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☆ Deutsche Bank to review Postbank tech migration - Handelsblatt
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The logo of Deutsche Bank is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank's supervisory board has tasked its auditor EY with reviewing the Postbank IT integration, which has caused numerous customer complaints due to disruptions, Handelsblatt reported on Monday. The result could result in cuts to bonuses, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the matter. A Deutsche Bank spokesperson declined to comment on the story. Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Linda Pasquini and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yves Herman, Handelsblatt, Kirsti Knolle, Linda Pasquini, Jan Harvey Organizations: Deutsche Bank, REUTERS, Rights, Deutsche, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium

The inflation rate fell to 2.3% in November. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected inflation to ease to 2.6%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, fell to 3.8% in November from 4.3% the previous month. "But the inflation rate will fall to below 3% as early as the beginning of next year," Wollmershaeuser said. Economists pay close attention to German inflation data, as Germany publishes its figures one day before the euro zone inflation data release.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Timo Wollmershaeuser, Wollmershaeuser, Commerzbank's, Ralph Solveen, Solveen, Bert Colijn, Colijn, Miranda Murray, Maria Martinez, Linda Pasquini, Sharon Singleton, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Union, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Spanish

☆ WHO Says Gaza's Health System Must Be Protected as Disease Spreads
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Gabrielle Tétrault-FarberGENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday called for Gaza's vulnerable health infrastructure to be safeguarded as the war-torn enclave faces an increased risk of epidemics and challenges in detecting infectious diseases. Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said only 15 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were still functioning and were completely overwhelmed. "The remaining health system capacity must be protected, supported and expanded." "With severe overcrowding, the risks are increasing for epidemics of respiratory tract infections, acute watery diarrhoea, hepatitis, scabies, lice and other diseases," Tedros said. "Any resumption of violence could damage the health facilities and make more health facilities dysfunctional," said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Persons: Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Tedros, Mike Ryan, Richard Peeperkorn, Linda Pasquini, Christina Fincher Organizations: Farber GENEVA, World Health Organization, WHO, WHO's, West Bank Locations: Israel, Geneva, Gaza, Palestinian Territories

☆ Germany's economy shrinks slightly in third quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Germany's economy shrank slightly in the third quarter compared with the previous three months, data from its statistics office showed on Friday. The figure confirmed an initial estimate, published in late October, that saw Europe's largest economy shrink by 0.1%. In the second quarter, Germany's economy had grown by 0.1% after stagnating in the first three months of the year. Private consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of GDP, was 0.3% lower than in the previous quarter, the statistics office said. The Bundesbank said in its monthly economic report on Monday that the German economy will likely shrink again in the fourth quarter and show signs of slight improvement early next year.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Ruth Brand, Thomas Gitzel, Miranda Murray, Linda Pasquini, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Bank, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Europe

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of German industrial conglomerate Siemens, Roland Busch attends the virtual annual shareholder meeting in Munich, Germany, February 10, 2022. Sven Hoppe/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Company expects sales to grow 4-8% in fiscal 2024Posts record industrial sales, profit in Q4Frankfurt-listed shares +3.6%FRANKFURT, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Siemens (SIEGn.DE) on Thursday gave a more cautious sales outlook for 2024, citing continuing destocking by Chinese customers, after the maker of products from trains to industrial software reported record industrial profit. That beat the 20.99 billion euros forecast in a company-gathered poll of analysts. Industrial profit too grew 7% to a record 3.4 billion euros, above the 3.34 billion euros forecast. The company has also been working through its massive order book, which stood at 111 billion euros at the end of September, up from 110 billion euros at the end of June.

Persons: Roland Busch, Sven Hoppe, Ralf Thomas, Christoph Steitz, Alexander Huebner, John Revill, Linda Pasquini, Christopher Cushing, Jan Harvey Organizations: Siemens, Companies, ABB, Frankfurt, Industrial Business, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, Frankfurt, FRANKFURT, Swiss, China

☆ German police raid Iran-linked centre over suspected Hezbollah support
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] German police officers walk towards the Islamic Center Hamburg, during a raid, due to suspicion of members acting against a constitutional order and supporting the militant group Hezbollah in Hamburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - German police conducted raids early on Thursday in seven states over the Islamic Centre of Hamburg's suspected support for the militant group Hezbollah, the interior ministry said. "I want to make clear that we are acting against Islamists, not against a religion or another state," said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. In Hamburg alone, 300 officers conducted 31 searches in connection with the centre, the city's interior senator said. "The suspicions against the Islamic Centre of Hamburg are serious," and it has long been monitored by the domestic intelligence agency for Islamist activities, said Faeser.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Nancy Faeser, Linda Pasquini, Miranda Murray, Madeline Chambers, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Islamic Center, Hezbollah, REUTERS, Rights, Islamic, Authorities, of, Lebanese, Thomson Locations: Islamic Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, Israel, Gaza, Iran, of Hamburg

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. A producer of key equipment such as gas turbines, converter stations and wind turbines, Siemens Energy is viewed by the German government as vital to its energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Frankfurt-listed shares in Siemens Energy were up 3% at 0757 GMT. Siemens Gamesa, once considered the future growth driver for Siemens Energy, has become a millstone around the group's neck after deeper-than-expected wind turbine quality issues were disclosed in June. As part of the financial backing agreed with stakeholders, Siemens Energy said it would sell an 18% stake in Indian firm Siemens Ltd (SIEM.NS) to Siemens AG at a discount of 15%, confirming a previous Reuters story.

Persons: Dado, Christian Bruch, Spain's, Christoph Steitz, Linda Pasquini, Mark Potter Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Siemens, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens AG, Reuters, Siemens Ltd, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, MUNICH

☆ Infineon reports better-than-expected 2023 revenue on semiconductor demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Infineon Technologies AG logo is seen during German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit, in Dresden, Germany July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 15 (Reuters) - German chip manufacturer Infineon (IFXGn.DE) reported higher-than-expected revenue for its 2023 fiscal year on Wednesday as demand for semiconductors, particularly in the electromobility and renewable energy sectors, remains unabated. Revenue was 16.31 billion euros ($17.72 billion), up 15% from the year before, slightly beating company-provided analyst expectations of 16.22 billion euros. "Structural semiconductor growth in the areas of renewable energy, electromobility – especially in China – and microcontrollers for the automotive industry remains unabated," said Chief Executive Jochen Hanebeck. The company is forecasting slightly slower revenue growth for the 2024 fiscal year of 17 billion euros, plus or minus 500 million.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Annalena Baerbock's, Annegret, Jochen Hanebeck, Miranda Murray, Linda Pasquini Organizations: Infineon, REUTERS, Rights, Revenue, Thomson Locations: Dresden, Germany, China

☆ German government supports Siemens Energy with $8 bln guarantees
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. Private banks were expected to provide Siemens Energy with guarantees worth 12 billion euros while Siemens Energy would seek another 3 billion from other sources, the statement said, adding it was conditional on the final sign-off of all parties. "We are pleased with the German government's clear support for Siemens Energy and the commitment to the rapid implementation of projects to make the energy transition a success," Siemens Energy said in a statement. Shares in Siemens AG rose 2.7% at 1517 GMT on the deal while Siemens Energy shares were up 0.3%. Siemens AG, which spun off Siemens Energy in 2020, is also expected to provide support by buying most of the 24% stake Siemens Energy owns in Siemens Ltd (SIEM.NS), an Indian joint venture, sources have told Reuters.

Persons: Dado, Marco Buschmann, Buschmann, Christian Kraemer, Alexander Hübner, Christoph Steitz, Linda Pasquini, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, David Evans Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Siemens AG, Reuters, Siemens Ltd, Siemens, RTL, ntv, Thomson Locations: Indian

☆ Allianz retains full-year outlook despite 30% slump in Q3 profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of insurer Allianz SE is seen on the company building in Puteaux at the financial and business district of La Defense near Paris, outside Paris, France, May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Germany's Allianz (ALVG.DE) on Friday posted a 30% fall in its third-quarter net profit, dragged down by claims from natural catastrophes, although the financial services company maintained its full-year profit outlook. Net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.021 billion euros ($2.16 billion) in the three-month period ended September, compared with 2.866 billion euros a year earlier. Allianz, one of Europe's largest financial services groups, described the level of claims as "exceptionally high". Still, the company stuck to its target of 2023 operating profit between 13.2 billion and 15.2 billion euros.

Persons: Charles Platiau, Tom Sims, Christina Amann, Linda Pasquini, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: Allianz, La Defense, REUTERS, Rights, Germany's Allianz, Thomson Locations: Puteaux, La, Paris, France, Ukraine, Continental Europe, Germany, Italy, Austria

☆ Israel Must Protect Palestinians in the West Bank - UN Rights Chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

AMMAN (Reuters) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday that Israel must take immediate measures to protect Palestinians in the West Bank as they find themselves targeted by more violence since the conflict with Hamas erupted last month. "I also appeal, as a matter of urgency, for Israeli authorities to take immediate measures, to take steps to ensure the protection of Palestinians in the West Bank, who are being on a daily basis subjected to violence from Israeli forces and settlers, ill treatment, arrests, evictions, intimidation and humiliation," Volker Turk told reporters in the Jordanian capital of Amman. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman and Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber in Geneva; Editing by Linda Pasquini)

Persons: Israel, Volker Turk, Suleiman Al, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Linda Pasquini Organizations: United Nations, Human Rights, West Bank, Hamas Locations: AMMAN, Jordanian, Amman, Khalidi, Geneva

AMMAN/GENEVA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The U.N. human rights chief on Friday urged an investigation into what he called Israel's use of "high-impact explosive weapons" in Gaza, which he said was causing indiscriminate destruction in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Israel's air, sea and land bombardment of Gaza, accompanied now by a ground assault deep inside the territory, aims to destroy the militant group Hamas which controls Gaza. Israel's subsequent bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 10,000 Palestinians according to health authorities in the Palestinian enclave. "The extensive Israeli bombardment of Gaza, including the use of high-impact explosive weapons in densely populated areas ... is clearly having a devastating humanitarian and human rights impact," Turk told a news conference during a visit to Jordan's capital Amman. "But such conduct by Palestinian armed groups does not absolve Israel of its obligation to ensure that civilians are spared."

Persons: Volker Turk, Turk, Israel, Suleiman Al, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Emma Farge, Maytaal, John Davison, Linda Pasquini, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Human Rights, West Bank, Thomson Locations: AMMAN, GENEVA, Gaza, Israel, Amman, Khalidi, Geneva, Jerusalem, Beirut

☆ WHO: north Gaza hospitals are under bombardment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Asked about the Gaza health ministry's allegation of an Israeli strike on the courtyard of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said: "I haven't got the detail on Al Shifa but we do know they are coming under bombardment." She said there was also "significant bombardment" on Rantissi hospital, the only hospital providing paediatric services in North Gaza. Gaza families have been sheltering at the hospital, the territory's largest, which is inside Gaza City encircled by Israeli troops. None of that aid can reach northern Gaza, he added. "If there is a hell on earth today, it's name is northern Gaza," he said.

Persons: Doaa, Israel, Margaret Harris, Al Shifa, Harris, Jens Laerke, Laerke, Emma Farge, Linda Pasquini, Peter Graff, Angus MacSwan Organizations: REUTERS, WHO UN, U.N, World Health Organization, WHO, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Al Shifa, Israel, Gaza City, GENEVA, Gaza, North Gaza, Egypt, Palestinian

☆ Germany approves stakes by Bosch, Infineon and NXP in TSMC chip plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) logo is seen while people attend the opening of the TSMC global R&D center in Hsinchu, Taiwan July 28, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - The German cartel office has approved stakes by Bosch (ROBG.UL), Infineon (IFXGn.DE) and NXP (NXP.N) in TSMC's (2330.TW) new semiconductor plant in the German city of Dresden, the regulator said in a statement on Tuesday. The companies would each acquire 10% of shares in the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), founded by TSMC, it said. "The recent geopolitical upheavals have shown how important secured access to semiconductors is, especially for the German industry," Andreas Mundt, president of the cartel office, said in a statement. He added that both the European Union and Germany were committed to locating more semiconductor production in Europe and Germany.

Persons: Ann Wang, Andreas Mundt, Linda Pasquini, Rachel More, Matthias Williams Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Bosch, Infineon, European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, TSMC, European Union, Thomson Locations: Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC's, German, Dresden, Germany, Europe, China

☆ Germany Releases Aid for Palestinians, Gives Extra 20 Million Euros
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Germany has decided to release 71 million euros ($75.80 million) in aid as part of an ongoing review of its support for Palestinians, and has pledged an additional 20 million euros in new funding, the development ministry said on Tuesday. Germany responded to Hamas militants' bloody attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by temporarily suspending its development aid to the Palestinian Territories pending review. "Due to the fragile situation in the region, the review has not yet been fully completed," a statement from the ministry said. The total sum of 91 million euros will go towards providing basic services for displaced people in the Gaza Strip and assistance for Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Israel's campaign to annihilate the Hamas Islamists who launched the attack has devastated the enclave.

Persons: Linda Pasquini, Rachel More Organizations: Reuters, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Islamists, UNRWA Locations: Germany, Israel, Palestinian Territories, East, Gaza, Jordan

☆ Puma tumbles as analysts flag possible earnings disappointment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A pair of Puma sports shoes is shown at an event in Berlin, Germany February 21, 2019. Analysts at brokerage Stifel said Puma's third-quarter earnings before interest and tax might decline by a low double-digit rate compared with last year, a worse performance than consensus expectations for a 6% decline. The drop in Puma's shares put them on course for their worst day since March 2020. Puma said it was fully on track to achieve its full-year guidance, while declining to comment on its share price movement. Puma is targeting EBIT of between 590 million euros and 670 million euros for 2023, from 641 million euros in 2022.

Persons: Annegret, Stifel, Puma, overstock, Jefferies, Danilo Masoni, Helen Reid, Linda Pasquini, Alexander Huebner, Susan Fenton, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Nike, Adidas, Puma, RBC, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, North America, China, U.S, London, Gdansk, Munich

The Berlin-based company expects total segment revenue to grow around 15% this year, compared with its previous guidance for growth of around 10% in constant currency terms. The company confirmed its outlook for adjusted core profit (EBITDA) margin on gross merchandise value (GMV) of over 0.5% for the year. Revenue rose 16% in constant currency to 2.58 billion euros in the second quarter, slightly above a consensus estimate of 2.50 billion euros. Overall GMV increased 8% in constant currency to 11.08 billion euros in the quarter, exceeding analysts' estimate of 10.96 billion euros. The group's Asia segment, including its core market South Korea, returned to positive GMV growth of 2% in constant currency.

Persons: Emmanuel Thomassin, Niklas Oestberg, Linda Pasquini, Anna Mackenzie, Himani Sarkar, Conor Humphries, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Thomson Locations: Asia, Berlin, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Gdansk

The headquarters of chemicals maker Lanxess are seen in Cologne, Germany November 15, 2018. "We urgently need sustainable framework conditions – above all an internationally competitive electricity tariff for the industry," CEO Matthias Zachert said in a statement. The company said implementing these measures would cost around 100 million euros. The group's second quarter core earnings (EBITDA) pre-exceptionals fell 57.7% to 107 million euros, in line with its forecast from June. In a separate statement, Lanxess said its finance chief Michael Pontzen would leave by the end of August.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Matthias Zachert, Lanxess, Zachert, Baader, Konstantin Wiechert, Michael Pontzen, Linda Pasquini, Antonis Pothitos, Milla Nissi, Alexander Smith, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Cologne, Germany, Europe, Krefeld, Uerdingen, Gdansk

☆ Hugo Boss stays strong in tough China, U.S. markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Hugo Boss store is seen in Polanco in Mexico City, Mexico May 20, 2017. Its business in EMEA and the Americas benefited from a pick-up in tourism, Hugo Boss said, while currency-adjusted revenue in China increased 56% from a year earlier, making the Asia-Pacific region the strongest for the company. The company expects its annual sales to grow 12% to 15% and reach 4.1 billion to 4.2 billion euros, compared with its previous forecast for about 10% growth to 4 billion euros. Hugo Boss forecasts its 2023 operating profit to grow 20% to 25% to a level of 400 million to 420 million euros, versus its prior range of 10% to 20%. Shares of Hugo Boss were seen up 0.7% in early Frankfurt trade.

Persons: Hugo Boss, Henry Romero, Hugo, JP Morgan, Linda Pasquini, Milla Nissi, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Group, Thomson Locations: Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico, China, Asia, EMEA, Americas, Pacific, Frankfurt, Gdansk

July 26 (Reuters) - German sportswear retailer Puma (PUMG.DE) on Wednesday said second-quarter sales grew by 11%, slightly ahead of market expectations thanks to stronger revenues from Asia and Europe. "The macroeconomic environment and volatile retail demand remain challenging, particularly in North America and Europe, as recession risks weigh on consumer sentiment." Puma' sales came in at 2.12 billion euros ($2.34 billion) in the quarter, up from 2 billion a year earlier and above the 2.05 billion expected by analysts polled by Refinitiv Eikon. The company confirmed its full-year outlook for currency adjusted revenue growth in a high single-digit percentage rate, and an operating profit of between 590 million and 670 million euros. Operating earnings of 115 million euros for the quarter were down 21% from a year earlier but still above the 110 million expected by analysts.

Persons: Puma, Rihanna, Refinitiv Eikon, Linda Pasquini, Helen Reid, Milla Nissi, Jane Merriman Organizations: Puma, Super Team, Thomson Locations: Asia, Europe, North America, China, Frankfurt, Gdansk, London

Puma is likely to benefit less from the trend than Adidas because its terrace range doesn't have as much name recognition, said Adam Cochrane, analyst at Deutsche Bank. Investors will be pushing Puma and Adidas on broader strategies to navigate weak consumer demand at second-quarter results on July 26 and Aug. 3 respectively. Adidas, however, has got a big boost from selling some of its stock of discontinued Yeezy shoes. On Monday it slashed its expected 2023 operating loss to 450 million euros from 700 million euros, citing unexpectedly strong Yeezy sales. "However, the cost to compete for sportswear brands is very high, and barriers to entry are low, making retailers quite vulnerable to 'boom and bust' cycles as trends change," said Aubin.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Adam Cochrane, it's, Robert Schramm, Fuchs, Janus Henderson, Bjorn Gulden, Edouard Aubin, Morgan Stanley, Aubin, Helen Reid, Linda Pasquini, Susan Fenton Organizations: Adidas, REUTERS, Puma, Nike U.S, Nike, Google, Deutsche Bank, Investors, Defamation, Thomson Locations: Lafayette, Paris, France, U.S, China, North America, London, Gdansk

☆ Hugo Boss lifts 2025 targets as demand stays strong
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Linda Pasquini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 15 (Reuters) - German fashion house Hugo Boss (BOSSn.DE) on Thursday raised its 2025 sales target, betting on strong demand across its markets. The company forecast annual sales of 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) by 2025, compared to the previous target of 4 billion euros, which it expects to meet this year. Hugo Boss, which has undergone a brand revamp under the leadership of former Tommy Hilfiger head Daniel Grieder, is investing in marketing to boost sales and expand market share. It is also targeting an operating profit (EBIT) of 600 million euros by 2025, up from a previous goal of around 480 million, and an EBIT margin of at least 12% versus a previous forecast of around 12%. Hugo Boss shares were up 1.7% in early Frankfurt trade, topping the German mid-cap index (.MDAXI).

Persons: Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Daniel Grieder, Linda Pasquini, Milla Nissi, Jason Neely Organizations: Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, China, Europe, Asia, Pacific, Frankfurt, Gdansk

☆ Fashion retailers resilient despite consumer fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares in H&M gained 6% as analysts forecast a stronger third quarter after flat sales from March to May. Bank of America analysts said H&M's sold-out collaboration with luxury brand Mugler could also help boost half-year earnings expected on June 29. Despite sales falling, it said its focus on profit per order was paying off. The online retailer, bruised by shoppers' return to physical stores post-pandemic, has cut stock by 15% since the start of the year and said it was removing unprofitable brands from its platform. "While cracks are clearly visible in the U.S. consumer environment and to a lesser extent in Europe, Hugo Boss has been immune so far," Citi analysts said.

Persons: Sweden's, Inditex, M's, ASOS, Hugo Boss, Helen Reid, Marie Mannes, James Davey, Linda Pasquini, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bank of America, Citi, Thomson Locations: U.S, Europe, China, Zara, London, Stockholm, Gdansk

LONDON/BERLIN, May 30 (Reuters) - Nestle (NESN.S), the world's biggest packaged food company, said on Tuesday it had hired the London Stock Exchange Group's (LSEG) finance chief Anna Manz as its new chief financial officer. Manz will replace Francois-Xavier Roger, who the company said is stepping down to "pursue new professional challenges" after eight years in the role. Nestle, whose more than 2,000 brands include Kit Kat, Haagen-Dazs and Nescafe, said Manz will join Nestle as soon as she is released from her current duties. "We trust that Anna will pursue Francois' legacy, considering her strong career at Diageo," Vontobel analyst Jean-Philippe Bertschy said. Rival Unilever Plc (ULVR.L) also said on Tuesday that CFO Graeme Pitkethly would leave the consumer goods giant by the end of May 2024 after more than two decades.

☆ Delivery Hero forecasts 2023 GMV growth of 5-7%
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 27 (Reuters) - German online takeaway food company Delivery Hero (DHER.DE) on Thursday forecast single-digit percentage growth in 2023 gross merchandise value (GMV), citing a "promising start" to the second quarter and expecting an acceleration in growth throughout the year. The Berlin-based company expects its GMV to grow between 5% and 7% in constant currency this year. After a pandemic-driven boost to growth, Delivery Hero has focused on reaching long-awaited profitability as investor confidence in the rapidly expanding but mostly unprofitable sector started to wane. It reported a GMV of 11.2 billion euros ($12.39 billion) for the first quarter, up 2.1% in constant currency and in line with analysts' estimate in a company-compiled consensus. ($1 = 0.9042 euros)Reporting by Anna Mackenzie and Linda Pasquini in Gdansk; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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