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☆ Sony and Apollo in Talks to Acquire Paramount
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Lauren Hirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Paramount has decided to formally open negotiations with a bidding group led by Sony Pictures Entertainment and the private equity giant Apollo, according to three people familiar with the matter. The move comes after a period of exclusive talks with the Hollywood studio Skydance lapsed on Friday night. A special committee of Paramount’s board of directors met Saturday and signed off on beginning deal talks with Sony and Apollo, which last week submitted a letter of interest valuing the company at $26 billion, the people said. The committee also decided to push for further negotiations with Skydance, a studio founded by the technology scion David Ellison. Any deal between the Sony group and Paramount faces hurdles.

Persons: David Ellison Organizations: Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Hollywood, Sony, Skydance, Nickelodeon, MTV, CBS, Paramount Pictures Locations: Japan, United States

☆ Japan approves additional $3.9 billion in subsidies for semiconductor firm Rapidus to meet chip goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japan said Tuesday it has approved up to 590 billion yen ($3.89 billion) in additional subsidies for chipmaker Rapidus Corporation, as the country plays catch up with other nations on semiconductor manufacturing. Rapidus Corporation was founded in 2022 by the Japanese government and eight domestic companies to develop and manufacture advanced semiconductors. Toyota Motor Corporation, Sony Group are among the companies that have invested billions of yen in Rapidus. Rapidus has received 330 billion yen from the Japanese government between 2022 and 2023 to mass produce 2-nanometer chips in Chitose, Hokkaido, from 2027. TSMC and Samsung currently produce 3-nanometer chips, while Rapidus is currently constructing an advanced semiconductor plant in Chitose.

Persons: Rapidus Organizations: chipmaker Rapidus Corporation, Japan's Ministry, Economy, Trade, Industry, Rapidus Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Sony Group, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, South, Samsung Electronics, Samsung, IBM Locations: Japan, Rapidus, Chitose , Hokkaido, Chitose .

☆ Space photos from 5 recent moon-landing missions show how tiny engineering errors can cause big problems, like crashing or landing sideways
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Houston-based company's uncrewed Odysseus lander was almost lost to one of the tiniest possible mistakes. The view from the Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander as it descended to its landing site. Intuitive MachinesWith less than two hours to go before landing, Intuitive Machines engineers frantically whipped up a new navigation system. Indeed, several robotic moon landing attempts have crashed or otherwise malfunctioned in the last few years. Similarly, Intuitive Machines' success on Thursday shows that small errors don't necessarily have to spell the end of a mission.

Persons: Steve Altemus, Trent Martin, Odysseus, Astrobotic —, Peregrine, Astrobotic Astrobotic, Astrobotic, Vikram, SpaceNews, Robert Braun, Kailasavadivoo Sivan, ispace, NASA's, Braun, Japan's Smart Lander, SLIM, LEV, Takara Tomy Organizations: US, Business, NASA, Reconnaissance, Goddard, Arizona State University, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, NASA's Goddard Space Flight, freefall, JAXA, Takara, Sony Group Corporation, Doshisha Locations: India, Japan, Houston

☆ Sony to lay off 900 at PlayStation as tough times for the games industry persist
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Michael Nam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Electronics giant Sony announced on Tuesday that it will be cutting 900 jobs, or 8%, in PlayStation’s global workforce. The layoffs will impact all regions for Sony Interactive Entertainment, according to the PlayStation press release, with its in-house London studio, responsible for the competitive singing video game “Singstar,” closing entirely. “These are incredibly talented people who have been part of our success, and we are very grateful for their contributions,” wrote Jim Ryan, president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Ryan had already announced in September plans to retire in March as Sony Group Corporation president. Specifically, the video game industry has been seeing jobs hemorrhage from 2023 into this year as well, with Epic Games cutting 830 jobs last September and Tencent’s Riot Games laying off 11% of its workforce in January.

Persons: ”, Jim Ryan, Naomi Matsuouka, Ryan, Hiroki Totoki Organizations: New, New York CNN — Electronics, Sony, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation, London, Bloomberg, Sony Group Corporation, Epic Games, Riot Games, SONY Locations: New York

☆ Weeks after the Peregrine lunar lander failed, NASA is launching the IM-1 mission to touch down on the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Houston-based company Intuitive Machines, in collaboration with NASA, is launching its first mission to the moon atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. AdvertisementUnlike China, India, and Japan, the US hasn't put anything on the lunar surface in more than 50 years. AdvertisementThrough a $118 million contract, the agency is sponsoring Intuitive Machines to launch its first mission, called IM-1, toward the moon early Wednesday. SOPA Images/Getty ImagesThe mission's Nova-C lander should descend to the lunar surface just one week later, on February 22. To date, only India has landed in the lunar south pole region.

Persons: —, NASA hasn't, NASA’s, SLIM, TAKARA TOMY, ispace, Trent Martin, we've Organizations: Service, SpaceX, NASA, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight, Arizona State University, Russia, TAKARA, Sony, Doshisha University, Reuters, AP Locations: Houston, China, India, Japan, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Russia

☆ Zee founder family to eventually lift stake to 26%, according to reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Logos of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. displayed on computer screens arranged in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Zee Entertainment founder Subhash Chandra's family will eventually lift their stake in the media house to 26% from 4% currently, Mint reported on Monday, days after a merger with Sony 's India unit collapsed. "I have advised my immediate and extended family to increase their shareholding in Zee... We eventually want to go back to 26%, but it will take time," Chandra told Mint, a business daily, in an interview. Chandra, who set up Zee in 1992 and is often dubbed the "Father of Indian Television", is now chairman emeritus at Zee. Chandra, who is Goenka's father, told Mint "Punit is the right person to run the company and there is no problem with Zee."

Persons: Subhash Chandra's, Zee, Chandra, Punit Goenka, Goenka, Mukesh Ambani's Organizations: Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Zee, Sony Group Corp, Zee Entertainment, Mint, Sony, Indian, Walt Disney, India Locations: Mumbai, India, Zee .

☆ How investors are playing emerging market opportunities in India and Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Anna Gleason | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors are increasingly looking to emerging market exchange-traded funds for growth at a reasonable price. David Mann, head of capital markets at Franklin Templeton, named India as one of the most popular countries with ETF investors in the past year. "[It] has been one of the emerging market standouts thus far, so India has been a great story." The firm's Franklin FTSE India ETF (FLIN) has risen 18.19% in the past year, as of Tuesday's close. As of Tuesday's close, the firm's Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) gained 12.58% in the past year.

Persons: David Mann, Franklin Templeton, CNBC's, Mike Akins, Akins, Franklin Templeton's Mann, Action's Akins Organizations: Franklin, Franklin FTSE, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Toyota Motor, Sony Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Locations: India, Franklin, Franklin FTSE India, Japan, U.S, Franklin FTSE Japan

☆ Sony’s $10 billion India media deal with Zee ends in ugly breakup
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New Delhi CNN —A dramatic acquisition saga in one of the world’s fastest growing media industries is headed for a bitter ending. Sony Group (SONY) has called off the merger between its India unit and Mumbai-based Zee Entertainment, the Japanese company said on Monday. Sony’s move to end talks comes at a time when Disney (DIS) and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries are discussing combining their Indian media businesses. Zee “categorically denies all the assertions … including their claims for the termination fee,” the statement added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government expects the nation to soon become the world’s third largest media and entertainment market, from fifth currently.

Persons: Sony’s, Mukesh Ambani’s, Zee, Punit Goenka, Zee “, Narendra Modi’s Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Sony Group, SONY, Zee Entertainment, Netflix, Disney, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Sony, Reuters, Zee, Reliance Locations: New Delhi, India, Mumbai

☆ Japan's Sony terminates $10 billion merger with India's Zee
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's Sony Group said on Monday it has sent a termination notice to Zee Entertainment to call off a $10 billion merger of their Indian operations, following an impasse over who will lead the combined entity. It cited unmet conditions of the merger agreement as the reason for the termination. Although Sony did not specify on Monday what conditions were unfulfilled, a stalemate over who will lead the combined company had put the merger in danger. Zee proposed CEO Punit Goenka, but Sony disagreed in light of a market regulator probe into Goenka. On Friday, Zee had said it was committed to the merger and was working to close the deal through "good faith negotiations".

Persons: Mukesh, Zee, Punit Goenka, Karan Taurani Organizations: Sony, Zee Entertainment, Reliance Industries, Goenka, Reuters, Disney, Elara Capital, Netflix, Disney's Star, Zee, Bloomberg Locations: Mumbai, Maharashtra

☆ Sony facing $7.9 bln mass lawsuit over PlayStation Store prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Sony Group Corp FollowLONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Sony (6758.T) must face a mass lawsuit worth up to 6.3 billion pounds ($7.9 billion) over claims the PlayStation maker abused its dominant position leading to unfair prices for customers, a London tribunal ruled on Tuesday. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) was sued last year on behalf of nearly nine million people in the United Kingdom who had bought digital games or add-on content through Sony's PlayStation Store. Alex Neill, a consumer advocate who has worked on previous campaigns, is bringing the case against Sony. She says the company abused its dominant position by requiring digital games and add-ons to be bought and sold only via the PlayStation Store, which charges a 30% commission to developers and publishers. The claim alleges customers have therefore paid higher prices for games and add-on content than they would have done.

Persons: Issei Kato, Alex Neill, Neill, they're, Sam Tobin, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Sony, REUTERS, Sony Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, London, United Kingdom

☆ Stocks week ahead: Here’s how America’s economy could begin to weaken
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The job market or spending? The spending argument: But there have been instances in which spending weakened before the job market. “I think it starts with the perception of the labor market,” Drew Matus, chief market strategist at MetLife Investment Management, told CNN. The ticket-industry giant said it has sold a record 140 million tickets so far this year, up 17% year-over-year and has already surpassed the 121 million tickets sold in all of 2022. In the third quarter, Ticketmaster sales surged 57% to $833 million and 90 million fee-bearing tickets were sold in the period.

Persons: can’t, ” Shannon Seery, “ It’s, ” Seery, Luke Tilley, ” Tilley, Jerome Powell, ” Drew Matus, ”, Taylor Swift, Parija Kavilanz, Swifties, Taylor, Michael Rapino, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Bunny, Jonas Brothers, Bruce Springsteen, Lisa Cook, Michael Barr, Jeffrey Schmid, Christopher Waller, John Williams, Lorie Logan, Ralph Lauren, Steve Madden, Phillip Jefferson, Raphael Bostic, Tom Barkin, Christine Lagarde Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, DC CNN, CNN, Employers, Investment Advisors, Companies, National Bureau of Economic Research, CNN Wednesday, Federal, MetLife Investment Management, Ticketmaster, Ryanair, Goodyear, Fed, Reserve Bank of Australia, Uber, Occidental Petroleum, KKR, The Carlyle Group, US Commerce Department, Biogen, Warner Bros, Teva Pharma, The New York Times Company, Armour, SeaWorld, MGM Resorts, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Sony Group, Astrazeneca, Tapestry, News Corp, US Labor Department, Soho House, National Statistics, European Central Bank, University of Michigan Locations: Washington, Wells, Wilmington, Lyft, Brookfield, Soho

☆ Goldman Sachs says this global tech stock will soar as 'gaming-as-a-service' takes off
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors seeking exposure to Japan's growing gaming industry should look at technology and entertainment behemoth Sony , according to Goldman Sachs. Goldman expects shares of Sony Group Corporation to rise by 25% to 16,000 yen ($107) over the next 12 months. In addition, Goldman Sachs said there was significant growth potential for Crunchyroll, Sony's anime streaming service based in California, which it acquired in 2017. "Our team estimates that overseas markets will account for 80% of Japanese anime sales by 2036," the bank's report said. As earnings contributions from Crunchyroll and GaaS titles become more apparent starting in fiscal year 2025, Goldman Sachs sees an increase in consensus earnings estimates and valuation multiples.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, FactSet Organizations: Sony, Bungie, Goldman, Sony Group Corporation, New York Stock Exchange, SONY, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard Locations: Tokyo, California

☆ Japan's Sony says Zee merger to be delayed by a few months
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Zee Entertainment and SONY logos are displayed in this illustration taken, September 1, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 29 (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Group Corp (6758.T) said on Friday a merger of its Indian unit with Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE.NS), which had an initial deadline of September, would take a few more months to complete. "Based on the current state of preparation, we expect completion within the next few months," Sony said in a statement, without elaborating further. It was delayed due to issues including a legal battle with lenders over loan defaults by a Zee group entity. Zee shares, which have lost about a quarter of their value since the merger was announced in 2021, were up 2.7% on Friday.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Punit Goenka, Zee, Ashna Teresa Britto, Chris Thomas, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Sohini Organizations: Zee Entertainment, SONY, REUTERS, Sony Group Corp, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Sony, Zee, Securities and Exchange Board, India, Finance, Thomson

REUTERS/Issei Kato/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Sony Group (6758.T) is increasing its focus on the virtual production business where it is seeing market-beating growth, a company executive said, riding on the strength of the Japanese entertainment conglomerate's technology. The business, which offers virtual production facilities to filmmakers and broadcasters, involves using a wall of light-emitting diode (LED) panels displaying images - a science-fiction landscape or a downtown cityscape - that are integrated into the scene as it is shot. "It's because we have the hardware that we can recreate in the virtual world," Yasuharu Nomura, Sony's head of virtual production, said in an interview. Sony says its virtual production business is growing by around 35% annually, faster than the overall market, with an increasing proportion of sales expected to come from services. Virtual production technology gained attention after its use in science-fiction show "The Mandalorian" from Walt Disney (DIS.N), which used in-house visual effects firm Industrial Light & Magic.

Persons: Issei Kato, Yasuharu Nomura, Walt Disney, Kota Ezawa, Sam Nussey, Miho Uranaka, Muralikumar Organizations: Sony, REUTERS, Rights, Sony Group, Hollywood, Epic Games, Citigroup, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Morgan Stanley names the global stocks set to be 'disadvantaged' from rising yields
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. Federal Reserve struck a hawkish tone at its latest meeting and Treasurys have risen to multi-year highs . According to Morgan Stanley, those conditions could put certain stocks in Asian and emerging markets at a disadvantage. "We believe large cap growth stocks, particularly the low quality and unprofitable ones, could come under pressure," they said. More specifically, those set to be "disadvantaged" are high-growth names "with low balance sheet quality" and low free cash flow yield. Morgan Stanley had an underweight rating for Alibaba Health Information Technology , a Chinese integrated pharmaceutical services provider.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Meituan, Xero, CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, Sony, Hong, New, Nio, HK, Alibaba Health, Technology Locations: U.S, Hong Kong, New Zealand

☆ Sony gaming chief Jim Ryan to retire, group president to be interim head
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Inside a GameStop store Sony PS5 gaming consoles are pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 12, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Sony Group Corp FollowTOKYO, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Sony Group (6758.T) said on Thursday its gaming chief Jim Ryan would retire next March, with group President Hiroki Totoki to become interim CEO during the search for a successor. Ryan, who is British, become CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) in 2019 and oversaw initiatives including the launch of the PlayStation 5 console the following year. "Jim no longer wants to manage the tradeoff between having a job in the U.S. and a home in the UK," SIE said in a statement. Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Jamie Freed and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Jim Ryan, Hiroki Totoki, Ryan, Jim, SIE, Sam Nussey, Jamie Freed, Aurora Ellis Organizations: GameStop, Sony, REUTERS, Sony Group Corp, Sony Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S

☆ Toshiba says $14 bln takeover bid by JIP succeeds, set to go private
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Makiko Yamazaki | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Toshiba (6502.T) said on Thursday that a $14 billion tender offer from private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) had ended in success - a deal which paves the way for the embattled industrial conglomerate to go private. "Activist shareholders and Toshiba were stuck with each other for years. Toshiba in March accepted the buyout offer valuing the industrial conglomerate at 2 trillion yen ($13.5 billion). Although some shareholders were unhappy with the price, Toshiba argued that there was no prospect of a higher offer or competing bid. Deals involving private equity have been particularly active, including a planned $6.4 billion buyout of materials maker JSR by a government-backed fund.

Persons: Travis Lundy, Taro Shimada, Androniki, Shimada, Lundy, JIP, Sony Group's, chipmaker Rohm, Makiko Yamazaki, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Toshiba, Japan Industrial Partners, Quiddity Advisors, Toshiba Corporation, REUTERS, Sony, Chubu Electric Power, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Kawasaki, Japan, Asia

☆ Toshiba says $14 bln takeover bid by JIP has succeeded
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Makiko Yamazaki | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Toshiba Corporation is displayed at the company's building in Kawasaki, Japan, April 5, 2023. The deal puts the electronics-to-power stations maker in domestic hands after years of battles with overseas activist shareholders. Toshiba in March accepted the buyout offer valuing the industrial conglomerate at 2 trillion yen ($13.5 billion). Although some shareholders were unhappy with the price offered, Toshiba argued that there was no prospect of a higher offer or competing bid. Although not well known overseas, JIP has been involved in corporate carve outs and spin offs from Japanese conglomerates, including Olympus' (7733.T) camera business and Sony Group's (6758.T) laptop computer business.

Persons: Androniki, Taro Shimada, JIP, Sony Group's, Shimada, chipmaker Rohm, Makiko Yamazaki, Christopher Cushing, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Toshiba Corporation, REUTERS, Rights, Toshiba, Japan Industrial Partners, Olympus, Sony, Chubu Electric Power, Thomson Locations: Kawasaki, Japan

☆ Toshiba is set to delist in Japan after 74 years as part of $14 billion deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Tokyo Reuters —Toshiba said on Thursday that a $14 billion tender offer from private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) had ended in success — a deal which paves the way for the embattled industrial conglomerate to go private. The deal puts the 148-year-old electronics-to-power stations maker in domestic hands after years of battles with overseas activist investors. Toshiba in March accepted the buyout offer valuing the industrial conglomerate at 2 trillion yen ($13.5 billion). Although some shareholders were unhappy with the price, Toshiba argued that there was no prospect of a higher offer or competing bid. It will mark the largest M&A deal in Japan this year.

Persons: —, ”, Travis Lundy, Taro Shimada, Toshiba “, Shimada, “, ” Lundy, JIP, chipmaker Rohm Organizations: Tokyo Reuters, Toshiba, Japan Industrial Partners, “, Quiddity Advisors, ” Toshiba, Sony, Chubu Electric Power Locations: Tokyo, Orix, Japan, Asia

Stock incentives are seen positively by the market "as higher stock prices directly boost such incentives," she said. Sony, which introduced stock incentives years ago for some management levels, recently changed its framework to make the incentives more attractive, a spokesperson said. "The stock incentives are aimed at beefing up engagement with employees and promoting their interest in raising corporate value." Today, employee stock incentives are also a way for companies to replace cross-shareholdings, a common practice where companies take stakes in partners to cement relationships and avoid activist investors. Despite its increasing popularity, just a quarter of top 100 Japanese companies have employee stock incentives compared to more than 80% in the United States or Germany, data by consulting firm Human Resources Governance Leaders shows.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Motomi Hashimoto, Hitoshi Tanimura, Shintaro Takano, Shinzo Abe, Shinji Ishikawa, Makiko Yamazaki, Ritsuko Shimizu, Miral Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, Rights, ANA Holdings, ANA, Sony Group, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nomura Securities, Reuters, Sony, Human Resources, Leaders, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Omron, United States, Germany

☆ Sony PlayStation 5 console sales pass 40 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Sam Nussey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, July 27 (Reuters) - Sony Group Corp (6758.T) has sold more than 40 million PlayStation 5 consoles, its gaming division said on Thursday, citing the easing of supply chain problems. "It took months for supply chains to normalise so we could have the inventory to keep up with demand," Sony Interactive CEO Jim Ryan wrote in a blog post. "Now PS5 supply is well-stocked and we are seeing that pent up demand finally being met." The Japanese tech and entertainment conglomerate has said it expects to sell 25 million PS5 units this year, which would be a record for any PlayStation device. Sony's latest console is closing the gap with the PS4 console, said Piers Harding-Rolls, analyst at Ampere Analysis.

Persons: Jim Ryan, Piers Harding, Sam Nussey, David Goodman Organizations: Sony Group Corp, Sony Interactive, Ampere Analysis, Thomson Locations: TOKYO

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

☆ Activision, Microsoft extend deal deadline to secure UK approval
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Aditya Soni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 19 (Reuters) - Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O) on Wednesday extended the deadline for the close of their $69 billion deal by three months to Oct. 18 as the American companies work to secure UK approval for the biggest gaming deal in history. The extension will "provide ample time to work through the final regulatory issues," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a tweet. Strength in those titles helped Activision beat market estimates for second-quarter net bookings and adjusted profit in the second quarter, it announced on Wednesday. The deadline extension came after the companies had to contend with varying concerns from regulators in the UK and the United States. Microsoft responded to these concerns by offering 10-year licensing deals to rivals after the deal closes.

Persons: Brad Smith, Bobby Kotick, Chavi Mehta, Yuvraj Malik, Devika Organizations: Activision, Microsoft, Reuters, HK, Sony, Diablo, FTC, Nintendo, PlayStation, CMA, Sony Group, Xbox, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

[1/2] Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard logo in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. Nonetheless, Microsoft, which makes the Xbox gaming console, has been seeking the contract extension to ensure that Activision is not wooed by another potential acquirer or has a change of heart, the source said. The terms of the extension under negotiation and whether it would come with more financially advantageous terms for Activision could not immediately be learned. Microsoft and Activision did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Microsoft and Activision are negotiating potential remedies with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) which they hope will appease its antitrust concerns.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Anirban Sen, Matthew Lewis, Stephen Coates Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, REUTERS, Microsoft Corp, Competition, Markets Authority, CMA, Sony Group, Sony, U.S . Federal, Thomson Locations: Britain, U.S, New York

☆ Microsoft signs agreement to keep Call of Duty on Playstation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Activision games "Call of Duty" are pictured in a store in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo(Reuters) -Microsoft has signed an agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in a tweet on Sunday. A deal to keep Call of Duty on Playstation could further ease concerns surrounding the acquisition’s impact on competition. Speaking on the agreement, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a tweet, “Even after we cross the finish line for this deal’s approval, we will remain focused on ensuring that Call of Duty remains available on more platforms and for more consumers than ever before.”The FTC had argued the deal would hurt consumers whether they played video games on consoles or had subscriptions because Microsoft would have an incentive to shut out rivals like Sony Group. To address the FTC’s concerns, Microsoft had earlier agreed to license “Call of Duty” to rivals, including a 10-year contract with Nintendo, contingent on the merger closing.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Phil Spencer, Brad Smith Organizations: Activision, REUTERS, Microsoft, PlayStation, Activision Blizzard, FTC, Sony Group, Nintendo Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S

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