Regions
Online lender Avant Inc raises $659mn from JPMorgan, PE firms
Chicago-based start-up lender Avant Inc has mobilized $325millions in its latest round of funding from a private equity (PE) firm General Atlantic and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Balyasny Asset Management and Tiger Global Management LLC are also investing in the round taking total fund-raising for Avant to $659mn till date. General Atlantic-led round is expected to close in October. With this fund-raising, the valuation of Avant is pegged at $1billion. The start-up firm is planning to use the mobilized funds to offer various financial products and fund its global expansion plan.
Barrick Gold Corp buys back part of outstanding debt
As part of its debt reduction exercise, the world's largest bullion producer Barrick Gold Corp has offered to buy back some part of its outstanding debt. Despite the drop in gold prices, The Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corp has been selling assets.
Comcast to acquire majority stake in Universal Studios Japan
Comcast Corp. is getting a 51% stake in Universal Studios Japan Co. The US cable company has announced its NBCUniversal unit will pay Goldman Sachs and other owners of USJ Co. $1.5 billion for the majority stake.
Amazon's Kindle Fire HD 10 fails to impress users except for the wide screen
Amazon just unveiled their latest gadget, the Amazon Fire HD 10. It is the widest tablet offered by Jeff Bezos's company and it comes with a price tag far cheaper than any other high-end tablet by another manufacturer at $229.