
Biomerica Wins $1.75M Contract to Develop Diagnostic Tests
Biomerica Inc. said it was selected for a $1.75 million master services agreement with an undisclosed life sciences company to develop in vitro diagnostic assays. The three-year work will be performed at Biomerica’s Irvine facility, according to the company. Biomerica said the initial fees provide near-term revenue visibility. Shares fell 2.2% to $2.40.

Asia Pacific Consumers Lack Confidence to Achieve Economic Goals
Herbalife released results of its Asia Pacific Health and Economic Empowerment Survey 2025, saying only 43% of 8,505 respondents feel very empowered to improve economic wellbeing and 33% are very confident of achieving economic goals in the next 12 months. Less than 30% rate current economic wellbeing positively; 49% plan to cut non-essential spending, 33% explore investing, and 23% aim to start a business.

USA & Canada Intelligence Brief — Thursday, May 28, 2026
April US PCE rose to 3.8% y/y, highest since May 2023, while monthly core PCE increased 0.2% (annual core 3.3%), according to the data cited. US Q1 GDP was revised to 1.6% from 2%. The Bank of Canada released its Financial Stability Report and said it is weighing rate hikes tied to oil-driven inflation; the loonie strengthened to ~1.35 per USD.

Work to build Norwich's first Costco gets under way
RG Carter has begun construction of Costco’s first Norfolk warehouse, a 13,000 sqm site at Broadland Business Park in Postwick. The contractor expects completion by spring 2027, though Costco says opening dates may shift due to construction and other requirements. The membership-only store will serve Norwich businesses and include groceries and other retail, plus a petrol station and electric charging points, with at least 160 permanent jobs expected.

Morning Bid: Out of the blue chips
Reuters reports that AI-driven demand and shortages for memory chips lifted Micron and South Korea’s SK Hynix, with both shares up about 10-fold over the past year. SK Hynix briefly hit $1 trillion market value on Wednesday; Micron did so on Tuesday. Shares rose further after Samsung’s worker-bonus deal averted a strike. S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs; Goldman raised its S&P 500 year-end forecast to 8,000.

AI may be an opportunity rather than a threat to Europe's banks
Morgan Stanley’s European team says AI could benefit European banks more than it harms them. It estimates AI productivity gains could cut total headcount 10%–20% over five years, improving cost-to-income ratios by 2–5 points and lifting return on tangible equity by ~70 bps per 2-point improvement. It flags deposit sweeping could reduce net interest income 2%–4% and cites examples like ABN AMRO’s 20% reduction target.