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☆ Rakuten's mobile misadventure: from ambitious plan to millstone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Anton Bridge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

By any measure, cash-bleeding Rakuten Mobile is deeply troubled. Rakuten is set for another tough year in 2024 with investors keen to see if it can achieve its goal of having the mobile unit break even. Those steps have raised some 800 billion yen ($5.4 billion). Then in October, SoftBank Corp (9434.T), Japan's No.3 mobile network provider, began offering a generous reward campaign for most mobile users using SoftBank Group's (9984.T) PayPay online payment system. Without profits, the mobile unit is not likely to entice would-be suitors and competition laws would probably prevent the likes of SoftBank and Docomo from bidding.

Persons: Japan's Rakuten, Hiroshi, Mickey, Rakuten, Mitsunobu Tsuruo, Rakuten's, NTT Docomo, Mikitani, Amir Anvarzadeh, Anton Bridge, David Dolan, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Citi, Amazon Japan, Rakuten Securities, Rakuten Bank, SBI Securities, GUNNING, Rakuten Mobile, Reuters, NTT, SoftBank Corp, Asymmetric Advisors, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, ARPU

☆ ‘A year of volatility’: Morgan Stanley names its top stocks as India prepares to head to the polls
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The investment case for India is hard to argue with, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley — but they warn that upcoming elections with "potential binary outcomes sets the market up for volatility." "Government policy remains supportive, and the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) executes a calibrated exit from its current hold stance. For Morgan Stanley, the downside, or bear case, to its forecast would see India's elections result in a change in government. Focus list of overweight-rated stocks Looking ahead to India in 2024, Morgan Stanley is overweight on companies in the financials, consumer discretionary, industrials and technology sectors. From the financial services sector, Morgan Stanley is overweight on ICICI Bank and insurer SBI Life Insurance .

Persons: Morgan Stanley —, Ridham Desai, Narendra Modi, Morgan Stanley, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, International Monetary Fund, Maruti Suzuki, Hindustan Aeronautics, Infosys, ICICI Bank, SBI Life Insurance Locations: India, U.S, Government, F2026E

☆ Closed-end funds can generate income – and they’re cheap. Here’s how they might fit in your portfolio
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Closed-end funds offer a fixed number of shares, but they also trade publicly on exchanges. Right now, a confluence of events is resulting in some sharp discounts for closed-end funds, especially for those that hold bonds. Investors in closed-end funds have shed some of those holdings and that's resulting in sharper discounts to net asset value. Closed-end fund plays Financial advisors have called out closed-end funds holding municipal bonds as a way to add duration on the cheap. Closed-end funds offer other ways to pick up income: Paul Winter, CFP and portfolio manager at Five Seasons Financial Planning, likes funds that use buy-write strategies.

Persons: Dave Lamb, Lamb, Jeffrey Gundlach, Robert Finley, Paul Winter, BOE, Nuveen's Lamb Organizations: Treasury, Western Asset, Muni Fund, Asset Management, Five, Virtus, Strategy, BlackRock Locations: New York, York

☆ Indian shares rise as falling oil prices boost energy stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Bharath Rajeswaran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Indian shares rose on Wednesday, led by energy stocks, as crude prices fell, while a drop in high weightage financials after a recent rise capped gains. The NSE Nifty 50 index (.NSEI) was up 0.23% at 19,451.10 as of 10:07 a.m. IST, while the S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) rose 0.14% to 65,027.13. "Moderation in U.S. bond yields, positive earnings and a drop in crude oil prices are positive for the markets," said analysts at Centrum Institutional Research. Ten of the 13 major sectors rose, with energy (.NIFTYENR) and oil & gas (.NIFYOILGAS) rising 0.5% and 1%, respectively. ICICI Bank (ICBK.NS), SBI Life Insurance (SBIL.NS), Bajaj Finance (BJFN.NS), Kotak Mahindra Bank (KTKM.NS) were among the top Nifty 50 losers, shedding between 0.3% and 0.8%.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Powell, Brent, Bharath Rajeswaran, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Sohini Goswami, Nivedita Organizations: Bombay Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, NSE, BSE, Centrum Institutional Research, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, ICICI Bank, SBI Life Insurance, Bajaj Finance, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Wall, U.S, Treasury, Nasdaq, Apollo Tyres, Prestige Estate, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, China, Bengaluru

☆ Taiwan's Powerchip chooses northern Japan for planned $5.4 bln fab
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp's Japanese business in pictured in Tokyo, Japan July 21 2023. "Japan has to have its own supply chain," Powerchip founder and Chairman Frank Huang told reporters. Powerchip said it aimed to manufacture micro-controllers and power chips, which are needed for power management in electric vehicles, along with chips for artificial intelligence. The second phase, planned for two years later, aims to introduce 28-nanometre technology with targeted monthly output of 40,000 wafers. They aim to cut costs by making reference to plans for a Powerchip fab being built in Taiwan, and discussions are already taking place with construction firms.

Persons: Sam Nussey, Taiwan's TSMC, Frank Huang, Powerchip, David Dolan, Jamie Freed Organizations: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, SBI Holdings, Reuters, Powerchip, SBI, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Miyagi, Taiwan, Sendai, Hokkaido, Kyushu, chipmaking

☆ Taiwanese chip firm to build a $5.3 billion factory in Japan as country seeks semiconductor boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The first phase of the project in the Miyagi Prefecture north of the capital Tokyo, will require a 420 billion yen investment. Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) and Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings have chosen a site in northern Japan for an 800 billion yen ($5.3 billion) chip manufacturing plant, the two firms said Tuesday. The PSMC and SBI factory will manufacture semiconductors in the 28 nanometer, 40 nanometer and 55 nanometer categories. U.S. memory chipmaker Micron announced in May that it would invest up to 500 billion yen in Japan over the next few years, including into manufacturing. In June, a fund backed by the Japanese government proposed a 903.9 billion yen acquisition of semiconductor materials giant JSR .

Organizations: SBI Holdings, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, SBI, Toyota, Honda, Micron Locations: Japan, Miyagi Prefecture, Tokyo, U.S, China

☆ Standard Chartered-owned crypto firm Zodia launches in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Zodia Custody, the crypto security firm owned by British banking giant Standard Chartered, is launching its services in Hong Kong, the company told CNBC exclusively. "The Hong Kong government and the regulators see digital assets as the future and also want Hong Kong to be a hub," Sawyer said. Hong Kong has been increasingly warming to crypto assets despite a broader anti-crypto push from China, which banned bitcoin trading and mining in 2021. At first, it will seek to provide services for Hong Kong clients in a limit set of crypto assets. Zodia is also in discussions with both the SFC and Hong Kong Monetary Authority about becoming regulated in the financial district.

Persons: Julian Sawyer, Sawyer, Zodia Organizations: CNBC, Hong, Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, Japan's SBI Holdings ., Hong Kong Securities, Futures Commission, OSL, SFC, Hong Kong Monetary Authority Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Japan's SBI Holdings . Hong Kong, China

☆ Powerchip, SBI to build chip plant in northern Japan -Nikkei
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The logo of Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp's Japanese business in pictured in Tokyo, Japan July 21 2023. REUTERS/Sam Nussey/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing (6770.TW) plans to build a chip plant in northern Japan's Miyagi prefecture in cooperation with SBI Holdings (8473.T) with an initial investment of about 400 billion yen ($2.67 billion), the Nikkei business daily said on Friday. Powerchip aims to bring the new plant into operation in 2026, the paper said. Reuters reported earlier this month that Powerchip had closed in on five locations for a new plant and was negotiating subsidies to cover part of the first phase. ($1 = 150.0300 yen)Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom; editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sam Nussey, Powerchip, Christina Fincher Organizations: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, Powerchip Semiconductor, SBI Holdings, Nikkei, Reuters, Tokyo, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Japan's Miyagi

Toyota Motor Corporation's cars are seen at a briefing on the company's strategies on battery EVs in Tokyo, Japan December 14, 2021. The Japan Mobility Show, which opens on Thursday, comes at a critical moment for the domestic industry. Toyota (7203.T), the world's top-selling automaker, this year announced a strategic pivot to battery EVs, including plans to commercialise advanced batteries and adopt die-casting technology pioneered by Tesla (TSLA.O). Toyota's shift has helped silence criticism that it was too slow to embrace battery EVs. In contrast to the darkening outlook in Japan, data from the ASEAN Automotive Federation shows that the auto market in Southeast Asia has been growing.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Koji Endo, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Companies, Japan, Japan Mobility, Tesla, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, BYD, HK, BMW, Honda, SBI Securities, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, ASEAN Automotive Federation, EV upstarts, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, China, Southeast Asia, Thailand

The logo of Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp's Japanese business in pictured in Tokyo, Japan July 21 2023. REUTERS/Sam Nussey/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE/TOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan chipmaker Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (6770.TW) is considering around five sites in Japan, including Mie prefecture, for setting up a potential $5.4 billion factory as talks on subsidies progress, sources said. Powerchip is looking at around five sites for the factory, the source said. One option is Mie prefecture in central Japan, two sources said, close to the industrial hub of Nagoya and fabs operated by Taiwan's UMC (2303.TW) and Japan's Kioxia. A factory from Powerchip would mark a further commitment by Taiwanese chipmakers into manufacturing in Japan, with TSMC (2330.TW) building a factory in Kyushu in western Japan and eyeing a second.

Persons: Sam Nussey, Powerchip, Taiwan's UMC, eyeing, chipmaker, Fanny Potkin, Miho Uranaka, Muralikumar Organizations: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, SBI Holdings, SBI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, TOKYO, Taiwan, Mie, Nagoya, Powerchip, Kyushu

☆ India's Bharti Group to buy out French partner AXA's stake in JV
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Hritam Mukherjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Logos of France's biggest insurer Axa are seen on a building in Nanterre, near Paris, March 8, 2016. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Bharti Group will acquire French insurer AXA's (AXAF.PA) 49% stake in Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co, the Indian conglomerate said on Wednesday, taking full control of a venture that was jointly run for nearly two decades. "There is ample scope for life insurance to grow in India. Bharti's JV deal, made through its Bharti Life Ventures arm, is expected to close by December this year, subject to regulatory approvals. The company competes with HDFC Life Insurance (HDFL.NS), ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (ICIR.NS), SBI Life Insurance (SBIL.NS) and LIC in a market ranked ninth in the world, according to the insurance regulatory body's latest annual report.

Persons: Christian Hartmann, Bharti, Burman, Avinash Singh, Hritam Mukherjee, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Axa, REUTERS, Rights, Bharti Group, Bharti AXA Life Insurance, Bharti, AXA, Life Insurance Corporation of India, United Provident Association, Insurance, JV, Religare Enterprises, Emkay Global Financial Services, Bharti's JV, Ventures, Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, SBI Life Insurance, Bharti Airtel, Bharti Realty, Del Monte Foods, Del, Del Monte Pacific, Thomson Locations: Nanterre, Paris, India, Del Monte, Bengaluru

☆ Forget the U.S: Pros say another top market looks cheap and offers the 'best' opportunities
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Attractive returns and the breadth of opportunities are among the many reasons the U.S. has long reigned supreme for investors. In terms of countries, Japan looks to offer the best combination of earnings growth, cheap valuations and policy support," Tom Stevenson, investment director at Fidelity International, told CNBC Pro. "Japanese shares are trading on around 15 times this year's expected earnings and 14 times earnings two years out," he said. "There has been some increase in this multiple during the recent rally in Japanese shares, but they remain relatively cheap compared to the U.S. which trades on around 20 times earnings." Among his choices is the Baillie Gifford Japanese Fund, which he describes as a "growth-focused fund run by an experienced manager."

Persons: Tom Stevenson, Daniel Hurley, Rowe Price, Stevenson, TRP's Hurley, Fidelity's Stevenson, Hurley, Baillie Gifford Organizations: Fidelity International, CNBC, CNBC Pro, Japan, Tokyo Exchange Group, Stock, Japan's, Bank of Japan, Sony, Astella Pharmaceuticals, Fund, Schroder Japan Trust, SoftBank, SBI Holdings, Hitachi, Nippon Gas, Toyota, Japan IMI Locations: Japan, U.S

☆ Indian shares seen opening lower amid sustained foreign selling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The new logo of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building is seen in Mumbai, India, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Indian shares are set to open lower on Tuesday, with higher-for-longer global interest rate expectations driving continuous foreign outflows from the domestic market amid subdued global sentiment. On Monday, the Nifty 50 (.NSEI) and the S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) closed mostly unchanged at 19,674.55 points, and 65,958 points, respectively. Foreign investors have been net sellers so far this month, offloading shares worth $1.36 billion, as of Sept. 22 after pouring in over $15 billion into Indian equities this year. On Monday, foreign institutional investors sold 23.33 billion rupees worth of shares, while domestic investors bought 15.79 billion rupees worth of shares, as per provisional exchange data.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Ajith, Eileen Soreng Organizations: Bombay Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, NSE, BSE, U.S, Federal, Of India, Realty, Hotel, & Realty, Sethuraman, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Delhi, Bengaluru

☆ Goldman expects 'healthy' growth at these 3 Indian banking stocks – giving one nearly 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Goldman Sachs forecasts "healthy" growth in new lending at three major Indian banks over the next six months, which it says could lead to a significant upside for these stocks. The Wall Street bank noted that Indian bank stocks have broadly outperformed the MSCI India index over the past year, but have underperformed over the last three to six months. Goldman Sachs said that valuation multiples for Indian banks have declined the most despite earnings per share (EPS) upgrades. HDB KOTAKBANK-IN,SBIN-IN YTD mountain However, Goldman Sachs expects operating profit to bottom out in the December quarter of 2023 as margins and growth rates stabilize. Goldman's view on the Indian banks Kotak Mahindra Bank Price target: 2,624 Indian rupees ($31.6).

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Rahul Jain, Hardik Shah, Goldman, ROA, ROE, CNBC's Naman Tandon Organizations: Mahindra Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Mahindra Bank Price, SBI, HDFC Locations: India, United States

☆ What industry experts, leaders say about the autoworkers' strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

SAM FIORANI, PRODUCTION FORECASTER AT AUTO FORECAST SOLUTIONS:"This is more of a symbolic strike than an actual damaging one ... DEMOCRATIC U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ELISSA SLOTKIN OF MICHIGAN:"I'm looking forward to joining our auto workers on the picket line this weekend. DONALD TRUMP, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT:"The all Electric (car) is a disaster for both the United Auto Workers and the American Consumer. The targeted strike is intended to give UAW flexibility strike fund duration." SUZANNE CLARK, CEO OF US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE"The UAW strike and indeed the 'summer of strikes' is the natural result of the Biden administration's 'whole of government' approach to promoting unionization at all costs."

Persons: MARY BARRA, who's, we've, Shawn, Fain, DAN IVES, KOJI ENDO, LEE JAE, ARTHUR WHEATON, It's, ELISSA SLOTKIN, JAY TIMMONS, MONICA BOSIO, Stellantis, MARTINO, AMBROGGI, DONALD TRUMP, CHRIS MCNALLY, COLIN LANGAN, AT WELLS, PATRICK ANDERSON, JOHN MURPHY, Ford, ROBERT STREDA, DBRS, SUZANNE CLARK, Biden, Joseph White, David Shepardson, Trevor Hunnicutt, Peter Henderson, Heekyong Yang, Daniel Leussink, Giulio Piovaccari, Mehr Bedi, Medha Singh, Anne Marie Roantree, Jamie Freed, Savio D'Souza, Arun Koyyur Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Ford Bronco, Chevrolet, CNBC, GM, SBI, EUGENE, South, CORNELL SCHOOL, Company, DEMOCRATIC U.S, ELISSA SLOTKIN OF, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, American Consumer, ISI, AT, Detroit, Thomson Locations: Chevrolet Colorado, Detroit, United States, ELISSA SLOTKIN OF MICHIGAN, China, Washington, San Francisco, Seoul, Tokyo, Milan, Bengaluru

☆ Standard Chartered-owned crypto firm Zodia launches in Singapore
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Zodia Custody, a company that helps large institutions store their crypto, launched in Singapore on Tuesday in a bid to tap into the country's rapidly growing digital asset market. The development makes Zodia the first entity that is owned by and partnered with banks to provide digital asset custody services for financial institutions in Singapore, Zodia said in a news release. Zodia is also part-owned by SBI Digital Asset Holdings, the crypto division of Japanese bank SBI. "Singapore is a market that has been no stranger to the crypto world for a long time," Sawyer said. Standard Chartered has a "fantastic brand" in Singapore, Sawyer said, adding that the backing of such a large institution has helped boost its conversations with major financial firms.

Persons: Zodia, StanChart, Julian Sawyer, Sawyer, blockchain, Crypto, Zodia's, Coinbase Organizations: Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Digital Asset Holdings, SBI, CNBC, Starling, Chartered, Arrows, United, United Arab Emirates Locations: Singapore, British, Asia, Africa, Japan, Pacific, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, India

☆ Ripple buys crypto infrastructure startup in its second acquisition of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Founded in 2021 by Scott Purcell, an entrepreneur with a background in equity and debt crowdfunding, Fortress Trust aims to help large enterprises interact with digital currencies. The company uses a blockchain-based messaging system, akin to SWIFT, to approve speedy transactions between a network of banks and other financial institutions. A Ripple spokesperson declined to comment on the size of the deal but said that it is less than the sum Ripple paid to buy Metaco. Ripple also obtained a Nevada trust with its acquisition of Fortress Trust, adding to its growing list of regulatory permits globally. The company told CNBC previously it was also looking to get an e-money license with the Irish central bank.

Persons: Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple, Scott Purcell, Purcell, BitGo, SWIFT, Britain's, Singapore's, XRP, Stu Alderoty Organizations: Trust, Prime Trust, SBI, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, MoneyGram, CNBC, Monetary Authority of, Fortress Trust Locations: Austin , Texas, Nevada, U.S, Swiss, Fortress Trust's, York, New York, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Irish

☆ India considers raising retirement age for state-owned bank bosses
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Nikunj Ohri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man checks his mobile phone in front of a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Kolkata, India, February 9, 2018. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Aug 26 (Reuters) - India is considering raising the retirement age for chairmen and managing directors of state-owned banks, which control over 60% of the banking system's assets, a government official said on Saturday. The age limit for state-run bank chiefs is much lower than their private sector peers, who retire at 70 and have longer tenors. Analysts have often cited this as a reason for a lack of continuity in strategy at state-owned lenders. Chiefs of state-run banks are generally appointed for three years and can be given an extension based on their performance.

Persons: Dinesh Khara, Aditi Shah, Christina Fincher Organizations: State Bank of India, REUTERS, DELHI, SBI, Chiefs, Thomson Locations: Kolkata, India

☆ Well-known Ukrainian pilot 'Juice' among 3 dead in plane crash in Zhytomyr region
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Olga Voitovych | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Three Ukrainian pilots, including a well-known pilot who went by the call sign “Juice,” have died in a plane crash, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday, August 25, near the city of Zhytomyr, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) west of Kyiv. In an interview last year with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Juice said he got his nickname during a trip to the United States. He said his friends came up with the nickname, because he doesn’t drink alcohol and was always asking for juice instead. The circumstances of the crash are being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine (SBI).

Persons: ”, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Juice Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Air Force, Air Force, State Bureau of, Ukraine, SBI Locations: Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Ukraine, United States, American

☆ Indian lenders’ earnings get credit reality check
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A man checks his mobile phones in front of State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Kolkata, India, February 9, 2018. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File PhotoMUMBAI, Aug 7 (Reuters Breakingviews) - A near three-fold jump in net profit did little to cheer State Bank of India (SBI.NS) investors. April to June is seasonally weak for farm credit, and Khara said some delinquent accounts have already bounced back. Granted, overall delinquencies remain low: gross non-performing assets are just 2.76% of SBI’s portfolio, and less than half that at HDFC Bank. The fear is, as one executive told Breakingviews, that this is worsening as pandemic-era support schemes wind down and interest rates rise.

Persons: Dinesh Khara, Khara, Breakingviews, Shritama Bose, headwinds, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: State Bank of India, REUTERS, Reuters, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Services, Twitter, Adidas, InBev, Thomson Locations: Kolkata, India, MUMBAI

☆ State Bank of India first-quarter profit nearly triples to all-time high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Siddhi Nayak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A man checks his mobile phones in front of State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Kolkata, India, February 9, 2018. Net profit was at a record 168.84 billion rupees ($2.04 billion) for the quarter ended June 30, compared with 60.68 billion rupees a year earlier. Rivals HDFC Bank (HDBK.NS) and ICICI Bank (ICBK.NS) have reported double-digit net interest income growth for the fiscal first quarter. The net NPA ratio rose to 0.71% from 0.67% in the prior three months. The bank expects its net NPA ratio to fall to 0.5% in the next few quarters, Khara said.

Persons: Chowdhuri, Dinesh Kumar Khara, Khara, SBI's, Siddhi Nayak, Sonia Cheema Organizations: State Bank of India, REUTERS, Rivals HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Reserve Bank of India, Siddhi, Thomson Locations: Kolkata, India, MUMBAI, BENGALURU

Powerchip and Japanese financial firm SBI Holdings (8473.T) earlier this month said they aim to attract government subsidies to build the plant amid a wave of investment in Japan aimed at boosting its chip manufacturing capabilities. "I think about five to seven years... it depends on the business," Joe Wu, President of PSMC Japan, told Reuters when asked about the timing for a potential listing. Powerchip said it sees scope for additional foundry capacity in Japan, which has seen a lack of investment. The Taiwanese firm previously set up a joint venture in China to build a chip factory which listed in Shanghai this year. Powerchip and SBI hope to attract additional funds for the Japan business and are targeting chip industry customers and financial investors as potential backers, Wu said.

Persons: Powerchip, Joe Wu, Wu, Sam Nussey, Miho Uranaka, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, SBI Holdings, Reuters, Companies, Renesas Electronics, Mitsubishi Electric, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Sony Group, Denso Corp, Powerchip, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Taiwan, Japan, Kyushu, China, Shanghai

☆ Byju’s virtue-signalling is late but valuable
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

India’s once-most valuable startup is luring big talent even after its auditor Deloitte resigned and three investors including Prosus (PRX.AS) quit the company’s board. His experience navigating government departments will be handy as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs ordered an inspection of Byju’s books per Bloomberg. It also could shore up Byju’s hopes of raising cash from new investors to meet creditor demands for early repayment of a $1.2 billion loan. Prosus for example thinks the company is only worth $5.1 billion, down from a peak valuation of $22 billion. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Rajnish Kumar, Mohandas Pai, India’s, Kumar, Pai, Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath, Pranav Kiran, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, State Bank of India, Infosys, Deloitte, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Bloomberg, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ India cenbank calls on more lenders to offer digital rupee - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Siddhi Nayak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nearly two dozen central banks across emerging and advanced economies are expected to have digital currencies in circulation by the end of the decade, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found in a survey, published on Monday. The RBI aims to reach a target of one million CBDC transactions per day by the end of this year, RBI deputy governor T Rabi Sankar said on Tuesday. There were 1.3 million customers and 0.3 million merchants, who used CBDC as of June 2023, he said. "We are in the advanced stage of submitting a CBDC pilot request to the RBI. The central bank has also asked smaller banks to seek feedback from those currently conducting the pilots, the bankers said.

Persons: T Rabi Sankar, Siddhi Nayak, Sohini Goswami Organizations: Reserve Bank of India, Reuters, Bank for International Settlements, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank, Siddhi, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, Bank, BOB.NS

The timing of the listing was still unclear as money-losing PayPay needs to first demonstrate a clear path to profitability, the source said. SoftBank has previously set a PayPay listing as a goal, with one executive saying in November it was worth just under 1 trillion yen ($7.17 billion). Representatives for PayPay and SoftBank Group's (9984.T) domestic telecoms business, SoftBank Corp (9434.T), said they would not comment on speculation. PayPay is owned by SoftBank Corp, its internet business, Z Holdings (4689.T), and the group's second Vision Fund. PayPay booked a loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of 11.9 billion yen in the year ended March, compared to a loss of 43.2 billion yen a year earlier.

Persons: SoftBank, SoftBank Group's, Kirk Boodry, Son, PayPay, Sam Nussey, Miho Uranaka, Scott Murdoch, David Dolan, Muralikumar Organizations: Companies, Z Holdings, PayPay, SoftBank Corp, Vision Fund, SoftBank, Syla Technologies, Rakuten Bank, SBI Sumishin, Bank, Astris Advisory, Mobile Marketing, Cambridge, Thomson Locations: . New York, Tokyo, New York, U.S, Astris Advisory Japan, Japan, England

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