AGP Executive Report

Electricity Bills Clarity (Philippines): NGCP says President Marcos Jr.’s push to scrap “system loss” charges refers to distribution-level losses, not transmission technical losses—technical loss is unavoidable on power lines. Retail Media Push (UAE): ADNOC Distribution launches Engage by ADNOC, a full-funnel retail media network using first-party ADNOC Rewards data across its mobility and convenience ecosystem. Consumer Credit Warning (US): Compacom issues guidance on “guaranteed approval, no credit check” tribal loan ads, urging borrowers to verify APRs, fees and total repayment—often 200% to 600% APR. Market Pulse (Global): Markets look set for a sideways-to-choppy mood ahead of the Fed decision; South Korea’s KOSPI swings after SK Hynix results, while oil steadies on US-Iran negotiation hopes. Luxury Earnings (Europe/US): Hermès reports Q2 sales up 6.7% at constant rates, led by the Americas and Japan, with Europe also resilient. Housing Signal (Singapore): Singapore scraps a 15-month HDB resale wait-out period for private owners, aiming to ease genuine housing moves while keeping other cooling measures. Local Business Support (Singapore): Hawkers and stallholders get S$900m rental support to cushion cost pressures, with payments running Sept–Feb. Returns Economy (US): ReturnPro says it’s on track for over $500m revenue this year, handling large-scale retailer returns without outside investment.

Electricity Costs & Grid Losses: A Philippines coalition says President Marcos Jr.’s plan to remove system loss charges is helpful, but generation fees still drive most of the bill (45%–65% in Meralco areas), keeping rates among the region’s highest. Heatwave Power Strain: Tunisia’s rolling blackouts are hitting farms hard, with one poultry site estimating losses of 1.4–1.5 million dinars after ventilation and water pumps failed. Consumer Protection Online: Fiji’s Consumer Council warns after 35 complaints about social-media sellers allegedly taking payments and not delivering goods. Food Safety Watch: A cyclospora outbreak is still spreading, with experts warning it could shift long-term demand patterns for items like lettuce. Fertilizer Volatility: Farmers may need to rethink input timing as fertilizer prices swing, with economists urging split purchases across fall and spring. Retail & Consumer Sentiment: U.S. consumer confidence fell in July as business and labor views weakened, while Wilmington’s housing market stays comparatively resilient. Business Cybersecurity: Connecticut’s Secretary of the State warns businesses about phishing emails impersonating the Business Registry. Market Signals: Barclays posted a profit jump on volatility, while Ryder reported the strongest sequential truck/tractor rental demand rise in four years. Local Growth & New Tech: Oregon leaders court Korean drone firms in Scappoose as the U.S. pushes domestic drone expansion.

Central Banking & Growth: Bank Negara Malaysia’s governor says the economy is still on track for 4–5% growth despite an energy supply shock, with inflation manageable and reforms holding up. Trade Resilience: MATRADE says West Asia remains fluid and will keep feeding real-time intelligence to exporters via its overseas offices and a trade resilience task force. Energy Markets: Oil slid as US-Iran diplomacy hopes eased supply fears, though shipping risks and Red Sea disruption still hang over prices. Consumer Power Costs: A Philippine senator backs a plan to remove electricity systems loss charges to cut costs and improve fairness. Small Business Under Tariffs: Small businesses have filed lawsuits challenging sweeping US tariffs. Housing Finance: Australia moves to ban SMSF limited recourse borrowing for residential property, despite non-bank lenders reporting far higher activity than official estimates. Markets & Investing: SEBI is set to change India’s F&O closing auction rules from Aug 3 to improve end-of-day price setting. Retail & Payments: Wealthyhood and Bank of Cyprus launch low-cost retail access to Cyprus and Greece stocks via one app. Food & Safety: Ireland’s FSAI offers a free webinar for small food firms on building a Listeria monitoring programme.

Retail & Cybersecurity: ETP Group warns APAC retailers that unified commerce and high-density omni-channel setups are expanding the cyber attack surface, pushing boards to demand certified security. Trade & Agriculture: Canada’s Saskatchewan trade chief says the province is “fortunate” to meet China’s food needs, aiming to grow canola and pea exports as trust in trade deals wobbles. Small Business Data Use: New Zealand food operators are turning POS data into menu and staffing decisions to drive revenue, not just record sales. Tax Rules for Prediction Markets: The IRS still hasn’t clarified how World Cup prediction winnings are taxed, leaving traders unsure even as volumes top $25B. Energy Reliability: Iraq says it needs 60,000MW but produces only 20,000MW, with plans to restore capacity via Iran gas and power imports. Local Business Support: New Orleans launches free SAFE Bar Network training for nightlife venues to cut harassment and improve de-escalation. Consumer Costs: Bloomington approves steep water-rate hikes hitting businesses harder than households. Retail Media ROI: Kroger and Instacart are beating Amazon on retail media returns, with investments still rising. Markets & Finance: Nigeria’s stock market slips as investors take profits, while Bulgaria auctions EUR 100m in 5-year debt.

Cybersecurity & Chips: Intel and Fortinet are teaming up to develop Fortinet’s Security Processor 6, aiming to speed innovation while strengthening supply-chain resilience. Retail & Consumer Protection: UK shoplifting fell 4% to 507,086 offences in the year to March 2026, but retailers warn the problem isn’t over; in India, a consumer affairs panel says regulators disagree on who should police misleading food labels on e-commerce and pushes for joint monitoring plus faster platform takedowns. Markets & Money: China’s CXMT memory-chip IPO sparked a blockbuster debut, with shares surging more than 470% on the STAR Market; meanwhile, investors are debating whether today’s stock rally is a bubble, as valuations and cash piles raise eyebrows. Corporate Earnings: Australia’s Myer shares plunged after the retailer warned of a volatile second half and weaker consumer sentiment hitting sales and margins. Energy & Infrastructure: Nepal reported peak-hour power demand of 3,248 MW, while Isla Group inaugurated a new LPG terminal in Iloilo to boost supply reliability for households across the islands. Local Business & Jobs: Zambia commissioned a market shelter in Kaoma’s Luyanti Ward to give traders safer, dignified space—especially women and youth.

Tariff Court Fight: Two US small businesses sued over Trump’s new forced-labor tariffs, arguing the move exceeds presidential authority and rehashes rules the Supreme Court already struck down. Consumer Protection Push: New Jersey signed a law banning “surveillance pricing,” stopping retailers from using personal data to set different prices for the same items, with consumers able to sue. Rates Watch: Market players are bracing for the US Fed’s July 28–29 decision, weighing whether inflation risks will force a hike after months of steady rates. AI Spending Shock: Alphabet shares slid after it lifted AI-related capital spending and reported negative free cash flow, adding pressure to the “AI boom” narrative. Energy Affordability: A consumer revolt is building around high electricity bills, with more households looking at rooftop solar and collective purchasing options. Scam Crackdown: Fiji launched National Scams Awareness Week to push practical digital fraud defenses nationwide. Local Retail & Jobs: UBA won retail and sustainability awards at Euromoney; and Canterbury’s job market is outperforming Auckland, with listings up while other regions cool. Crypto Volatility: Crypto derivatives saw $113m in liquidations in a day as investors look ahead to the Fed.

Consumer Protest: Filipino groups under the Power for People Coalition plan “Sona ng Sambayanan” on July 27 to spotlight higher electricity rates and a cost-of-living squeeze ahead of Marcos Jr.’s SONA. Power Pricing Dispute: In Oriental Mindoro, the Mindoro Consumers Coalition rejects ORMECO’s explanation for a P1/kWh rate cut, arguing contract terms were already in place and the coop can adjust rates. Aviation Demand: Malaysia remains a key Scoot market, with 12 destinations and 130 weekly flights, supported by leisure and business travel growth. Battery Supply Chain: Nuvama says India’s advanced chemistry cell demand could surge to ~700 GWh by 2030 (39% CAGR), driven by EVs and fast-growing BESS, as the domestic battery chemicals ecosystem expands. Retail & Regulation: UK vape is “maturing” rather than shrinking, but retailers face tighter rules after the disposable ban. Market Restructuring: Nothing denies exiting 12 markets but hints at layoffs amid component cost pressures. Prediction Markets: Robinhood is reportedly in talks to add Crypto.com event contracts, intensifying competition with Kalshi. China Competition Case: China fines Trip.com about $770m and orders major changes to hotel pricing and exclusivity practices. Local Business Pressure: UK traders in Burslem warn Stoke-on-Trent’s proposed red-route parking crackdown could “kill the town” by cutting customer access. Rural Infrastructure: Fiji’s Macuata farmers get a new 10-km farm road to improve market access after a $460,000 project.

Tariffs Bite Early: A Canadian trade lawyer says Trump’s proposed 50% tariff is already pushing U.S. buyers to pull back, with layoffs reported in furniture and electronics as uncertainty raises costs. Food Supply Shock: South Australia’s extreme weather is cutting mandarin and orange supply, forcing later, shorter picking days and downgrading fruit quality. Retail Expansion: Healthy Planet is opening a two-storey health and food hub in Toronto, adding an in-store kitchen with organic produce and ready meals. Local Business Disruption: Mount Airy’s Franklin Street streetscape work is finally nearing completion, but shop owners say closures and sidewalk delays are still hurting sales. Market Watch: China’s CXMT is set to start trading on STAR Market after a major $8.6B IPO, while Micron shares face renewed pressure despite AI-driven demand. Consumer Safety: Florida warns parents and shoppers about concentrated 7-OH products sold like candy, citing opioid-like risks and rising poison control calls. Electricity Reform: India’s power ministry consults on parallel distribution licensing to add competition and improve service without duplicating infrastructure.

Retail & Consumer Credit: Equifax shares fell about 7% after weaker Q3 guidance, a warning sign for US credit conditions as consumer debt stays elevated. Tariffs & Small Business: Two US small firms sued the Trump administration over new Section 301 tariffs, arguing the broad, near-uniform duties lack a clear, record-based explanation. AI & Semiconductors: South Korea’s SK Hynix and Samsung signed huge long-term memory chip supply deals tied to AI demand, while Lee Jae Myung pushed an “AI supply chain” vision in Silicon Valley. Energy & Supply Chains: India boosted fertiliser supply via urea and DAP imports amid global disruptions, and BPCL said it kept fuel availability steady through FY27 Q1 despite volatility. Local Business & Markets: Canadian Blood Services warned its supply is down nearly 20% since June, urging urgent donations; in the US, Knoxville launched a Market Square open-container pilot to support participating bars and restaurants. Real Estate: Lakes Region listings rose to 546 single-family homes by late June, with prices holding up as buyers get more choice.

Tariff Fight in US Courts: Two small businesses sued the Trump administration to block new “forced labor” tariffs on 60 trading partners, arguing the move exceeds presidential authority and seeks refunds of duties already collected. Consumer Confidence Watch: Germany’s NIM consumer climate index slipped again as households leaned toward saving over big purchases, even as willingness to buy ticked up. Retail Reshuffle: World Market reopened at a new, more prominent Gresham Station location after relocating stores, while New Jersey’s Cannabist exits the market—cutting 86 jobs and selling dispensaries to Vireo Growth. Housing Supply Debate (NZ): New Zealand’s townhouse boom is under scrutiny as rising listings and long unsold builds raise fears of oversupply. SME Finance Push (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe launched the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange to modernize capital markets and widen SME access to funding. Local Business Support: Omaha is moving ahead with a 2028 indoor nonprofit public market, and Porterville approved a recurring farmers market trial while weighing cost-recovery fees. Fraud Alerts: Westchester warned of planning/zoning email scams, and Trinidad & Tobago issued a cheque-fraud advisory targeting retailers.

UK Retail Pulse: ONS data shows retail sales volumes rose 1.0% in June, helped by hot weather, promotions and World Cup demand, with online sales hitting the highest share since spring 2021. Dubai Property: MERED reports 87,800 off-plan transactions worth AED 291.7bn in H1 2026, with off-plan making up 71% and a delivery pipeline of 31,000 units by 2030. Energy & Grid Stability: In Luzon, Meralco is still procuring gas-fired power from Sta. Rita after a contract expiry, under DOE orders to avoid supply shortages—at higher costs. Banking: Philippine National Bank lifted first-half net income 17% to ₱14.6bn as loan growth and lower deposit costs improved profitability and credit quality. Consumer Protection: Qatar’s MoCI says it preserved over QR7.9m in consumer financial rights and resolved 13,408 complaints with a 99.7% completion rate, mostly via digital channels. Market Risk Mood: Oil back above $100 on Middle East supply fears and tariff headlines is weighing on equities and inflation expectations, while gold slips. Business Disruption: Firefighters battled a major blaze at Malaysia’s Selangor Wholesale Market after methane canisters sparked explosions; crews contained it without reported casualties.

Gold Outlook: John Paulson tells CNBC the gold bull market is still “early,” arguing central-bank demand and fading faith in fiat currencies should keep lifting prices. Consumer & Retail: Canada’s retail sales rose 1% in May to C$73.7bn, with higher gasoline prices doing much of the work, while volumes edged up 0.3%. Corporate & Markets: Tractor Supply blamed weather for a weaker Q2, cut its outlook, and plans fewer store openings while closing underperforming Petsense locations. Food Supply: Punjab has asked Pakistan’s federal food ministry/PASSCO for an extra 800,000 tonnes of wheat to reach 1m tonnes total and stabilize prices. Consumer Protection & ESG: Lindt faces a U.S. lawsuit alleging child labor in cocoa sourcing, even as it says it is committed to responsible supply chains. Energy & AI Costs: Trump is expanding a voluntary pledge aimed at shielding U.S. consumers from higher utility bills tied to AI data centers. Business Growth: UBA won Euromoney awards for retail banking and ESG leadership, citing green financing and solar-powered branch rollouts.

Fuel Supply Shock: Romania is bracing for a major fuel market crisis after Kazakhstan halted crude oil deliveries, with the Caspian Pipeline Consortium flow to Novorossiysk stopped—raising fears of shortages at the pump. FX & Liquidity: Nigeria’s naira strengthened to about N1,369/$1 in official trading as FX liquidity improved on inflows, while the black market eased to around N1,400/$1. Energy Transition: Armenia’s regulator, with EU experts, is discussing electricity market reform and how to regulate energy storage systems under the EU4Energy programme. SME Financing Pressure: Malaysia’s business survey finds micro firms still struggle most to access affordable, timely, cash-flow-aligned financing, with only 33.3% of micro enterprises reaching banking facilities. Gig Economy Rules: Indonesia’s plan to classify ride-hailing drivers as MSMEs is drawing pushback, with experts warning against one-size-fits-all regulation that could reduce flexibility. Retail & Consumer Demand: India’s Shoppers Stop reports a turnaround in profitability and steady revenue growth, driven by premiumisation and stronger beauty sales. Solar Growth: Nigeria is emerging as a fast-growing small-scale solar market as outages and rising tariffs push households and businesses toward rooftop and off-grid power. Market Watch: The Nigerian stock market slid after profit-taking, shedding about N801bn in value.

Local Infrastructure & Sanitation: Burauen, Leyte built a P17-million public market wastewater treatment plant in Eastern Visayas, designed to collect and treat 23.4 million liters a year to cut water pollution and improve public health. Consumer Protection: New York AG Letitia James secured $375,000 from 1-800-Flowers over misleading automatic subscription renewals, forcing changes to subscription practices and restitution. Healthcare & Biotech: GSK won U.S. FDA approval for Jideytro, a ROS1-positive lung cancer drug, as it rebuilds its oncology push after a major acquisition. Retail, Jobs & Small Business Financing: Onramp Funds partnered with Margus Capital to offer larger, faster working-capital advances to eCommerce merchants; Job On The Block launched a proximity-first hiring app aimed at connecting local workers and nearby businesses. Housing & Affordability: Australia’s unit and home values kept sliding in the latest quarter, with Domain pointing to borrowing-cost pressure and weaker investor sentiment. Energy Reliability: Cyprus briefly halted islandwide rotating blackouts after generation caught up with demand, though officials warned load-shedding could return. AI & Markets: Lucidya unveiled an Arabic-first enterprise AI agent for customer-facing operations, targeting dialect accuracy and regulated-workflow governance.

Energy Security & Shipping: The IEA warns escalating Middle East tensions are raising oil and gas supply risks, with Red Sea disruptions already forcing Saudi crude tankers to reroute toward the Suez. Electricity Reliability: Cyprus’ power faults are rising as demand nears record levels, increasing the chance of disruptive outages. Renewables in Practice: Brazil’s World Cup planning kept the grid stable, with renewables supplying most electricity and managing huge match-day demand spikes. Property & Finance: Vietnam’s real estate sector is pushing for broader, longer-term funding as legal delays and weak capital markets keep projects dependent on bank credit. Consumer Credit Rules: Croatia clarified that card-based instalment purchases won’t trigger a new creditworthiness check each transaction under its updated Consumer Credit Act. Business & Jobs: UK hiring and consumer behavior show a “cocooning” shift—less click-through shopping, more home-focused spending—while a Reddit post highlights burnout from mass job applications. SME Tech & Cyber: Swiss and UK coverage points to AI skills becoming a hiring filter and stresses that SMBs still rely on local security partners. Markets Watch: India’s Sensex and Nifty slid on oil and pharma pressure, while Nigeria’s NGX extended gains and copper prices jumped on supply worries and strong China demand.

Cybersecurity & Housing: Romania’s land registry was reportedly wiped by a hacker, halting notaries and real-estate transactions just as VAT on new homes is set to jump. Energy Markets: The IEA warns oil supply risks are rising as Hormuz tensions grow, while Gulf producers keep exports flowing via alternative routes. Public Health: The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage after donations fell nearly 25% in June, urging donors to step up. Retail & Consumer Credit: OpenAI launched ChatGPT Work for small businesses, and Nigeria rolled out a laptop/tech credit scheme to expand digital access. Business Costs: UK pubs say national insurance is “absolutely killing us,” while Poundland is set to close a store after failing to secure a lease. Food & Regulation: Bangladesh introduced new food safety registration/licensing rules for vendors and producers. Local Economy: A US farmers market is bringing back “Market Greens” vouchers to fight food insecurity and support local growers. Markets & Macro: Synchrony says consumers are still spending despite inflation pressure, and Canada faces job risks if Trump’s 50% tariffs land.