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☆ Vietnamese companies eye the U.S. IPO market amid a lull in Chinese listings
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-06 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While not strictly an IPO, the listing was soon followed by Vietnamese tech unicorn VNG's filing to list on the Nasdaq. As local companies grow, "they are outgrowing the ability of those markets to provide the capital that they need," said Drew Bernstein, co-chairman of accounting firm MarcumAsia. Since the fallout over Didi in the summer of 2021, regulation and a tepid U.S. IPO market have stalled most Chinese listing plans. She said given the success of Southeast Asian ride-hailing company Grab , more Vietnamese companies are starting to look beyond the domestic market to regional business. George Chan, global IPO leader at EY, expects "a lot" of companies from Southeast Asia will reach the IPO stage in the next 12 to 18 months, and might also consider the Hong Kong exchange.

Persons: Scott Mlyn, VinFast, Johan Annell, VNG, Drew Bernstein, It's, Bernstein, who'd he'd, Didi, Gary Dvorchak, Blueshirt, Nguyen Nguyen, Vu Van, ELSA, Van, George Chan Organizations: New York Auto Show, CNBC BEIJING, U.S, Spade, Nasdaq, ARC Group, China -, Renaissance Capital, Investor, CNBC, World Bank, Southeast Asia — Locations: Asia, U.S, Vietnam, Beijing, Cayman Islands, Malaysia, China, China - U.S, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong

A general view of pipelines on the gas storage facility at the gas trading company VNG AG in Bad Lauchstaedt, Germany July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Europe’s gas inventories continued to accumulate much later than usual into the autumn as exceptionally mild weather delayed the onset of the winter heating season. It was the culmination of an unusually long refill season which has left the region’s storage sites brimming with gas and eliminated fears about supply security. In an average heating year, Frankfurt will experience a total of around 2,161 heating degree days between July 1 and June 30. Related columns:- Europe's record gas stocks start to pressure prices (November 7, 2023)- Europe’s gas stocks at record high going into winter 2023/24 (October 6, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Annegret, John Kemp, Marguerita Choy Organizations: VNG AG, REUTERS, European Union, Britain, Gas Infrastructure, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Bad Lauchstaedt, Germany, Chartbook, Europe, GIE, Ukraine, Northwest Europe, Frankfurt, EU, Russia, Asia

SYDNEY, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Vietnamese internet company VNG Ltd has delayed a $150 million U.S. initial public offering (IPO) due to volatile market conditions, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not yet public. Founded in 2004, VNG was Vietnam's first unicorn, or a startup valued at $1 billion or more. VNG still aims to carry out a New York listing, likely in the first half of 2024, they added. Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Yantoultra Ngui in Singapore; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: VNG, Scott Murdoch, Yantoultra, Himani Sarkar, Rashmi Organizations: VNG, Reuters, U.S, Thomson Locations: New York, Sydney, Singapore

☆ Klaviyo, Arm, Instacart wobble, raising doubts over IPO revival
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Among other companies that have been gearing up for U.S. stock market listings are German premium footwear maker Birkenstock Holding and Vietnam internet company VNG Corp (VNZ.HNO). Chip designer Arm's stock on Wednesday hit a low of $51.52, coming close to its $51 IPO price in this year's biggest IPO last Thursday. Shares of grocery delivery app Instacart, which debuted Tuesday, fell to a low of $29.96, below their $30 IPO price. Klaviyo also surrendered most of its initial gains, hitting a low for the day of $30.26, just above its $30 IPO price. Arm and Instacart were "pumped up to do the IPO," said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Robert Pavlik, Klaviyo, Jerome Powell, haven't, ”, Jake Dollarhide, Ortex, Peter Tuz, Mark Luschini, Janney Montgomery Scott, Caroline Valetkevitch, Savyata Mishra, Niket, Lewis Krauskopf, Noel Randewich, Marguerita Choy, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Arm Holdings, Investment, Dakota Wealth, Birkenstock, VNG Corp, Federal, Nasdaq, Longbow, Management, Chase Investment, People, Thomson Locations: Fairfield , Connecticut, Vietnam, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Charlottesville , Virginia, Bengaluru, New York, San Francisco

☆ Analysis-More SE Asia firms consider U.S. IPOs, filling void left by China peers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Yantoultra Ngui | Scott Murdoch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

“These factors have enabled some of their ASEAN rivals to step out into the spotlight.”ASEAN, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, includes Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. For investors seeking emerging market exposure, Southeast Asia fits the bill, because of the region’s strong economic growth and increasing population, analysts say. Some Southeast Asia companies seeking listings in the U.S. look to raise between $300 million and $1 billion, with valuations ranging from $1.5 billion to $8 billion, bankers said, without naming any firms. “International investors are seeing the value of portfolio diversification that Southeast Asia provides,” Tay added. The expected pickup in Southeast Asian listings, however, could get derailed by share volatility and stringent investor scrutiny, analysts say.

Persons: ”, Leif Schneider, Sunil Khaitan, Kelvin Teo, Andrew Lim, Tay Hwee Ling, ” Tay, Anuruk Karoonyavanich Organizations: Nasdaq, REUTERS, Gushcloud International, Sunday, Reuters, VNG Corp, ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Carsome, Southeast, Bank, America’s, “, U.S ., ’, Companies, Deloitte, “ International, DBS Locations: SINGAPORE, SYDNEY, United States, New York City, U.S, Singapore, New York, Philippine, Washington, Beijing, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Asia, Indonesia, Southeast, Southeast Asia, China

ASEAN, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, includes Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. For investors seeking emerging market exposure, Southeast Asia fits the bill, because of the region's strong economic growth and increasing population, analysts say. Some Southeast Asia companies seeking listings in the U.S. look to raise between $300 million and $1 billion, with valuations ranging from $1.5 billion to $8 billion, bankers said, without naming any firms. "International investors are seeing the value of portfolio diversification that Southeast Asia provides," Tay added. The expected pickup in Southeast Asian listings, however, could get derailed by share volatility and stringent investor scrutiny, analysts say.

Persons: DoubleDragon, Leif Schneider, Sunil Khaitan, Kelvin Teo, Andrew Lim, Tay Hwee Ling, Tay, Anuruk Karoonyavanich, Yantoultra Ngui, Scott Murdoch, Sumeet Chatterjee, Miral Organizations: Nasdaq, REUTERS, U.S, IPOs, Gushcloud International, Sunday, Reuters, VNG Corp, ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Carsome, Southeast, Bank, America's, U.S ., Deloitte, International, DBS, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Asia, SINGAPORE, SYDNEY, United States, Singapore, New York, Philippine, Washington, Beijing, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Southeast, Southeast Asia, China, Sydney

U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, at the Communist Party of Vietnam Headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 10, 2023. Deals unveiled by the White House during the trip include Vietnam Airlines' purchase of 50 Boeing 737 Max jets, in an agreement that it said was worth $7.8 billion, in line with an earlier Reuters report. The White House also announced plans by Microsoft (MSFT.O) to make a "generative AI-based solution tailored for Vietnam and emerging markets." The White House also highlighted the number of chip-related investments by U.S. firms in Vietnam, including plans by Marvell and Synopsys (SNPS.O) to build chip design centres in the country. U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken and Vietnam's investment minister Nguyen Chi Dung chaired the meeting, which was followed by discussions with Biden and Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Persons: Joe Biden, Nguyen Phu Trong, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, MoMo, Biden, Vietnam's FPT, Antony Blinken, Nguyen Chi Dung, Pham Minh Chinh, Dung, Phuong Nyugen, Nandita Bose, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Vietnam's Communist Party General, Communist Party of, REUTERS, Rights, Google, Intel, Marvell, Boeing, Innovation, Investment, Nasdaq, Vietnam Airlines, White, Max, Microsoft, Nvidia, Intel's, Honeywell, State, Vietnam's, Thomson Locations: Communist Party of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam, Rights HANOI, chipmaking, Washington, China, Taiwan, U.S, United States

U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, at the Communist Party of Vietnam Headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 10, 2023. Senior executives from Google (GOOGL.O), Intel (INTC.O), Amkor (AMKR.O), Marvell (MRVL.O), GlobalFoundries (GFS.O) and Boeing (BA.N) are attending the Vietnam-U.S. Newly unveiled deals by the White House include plans by Microsoft (MSFT.O) to make a "generative AI-based solution tailored for Vietnam and emerging markets." The White House also highlighted the number of chip-related investments by U.S. firms in Vietnam, including plans by Marvell and Synopsys (SNPS.O) to build chip design centres in the country. Vietnam Airlines will also purchase 50 Boeing 737 Max jets, the White House said, in an agreement that a source told Reuters was valued at about $7.5 billion.

Persons: Joe Biden, Nguyen Phu Trong, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, MoMo, Antony Blinken, Nguyen Chi Dzung, Biden, Pham Minh Chinh, Vietnam's FPT, Phuong Nyugen, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Vietnam's Communist Party General, Communist Party of, REUTERS, Rights, Google, Intel, Marvell, Boeing, Innovation, Investment, Nasdaq, Vietnam Airlines, State, Vietnam's, White, Microsoft, Nvidia, Intel's, Max, Reuters, Honeywell, Thomson Locations: Communist Party of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam, Rights HANOI, U.S, chipmaking, Washington, China, Taiwan . U.S

A Wall Street sign is pictured outside the New York Stock Exchange in New York, October 28, 2013. Barclays (BARC.L), Goldman Sachs (GS.N), JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), and Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T) are the lead underwriters for the offering. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup are lead underwriters on the offering, the company said in its filing. Its shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KVYO". Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Bank of America are underwriters of the IPO, according to the filing.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, T Rowe Price, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Instacart, Fidji Simo, confidentially, Klaviyo, Morgan Stanley, Chibuike Oguh, Lance Tupper, Michelle Price, Aurora Ellis Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Arm Holdings, Japan's Softbank, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Apple, Nvidia, Devices, Intel, Samsung Electronics, AMD, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Barclays, JPMorgan, Mizuho Financial Group, underwriters, Nasdaq, Norges Bank Investment Management, Norges Bank, Sequoia Capital, D1 Capital Partners, Valiant Capital Management, Facebook, Reuters, Summit Partners, Citigroup, VNG Corp, HK, Temasek, UBS, Bank of America, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Russia, Ukraine, Baltimore, TCV, Sequoia, Canadian, United States, Chi Minh City, Singapore

☆ Vietnamese internet startup VNG files for IPO in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Vietnamese internet company VNG Corp has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States via VNG Ltd, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing showed. IPO proceeds will be used to pay original foreign investors who were direct shareholders of the company and repay outstanding loans, among others, the filing showed. Founded in 2004, VNG was Vietnam's first unicorn, or startup valued at $1 billion or more, and it inked a preliminary agreement in 2017 with U.S. bourse operator Nasdaq Inc to explore an IPO. The Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered company's businesses include online games, payments, cloud services and Vietnam's most popular messaging app, Zalo. Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Bank of America are underwriters of the IPO, according to the filing.

Persons: VNG, Morgan Stanley, VinFast, Seth Farbman, Yantoultra Ngui, Jacqueline Wong, Sonali Paul Organizations: VNG Corp, VNG Ltd, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, HK, Temasek, U.S . bourse, Nasdaq Inc, Citigroup, UBS, Bank of America, underwriters, U.S ., DoubleDragon Corp, Nasdaq, Carsome, New, VStock, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, United States, Vietnam, U.S, Singapore, Chi Minh City, U.S . Philippine, New York

☆ Vietnam's digitalization efforts fuel startup scene
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Vietnam's tech startups are reaping the benefits as the country sets its sights on becoming a fully digital society by 2030. In 2021, new startup support centers Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City were announced. It ranked third in terms of deal count in Southeast Asia, and fourth in deal value last year, the report said. Notably, domestic funds were the top investors in local startups last year, accounting for 45% of total deal value. However, the total value of investment in Vietnamese startups was only $634 million in 2022 — down 56% year-on-year from the record high of $1.4 billion in 2021, the report noted.

Persons: Momo, Sky Mavis Organizations: French IT, World Bank, Ventures, National Innovation Center, Ministry of Planning, Investment Locations: French, Ho Chi Minh City, Silicon, Hanoi, Da, Southeast Asia

"From our point of view, Rostock with its overseas port and an existing ammonia terminal can become a hub for international hydrogen imports into eastern Germany," said Hans-Joachim Polk, board member for infrastructure and technology. In another cooperation, VNG is sounding out Algeria's state oil and gas producer Sonatrach with a view to possibly arranging green hydrogen imports into Rostock via Tunisian and Italian natural gas pipelines, Polk told a press briefing. As customers across Europe baulked at sky-high prices, VNG's gas sales fell 23% last year to 588 billion kilowatt hours (kWh). As well as gas sales to local utilities and industry, the group has a wide range of activities in high pressure and distribution gas pipelines, storage facilities and biogas. Reporting by Vera Eckert; Editing by Rachel More, Friederike Heine and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ German inflation to stay in double digits despite gas price brake, Bundesbank says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Annegret HilseFRANKFURT, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Inflation in Germany may well remain in double digits into next year despite the government's efforts to curb energy prices, the Bundesbank said on Wednesday. But the Bundesbank said the effect of this so called "brake" on gas prices may not become immediately visible, and would only be temporary anyway. "The inflation rate could stay in double digits also beyond the turn of the year," the German central bank said in its monthly report. "As soon as the gas and electricity price brakes expire, the effect on the inflation rate will reverse," the Bundesbank said. "This could reduce the extent of second-round effects on the inflation rate, especially in the medium-term, and help ensure that the current high inflation rates do not further solidify."

☆ Factbox: How is Germany replacing Russian gas?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Germany, Europe's biggest economy and historically a major importer of Russian gas, is scrambling to secure alternative supplies following a plunge in flows from Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Germany is sourcing more gas from Benelux countries, Norway, and France. IMPORTERS' STRATEGIESStricken importer Uniper (UN01.DE) has said it is sourcing Norwegian, Dutch and Azeri gas via pipelines and using its global role as a trader of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to procure more of the super-cooled gas into north western Europe. LNG TERMINALSIn the absence of LNG reception terminals, Germany is building floating LNG terminals (FSRUs), of which two will be ready at the turn of the year, in Brunsbuettel and Wilhelmshaven. In the long term, fixed onshore terminals will be built with a view to receiving gas, carbon-free hydrogen, and ammonia.

☆ Germany's EnBW says Sefe settlement cuts negative impact on profit
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Ludwig Burger | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A general view of pipelines on the gas storage facility at the gas trading company VNG AG in Bad Lauchstaedt, Germany July 28, 2022. The negative earnings impact for 2022 will likely be below 1.3 billion euros ($1.3 billion), an upper limit mentioned in its second-quarter report, but above 545 million euros, EnBW said in a statement on Monday. EnBW's VNG (VNG.UL) relies on Sefe for 65 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas supplies, accounting for much of its gas procurement needs. As a result of this, Germany's largest gas importers - Uniper (UN01.DE), Sefe and VNG - have either been bailed out or requested state aid to stay afloat. More specific effects on EnBW's finances and cash flows depend on further talks with the German government, the utility added.

☆ Factbox: Germany's measures to protect consumers from rising energy prices
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Lisi NiesnerBERLIN, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Germany agreed a 200 billion euro ($194 billion) "defensive shield" on Thursday to protect companies and consumers against the impact of soaring energy prices, in what the government called a show of strength in an "energy war" against Russia. GAS PRICE BRAKEThe measure will be temporary and benefit private households and companies, bringing prices down to more manageable levels. ECONOMIC STABILISATION FUND REACTIVATIONThe government will finance the gas price cap and the liquidity and subsidies required for the electricity price brake through the Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF). The government will skim off short-term large gains made by some energy companies during the crisis. GAS VAT REDUCTIONThe government will lower value-added tax (VAT) on gas from 19% to 7% until Spring 2024 and will extend the tax cut to district heating as well.

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File PhotoBERLIN, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The German government has opened discussions about providing urgent support for scores of regional state-owned energy providers which are struggling to cope with soaring gas prices, three sources familiar with the matter said. A spokesperson for Germany's economy ministry said it was in contact with the country's regional states concerning the municipal authorities, but declined to elaborate. There is a growing sense of urgency to provide support as energy bills for German households and industry become increasingly unaffordable. Liebing, who has previously warned about insolvencies in the sector, said the talks involved measures needed to shield municipal utilities from "acute" difficulties. "Should municipal authorities be at risk of collapse, many other services such as water, bin collection and public transport could fall apart," he said.

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