During its meeting on March 19-20, which saw the benchmark interest rate trimmed by 50 basis points to 10.75%, the central bank highlighted the crucial role of updated data in determining the final interest rate and its trajectory. The minutes revealed, "Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of fresh data in guiding the final…
Read more
The five investigations concern potential breaches by Alphabet Inc’s (GOOG), which owns Google, Apple Inc. (AAPL), and Meta Platforms, Inc. (META). Instigating these probes only two weeks after the DMA’s deadline shows the European Union (EU) is taking the legislation and gatekeeper compliance seriously. The law came into effect on 7 March 2024. It requires…
Read more
The latter is an investment company managing an estimated $50bn in assets. ILC Dover specialises in the design and manufacture of biopharmaceutical and medical devices and also provides aerospace solutions. The organisation has 11 engineering and production facilities in Asia, North America and Europe. In terms of the agreement, Ingersoll Rand will pay approximately $2.3bn…
Read more
The Belgian company confirmed that it won’t be making any more bids for Direct Line. This announcement came on Friday and followed two previous bids being turned down by Direct Line. The second of those bids, which valued each share at 239p ($4.62 AUD) and was worth £3.17bn ($6.13bn AUD), was rejected by the British…
Read more
For years, the fate of NatWest has been closely intertwined with governmental strategies aimed at stabilising the UK's financial system during tumultuous times. The recent announcement by the finance ministry highlights a deliberate and ongoing effort to transition the bank back into full private ownership. This process has been meticulously managed by gradually selling the…
Read more
Despite Beijing's efforts to rejuvenate the industry through a "whitelist" approach designed to alleviate the sector's liquidity challenges, major domestic banks have remained cautious, limiting their credit extension to the beleaguered industry, vital for the nation's economic health. Since 2021, the real estate market in China, the world's second-largest economy, has faced successive challenges triggered…
Read more
This took the loss in the year so far to 11%. Apple is no longer the world’s most valuable company, with Microsoft (MSFT) now having a market capitalisation of over $3tn, while Apple has slipped under that figure to around $2.65tn. Part of the reason for the recent fall is that nervousness has set in…
Read more
The country also wants to sidestep Windows, Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT) widely used operating system, and other internationally produced database software. The guidelines reportedly stipulated that all government bodies above the “township level” must adapt their procurement criteria to ensure that they acquire only “safe and reliable” microchips and software. In December 2023, China’s Ministry of…
Read more
Bloomberg reports that many luxury brands are offering extreme discounts to revive consumer interest. The Frasers Group PLC (FRAS.L) bought Matches in December 2023 for £52m but placed it under administration less than three months after the acquisition. The administrators are reportedly seeking new buyers for the company. Bloomberg reported that some consumer bargains are…
Read more
The announcement suggests that Santander, the second-largest bank in the eurozone by market capitalisation, anticipates its net profit for 2024 to surpass €12 billion. The bank adheres to a 50% payout policy, evenly dividing the distribution of earnings between cash dividends and share buybacks. During the annual shareholder meeting, Santander's Executive Chair, Ana Botin, conveyed…
Read more