Archrock, an American energy infrastructure solutions provider, recently reported its Q3 results and discussed its future growth prospects. The company is a leader in natural gas contract compression services in the US, offering compression equipment and services to transport natural gas through pipelines. It has consistently paid dividends, and its Q3 results showed a 100% increase in net income compared to the same quarter last year. The company also improved its operating and net profit margins and saw solid revenue growth, driven by strong demand in the gas exploration industry. However, Archrock's balance sheet could be a cause for concern, as it has a significant amount of long-term debt that is impacting its profitability and future fundraising opportunities. Despite this, the company issued FY23 EBITDA guidance and is trading at a higher valuation, with limited room for significant stock price growth. As a result, the recommendation for investors is to hold the stock and consider the 4.5% dividend yield, but to wait for a potential correction in stock price before making any new buying positions.

Lufax Holding, an online lending company in China, has reported shrinking metrics for Q3, including a 43% YoY decline in loan portfolios to $56.7bn, while it facilitated 59% fewer loans in Q3 than the previous year, a loss of $7.94bn. Lufax's revenue has dropped 39% to $1.23bn, while the company has seen increases in default risks, with 6% of its loans being delinquent in September, compared to 3.6% in the same month of 2019, and loans that are over 90 days delinquent rising from 2.1% to 3.7% YoY. The difficult economic environment means there are fewer creditworthy borrowers, which is impacting the survival of the country's earliest fintech firms.

Investors should consider buying shares of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) due to its rebound from the 2008 financial crisis and its current strategy of selling low-growth assets to focus on core insurance products. The recent successful spinoff of Corebridge Financial is evidence of AIG's commitment to improving its operations and competitiveness in the insurance industry. Factors for investors to consider include AIG's strong operating performance with year-over-year income growth and increased insurance premiums. Concerns include the firm's exposure to commercial real estate, particularly its $8.8 billion office exposure. However, AIG has taken steps to manage risk in its real estate portfolio. Another concern is the pricing of AIG's investment securities, which could result in realized losses if there is forced liquidation. AIG's valuation has been determined using a combination of a peer group price to tangible book value multiple and a dividend discount model, suggesting that the firm is undervalued and has significant upside potential. Despite past challenges, AIG has shown resilience and has a stable leadership team focused on improving its competitiveness and operations.

Twists and turns in the acquisition saga of POINT Biopharma Global may make it the most interesting biotech story of 2023. The company agreed to be acquired by Eli Lilly for $12.50 per share in cash, a deal that was approved by both boards. However, the stock is currently trading at around $13, rare for a stock to trade above its acquisition price. Speculation has arisen that another bidder may emerge, and Eli Lilly extended the expiration of their tender offer in response to BVF Fund's public opposition to the deal. A key factor in the speculation is the upcoming announcement of the results of SPLASH, a phase three trial evaluating POINT Biopharma Global’s lead asset as a treatment for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. A positive outcome could ignite a bidding war for the company. While the downside is limited at the current share price, the potential upside is significant if another buyer emerges or if SPLASH demonstrates positive results. The company's focus on precision radio-ligand therapy and its investment in manufacturing capabilities make it an attractive acquisition target.

Vietnam is emerging as an attractive investment destination due to its strong GDP growth, advancements in high-tech manufacturing, and close ties with the US. Despite global challenges, Vietnam's GDP has continued to grow steadily, with a 5.3% increase in the third quarter of 2023. The country is drawing foreign investment, particularly in the high-tech manufacturing sector, such as semiconductors, positioning itself in the global supply chain. Vietnam has seen impressive growth in electronics exports, becoming a significant player in the US electronics import market. Additionally, Vietnam has the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths, making it an attractive location for companies looking to diversify their supply chains away from China. The US has also pledged to support Vietnam's semiconductor industry, further enhancing its role in the global supply chain. Overall, Vietnam's resilience, growth potential, and strong partnerships make it an appealing investment destination.

Kenya's government plans to repurchase a quarter of its $2 billion international bond that is due next year, in a move to ease concerns about its ability to repay the debt. The decision follows the country's successful acquisition of new loans, according to Central Bank Governor Kamau Thugge. The move has resulted in a significant rise in the value of the 2024 bond, indicating increased investor confidence. This development was first reported by Reuters and was announced by Thugge during the World Bank and IMF meetings in Marrakech. Kenya's decision to buy back its debt showcases the government's effort to address concerns about its debt repayment capabilities and demonstrates a proactive approach to managing its financial obligations.

Canadian miner Lundin Mining is reportedly in discussions with Japanese trading houses and major mining companies to sell a 40%-50% stake in its Argentina copper-gold mine, according to an exclusive report by Reuters. The potential deal comes as Lundin Mining prepares to make an announcement next year, its incoming CEO Jack Ludin revealed in an interview with Reuters. Following the news, Lundin Mining's shares experienced a boost, rising by as much as 4.2%. The sale of a stake in the Argentina mine would align with Lundin Mining's strategy of seeking partnerships to share the costs and risks associated with mining projects. The company operates mines in Sweden, Finland, Portugal, and Brazil, in addition to its assets in Argentina.

Unilever Plc has reportedly hired Morgan Stanley and Evercore Inc to sell a portfolio of non-core beauty and personal care brands that it had previously abandoned two years ago. This decision comes as part of Unilever's strategy to streamline its business and counter the challenges posed by inflation. The portfolio of brands up for sale includes well-known products like Q-Tips and Impulse. Unilever's new chief executive, Hein Schumacher, is leading this effort, marking his first major move since taking over in July. By divesting these non-core brands, Unilever aims to enhance its focus on core growth areas while generating funds to address rising costs. The sale process is expected to garner significant interest from potential buyers due to the popularity and performance of the brands in the portfolio.