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stocksnewsfeed · 5 years

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US-listed Chinese companies are on a financing tear

The New York Stock Exchange welcomes NIO in celebration of their IPO.

Photo: NYSE

BEIJING — Chinese companies listed in New York are increasingly tapping convertible bonds and other financial mechanisms to quickly raise capital.

It’s an indication of the companies’ need for financing, and of the market’s growing confidence in the businesses, analysts said.

Shenzhen-based LexinFintech announced Wednesday it entered into an agreement with Asian private equity giant PAG for the sale of $300 million of seven-year convertible notes, which can be exchanged for stock at $14 a share as early as six months after issuance.

Convertible bonds are debt that can be converted into a specified number of shares, while offering the benefits of a bond, such as interest payments.

LexinFintech, which operates an installment purchase e-commerce site and a consumer loan platform, closed more than 5% higher Thursday at $11.79 a share.

The news follows a Sept. 5 announcement from Chinese electric car company Nio that it entered into an agreement for the issuance of $200 in convertible notes — split between an affiliate of tech giant Tencent and Nio’s Chairman and CEO William Li. In January, Nio had already issued $650 million in convertible notes.

Video-streaming sites iQiyi, Bilibili and YY are just some of the other U.S.-listed Chinese companies that have entered into similar financing agreements this year.

In the roughly first nine months of the year, Chinese companies have announced nearly $7.2 billion in public offerings of fixed income and private placements, typically of convertible debt, according to CNBC analysis of data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. That outpaced $5.6 billion raised in the first three quarters of 2018, and is close to last year’s total of $7.8 billion, the data showed.

“Right now the market for investing in start-ups isn’t that good. Instead, investors will like more developed and mature companies like Lexin as investment targets,” said Wen Shijun, a financial analyst formerly with Cinda Securities, according to a CNBC translation of his Chinese comments.

Wen also pointed out that for companies that have already gone public, using financing methods such as issuing convertible notes is faster relative to alternatives.

In a low interest rate environment, companies can also get financing at attractive rates. The Lexin and Nio deals in September both had rates of 2%.

Johnny Jiang, a former employee at boutique investment firm FT Global Capital who was involved with Chinese listings in New York, said in a phone interview that in the past, only the most established companies such as search engine giant Baidu could issue convertible notes.

Now, even companies that have only launched within a few years have shown they are mature enough to have the collateral to issue the notes, Jiang said, according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks.

PAG had no further comment to CNBC about the agreement with LexinFintech.

But the private equity firm’s chairman and CEO, Weijian Shan, said in a release: “Lexin has an unparalleled platform for meeting young consumers’ credit needs while strictly controlling and minimizing credit risks, which makes it unique, and we are looking forward to supporting the company as it embarks on its next stage of growth.”

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aion-rsa · 4 years

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What Star Wars: The High Republic Can Learn From Knights of the Old Republic

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The High Republic is the first major Star Wars publishing initiative since the end of the Sequel Trilogy. Set about 200 years before The Phantom Menace, The High Republic line of books and comics shows the Jedi in their heyday, led by new heroes and faced with new enemies and challenges. Made up of three novels (one for each age category) and comic series from Marvel and IDW, the story begins with a “Great Disaster” which disrupts hyperspace travel.

Originally slated to launch in August just days before this year’s Star Wars Celebration convention, the beginning of the series has now been pushed to January 5, 2021. Spearheading the story are all-star Star Wars writers Charles Soule, Claudia Gray, Cavan Scott, Daniel Jose Older, and Justina Ireland.

As Lucasfilm introduces a new era of stories to capture the imagination of fans, there are a few things the company could learn from the last time it introduced an era of Star Wars set hundreds of years before The Phantom Menace. We’re of course talking about the Old Republic era, the setting of Star Wars adventures like the Tales of the Jedi comics and Knights of the Old Republic video game. While the Dark Horse comics spawned this era of war between the Jedi and the Sith (and later, the Mandalorians), it’s arguably the video game that solidified the Old Republic as a fan-favorite era in Star Wars history.

Knights of the Old Republic showed fans an era of Star Wars not completely unlike the one in the movies but that also felt new, with uncharted planets to explore and legendary characters to meet. This is the same balance that The High Republic will have to strike to be successful. Here are the lessons The High Republic can learn from Knights of the Old Republic:

Avoid the Skywalker Saga

Knights of the Old Republic had its own powerhouse character in Darth Revan. It didn’t try to connect Revan’s story to the Skywalkers or to rely on a family legacy for ideas about the Force. That’s one of the benefits of working outside of the movies: you can play around more freely with new characters instead of relying on cameos from old favorites.

Set 4,000 years before the film saga, developer BioWare was able to do pretty much anything it wanted with the game’s characters, planets, and factions without interfering with the movies. 200 years into the past isn’t as long of a time jump, but it still means The High Republic can avoid retreading Prequel era stories that have been told before.

The High Republic will have some element of family legacy, though. According to Lucasfilm, this era will explore “the Starros and San Tekka clans,” a reference to Lor San Tekka, a minor character in The Force Awakens, and Sana Starros, a friend of Han Solo in the recent Marvel comics. Hopefully, these connections to the Skywalker Saga will be in support of a new story and not a way to drive readers back to the Original and Sequel Trilogies.

Deeper Lore

One of the strengths of the original Star Wars was that the galaxy felt lived in and full of history. Even if you were only following Luke’s story, mention of historical events like the Clone Wars and the battered quality of the ships immediately established that a lot had happened before the movie had even started.

Today, we know the Star Wars galaxy is vast both in time and space, and one of the benefits of a story set before what we’ve already seen is reaching farther back in time to unlock new mysteries and lore. After all, exploring ancient ruins and thousand-year-old temples is part of the fantasy of Star Wars.

Knights of the Old Republic established various ancient aliens, including the Rakata, which created the puzzles and ruins key to Revan’s story. It also explored Korriban, a secret Sith planet and the final resting place of several Sith lords, as well as old Jedi enclaves where masters taught a legendary generation of Jedi Knights.

Since The High Republic will focus on Jedi, this is a chance for readers to learn more about what traditions have been passed down and how they might have changed between the High Republic and the Prequel eras. The introduction of the Nihil, the “space Vikings” billed as the villains of the story, could also be a way to show more of the “Wild West” aspect of the era before all sectors of the galaxy were under the jurisdiction of the Galactic Republic.

More Varied Characters

From the Original Trilogy templates of farmboy Jedi, smuggler with a heart of gold, and warrior princess came a near-infinite variety of characters types. Knights of the Old Republic starred Republic soldiers, an arrogant Jedi, and a murderous droid named HK-47 that couldn’t have been less like C-3PO.

And at the center of the story was a Sith lord suffering from amnesia who was unlike any “villain” we’d ever seen before in Star Wars. Revan was a former bad guy tricked into becoming a hero by his Jedi custodians, a big character twist that’s still regarded as one of the big moments in Star Wars history.

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The High Republic is yet another chance for storytellers to introduce new kinds of characters never before seen in the canon. So far, we know there will be a primarily Jedi cast with a variety of species, ages, and experiences, but the unsettled territories of the galaxy could also provide some surprising characters.

Aliens Acting Against Type

Star Wars has a tendency to “typecast” alien species. If the first Zabrak character ever seen on screen was Darth Maul, future members of the same species are probably going to be warlike, acrobatic, and tough. Even a Jedi Master of this species was known primarily for his thick skin and rough upbringing. But Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords introduced a very different type of Zabrak: a soft-spoken mechanic named Bao-Dur who was good at a different kind of killing (he had invented a super-weapon and regretted it).

Meanwhile, the first Twi’leks were servants in Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi, potentially dooming all members of their species to some form of slavery. But Knights of the Old Republic gave us Mission Vao, a street-smart thief who would fit in perfectly with the smugglers and scoundrels of the galaxy.

The High Republic has a chance to give aliens as much diversity as humans. We know that the cast will feature at least two alien characters, the Twi’lek Loden Greatstorm and the Mirialin Vern Rwoh. What other characters might the series introduce and how might they surprise us?

New Jedi Abilities

If the High Republic is the heyday of the Jedi, Force powers must play a big part in this golden age. Knights of the Old Republic popularized Jedi Battle Meditation, a special power that allows certain Force users to turn the tide of massive battles. In the game, Jedi hero Bastila Shan is considered one of the most powerful knights in the galaxy due to the way she can influence entire war fleets. (In Tales of the Jedi, hero Nomi Sunrider could also use Battle Meditation to defeat enemies without having to lift her lightsaber.)

The High Republic cast is supposed to include some of the best Jedi who ever lived. “Best” doesn’t just mean martial prowess, either. In fact, since this era takes place before Sidious’ rise, the Jedi are supposed to be more ethically-minded than the ones in the Prequels. Master Avar Kriss is described as “compassionate, not dogmatic, and always ready to sacrifice herself over others.” This might lend itself to new kinds of Force healing or other powers that help others become stronger.

Ancient Science

Star Wars is science-fantasy at its core, magical crystals powering lasers. The combination of the two genres is key to telling a great story set in this universe. In Knights of the Old Republic, this aesthetic manifests itself in the ancient Rakatan technology that leads players through their adventure. Revan, Bastila, and the rest of the cast hunt for ancient Star Maps, exploring the deepest corners of several planets to find these artifacts powered by the dark side of the Force.

After finding all the Star Maps, the characters uncover the mystery of the Star Forge, an enormous factory in space built by the Rakatan Empire in order to produce the greatest army in the galaxy. But while the Star Forge was designed to slowly feed off the energy of a nearby star, it also fed on the dark side energy of the Rakata themselves, eventually leading to the fall of their Infinite Empire. In essence, the Rakata had created a self-aware dark side superweapon that led to their own destruction. The High Republic will visit a place called the Starlight Beacon, a station that serves as a lighthouse meant to help space travelers navigate dangerous hyperspace routes. Is there more to the origin of this station? And what else might the Jedi uncover in the uncharted parts of the galaxy? We hope to see interesting new technology in the series that fuses science with magic.

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yourbohofashionblog-blog · 5 years

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The Incredible Life and Jewels of Imelda Marcos

boho jewelry Imelda Marcos is a former Filipino first lady who is known for amassing A broad collection of sneakers and other amazing things. But tell me, who wants to be surrounded by crap?" . Her jewels have not been talked about as much as her sneakers, but are equally astonishing.

Imelda Marcos Wasn't always incredibly wealthy; her childhood was not Privileged and she lost her mom when she was just nine years old. Imelda climbed up to be a very beautiful young woman who returned to the city of her arrival; Manila, to look for out a better life. She worked in a music store and then at the Central Bank. She met politician, and future President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos in 1954 and they married after only 11 days of courtship. Throughout the twenty five years which Imelda served as First Lady, due to her glamorous look, she was in comparison to former US First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. I need to look beautiful so that the bad Filipinos will have a star to It is stated that the First Lady employed a maid that was devoted to caring for her jewelry. During the Marcos administration from 1965 until 1986, Ms. Marcos enjoyed luxury overseas shopping trips during which she would buy valuable jewels and other comforts, including US real estate and famous works of art. It is rumored that halfway back from a trip to Rome, Imelda ordered the pilot to turn around since she'd forgot to buy cheese. Imelda would often buy a few sets of things she enjoyed, such as blouses by the dozen.

violence. Growing unrest caused a decree of martial law, and then in 1983, the assassination of opposition leader, Benigno Aquino Jr. led to another election, and that Marcos was stated to have rigged. Life in the top of the governmental ladder soon ended for Ferdinand Marcos having an uprising in 1986, when he and Imelda fled the Philippines, leaving behind their palace, a collection of over one thousand pairs of designer sneakers and a similar quantity of designer bags, mink coats and other items. A Great Deal of jewellery was Captured by the authorities and stored at the Bangko Sentral (Central Bank) of the Philippines. The collection was appreciated around twenty decades afterwards and estimated to be worth between $5 and $7 million. The government has considered auctioning the jewelry or displaying it in a museum. It's now been dusted off and appraised once more, by Christie's and Sotheby's. The astounding collection contains extremely rare gems, such as a 25-carat pink diamond thought to be out of India. If the jewelry is auctioned, both its provenance and quality would no doubt attract attention from fans all over the world.

Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos settled in Hawaii in which a subdued start soon The former president passed away in 1989. She's currently 86 years old and a member of Congress. Whether loved or hated, Imelda Marcos surely appears to be a character. She was known as the"Iron Butterfly" due to her beauty and steeliness. She's just one of a sort, which is represented in a song written about her and an adjective invented especially to explain Imelda-like ways - Imeldific.

Thailand is world-famous for its exceptional Silver and fine artisanal jewellery designs. The history behind Thailand's well-developed silver market runs deep through several generations of Thai people. Originally, the majority of Thailand's silver workmanship was for the creation of fine silverware and cosmetic items such as trays, ladles and bowls. Through modernization, the industry brought about a change in demand for finer silverwork and jewelry design.

The northern Area of Thailand is most famous for the production of fine silverwork and jewelry, although silver craft is also abundant throughout Central and Southern Thailand. Northern Thai silver is renowned for its high level of purity (often around 99.9percent ), and for its fine craftsmanship, typically featuring unique and intricate ethnic detail. The detailing of silver layouts native to Northern Thailand incorporates many techniques, encompassing influences from ancient Hindu metalworkers, as well as Burmese refugees, Shan tribes and various hilltribes of Northern Thailand and the surrounding area.

The ancient Roman Lands of Thailand were exceptionally proficient in the art of metal-crafting. Although gold was their preferred medium, the ancient Hindu civilizations had a terrific effect on Thailand's silver craft too. As Hindu traders slowly made their way from Southern and Eastern India, the techniques of skilled goldsmiths eventually spread to natives throughout Thailand. Hindu influence and methods that were previously used to style nice gold jewelry can readily be seen in some of the most astonishing pieces of modern silver jewellery fashioned by Thailand's artisans.

Following the collapse Of the Pagan (pronounced"Bagan" and to not be confused with the pre-Christian religion) Empire, many Burmese silversmiths fled into the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. For over 200 decades, Lanna was an independent nation, reaching south to Lumpang and extending north into the Shan State of Burma. Around this time, Shan tribes also started to establish themselves during Northern Thailand. The Shan tribesmen were also very skilled in the art of silver craft and many Northern Thai silver jewellery designs seen now draw their inspiration from Shan heritage.

Of the numerous The Karen tribe is actually among the biggest hilltribes in all of Southeast Asia. The Karen tribe has been hand making traditional silver jewellery for centuries, using techniques which were passed down for centuries from generation to generation. Many of the silver jewelry designs located in Chiang Mai, Thailand are handcrafted by silversmiths who are members of the Karen tribe. Many designs incorporate unusual traditional cultural symbols or designs, however nowadays, Western influences have been creeping in their silver jewelry designs, in things such as necklaces, bangles and earrings.

Since the They shared and learned many distinct designs and methods for jewelry-making artistry. The same handcrafting methods used centuries ago are still used today by lots of the world's greatest silver jewelry artisans.

Now, handmade Silver jewellery and ornaments are found throughout Thailand, in places from ritzy five-star hotel gift stores to little stores located in Thailand's many'open-air' markets. The highly developed art of silver jewelry-making has because a source of neighborhood pride, not only for the Thai people, but also for the many other ethnic groups of Thailand and the surrounding regions, including Burmese, Laotian, Chinese and the Karen and Shan tribes of Northern Thailand, most of whom have helped play an important part in the development of Thailand's fine silver jewellery and craft trade.

Cocktail rings were initially striking rings which had Large center stones and have been embellished with pavé diamonds. But nowadays any"statement" ring is generally referred to as a cocktail ring. These big rings are usually worn on any finger except for the left ring finger, and this can be earmarked for engagementand wedding rings. Whenever some jewelry fans may think about the cocktail ring to be somewhat flamboyant, others enjoy this as the entire purpose of cocktail rings. In reality, the bigger and more ostentatious, the better when it comes to cocktail rings.

In order to Enjoy the cocktail ring, so it's vital to understand its history. The history of this cocktail ring goes back to the Americanprohibition age of the 1920s. During this time, alcoholic drinks were prohibited. This caused individuals to maintain illegal drinking celebrations, such as cocktail parties. The 1920s were a period of great social change, particularly for women, who enjoyed greater freedom, most importantly, the freedom to vote. Women's freedom was expressed from the flapper fashions of the moment, which favored short hair and short skirts. Girls enjoyed smoking and drinking, the liberty of the contraceptive cap, and increased spending power. Unsurprisingly, the glamorous Art Deco jewelry worn in the 1920s represented this new-found consumerism.

During the Prohibition Era, alcohol-related crime escalated, most notoriously, bootlegging led by Al Capone's gangsters. The term"bootlegging" comes from the act of hiding alcoholic drinks in boot tops. It is understood that banning things seems to make the urge for them even greater. Really, it is thought that alcohol consumption climbed to a all-time high during the later stages of prohibition in the united states. Since stronger drinks made more gain, because of their effectiveness and easiness to manufacture, they were more widespread. Illegal alcoholic drinks were sold in establishments called"speakeasies". Ahead of the speakeasy, women didn't usually attend public bars. But during the Roaring Twenties, women both frequented and handled these drinking places.

The Strong-tasting and low excellent alcohol during prohibition resulted in creative cocktail concoctions, which left the drinks more palatable. Other cocktails contained imported alcohol and simply appealed to women. Some of the cocktails of this age include the Mary Pickford, the Gin Rickey, the Tom Collins, the Whiskey Sour and the Sidecar. "New Women" of the Jazz Age will sip these sumptuous cocktails in clandestine parties, clad in their most glamorous gear including oversize gemstone rings, which were the ultimate accessory of excess.

From the 1920s, The midi rings most precious cocktail rings showcased large diamonds or other precious gemstones such as emeralds and sapphires set in gold or gold and surrounded by pave diamonds. More intriguing designs used vibrant gemstones such as opal, or novel and abstract shapes.

Nowadays, the Possibilities for cocktail rings are limited in some ways as a result of decreasing availability of large gemstones. However, this can be solved by using different stone such as quartz, tourmaline, blue topaz or citrine. These are still available in massive sizes. In different ways, chances have grown because of advanced techniques that allow for an unlimited number of designs. By way of instance, precious metals could be shaped into just about any form and intricately set with micropavé colored stone. This means that large central stone are no more necessary, because small, closely set stones may make as dramatic a result. Cocktail ring designers may also blend colored gemstones with enameling techniques to generate various textures. Some of the very remarkable cocktail rings have been made in this way to look like natural objects, such as flowers or animals.

There has never Been such a wide array of cocktail rings, encompassing all the colours of The rainbow and virtually Every style possible. For Jewellery fans who like to make bold statements, a cocktail ring is a fantastic Addition to a jewelry collection.youtube

#sterling silver boho rings zodiac necklace boho ring set religious jewellery

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