By Scott Murdoch and Donny Kwok (Reuters) -Chinese spirit maker ZJLD Group’s shares ended down 18% on their first day of trading on Thursday, dampening hopes that a positive debut for the largest new share sale in Hong Kong in 2023 could spark a rush of listings in the second half. The KKR-backed company raised…
ROME, April 27 (Reuters) – Morale amongst Italian businesses and consumers rose in April, data showed on Thursday, but sentiment in the manufacturing sector was more downbeat as the outlook remains uncertain for the euro zone’s third largest economy. National statistics institute ISTAT’s manufacturing confidence index fell to 103.0 in April from 104.1 the month before, coming…
By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) – The United States granted South Korea a larger role in planning for a potential nuclear war with North Korea, but that will probably not ease doubts over U.S. defence commitments that have fuelled calls for a South Korean nuclear arsenal, experts said. Under a new “Washington Declaration” announced Wednesday,…
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Potential U.S. presidential candidate Ron DeSantis on Thursday hailed Israel as “one of the most valued and trusted” allies of his country as he visited Jerusalem during a foreign tour designed to burnish his prospects as a statesman. DeSantis noted his opposition, as Florida governor, to pro-Palestinian campaigns to isolate Israel, his…
LONDON (Reuters) – The boss of Britain’s antitrust regulator said blocking Microsoft’s acquisition of ‘Call of Duty’ maker Activision Blizzard was the right decision for the UK after both companies said it sent the wrong message to the global tech industry. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the deal on Wednesday, saying it could…
By David Morgan and Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly passed a bill to raise the government’s $31.4 trillion debt ceiling that includes sweeping spending cuts over the next decade. The bill isn’t expected to pass the Senate, and President Joe Biden would veto it if it did…
By Elizabeth Howcroft LONDON (Reuters) -European commercial real estate investment fell to its lowest in 11 years in the first quarter of 2023, MSCI Real Assets said on Thursday, as investors spooked by higher interest rates and the economic outlook put acquisition plans on ice. The number of offices sold – Europe’s largest real estate…
By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) – A leading Russian lawmaker said on Wednesday he had filed a complaint about an online art tool promoted by the country’s largest bank, saying it consistently generated negative images of Russia. Lender Sberbank features the “Kandinsky 2.1” design tool on its website, with versions in Russian and English. Visitors are…
By Richa Naidu LONDON (Reuters) -Unilever smashed quarterly sales forecasts on Thursday as another big rise in prices from the maker of Dove soap and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream triggered only a small dip in volumes, sending its shares up nearly 2% in early trade. The 10.7% increase in prices was, however, lower than…
By Richa Naidu LONDON (Reuters) – Nestle is piloting using Airbus satellites to monitor reforestation, amid global concerns about whether consumer goods companies are doing enough to reduce their carbon footprints. Airbus’ Pléiades Neo satellites will provide high-resolution images in the Ranong and Chumphon provinces of southern Thailand that will help to ensure trees Nestle…
