Autoliv reported first-quarter 2026 results on April 17 that beat analysts’ forecasts, sending shares up about 9–10%. Net sales rose 6.8% year‑on‑year to $2.75 billion, helped by a strong March and favourable currency translation. Adjusted operating profit was $245 million (versus $255 million a year earlier) and an adjusted operating margin of 8.9%, topping analyst polls; adjusted EPS was $2.05. Operating cash flow was negative $76 million, reflecting a working‑capital build tied to end‑of‑quarter sales, and net leverage stood at about 1.3x. Management reiterated full‑year guidance of an adjusted operating margin of 10.5–11% and roughly $1.2 billion in operating cash flow, paused share repurchases for the quarter but retained a $2.5 billion authorization, and continued a $0.87 quarterly dividend. Company commentary highlighted outperformance in Asia — notably China and India — and product expansion including motorcycle airbag systems. Analysts and data providers reacted positively, though some flagged cash‑flow timing, tariff effects and insider selling as near‑term watchpoints.

Evoke plc, the London-listed owner of William Hill and 888, said on April 20 it is in discussions with Bally’s Intralot over a possible takeover valuing the group at about £225.3 million (50p a share). Bally’s Intralot, formed after last year’s tie-up between Greek lottery firm Intralot and US casino operator Bally’s, must either table a firm offer or withdraw by 5pm on May 18 under takeover rules. Evoke, which has seen its market value collapse since buying William Hill’s non-US operations in 2021, carries roughly £1.8 billion of net debt. The company has launched a strategic review, appointed advisers and announced plans to close roughly 200 William Hill betting shops amid rising costs and tax changes that increased remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% and introduced a 25% online sports betting duty. Evoke said any deal could involve an all-share combination with a partial cash option but cautioned there is no certainty an offer will be made or on what terms.

April 19-20, 2026 — Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to buy Boston-based Kelonia Therapeutics for more than $2 billion, multiple outlets including the Wall Street Journal reported, with an announcement possibly due as soon as Monday. The deal could include milestone‑linked contingent payments. Kelonia is a clinical‑stage biotech focused on next‑generation CAR‑T therapies for multiple myeloma that aim to simplify manufacturing and potentially avoid chemotherapy; it has raised about $60 million and was last valued slightly above $100 million in 2022. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the reports and both companies did not comment. The acquisition would strengthen Lilly’s oncology pipeline — alongside assets such as Verzenio and Jaypirca — and follows an aggressive dealmaking push funded by strong cash flows from Lilly’s weight‑loss and diabetes drugs.

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) said on April 20 it will sell Asia Square Tower 2 in Marina Bay to Malaysia’s IOI Properties for S$2.48 billion (about US$1.95 billion) and use proceeds, plus debt and a S$600 million private placement, to buy Paragon on Orchard Road for S$3.9 billion from Cuscaden Peak, whose shareholders include Temasek. Asia Square Tower 2 is a 46‑storey, roughly 773,000 sq ft mixed office, hotel and retail development that was valued at S$2.25 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025; CICT expects a net gain of about S$199.9 million and an exit yield of 3% with closing targeted in the second half of 2026. Paragon is a freehold integrated retail, office and medical complex with about 714,915 sq ft of net lettable area and was fully occupied as of Jan. 31; CICT said the acquisition has an entry yield of 3.9% and should lift distribution per unit by around 2.1%. IOI said the purchase expands its Singapore portfolio to roughly S$10 billion.

China is set to import a record volume of U.S. ethane in April — about 800,000 tonnes, roughly 60% above the monthly average — as petrochemical firms switch feedstocks after the Iran war choked Persian Gulf supplies and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. Ethane, a natural gas liquid used to produce ethylene for plastics, is sourced almost entirely from the United States, making U.S. exports a crucial alternative to disrupted naphtha and LPG flows. Chinese consultant JLC and industry sources say the shift is supported by much higher margins for ethane-based ethylene (about tenfold versus naphtha as of April 15) and new downstream capacity from projects by Wanhua Chemical and Sinopec Ineos (Tianjin). The International Energy Agency has warned that petrochemical feedstocks are among the most immediately affected by the conflict, forcing Asian buyers — including Japan — to scramble for alternatives. The buying surge comes ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing in mid-May, where energy trade is expected to figure prominently if the war continues.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection on April 20 opened the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal for importers and authorized customs brokers to file claims for tariffs the U.S. Supreme Court ruled were unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The dispute covers about $166 billion collected on roughly 53 million shipments; CBP said phase one encompasses approximately $127 billion in eligible refunds and that some 56,497 importers had enrolled for electronic payments. CAPE consolidates entry-level refunds into a single ACH payment and CBP says approved claims should be paid in about 60–90 days. CBP and trade groups cautioned the system could face technical strain, data-format rejections and other logistical wrinkles as thousands rush to file. Refunds will be issued to the importer of record, not individual consumers, and class-action litigation seeking consumer reimbursement continues. CBP plans phased rollouts to handle older or more complex entries, and legal uncertainties — including potential appeals — could slow or complicate payouts.