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Petrol in New Delhi rose by 87 paise to ₹99.51 a litre, while diesel increased by 91 paise to ₹92.49 a litre. The latest increase takes the cumulative rise in both fuels to about ₹5 a litre this month, following the first retail fuel price increase since April 2022.

The pricing move reflects mounting pressure on oil marketing companies as international crude benchmarks remain elevated amid conflict in West Asia and supply concerns around key shipping routes. The controlled increases also point to a calibrated approach by the government, which is seeking to protect refiners’ balance sheets without delivering a sharp one-time shock to household budgets, freight operators and small businesses.

Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation dominate the retail fuel market, operating more than 90 per cent of the country’s roughly 103,000 fuel stations. Their pricing decisions carry wide implications for transport costs, food supply chains, inflation expectations and fiscal calculations.

The latest revision follows a ₹3-a-litre increase on May 15 and another smaller increase during the week, marking a clear shift from the long freeze that had shielded consumers from global volatility while pushing losses onto state-run refiners. That freeze had become harder to sustain as crude prices climbed and the rupee’s movement added to import costs.

The country imports more than four-fifths of its crude oil requirements, leaving domestic retail prices exposed to global oil markets and exchange-rate swings. Refiners have been selling petrol and diesel at discounted rates relative to landed costs, with diesel under-recoveries remaining larger because of its central role in freight, agriculture, public transport and industry.

Losses on diesel sales have been estimated at ₹25-30 a litre even after the first hike, while petrol losses have been placed at about ₹10-14 a litre. The fresh increase narrows that gap only modestly, suggesting further upward revisions could follow if crude prices stay high or the currency weakens.

Diesel is the more sensitive fuel for the broader economy. It powers trucks, buses, farm equipment, construction machinery and a large part of the country’s goods movement. Even modest increases can feed into freight rates, especially for smaller fleet operators with limited capacity to absorb higher running costs.

Petrol demand has also stayed firm, supported by urban commuting, two-wheeler use and private vehicle ownership. April consumption data showed petrol sales at about 3.7 million tonnes, up more than 6 per cent from a year earlier, while gasoil sales stood near 8.3 million tonnes, marginally higher than last year. The numbers indicate that demand has not weakened sharply despite higher living costs.

Bulk fuel demand has added another layer of pressure. Large users such as transport operators, mining companies and industrial consumers often respond quickly to price differences between retail outlets and direct industrial supply. A spike in retail buying can worsen supply imbalances and deepen losses for refiners if pump prices remain below market-linked levels.

The government has so far signalled little appetite for direct subsidies to compensate refiners for continuing under-recoveries. That stance increases the likelihood of gradual price adjustments, particularly if global crude remains above levels assumed in company projections. A sudden subsidy programme would also complicate fiscal planning at a time when public spending priorities remain stretched across infrastructure, welfare and defence.

State-level taxes mean consumers across major cities will see different pump prices even when the base increase is broadly similar. Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad typically record higher retail rates than New Delhi because of local levies, dealer commissions and freight costs. That variation also affects inflation differently across regions.

Compressed natural gas prices have moved higher as well, with Delhi seeing another ₹1-per-kg increase, the third rise in ten days. The parallel increase in CNG adds pressure on taxis, autorickshaws and urban commuters who had shifted to gas-based transport as a cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel.

For oil marketing companies, the price increases may support margins but are unlikely to restore full profitability immediately. Investor attention is now focused on how quickly the companies can recover past losses, whether demand holds up, and whether policymakers allow market-linked pricing to continue if inflationary pressure grows.

The 2026 Sunday Roast Guest Chef Series runs across selected Sundays from February to October, with further dates expected for November and December. Priced at HK$898 per guest, plus a 10 per cent service charge, the programme gives each participating restaurant one Sunday to reinterpret the classic British roast through its own cuisine, while retaining the familiar three-course structure of starter, roast or seafood main, and dessert.

The format reflects a wider shift in Hong Kong’s premium dining scene, where luxury hotels are moving beyond standard brunch buffets and using chef-led collaborations to attract diners who want novelty, scarcity and recognised culinary talent. For Lobster Bar & Grill, long associated with seafood, grills, cocktails and live jazz, the series also positions brunch as a curated dining event rather than a routine weekend offering.

The 2026 line-up began with NOI on 8 February, bringing contemporary Italian cooking shaped by Chef Paulo Airaudo’s wider culinary approach and Hong Kong-based Chef Luigi Troiano’s execution. It continued on 15 March with 22 Ships, known for modern Spanish flavours under Chef Antonio Oviedo, and on 12 April with Yong Fu Hong Kong, whose Ningbo seafood cooking added a refined Chinese coastal identity to the Sunday roast template.

The next phase brings Neighborhood on 31 May, Leela on 28 June and Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic on 19 July. Neighborhood, led by Chef David Lai, enters the series with strong recognition from both Michelin and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, where it ranked No. 24 in the 2026 list. Its reputation rests on market-led European bistro cooking, generous sharing dishes and a style that combines technical control with an understated dining room culture.

Leela, led by Chef Manav Tuli, adds a modern interpretation of regional cooking from India, using refined technique, spice layering and tandoor-led elements. Its participation broadens the series beyond European and Chinese traditions, giving the roast format a more expansive culinary identity at a time when Hong Kong diners are showing stronger interest in regional specificity and chef-driven storytelling.

Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic brings the strongest fine-dining profile in the May-to-July phase. The Landmark restaurant, guided in Hong Kong by Chef Marc Mantovani, earned two Michelin stars in the 2026 Hong Kong and Macau guide. Its contribution is expected to bring a more composed French approach to the format, with emphasis on precision, balance and luxury ingredients.

Lobster Bar & Grill’s regular Sunday roast brunch already leans towards abundance, with appetisers such as lobster bisque, smoked salmon and steak tartare, followed by individually plated roast or seafood choices. Signature sides include duck-fat roasted potatoes and honey-glazed carrots, while desserts include banoffee pie, triple chocolate mud pie and seasonal creations. The guest-chef model keeps those anchors intact while allowing each collaborator to alter the flavour profile.

Executive Sous Chef Cary Docherty remains central to the concept. His role is not merely to host outside chefs, but to co-create menus that fit the kitchen’s seafood-and-grill identity while allowing each restaurant’s style to remain visible. That balance is crucial: too much hotel polish could dilute the individuality of the guest chefs, while too much experimentation could alienate diners expecting the comfort of Sunday roast.

The commercial logic is clear. Hong Kong’s dining market remains crowded, and premium hotel restaurants face intense competition from independent restaurants, private clubs and destination bars. A one-day-only brunch creates urgency, encourages repeat visits and lets diners access high-profile kitchens in a less formal setting than full tasting menus. For visiting chefs and independent restaurants, the collaboration offers exposure to a hotel audience with strong spending power.

Located on Level 6 of Pacific Place on Supreme Court Road in Central, Lobster Bar & Grill benefits from a business-district address and the broader Island Shangri-La dining ecosystem. Its Sunday and public holiday brunch service runs from 11.45am to 3.30pm, with last orders at 2.30pm, giving the collaboration format a defined weekend window rather than an open-ended promotional run.

Recognition reflects TDCX’s evolution into a global firm helping clients navigate digital and AI transformation with a combination of human expertise, intelligent technology, and operational precision

Hashtag: #TDCX #OA500 #CX #Outsourcing #EnableTheFuture

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About TDCX

For more information, please visit www.tdcx.com.

Revenue Up 35.4% Year-on-Year API Token Call Volume Surges Nearly 6 Times

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2026 – Phancy Group Co., Ltd. (“Phancy” or “The Company”, stock code: 6682.HK), a leading general artificial intelligence company, today announced its unaudited consolidated results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026.

During the period, Phancy achieved revenue of approximately RMB1.458 billion, representing a 35.4% year-on-year increase. Gross profit margin remained at 35.1%. Phancy leveraged its deep expertise in full-stack AI cloud services, to capitalize on the accelerating adoption of localized computing power and strong enterprise demand for AI solutions. The Company achieved robust growth in its core businesses, accelerated product innovation, and secured several major partnerships, sustaining strong operational momentum.

2026 First Quarter Business Highlights:

Unified Enterprise AI Platform Drives Explosive Core Business Growth

Global computing resources remain constrained, while demand for both private enterprise AI deployments and API-based model calls continues to grow rapidly. Phancy’s enterprise-grade AI platform is built on a unified core architecture that seamlessly supports both API calling scenarios and dedicated private deployments. This significantly boosts AI application efficiency and resource utilization. Supported by a mature computing power supply chain developed over many years, Phancy’s deployable computing power resources have increased by over 200%. This enables the Company to effectively meet surging Token demand and consistently deliver stable, high-quality AI services to its customers.

In the first quarter of 2026, API Token call volume surged nearly 6 times compared to the same period in 2025, and already accounted for nearly 40% of the full-year 2025 total. Meanwhile, the Agentic AI business expanded rapidly, with deepening commercial adoption. Orders on hand grew nearly 100% compared to the end of 2025, emerging as a major growth driver for the Company.

AI Technology Iteration Accelerates, Commercialization Beats Expectations

Building on its continued push into digital employee applications and AI empowerment across business units, Phancy has significantly shortened the product development cycle from R&D to commercialization, enhancing overall operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

As of mid-May 2026, ModelHub XC has completed adaptation and optimization for over 70,000 AI models on domestic chips, achieving more than 70% of its full-year target – well ahead of schedule.

In May, Phancy launched PhanthyMovie, a professional-grade AI video generation platform designed to enhance creativity, control, and stability in video production, enabling standardized and large-scale content creation for the industry.

Leveraging its advanced technology and proven execution capabilities, PhanthyMovie achieved rapid commercial traction. Just days after launch, the Company entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Huanxi Media, covering approximately US$200 million in AI Token usage. The two parties will also collaborate on the development of a next-generation AI-powered film and television content production platform, further strengthening Phancy’s position in the AI-driven cultural and creative sector.

Core Products Align Closely with Policy Trends, Strengthening Compute-Model Integration

Since May 2026, China’s AI sector has seen a series of positive policy developments focused on computing infrastructure, data element circulation, and open-source compliance governance. Phancy’s core products, including HAMi vGPU and ModelHub XC, are well-aligned with national policy directions and mainstream industry trends.

In terms of computing resource allocation, policies emphasize cross-regional collaboration and broader access to computing power. Phancy’s HAMi vGPU offers unified scheduling and fine-grained resource partitioning, effectively improving utilization rates, optimizing data center energy efficiency, and supporting unified management across multiple chips to boost single-card efficiency.

In data and model governance, the government continues to promote high-quality dataset development and compliance management. ModelHub XC supports multi-model adaptation and optimization, incorporates data traceability and security certification features to help enterprises reduce compliance risks, and uses the EngineX engine for batch adaptation of domestic chips and models. This significantly improves compatibility while enhancing Token output efficiency through targeted model tuning.

Through deep integration of its computing and model layers, Phancy has built a comprehensive “Compute–Model” integrated solution. This addresses key industry needs such as efficient computing utilization, secure data supply, enterprise compliance, and domestic substitution, while strengthening its technological moat. The Company is well positioned to capture policy dividends and industry opportunities, supporting enterprises in their digital and intelligent transformation.

Hashtag: #PhancyGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Phancy Group

Phancy Group (6682.HK) is a leading full-stack AI cloud services platform, providing comprehensive solutions for the AI 2.0 era. Our offerings include SageAIOS, HAMi vGPU and ModelHub XC, delivering efficient and scalable AI infrastructure with end-to-end capabilities. We provide a complete solution from heterogeneous compute resource management and optimization to the deployment of intelligent agent models. These solutions empower digital transformation across a wide range of industries, supporting our vision of building a large-scale and efficient “Token Factory.”

Guided by the mission of “AI for Everyone” and positioned as the “Navigator of AI,” Phancy Group is committed to becoming a global leader in Artificial General Intelligence.

The investment is designed to strengthen the chipmaker’s partnerships with foundries, packaging houses, substrate suppliers and server manufacturers that are central to its next generation of AI systems. The programme places Taiwan at the centre of AMD’s effort to scale production of high-performance processors, accelerators and rack-level systems built for increasingly complex AI workloads.

A major focus will be Elevated Fanout Bridge, or EFB, a 2.5D packaging technology intended to improve the speed and efficiency of connections between chip components. AMD plans to use the technology in its sixth-generation EPYC central processing units, codenamed “Venice”, which are being positioned for AI, cloud and high-performance computing deployments.

The move comes as AI infrastructure spending shifts from individual chips towards complete systems that combine CPUs, graphics processors, high-bandwidth memory, networking and software. Advanced packaging has become a critical bottleneck because AI workloads require large volumes of data to move quickly between processors while keeping power consumption and heat within manageable limits.

AMD Chair and Chief Executive Lisa Su said customers were rapidly expanding AI infrastructure to meet rising compute demand. The company is seeking to combine its high-performance computing portfolio with Taiwan’s manufacturing and packaging capabilities to support integrated, rack-scale AI systems.

AMD is working with partners including ASE, SPIL, Powertech Technology, Wiwynn, Wistron, Inventec, Unimicron, AIC, Nan Ya PCB and Kinsus. These companies cover key parts of the supply chain, from advanced packaging and substrates to server assembly and mechanical architecture. Sanmina is also involved in manufacturing support for the company’s Helios platform.

The investment will support both wafer-based and panel-based EFB interconnect development. AMD and Powertech Technology have qualified what they describe as the industry’s first 2.5D panel-based EFB interconnect, a step aimed at improving scalability and production economics for high-volume AI processors.

The technology is expected to help the “Venice” EPYC processors deliver higher interconnect bandwidth and better power efficiency. That matters because data centre operators are increasingly constrained by electricity availability, cooling capacity and rack density, not only by chip performance.

AMD has also begun ramping production of “Venice” CPUs using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s 2-nanometre process technology in Taiwan. Future production is planned at TSMC’s Arizona facility, extending the supply chain beyond Taiwan while preserving the company’s close reliance on TSMC’s leading-edge manufacturing.

The “Venice” chips will be a central element of AMD’s Helios rack-scale platform, which also includes AMD Instinct MI450X graphics processors, advanced networking and the ROCm open software stack. The platform is scheduled for deployments beginning in the second half of 2026, with AMD describing the opportunity in terms of multi-gigawatt AI infrastructure rollouts.

The strategy puts AMD in a more direct contest with Nvidia, which dominates AI accelerator sales and has built a strong lead through its GPUs, networking, software ecosystem and full-rack systems. AMD’s challenge is not only to deliver competitive silicon but also to prove that it can scale complete AI infrastructure with dependable supply, efficient packaging and broad software support.

AMD’s data centre business has become the company’s main growth engine. First-quarter 2026 data centre revenue reached $5.8 billion, up 57 per cent from a year earlier, driven by demand for EPYC processors and the ramp-up of Instinct GPU shipments. That performance has strengthened investor expectations that AMD can capture a larger share of AI and cloud infrastructure spending.

Taiwan remains critical to that effort because of its concentration of semiconductor expertise. TSMC anchors the foundry side, while packaging, substrate and system-assembly partners provide the manufacturing depth needed to turn chip designs into deployable infrastructure. The concentration also creates geopolitical and supply-chain risks, particularly as governments and companies seek greater resilience across strategic technologies.

This multi-party signing was officiated by Deputy Minister for Territorial and Urban Policy at Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea, Mr Jeong Eui-kyung; the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying; and the Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Ms Alpha Lau.

Spearheaded by Hyundai Motor Group, the MOU establishes a collaborative framework to build a comprehensive, self-sustaining hydrogen ecosystem in Hong Kong, targeted to be fully operational by the end of 2030. The collaboration will prioritise the development of waste-to-hydrogen technologies to convert landfill gas into clean energy, along with an immediate focus on piloting a liquefied hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. To enable full value chain integration, it also targets the deployment of customised hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, including tour and airport shuttle buses.

Through facilitating public-private partnerships and inter-governmental collaboration, InvestHK is supporting Hyundai Motor Group and its partners to implement go-to-market strategies aligned with the shared vision for hydrogen ecosystem building.

This partnership will also position Hong Kong as a strategic base for Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen business expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.

Miss Wong said, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in developing tangible, on-the-ground hydrogen applications to accelerate the green transition towards carbon neutrality. By combining Korea’s world-class technological capabilities with Hong Kong’s strategic urban context, Hong Kong could serve as an exceptional international demonstration platform for showcasing green and low-carbon technologies. If these cutting-edge innovations could be applied and scaled up successfully here, it will serve as a positive model and provide highly viable options for reference by modern cities worldwide.”

Ms Lau said, “Today’s multi-party signing is both a landmark moment for Hong Kong’s green economy and a clear signal that the city’s hydrogen ecosystem is gaining real traction. Over the past three years, InvestHK has helped leading hydrogen enterprises establish themselves in Hong Kong, several of which have since listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising over $2.5 billion in total. For businesses with global green ambitions, Hong Kong is where business growth takes shape.”

Executive Vice President and Head of Energy & Hydrogen Policy Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, Mr Seung Kyu-shin, said, “This MOU was signed as Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s proactive hydrogen policies and driving the acceleration of its hydrogen ecosystem utilising the Group’s hydrogen business capability and experience. Starting with Hong Kong, we look forward to expanding our collaboration and business opportunities across the broader Asia-Pacific hydrogen market.”

Partners entering into this MOU include Hyundai Motor Company and Hyundai Engineering & Construction from Hyundai Motor Group, China Inspection Co Ltd, Chun Wo Bus Services Limited, Chun Wo Construction & Engineering Company Limited, Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co Ltd, JEA ENG, Templewater Limited, the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, and Veolia Hong Kong Holding Limited.

This multi-party, long-term collaboration is set to establish a robust, end-to-end hydrogen industry chain – spanning production, storage, transportation, refuelling and utilisation.

New energy is vital to Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 and the national dual-carbon goals. As set out in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address, Hong Kong will establish public hydrogen filling facilities on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, press ahead with more hydrogen trial projects, and develop the GBA Hydrogen Corridor in collaboration with Guangdong Province. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is actively advancing hydrogen development through technological innovation, talent cultivation, ecosystem building, and regional co-ordination. To date, over 30 hydrogen trial projects have been greenlit, paving the way not only for decarbonisation targets, but also for unlocking new quality productive forces for green economic growth.
Hashtag: #InvestHK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About InvestHK

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the investment promotion agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The New York-founded company, led by Shayne Coplan, is seeking to open discussions around whether event-based contracts can be permitted under Japan’s financial and digital-asset framework rather than treated purely as gambling. The move comes as prediction markets draw heavier institutional interest, stronger trading volumes and sharper scrutiny from regulators over consumer protection, market integrity and the legal boundary between betting and derivatives.

People familiar with the matter said the company’s Japan strategy is at an early stage and would require engagement with officials, lawmakers and industry participants before any formal market entry. Japan does not have a dedicated framework for cash-based prediction markets, leaving platforms that allow users to trade on political, economic, sports or cultural outcomes exposed to uncertainty under gambling and financial laws.

Polymarket allows users to buy and sell contracts tied to the outcome of real-world events, with prices reflecting market-implied probabilities. Its markets have covered elections, central bank decisions, geopolitical events, sports, entertainment and cryptocurrency milestones. The platform gained global visibility during the 2024 US presidential election cycle, when trading volumes surged and its odds were widely cited as an alternative gauge of political sentiment.

Japan would offer Polymarket a large, sophisticated retail market with deep participation in equities, foreign exchange and digital assets. The country has also built one of the world’s more structured crypto regulatory regimes, requiring registration for crypto-asset exchange service providers and imposing rules on custody, anti-money laundering controls and customer protection. That framework may give the company a potential route for engagement, although prediction markets remain a separate and more politically sensitive category.

The company’s global push has accelerated after a period of regulatory pressure in the United States. Polymarket settled a case with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in 2022 after being accused of offering off-exchange event-based binary options without proper registration. It blocked US users for several years before moving to rebuild a domestic regulatory path through acquisitions and licensing efforts. Its purchase of a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse gave it a route to pursue compliant US operations.

Institutional backing has also strengthened its position. Intercontinental Exchange, the parent of the New York Stock Exchange, agreed to invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket in a deal that valued the business at about $8 billion before the transaction. The partnership gave Polymarket a powerful market infrastructure ally and signalled that event-driven data may have value beyond retail speculation, particularly for investors seeking real-time sentiment around political, economic and corporate developments.

Competition is intensifying. Kalshi, a regulated US prediction market operator, has expanded rapidly by framing event contracts as financial instruments under commodities law. Its growth has triggered legal disputes with state regulators, some of whom argue that sports and election-linked contracts resemble gambling products. That debate is likely to influence Japan’s assessment of whether prediction markets can be supervised as finance, gaming, information markets or a hybrid category.

Polymarket’s Japan plan faces several obstacles. Gambling is tightly restricted, with permitted activity largely confined to state-authorised sectors such as horse racing, bicycle racing, motorboat racing, lotteries and pachinko-linked structures. Online betting carries heightened enforcement risks, and any product involving wagers on uncertain outcomes would need careful legal classification. A crypto-funded model could add further complexity because regulators would need to examine custody, settlement, identity checks, sanctions screening and investor suitability.

Supporters of prediction markets argue that they create useful public signals by aggregating dispersed information into tradable prices. Traders who believe a market is mispriced can buy or sell contracts, pushing prices closer to collective expectations. That model has appealed to political analysts, hedge funds, economists and technology investors seeking faster indicators than polls, surveys or conventional research.

Critics counter that thin liquidity, anonymous participation, insider access and coordinated trading can distort outcomes. Questions have intensified around markets linked to sensitive events, where participants may possess non-public information or where the existence of a market could create troubling incentives. Japan’s regulators are likely to examine whether surveillance systems, position limits, disclosure rules and dispute-resolution mechanisms are strong enough to reduce those risks.