Encouraging gains on Wall Street were propelling up stocks in Asia and Australia. Barring Hang Kong and Japan, all the major market benchmark indices in Asia and Australia, rose.
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AMC's $1.1-bln buyout deal widens Chinese control of US theaters
Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin-controlled AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc has agreed to buy Carmike Cinemas Inc for $1.1 billion deal. After the acquisition, AMC Entertainment will become as the largest move-theater operator in the US.
$80 Million ‘Golden Parachute’ Package For Dow And DuPont CEOs
DuPont and Dow Chemical Co. have agreed for a $130 million merger reflecting ‘merger on equals’. Following the merger, Dow CEO, Andrew Liveris will enjoy the lion share of $52.8 million while Edward Breen, DuPont’s CEO, will get $27.2 million. However, this appears as a true “Golden Parachute’ only for Liveries since Breen has secured job in the proposed merged entity.
Hewlett Packard Enterprises beats forecast in Q1 earnings
Hewlett Packard Enterprises (HPE) has beaten analysts' forecasts for the first quarter earnings. HPE has posted earnings per share (EPS) of 41 cents a share for first quarter as against the 40 cents per share of average forecast made by analysts. Hewlett Packard Enterprises is expected close Tsinghua deal by end of May as soon as it gets Chinese regulatory approval.
Maserati Introduces Levante, The First SUV In Its 102 Years’ History
Maserati has unveiled the first SUV, in its century-old history, in the Geneva Motor Show, 2016. The new SUV’s overall shape has more than a few Porsche Cayenne-like proportions while possessing trademark Italian flavor. Wester, the Maserati CEO, has also confirmed that despite having access to the wider Fiat-Chrysler group, the new Levante is a 100% Maserati.
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Google grants UNICEF a total of $1.5 million in its battle with Zika virus which has been declared an epidemic by WHO last month. The virus has been linked with microcephaly and neurological illness called Guillain-Barre syndrome. UNICEF and the tech giant will collaborate to map and anticipate the spread of the virus.
The UK Home Secretary has placed a draft bill allowing the law enforcers to bulk collection of internet traffic. The civil rights bodies have protested the bill accusing it to stand against individual privacy. However, the home secretary expects, through passing the bill, UK will be the first country enacting the most draconian surveillance laws.
Northern Trust subsidiary 50 South Capital Advisors is going to acquire Aurora Investment Management, a Natixis Global Asset Management subsidiary. Both the parties are maintaining silence on terms of the deals which is expected to close by the end of September. Most of the Aurora Investment professionals will continue their service.
Bitcoin investment startup Keza announced its iOS app launch, bringing the benefits of investing to more people regardless of their location. The service make use of the universality of Bitcoin to allow people make investments in global portfolios with various options.
GIB has intended to borrow money instead of using public funds aiming to expand overseas. However, Environmental Audit Committee has recommended the government keeping a minority stake in GIB to ensure the bank’s objectives as well as its long-term strength. Following the recommendation, the government has started bidding for selling at least majority of the stake in GIB.
Activist investor Carl Icahn on Monday reported a loss of $1.7 billion investment in 2015. This was a 18% down from previous year.
Drone racers around the world will face and compete with each other in Dubai to vie for the prize stake of $1 million that will be distributed in the different categories. The team that wins the race will get $250,000. Dubai's sky will be invaded by qualifiers on March 7 and 8, where the main event happens on March 11 and 12.
Ma is going to expand his control in media arena through acquiring stake in Caixin Media. However, the media company has confirmed that the potential investors primarily agreed not to interfere in Caixin’s editorial interest. Details of the possible deal hasn’t been available from either party.
SunEdison has announced on Wednesday suspending quarterly dividend followed by earlier decision for making delay in disclosing quarterly earnings report. Following these revelations, the banks deciding earlier to extend loan facility, have pulled out from the loan commitments. Delay in disclosing earnings violate prior loan agreement which has been cited as the reason for pulling back.
