
BANGKOK, July 30, (AP): Shares in Asia were mixed on Wednesday after the US and China ended their latest round of trade talks without a deal. US, futures edged higher while oil prices slipped. Beijing’s top trade official said China and the United States agreed during two days of talks in Stockholm, Sweden, to work on extending an Aug 12 deadline for imposing higher tariffs on each other.
The US side said an extension was discussed, but not decided on. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the American team would head back to Washington and “talk to the president about whether that’s something that he wants to do.” A Friday deadline is looming for many of Trump’s proposed tariffs on other countries.
Several highly anticipated economic reports are also on the way, including the latest monthly update on the job market. “Markets had been floating on a cloud of trade optimism – first Japan, then the EU – but the sugar high is wearing off. Now, with US-China talks dragging on in Stockholm, there’s a growing sense that the momentum is stalling,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shed 0.1.2% to 25,213.15, while the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.2% to 3,616.30. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index fell less than 0.1% to 40,654.70. Gains for electronics companies were offset by losses for major exporters like Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.6% to 8,756.40 and in South Korea, the Kospi gained 0.7% to 3,254,47. Taiwan’s Taiex rose 1.1%.
In India, the Sensex added 0.3%. On Tuesday, US stock indexes edged back from their record levels as a busy week for Wall Street picked up momentum. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% to 6,370.86, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.5% to 44,632.99. The Nasdaq composite was down 0.4% at 21,098.29. SoFi Technologies jumped 7.4%, but Merck dropped 2.2% and UPS sank 9.2% following a torrent of profit reports from big US companies. They’re among the hundreds of companies telling investors this week how much they made during the spring, including nearly a third of the stocks in the S&P 500 index.
Menzies Aviation at Budapest Airport
UK / KUWAIT, July 29: Menzies Aviation, the leading service partner to the world’s airports and airlines, has finalised its strategic partnership with Airport Service Budapest Zrt. (AS Budapest), Following the approval of the Hungarian Competition Authority, creating new opportunities to support more customers and partners.
Under the agreement, AS Budapest will transfer its ground handling and cargo operations to Menzies Aviation, acquiring a minority stake in Menzies Aviation Hungary Kft. and Menzies Aviation Cargo Hungary Kft. The Hungarian ground handling company will now operate under the Menzies’ global brand, which includes operations at more than 300 airports in 65 countries.
AS Budapest’s employees will transfer to Menzies Aviation Hungary Kft., ensuring continuity of service and the integration of local expertise into Menzies’ Budapest operation. The well-established SkyCourt Lounge – the airport’s largest premium lounge – also becomes part of the integrated offering under the Menzies Aviation brand.
Together, the companies will handle more than 2,500 flights and over 12,000 tons of cargo per month at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), supported by a dedicated team of over 1,000 employees. The new partnership will cover all operational areas, including passenger services, baggage handling, cargo logistics, aircraft cleaning, de-icing, aircraft security and airside transport. The agreement marks a significant milestone for Menzies’ BUD operation, creating opportunities to deliver more efficient, high-quality ground handling and cargo services for airline customers. This partnership follows Menzies’ investment in a state-of-the-art facility in BUD’s Cargo City in 2024, which saw a 3,000sqm warehouse expansion, new 1,500sqm manoeuvring area for truck and ground support equipment (GSE), and 300sqm office and social space.
Miguel Gomez Sjunnesson, EVP Europe, Menzies Aviation, said: “Finalising this partnership with AS Budapest is a positive step in expanding our European footprint and enhancing service levels at Budapest Airport. By combining the local knowledge and operational strengths of both AS Budapest and Menzies, we’re uniquely positioned to meet rising demand and deliver first-class services to airlines, passengers and airport partners. 2024 broke all previous records in the airport’s history, signalling robust growth ahead. With 20 million passengers expected by 2030, we’re excited to support Budapest Airport on this growth journey as it reinforces its role as a leading regional hub.”
This partnership reflects Menzies and AS Budapest’s shared commitment to operational excellence, improved service delivery, enhanced sustainability and a seamless travel experience at one of Central Europe’s key aviation hubs.
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