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☆ 12 portfolio companies report earnings in the week ahead. What we want to hear from each
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

The action quickly and sharply reversed back to the upside Friday after blowout earnings reports from Alphabet and Microsoft . In the week ahead, earnings are likely to drive the action again, though we'll get a few important macroeconomic reports. Earnings: We've got the biggest week of the earnings season ahead of us, with 12 Club holdings set to report. Eli Lilly 's report Tuesday morning continues to be all about sales of type-2 diabetes treatment Mounjaro and weight-loss drug Zepbound. In DuPont 's report Wednesday morning, we're looking for a continued rebound in its semiconductor business following a sequential increase last quarter.

Persons: Ford, we'll, Dow Jones, We've, Buckle, Eaton, Eli Lilly, Lilly, We're, Estee Lauder, Fabrizio Freda, we've, Linde, Bausch, Royal Philips, Woodward, SIRI, Archer, Johnson, Stanley Black, Decker, BAX, Cardinal Health, Parker, Belden, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Nasdaq, Microsoft, Meta, Google Search, Big Tech, Nvidia, Broadcom, Ford Motor, Honeywell, Danaher, Labor Department, Labor, PMI, Services PMI, GE Healthcare, Amazon Web Services, Starbucks, Deutsche Bank, DuPont, Bausch Health, U.S ., Appeals, Apple, iPhones, Vision, ON Semiconductor, Resource Partners, Franklin Resources, Paramount, Transocean Ltd, Semiconductors, Arch Capital, Logitech International, Lattice Semiconductor, F5 Networks, Sanmina Corporation, GE HealthCare, PayPal, 3M Company, McDonalds, Enterprise Products Partners, Cola Company, Melco Resorts, Entertainment, SiriusXM Holdings, Oatly, American Electric Power Company, Leidos Holdings, Marathon Petroleum, Daniels, Midland Co, Equitrans Midstream Corporation, HSBC Holdings, HSBC, Devices, Caesars Entertainment, Lumen Technologies, Mondelez, Pfizer, CVS Health, Barrick, Mastercard Inc, Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Kraft Heinz Company, Marriott International, Ares, Generac Holdings, Johnson Controls, Cenovus Energy Inc, Qualcomm, Devon Energy, Paycom, Axcelis Technologies, Coeur D'Alene Mines, Sunnova Energy International, MGM Resorts International, MGM, Solar Inc, Oil, Allstate, Co, Tenable Holdings, Enovix Corporation, Gladstone Capital, Avis Budget Group, eBay, EBAY, LIN, Novo Nordisk, Natural Resources, PENN Entertainment, Apache, ConocoPhillips, InMode Ltd, Baxter International, Cardinal, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Apollo Global Management, LLC, Cinemark Inc, Dominion Energy, Coterra Energy, Coinbase, Bill.com Holdings, Booking Holdings, United States Steel, AXT Inc, Materials, Energy, Hershey Company, XPO Logistics, Cboe, American Pipeline, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Brookfield Business Partners, Brookfield Renewable Corporation, Magna International, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: U.S, megaprojects, China, Eaton, Corning, Coeur D'Alene, Albemarle, ALB, Novo, New York

☆ How to check if your solar eclipse glasses are real
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Otherwise, experts say it’s absolutely necessary to wear certified eclipse glasses or use handheld solar viewers that meet a specific safety standard, known as ISO 12312-2, when watching all other phases of a total or partial solar eclipse. And sunglasses won’t work in place of eclipse glasses or solar viewers. Counterfeit eclipse glasses with black lenses that have straight left and right edges from China (top) are printed with text copied from real eclipse glasses, but the counterfeit glasses are missing the company address. Meanwhile, real eclipse glasses from American Paper Optics (bottom) have reflective lenses with curved left and right edges. Never look through an unfiltered optical device of any kind in this situation, even while wearing eclipse glasses.

Persons: ”, Rick Fienberg, “, ” Fienberg, Ronald Benner, doesn’t, ” Benner, Benner, ‘ I’m, ’ Organizations: CNN, American Astronomical Society, NASA, Planetary Society, American Optometric Association, Astronomical Society, ‘, Optics, APO, Eclipse, Force, “, AAS Locations: Mexico, United States, Canada, China, U.S, Cangnan, Europe

Loop Capital initiated Dell Technologies with a buy rating and a price target that implies more than 35% upside. Analyst Stephen Grambling hiked his price target by $9 to $49, while keeping his rating at overweight. Salesforce has popped nearly 14% in 2024, extending gains after the stock price came close to doubling in 2023 alone. Roseka's price target of $27.10 shows the potential for just 3.6% in upside compared with Tuesday's ending price. Analyst Ananda Baruah initiated coverage of the technology stock with a buy rating and a $125 price target.

Persons: Stifel, Smucker, Raymond James, Rick Patel, Patel, — Alex Harring, Kenneth Worthington, Worthington, Alex Harring, Morgan Stanley, Stephen Grambling, DKNG's, Grambling, DraftKings, Jackpocket, Morgan, Wednesday's premarket, Goldman, Goldman Sachs, Kash Rangan, Rangan, Bernstein, Daniel Roeska, Stellantis, Roseka, KeyBanc, Sophie Karp, CEG, Karp, Matthew Smith, Smith, Fred Imbert, Dell, Ananda Baruah, DELL, Baruah Organizations: CNBC, Dell Technologies, FactSet, Apollo Global Management, JPMorgan, APO, Grambling, Constellation Energy, Constellation, Dell, Capital, DELL Locations: Tuesday's, Wednesday's premarket, Grambling, Wednesday's, Salesforce, Netherlands, U.S, Europe

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Alphabet, Salesforce, Arm, CVS, BJ's, Super Micro & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Morgan Stanley reiterates Target at overweight Morgan Stanley stood by its overweight rating on the department store owner. Morgan Stanley reiterates Salesforce as overweight Morgan Stanley said it likes the setup heading into earnings later this week. Morgan Stanley upgrades HashiCorp to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the software company has a compelling valuation. Morgan Stanley upgrades AvalonBay to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said apartment REIT stocks like AvalonBay are '"cheap for a reason." Morgan Stanley upgrades Sun Country to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it likes the airline's business model.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Salesforce, Rosenblatt, Jefferies, Amer, Wells, Jane Fraser, Roth MKM, Roth, TD Cowen, TD, DA Davidson, OW, Fannie Mae, KBW, Freddie, Truist, it's, Piper Sandler, Piper, Bentley Organizations: Nvidia, BMO, Apollo, Amer Sports, Citi, Citigroup, Bank of America, KKR, APO, BJ's Wholesale, D.A, Susquehanna, Energy, HSBC downgrades Moderna, HSBC, Moderna, Google, YouTube, " Bank of America, Omega Healthcare, Sun, DuPont's Mobility, JPMorgan, Navy, Bentley Systems Locations: USD75, Asana, ASAN

☆ These stocks are a way for regular investors to buy the private credit boom, Morgan Stanley says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Private credit firms can help companies raise money more quickly and with more flexibility than traditional lenders. Many everyday investors can't buy into big private credit funds, but they can get exposure to the space through the stocks of some of the biggest private lenders. Hamilton still sees upside in buying private credit firms, especially one stock. "Our credit and insurance teams had a remarkable year in 2023, with gross returns of 16.4% in the private credit strategies and 13% in liquid credit. There are also private credit firms that trade outside of the U.S., for investors who are able to buy stocks in foreign markets.

Persons: Matthew Bass, Morgan Stanley, Bruce Hamilton, Hamilton, Blackstone, Jonathan Gray, Morgan Stanley's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Companies, Apollo Global Management, APO, KKR, Intermediate Capital Group Locations: Preqin, U.S

☆ These stocks could be next to join the S&P 500, increasing demand for shares, says Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A slew of companies are primed to join the S & P 500 in the near future, and Bank of America thinks their shares could get a boost from it. The bank expects KKR could be the next investment management firm to join the S & P 500 over the six months following the addition of Blackstone to the index last year. An addition to the S & P 500 is likely to drive up the prices of each of the stocks. "Passive ETFs benchmarked to the S & P 500 are growing and getting inflows which will help support the share prices of the stocks in the index," Siegenthaler added. For KKR, the analyst has a $109 price objective, implying 23% upside from Monday's close.

Persons: Blackstone, Craig Siegenthaler, Siegenthaler Organizations: Bank of America, KKR, Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, APO

☆ Private-asset binge exposes insurance to new risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( John Foley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The concept is not new: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N) has used its insurance premiums to help fund everything from railways to cowboy-boot makers. The prospect of insurance companies buying risky loans or private equity investments has raised eyebrows. Many private credit assets, for example, rely on so-called private letter ratings based on confidential data. Given the private nature of private credit, it’s hard to see from the outside how big these risks are, or where they lurk. Besides, even if the share of life insurance assets that are mis-rated or undercapitalized is tiny, smaller insurers could carry more concentrated risk.

Persons: Blackstone, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, Fitch, Kroll, Egan, Jones, DBRS Morningstar, Banks, SVB, Jonathan Guilford, Neil Unmack, Peter Thal Larsen, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Apollo Global Management, KKR, Global Atlantic, Investments, National Association of Insurance, England’s Everton FC, Rivals, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Athene, P Global, Insurance, SVB, Thomson Locations: Global, Delaware , New York, Iowa, New York, London

These deals help banks meet capital requirements more efficiently, allowing them to keep lucrative businesses that would otherwise become unprofitable. Investors in these deals include lightly-regulated entities like hedge funds, shifting risk to the shadow banking sector. Credit risk transfer is another tool for them to pursue after the Fed’s clarification on what is allowed, said Cory Wishengrad, head of fixed income at Guggenheim Securities. That means Merchants sold the riskiest tranche of the loan portfolio, maximizing the capital relief it could get on it. Whether U.S. regulators will allow such insurance deals to qualify for capital relief is still untested, Staudinger said.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Blackstone, Jill Cetina, Jon, Claude Zucconi, Zucconi, Michael Barr, Barr, Banks, Missy Dolski, Sam Graziano, Graziano, Cory Wishengrad, Jed Miller, Taft, Morgan Stanley's, Morgan, Deborah Staudinger, Hogan Lovells, Staudinger, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Paritosh Bansal, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Blackstone Group, JPMorgan Chase, Merchants Bank of Indiana, US Bancorp, Investors, JPMorgan, Merchants Bank, Federal Reserve, Varde Partners, Financial, Guggenheim Securities, U.S . Bank, Fed, Reuters, Merchants, Thomson Locations: U.S, Wickersham, Europe, Indiana

☆ Panasonic’s auto deal deserves a speedy sequel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Nov 22 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Panasonic’s (6752.T)decision to sell part of its automotive unit suggests CEO Yuki Kusumi’s plans are taking a promising turn. The business, which pioneers technology like infotainment systems for the next generation of internet-connected cars, is a growing but capital-intensive opportunity. Selling a stake to Apollo Global Management (APO.N), with the possibility of a listing later, could help fund faster development without denting Panasonic’s balance sheet or returns. This was an obvious target for Kusumi, who previously led the auto unit. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Yuki Kusumi’s, Panasonic’s, it’s, Katrina Hamlin, Francesco Guerrera, Thomas Shum Organizations: Panasonic Corp, Advanced Technologies, Makuhari, REUTERS, Reuters, Apollo Global Management, Sony, Hitachi, Panasonic, X, Walmart, Thomson Locations: JAPAN, Chiba, Japan, HONG KONG, Asia, Rome

☆ Meet the Thai celebrities — and ‘boys love’ stars — becoming fashion’s newest power players
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Tiffany Ap | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

(CNN) — Back in February, Nattawin Wattanagitiphat’s fans spared no expense in marking the Thai actor’s 29th birthday. Local media reported his birthday haul totaled 50 million Thai baht, or around $1.4 million. But more often than not, the Thai stars who are able to build international fan bases tend to be actors. “K-pop stars dedicated their lives training (from a young age) to be idols,” but Thai stars, she said, can be more relaxed. We don’t really keep the talent in a box like Korean companies do.”Another advantage some Thai celebrities have is their ability to resonate among Chinese audiences.

Persons: Nattawin, Christian Dior, Lefty.io, Karla Otto, TikTok, Kylie Jenner, Zendaya, Pascal Le Segretain, Dior, Tontawan Tantivejakul, Lalisa Manobal, Lisa, Celine, There’s, Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton, Davika Hoorne, Urassaya Sperbund, ‘, Calvin Klein, Bright’s, Metawin, ’, Nichapat, Sumettikul, “ KinnPorsche ”, Ralph Lauren, Kanawut, Suphap, It’s, “, ”, ” Suphap, Blackpink, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, Evan Agostini, Dior womenswear, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Fatti, ” Laleh, ” Davika Hoorne, Michael Kors, Jamie McCarthy, Traipipattanapong, Gucci, Justin Shin, Krisda Witthayakhajorndet, Thais Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, Thai, Rolex, Vogue, Mastercard, Bain & Company, American Vogue, Burberry, Prada, Venture Management, Gucci, MTV, Apo, South Locations: ’, Asia, India, Instagram, Thailand, North, South Asia, Thai, Southeast Asia, Pacific, Bangkok, Pee Mak, Norwegian, American, Vogue Thailand, Newark , New Jersey, Launchmetrics, Paris, Blackpink, Brooklyn , New York, Seoul, South Korea

☆ These stocks are 'built for growth' and have major upside, Goldman analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

They include Monday.com , Booz Allen Hamilton, Brink's, Apollo Global Management and Constellation Brands. Booz Allen Hamilton Booz Allen is up 20% this year, but the government and military contractor's stock has more room to run, according to Goldman. Constellation Brands "Built for growth," analyst Bonnie Herzog said in a note, following the beer and wine producer's recent analyst day. Booz Allen Hamilton - buy rating "Booz Allen again beat consensus revenue, growing top-line 15% organically, continuing a pace well ahead of nearly all peers in the national security sector. Monday.com - buy rating "Expect little to no disruption to near-term execution; see Investor Day offering lens into LT growth potential.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Booz Allen Hamilton, Booz Allen Hamilton Booz Allen, Noah Poponak, Booz Allen, BAH, Poponak, Bonnie Herzog, Herzog, Monday.com, Kash Rangan, Rangan, …, BCO Organizations: CNBC, Monday.com, Apollo Global Management, Constellation Brands, Booz, Goldman, U.S . Staples, TAM, Retail Solutions, Private Credit Locations: Brink's, Government, NYC, Israel, APOs

☆ Abu Dhabi's ADNOC makes new bid for stake in Brazil's Braskem; shares soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Logos of ADNOC are seen at Gastech, the world's biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan, April 4, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Acquire Licensing RightsSAO PAULO, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Brazilian petrochemical producer Braskem (BRKM5.SA) on Thursday said Abu Dhabi oil company ADNOC (ADNOC.UL) has presented a new non-binding offer to buy conglomerate Novonor's stake in the firm. The petrochemical company cited a letter exchange with Novonor in its filing. The conglomerate would be granted a minority stake of up to 3% in Braskem following the deal, Braskem added. ADNOC had previously presented a joint cash-and-debenture offer alongside U.S. asset manager Apollo (APO.N) for Braskem, with other bidders for the firm including Brazil's Unipar Carbocloro (UNIP6.SA) and J&F.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Braskem, ADNOC, Folha de S.Paulo, BTG, Pedro Soares, we're, Brazil's Unipar, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Tomasz Janowski, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, SAO PAULO, Petrobras, PETR4, Novonor's, Sao Paulo, Novonor, Folha de, ADNOC, U.S, Apollo, Thomson Locations: Gastech, Chiba, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Sao, Braskem

☆ Hong Kong finance summit tiptoes around China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Peter Thal Larsen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

HONG KONG, Nov 9 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Hong Kong in November enjoys a pleasant climate that some local managers dub “chairman weather”. Hong Kong is hardly a hot destination for financiers right now. Companies raised just $2.7 billion from initial public offerings in Hong Kong in the quarter, a fraction of previous years. Hong Kong officials including John Lee, the territory’s chief executive, have been sanctioned by the U.S.. Follow @peter_tl on XCONTEXT NEWSThe Global Financial Leaders’ Summit was held in Hong Kong from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8.

Persons: Marc Rowan, Colm Kelleher, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, Jane Fraser, Ken Griffin, Hong, John Lee, Eddie Yue, Kung, Zhang Qingsong, Bob Prince, Mark Wiedman, Apollo’s Rowan, UBS’s Kelleher, Joseph Yam, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Apollo Global Management, UBS, Monetary Fund, Companies, Citigroup, Citadel, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong’s HK, Exchange, People’s Bank of China, Bridgewater Associates, BlackRock, Goldman, Bank for International, Global, ’, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Europe, U.S, China . Hong Kong, China, People’s Republic, Hong, British, Singapore, BLK.N, ”

☆ Private equity superstores overstock the shelves
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

LONDON, Nov 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Private equity investors seem happier these days shopping for returns at specialty shops over supermarkets. U.S. private equity funds raised some $240 billion in the first nine months of 2023, according to research outfit PitchBook, 13% less than a year earlier. New York-based CD&R in August raised $26 billion for its 12th-generation private equity fund while Eurocentric CVC managed an even more eye-popping $29 billion in July. A better explanation, from the consultants who advise LPs on where to put their cash, is that private equity supermarkets may be cannibalising themselves. Until they can prove otherwise, the more scattered private equity superstores risk losing more ground to the specialists.

Persons: Clayton, Blackstone, Steve Schwarzman, Marc Rowan, don’t, Rowan, Rob Lucas, Blackstone’s, they’re, Lucas, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Rice, CVC Capital Partners, Apollo Global Management, Blackstone Capital Partners IX, “, IX, CVC, Apollo, Blackstone, U.S, Thomson Locations: Dubilier, New York, Blackstone, Asia, Luxembourg, Europe, Americas

☆ SAS secures $1.2 billion from consortium led by Castlelake, Air France for restructuring
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The tail fin of a parked Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) airplane is seen on the tarmac at Copenhagen Airport Kastrup in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 3, 2022. The winning bidder consortium which also includes Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA), Lind Invest ApS and the Danish state, increased its proposed investment by $25.26 million. The airline's credit agreement for $505.25 million with Castlelake will be used to refinance its loans, increase liquidity and support its exit from voluntary restructuring proceedings, according to the statement. SAS's chief executive, Anko van der Werff, said: "By entering into this investment agreement, SAS is taking the next step in its Chapter 11 process in the U.S."The company now seeks U.S. Court approval of the investment agreement and the new debtor-in-possession financing as soon as possible in November. Castlelake and Lind Invest did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Lind, Castlelake, Anko van der Werff, Gursimran Kaur, Emelia Sithole, Philippa Fletcher, Ira Iosebashvili, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Airlines, SAS, Copenhagen, REUTERS, Scandinavian, Castlelake, Apollo Global Management, Air France, KLM, Lind Invest ApS, Air, U.S, Apollo Global, Lind Invest, Thomson Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Danish, Air France, U.S, United States, Bengaluru

☆ Larry Fink’s next M&A may go in surprise direction
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Reuters GraphicsTIPPING THE SCALESThe shift to low-fee products helped BlackRock’s assets under management swell to more than $9 trillion at the end of September. BlackRock’s history with Blackstone means a reunion with Stephen Schwarzman’s $110 billion firm is a persistent Wall Street rumor. BlackRock’s funds operate under a single name, so uniting with Carlyle (CG.O) or Apollo Global Management (APO.N) would pose a branding challenge. Fink might covet MSCI (MSCI.N), the $38 billion firm which aggregates many of the benchmarks tracked by BlackRock’s ETFs. Given Fink’s long record of pulling off opportunistic and transformational deals, it would be foolish to bet against him springing one last surprise.

Persons: Larry Fink, Fink, Merrill, Rowe Price, Janus Henderson, Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman’s, Carlyle, covet, MSCI, Michael Bloomberg, doesn’t, LSEG –, Peter Thal Larsen, Thomas Shum, Streisand Neto Organizations: CNBC, New York Stock Exchange, Reuters, BlackRock, Blackstone, Barclays Global Investors, Credit Suisse, UBS, nab, Graphics, Apollo Global Management, London Stock Exchange, Thomson Reuters, New, Bloomberg, Wall Street, New York Times, LSEG – Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, BlackRock, Boston, Swiss, New York, United States

☆ Air France-KLM announces a 1.3 billion euros financing agreement with Apollo
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo is seen on the facade of Air France-KLM building during the presentation of the group's annual results in Paris, France, February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) announced on Thursday a new financing agreement between one of its affiliate and funds and entities managed by Apollo Global Management (APO.N) in a bid to strengthen its balance sheet. The 1.3 billion euros ($1.37 billion) financing will be accounted as quasi-equity under IFRS accounting standards, the airplane carrier said in a statement. Apollo has an option to increase the nominal amount to up to 1.5 billion euros, Air France-KLM said. For Air France-KLM, this is the second cash injection from Apollo after a $560 million agreement in July.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Victor Goury, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Air France, KLM, REUTERS, Apollo Global Management, Group, Thomson Locations: Air, Paris, France

☆ ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Downton Abbey’ star Maggie Smith, 88, is the face of Loewe’s new campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Dame Maggie Smith, the British actress acclaimed for her appearances both on stage and in cinema, has taken on a new role — and this time it’s in the world of luxury fashion. Loewe has cast the 88-year-old, known for roles such as Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” film franchise, in its spring/summer 2024 pre-collection campaign. The pointed hat and cape of Hogwarts are a distant memory as Smith sports three cosy and stylish looks for the campaign. In another, Smith is adorned in a floor-length faux fur coat and holds Loewe’s signature Puzzle bag. The actress is one of several older women who have fronted fashion lines and magazine covers in recent years.

Persons: Maggie Smith, Loewe, McGonagall, Harry Potter, Smith, Juergen Teller, Dakota Fanning, Greta Lee, Mike Faist, Josh O’Connor, Taeyong, Rachel Jones, Fei Fei Sun, Heartstopper, Sebastian Croft, Jonathan Anderson, “, Juergen Teller Smith —, Countess Violet Crawley, —, Oscar, Miss Jean Brodie, ”, Apo, Od, Dame Judi Dench Organizations: CNN, Loewe Creative, Broadway, Vogue Philippines, British Vogue Locations: British, Hogwarts, American, South Korean, ”, California

☆ Wall Street cues a lesson in Ivory Tower finance
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, Oct 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Wall Streeters are trying to teach universities a lesson, but may provide them with a broader understanding of economics instead. The median family income for Harvard students is nearly $169,000, or about 2.5 times the U.S. average. Stockpiles of cash donated by Rowan, Ackman and other alumni also should theoretically make such institutions more accessible, but haven’t. Elite universities funnel many graduates to lucrative careers in finance and consulting, and studies have shown that social class often predetermines success. Ideally, Ivory Towers would price education closer to its actual value rather than what people are willing to pay.

Persons: Marc Rowan, Bill Ackman, Ackman, Rowan, Israel, grads, Liz Magill, Scott Bok, David Magerman, Estee Lauder, Ronald Lauder, Jon Huntsman, Larry Summers, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Reuters, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, Rowan, Ivy League, Reuters Graphics Investment, Apollo Global Management, Ackman’s, Palestine, Literary, Renaissance Technologies, Pershing, Harvard University, Thomson Locations: Cambridge , Massachusetts, Wharton

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T) is considering bidding for Fujitsu's (6702.T) chip packaging unit Shinko Electric Industries (6967.T), two sources said, as Japan's top trading house weighs an entry into semiconductor manufacturing. Fujitsu has put its 50% stake in Shinko Electric, worth around $2.6 billion at current market prices, on sale, other sources said. A Mitsubishi spokesperson said the trading house had set up a division in June dealing with chips and materials that was looking into various opportunities. A Shinko spokesperson declined to comment. Still, semiconductor packaging remains an area of strength for Japan with Shinko, Ibiden (4062.T) and Toppan Holdings (7911.T) all major players in the global chip supply chain.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Makiko Yamazaki, Maki Shiraki, Miho Uranaka, David Dolan, Muralikumar Organizations: Mitsubishi Corp, REUTERS, Rights, Electric Industries, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Bain Capital, KKR, Apollo Global Management, Japan Investment Corp, Intel, Devices, Toppan Holdings, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Kyushu, Chitose . Japan

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCOPENHAGEN, Oct 13 (Reuters) - U.S. private equity firm Apollo Global Management (APO.N) is seeking to join the consortium that Scandinavian airline SAS (SAS.ST) last week picked to take it through bankruptcy proceedings, according to a source familiar with the matter. Long-struggling SAS, ravaged by the pandemic and pressured by low-cost rivals, sought bankruptcy protection last year. SAS announced last week that Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) and U.S. investment firm Castlelake would become new major shareholders alongside the Danish state. Total investments by new shareholders, which also include Danish investment firm Lind Invest, in the reorganized SAS would amount to 12.9 billion Swedish crowns ($1.18 billion). SAS, Castlelake, Air France-KLM and Apollo all declined to comment.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Lind, Tim Hepher, Greg Roumeliotis, Josie Kao Organizations: Airlines, SAS, Copenhagen, REUTERS, Rights, Apollo Global Management, Scandinavian, Air France, KLM, U.S ., Lind Invest, Castlelake, Apollo, Thomson Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Rights COPENHAGEN, Danish, U.S, Air

☆ Apollo to take Wagamama owner Restaurant Group private for $623 mln
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Eva Mathews | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A sign of Wagamama restaurant is seen in London, Britain, October 5, 2020. Under the terms of the deal announced on Thursday, The Restaurant Group's (TRG) shareholders will get 65 pence in cash for each share held, a premium of about 34% to the stock's last closing price. Shares in the small cap constituent (.FTSC) jumped 37.1% to 66.5 pence, its highest percentage gain since April 2020. There has also been pressure from shareholders and activist investors Irenic Capital and Oasis Management in recent months to change management and improve profitability. Another analyst at Shore Capital said the offer price was "too low" given the company's efforts to improve margins and reduce leverage.

Persons: Hannah McKay, Ken Hanna, Benny's, Eva Mathews, Subhranshu Sahu, Elaine Hardcastle, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Apollo, Irenic Capital, Oasis Management, Cafe, Shore Capital, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, TRG, Cafe Rouge, Bengaluru

Private credit players like HPS Investment Partners and Blue Owl Capital (OWL.N) have a workaround, but it could prompt a painful hangover. Cashed-up private credit funds offered sums previously unseen outside of traditional bank financing on riskier deals. Private credit assets swelled 460% to over $1.4 trillion between 2010 and the end of 2022, Preqin says. Reuters GraphicsThe attraction of “mezz” and similar exotic lending isn’t just that it helps private credit source new deals. In 2021, that dynamic meant private loans briefly became cheaper than liquid, tradable loans – flying in the face of financial orthodoxy.

Persons: –, Zendesk, Preqin, LSEG, HPS, Goldman, Blackstone, Angelo Gordon, dealmaking, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, HPS Investment Partners, Owl, Blackstone, Apollo, Treasury, Private, Management, Partners, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Sabre, Companies, Wolf, ADC Therapeutics, Equity, Thomson Locations: EBITDA

☆ Two groups, including Apollo, bidding for SAS airline -Aftenposten
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] SAS Link's Embraer E195 aircraft lands at Kastrup Airport, as pilots of Scandinavian Airlines go on strike, in Kastrup, Denmark July 4, 2022. TT News Agency/Johan Nilsson via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOSLO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Two groups of investors, including U.S. private equity group Apollo Global Management (APO.N), are bidding for Scandinavian airline SAS (SAS.ST), Norwegian daily Aftenposten reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources. It was not immediately clear who was leading the second group of investors, the newspaper added. Sources told Reuters in early May that Apollo hoped to take a majority stake in the Nordic airline. SAS had said that any bids in an equity fundraising would need to include the Danish state, which currently has a 22% stake.

Persons: Johan Nilsson, Apollo, Nerijus Adomaitis, Terje Solsvik, Nick Zieminski Organizations: SAS, Embraer, Scandinavian Airlines, TT News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, Apollo Global Management, Reuters, Nordic, Thomson Locations: Kastrup, Denmark, Rights OSLO, United States, Danish

☆ Apollo’s divergent path outshines Blackstone
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

NEW YORK, Sept 28 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Apollo Global Management (APO.N) and Blackstone (BX.N) both emerged from private equity’s primordial swamp. That spread comprised nearly three-quarters of Apollo’s $3.1 billion in profit available to be doled out to shareholders in 2022. That turbo-charged the fees Blackstone reaps from managing funds, which contributed 59% of $6.6 billion in profit available to shareholders last year. Apollo’s earnings from its insurance business are awarded an even more meager 10 times. This doesn’t form the closed loop like that between Athene, Apollo and its various specialist lenders.

Persons: Marc Rowan, haven’t, dealmaking, Rowan, Blackstone, Steve Schwarzman, Athene, BREIT, Rich, reckons Bain, Schwarzman, Dealmaking, hasn’t, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Apollo Global Management, Blackstone, Apollo, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Barclays, Schwarzman, U.S . Federal, Industry, Life Insurance, Research Association, Thomson Locations: freefall, BREIT, Blackstone

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