Strong U.S. demand and AI helps Sorrell’s S4 to navigate tougher environment

LONDON (Reuters) – Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital said artificial intelligence (AI) was helping the advertising group to become more efficient and navigate pressure from clients seeking to cut costs. S4, founded by the ad boss after he left WPP, reiterated its full-year net revenue outlook after the first quarter, saying growth was driven by U.S….

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China says it will resolutely object if U.S. curbs investment in semiconductor industry

BEIJING (Reuters) – China will resolutely object if the U.S. restricts its firms from investing in Chinese semiconductor industry, said Shu Jueting, a spokesperson at China’s commerce ministry on Thursday. Shu said at a news briefing that such U.S. behaviors will affect companies’ normal operation and damage the international economic and trade order. (Reporting by…

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Yellen highlights common goals with Brazil on climate, development

By Andrea Shalal NIIGATA, Japan (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlighted the fight against climate change and other goals shared by the United States and Brazil, in a meeting with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in Japan on Thursday. Japan, chairing the Group of Seven advanced economies this year, invited Brazil to take…

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Germany’s Merck flags decline in operating profit of up to 10% in 2023

By Ludwig Burger FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Germany’s Merck KGaA on Thursday warned that adjusted operating earnings could decline by as much as 10% this year as the outlook for its specialty chemicals business darkened, offsetting an upswing in drug prescriptions. The company said it was expecting between 6.1 billion euros ($6.71 billion) and 6.7 billion…

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Deutsche Telekom slightly raises 2023 profit outlook

BERLIN (Reuters) – Deutsche Telekom slightly raised its full-year operating profit target on Thursday after reporting a small bump in first-quarter revenue and profit that was in line with expectations. The group now expects adjusted operating profit (EBITDA AL) to now reach 40.9 billion euros ($45.02 billion) in 2023, from previous guidance of 40.8 billion…

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China, France agree to strengthen economic ties

PARIS/BEIJING (Reuters) – French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang agreed on the need to “develop an economic relationship that is both stronger and more balanced”, the foreign ministry in Paris said after they met on Wednesday. The meeting followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to China in April and came…

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