ZTE is currently devoting its resources to developing a new smartwatch that would be released to the Chinese market in the first quarter of next year. The device would be almost the same as the Samsung Galaxy Gear, but would be cheaper and could only connect to other ZTE mobile devices.
China
Burger King forms joint venture to take on McDonald's in France
Burger King Worldwide Inc. formed a joint venture with Bertrand Holding Co. and Naxicap Partners to open new stores in France in the first half of next year. Burger King returned to the country last year, opening three stores with Italian restaurant operator Autogrill.
Chinese taxi app Kuaidadi gains traction with USD100 million investment and new acquisition
China's mobile-based taxi booking service Kuaidadi confirmed it recently received a USD100 million investment from Alibaba, and has acquired a Shanghai-based taxi booking app called Dahuangfeng.
Hedge fund boom seen in Asia courtesy of big banks and asset managers
The increasing number of new hedge funds by global banks and asset managers in Asia threatened the business of smaller firms who had opened their independent firms just after the 2008 financial crisis.
Teck, Newmont, Blackstone, Magris consortium new contender for Las Bambas in Peru
Teck Resources, Newmont Mining, Magris Resources and private equity firm Blackstone Group are reportedly bidding for Glencore Xtrata's Las Bambas copper mine in Peru. Las Bambas' estimated end-2014 valuation is at USD6.9 billion.
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Chinese billionaire Yuzhu Shi and a Baring Private Equity Asia affiliate sought to take Giant Interactive Group Inc. private for USD11.75 per American Depositary Share (ADS). The consortium values the Chinese online game developer at USD2.82 billion.
YuanShengTai Dairy Farm, China's fourth biggest raw milk producer, is set to fall on its Hong Kong trading debut on Tuesday, after raising $425 million in the second initial public offering by a dairy company in the city in two months.
The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported on Monday including Greece banking, Fiat, BOFA, Mechel, Saputo, RBS, Lohmann, Carlyle Group, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Kuwait Airways, Dubai Holding, SunEdison, Blackstone, Greece National Bank, IMG Worldwide, KKR, Babcock, AMR, Orrick, BAC and Fisker Automotive.
According to Xinhua, China Mobile will be the first carrier to provide 4G LTE in China starting Dec 18th. It would certainly boost Apple, of which the latter is eager to regain a significant market share that was lost to Android, said TechCrunch.
PSA Peugeot Citroen Chief Executive Officer Philippe Varin reportedly wants to tap the former chief operating officer of Renault SA to replace him as he steps down next year.
The move of former Shenzhen Development Bank Chairman Xiao Suining to a private equity company was not very common among top Chinese bankers, according to a report from the South China Morning Post.
Despite receiving backlash from short sellers who claimed that they misstate their assets, there is no stopping to Chinese companies who pursued initial public offerings in the US.
James Rosenwald III's Dalton Greater China Fund has outperformed peers with a 25% return this year. This was according to an investor newsletter seen by Bloomberg.
Chinese coal port operator Qinhuangdao Port Co. is seeking to raise up to USD717 million in a Hong Kong listing. The firm will be putting up for sale 829.9 million shares at HKD5.25 to HKD6.70 apiece.
