DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. Berkshire owns 80% of Pilot, having paid the Haslams $2.76 billion for a 38.6% stake in 2017 and $8.2 billion for another 41.4% in January. The Haslams sued Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire in October, accusing it of seeking a "windfall" by adopting "pushdown" accounting for Pilot. Berkshire countersued on Nov. 28, saying Jimmy Haslam tried to bribe Pilot executives with millions of dollars to inflate earnings in 2023 at the expense of future years. According to court papers, the Haslams believe the 20% Pilot stake was worth $3.2 billion before Berkshire's accounting change, an amount Berkshire disputes.

Persons: Warren Buffett, Scott Morgan, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Jimmy Haslam, Chancellor Morgan Zurn, Haslam, Zurn, Berkshire, Berkshire countersued, Tom Hals, David Holmes Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, REUTERS, Rights, Travel Centers, Cleveland Browns, Berkshire, Pilot, Thomson Locations: Omaha , Nebraska, U.S, Rights WILMINGTON , Delaware, Delaware, Delaware's, Berkshire, Knoxville , Tennessee, Wilmington , Delaware

☆ Insurers can underwrite dirty energy with impunity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Insurers used to get heat for underwriting fossil fuels. Membership of bodies like the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) was supposed to mean financial groups would cease supporting oil, gas and coal, speeding the pace of decarbonisation. Similarly, five of the Lloyd’s insurance market’s managing agents – RiverStone, Chaucer, RenaissanceRe, Ascot and Aegis – have not implemented any restrictions on fossil fuels. Insurers have even fewer qualms about supporting oil and gas. Governments have made energy security a key priority since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and can reasonably argue that abrupt halts to backing fossil fuels will just mean higher energy prices.

Persons: Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, Starr don’t, – RiverStone, Chaucer, Insuramore, Pamela Barbaglia, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Zero Insurance, Axa, Everest, Aegis, Reuters Graphics, X, Bayer, SEC, Paramount, Thomson Locations: Zurich, PICC, RenaissanceRe, Ascot, Ukraine

The ruling sent the shares of the company's preferred stock soaring 27%. The company's common stock fell 27%. Under the approved class action settlement, AMC will provide stock worth an estimated $129 million to holders of its common stock to settle potential legal claims related to a stock conversion plan. Without the proposed settlement, common stockholders and preferred shareholders would end up owning 34.28% and 65.72% of AMC, respectively. Under the proposed settlement, common stockholders and preferred shareholders would own 37.15% and 62.85%, respectively.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Chancellor Morgan Zurn, Zurn, Tom Hals, Deepa Babington Organizations: AMC Theatre, REUTERS, AMC Entertainment Holdings, AMC, Delaware, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Chancery, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, WILMINGTON , Delaware, Delaware, Wilmington , Delaware

Companies AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc FollowJuly 23 (Reuters) - AMC Entertainment's (AMC.N) chief executive officer on Sunday said the company filed a revised petition for a stock conversion plan that would allow the company to issue more shares. Aaron also mentioned that in a March 14 special election a majority of the AMC common shareholders and preferred shareholders supported his views on the stock conversion. Delaware Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn on Friday denied approval as the deal would also settle potential claims by preferred shareholders who were not represented in the lawsuit. The company was sued in February for allegedly rigging a shareholder vote that would allow AMC to convert preferred stock to common stock and issue hundreds of millions of new shares. The settlement's backers want Zurn to weigh the new version of the deal without seeking additional comment from AMC shareholders, according to a Bloomberg news report.

Persons: Adam Aaron, Aaron, Chancellor Morgan Zurn, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Chris Reese Organizations: AMC Entertainment Holdings, AMC, Sunday, Delaware Court, Delaware, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Delaware, Bengaluru

Companies AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc FollowJuly 21 (Reuters) - A judge on Friday blocked a proposed settlement on AMC Entertainment Holdings' (AMC.N) stock conversion plan that would allow the company to issue more shares, sending its common shares soaring and preferred shares down in after-hours trading. AMC shares were up 69% at $7.44 in trading after the bell. The company was sued in February for allegedly rigging a shareholder vote that would allow AMC to convert preferred stock to common stock and issue hundreds of millions of new shares. Without the proposed settlement, common stockholders and preferred shareholders would end up owning 34.28% and 65.72% of AMC, respectively. While the deal would compensate common stock holders for the dilution, they had no right to settle potential claims by holders of preferred stock, Zurn wrote on Friday.

Persons: Chancellor Morgan Zurn, Zurn, Jody Godoy, Franklin Paul, Deepa Babington, Chris Reese Organizations: AMC Entertainment Holdings, Delaware, AMC, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Thomson Locations: Delaware

☆ Judge denies approval of AMC shareholder settlement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

A judge on Friday blocked a proposed settlement on AMC Entertainment Holdings’ stock conversion plan that would allow the company to issue more shares, sending its common shares soaring and preferred shares down in after-hours trading. AMC shares were up 69% at $7.44 in trading after the bell. Its preferred shares were down 20% at $1.43. The company was sued in February for allegedly rigging a shareholder vote that would allow AMC to convert preferred stock to common stock and issue hundreds of millions of new shares. The conversion would dilute the common stockholders’ ownership, but allow AMC to pay down some of its $5.1 billion in debt.

Persons: Chancellor Morgan Zurn, Zurn, “, ” Organizations: AMC Entertainment Holdings, Delaware, AMC

The deal would provide holders of AMC common stock with shares worth an estimated $129 million to resolve allegations the company rigged a shareholder vote against them. More than 2,800 people objected to the settlement, which requires approval by Delaware Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn to move forward. Rose Izzo, a Delaware resident who first invested in AMC in 2021, objected to the deal. The company's answer was to create preferred stock, which has traded at a steep discount to AMC's common stock. In February, AMC proposed a vote that would allow it to convert preferred stock to common stock and issue hundreds of millions of new shares.

Persons: Chancellor Morgan Zurn, Rose Izzo, Theodore Kittila, Mark Lebovitch, Lebovitch, Jody Godoy, Matthew Lewis Organizations: AMC Entertainment Holdings, AMC, Delaware, GameStop, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Thomson Locations: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York

☆ New L&G CEO has ways to tackle Brexit discount
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Britain’s Legal & General (LGEN.L) is betting on an outsider to offset a valuation discount against non-UK rivals. The $17 billion insurer has picked Banco Santander’s (SAN.MC) regional head of Europe António Simões as its new CEO. The unit’s non-UK assets accounted for 43% of new money last year. The arrival of the Portuguese-born banker will cost L&G 1.175 million pounds in annual basic salary, 9% more than Wilson’s base pay. That adds pressure for Simões to tackle L&G’s Brexit valuation gap.

Persons: Nigel Wilson –, –, Simões, Assicurazioni, Wilson, Pamela Barbaglia, Lisa Jucca, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Banco Santander’s, Allianz, HSBC, HK, G Capital, Twitter, Bank, Thomson Locations: Europe, Zurich, London, Hong Kong, United States, Portuguese, India

[1/2] Uday Kotak, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank poses for a picture at the company's corporate office in Mumbai January 15, 2015. Kotak General Insurance, which is fully-owned by Indian banking giant Kotak Mahindra Bank (KTKM.NS), did not respond to Reuters queries. While the Kotak insurance unit's interest in selling a stake has been reported earlier, its talks with Zurich, the potential deal size and valuation are being reported for the first time. More than 30 companies operate in India's general insurance market, where annual premium collections grew 11% to reach $26.7 billion in 2021-22, helped by rising financial literacy and income levels, CareEdge Ratings said in a report. Already, foreign companies such as Germany's Allianz and South Africa's Lombard have general insurance partnerships with Indian banking or financial groups.

Persons: Uday Kotak, Kotak, South Africa's Lombard, Ergo, Sriram, Tom Sims, Victoria Farr, Aditya Kalra, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Mahindra Bank, REUTERS, Danish, Zurich Insurance, Kotak, Zurich eyeing, Insurance, Asia's, Germany's Allianz, South, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Zurich, MUMBAI, South Africa's, Europe, China, Frankfurt

[1/2] A Confederation of British Industry (CBI) logo is seen during their annual conference in London, Britain November 9, 2015. "While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police," CBI President Brian McBride said. Virgin Media O2 criticised how the CBI had dealt with the allegations. Aviva (AV.L) and two other insurers, Phoenix Group and Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S), also quit on Friday along with asset manager Schroders. Accountancy firm PWC suspended activity with the CBI, as has telecoms company BT Group, while bank Santander said it was reviewing its membership.

[1/2] The landfall facilities of the 'Nord Stream 1' gas pipeline are pictured in Lubmin, Germany, March 8, 2022. Russia has a 51% stake in Nord Stream 1 through a subsidiary of state-owned energy group Gazprom (GAZP.MM). While the import of Russian crude oil and oil products is banned under European Union (EU) sanctions, Russian gas imports are allowed. In September 2022, several unexplained underwater explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 and newly-built Nord Stream 2 pipelines, each more than 1,200-km-long, that link Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea. Gazprom and Swiss-based Nord Stream AG did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

☆ Zurich Insurance boosts ambitions with new financial targets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] Logo of Zurich insurance is seen at an office building in Zurich, Switzerland August 9, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd WiegmannZURICH, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S) aims to boost its business operating profit after tax return on equity (BOPAT ROE) to above 20% by 2025 and generate compound organic growth in earnings per share of 8% per year in new 2023-2025 targets it unveiled on Wednesday. It also aimed for cumulative cash remittances in excess of $13.5 billion and a Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio of at least 160% while keeping its dividend policy, it said ahead of an investor day. Reporting by Michael Shields, Editing by Miranda MurrayOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) on Monday said it would contribute A$42 million ($28.10 million) to settle a class action lawsuit brought by law firm Slater & Gordon (SGH.AX) in 2020 over the sale of three consumer credit insurance products. The class action was filed against ANZ, QBE Insurance Australia (QBE.AX), OnePath Life, and OnePath General Insurance alleging that the entities made customers believe their policy payments were "compulsory or provided value to them", according to the law firm's website. ANZ said the settlement contribution is covered by a provision held as of Sept. 30. QBE Insurance, and OnePath Life and OnePath General Insurance, which are indirectly held by Swiss firm Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S), did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. ($1 = 1.4948 Australian dollars)Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; editing by Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Three of Australia's 'big four' banks settled separate class action lawsuits for A$126 million ($84.51 million) with Slater & Gordon (SGH.AX), who took the banks to court two years ago over sale of credit insurance products, the companies said on Monday. Law firm Slater & Gordon in 2020 filed class action lawsuits against Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX), Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) on behalf of around one million customers. ANZ, along with QBE Insurance, and OnePath Life and OnePath General Insurance, indirect units of Swiss firm Zurich Insurance Group (ZURN.S), will pay a total of A$47 million to their customers under the settlement, with ANZ contributing A$42 million, Slater & Gordon said. Westpac would pay A$29 million, subject to court's approval. ($1 = 1.4910 Australian dollars)Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; editing by Diane Craft and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Insurers face potential losses of up to $60 billion from Hurricane Ian, which ravaged Florida and the Carolinas in September in what could be the second-largest natural catastrophe loss in U.S. history. Zurich sees its overall catastrophe loss ratio for the first nine months around two percentage points above long-term trends. Zurich holds an investor day next week when it will set out its 2023-2025 targets. Quinn said the targets will likely be tougher, after "robust premium increases" helped the insurer's recent performance. Zurich announced a 1.8 billion Swiss franc ($1.83 billion) share buyback programme at half-year results, which Quinn told an earlier media call would likely kick off in the fourth quarter.

☆ Morning Bid: Red wave
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The "red wave", however, showed up in markets. The S&P 500 (.SPX) fell 2% on Wednesday and the dollar seemed to catch a bid from a wave of cryptocurrency selling. Bonds rallied with the risk-averse mood, which opens the door for disappointment as U.S. inflation data comes into focus later on Thursday. Share markets fell around Asia, with MSCI's broadest ex-Japan index (.MIAPJ0000PUS) down 1%. European futures fell 0.6%.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterEven before leaks were found, supplies via Nord Stream 1 had been halted as a result of a dispute over Western sanctions on Russia, while the newly-built Nord Stream 2 pipeline had not started commercial deliveries. An E.ON spokesperson said Nord Stream 1's operating company was responsible for operational issues, including insurance. "Nord Stream AG remains in close contact with relevant authorities about the recent incident. U.S. President Joe Biden has said damage to Nord Stream was a deliberate act of sabotage. If there was any Russian involvement it could also mean the Nord Stream 1 damage being designated as an act of war, something that is typically excluded by insurance policies.

☆ Factbox: Companies sell their businesses in Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The logo of French tyre maker Michelin is seen at a company building in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, France, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File PhotoOct 10 (Reuters) - Some Western companies have agreed to sell their Russian assets or hand them over to local managers as they seek to comply with sanctions over the Ukraine conflict and deal with threats from the Kremlin that foreign-owned assets may be seized. Below is a list of firms by sector that have sold their businesses in Russia:AUTOS** British car distributor Inchcape (INCH.L) sold its Russian business to local managementRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register** Italian truck and bus maker Iveco (IVG.MI) transferred its 33% stake in its AMT truck assembly joint venture in Russia to a local partner** French tyre maker Michelin (MICP.PA) intends to transfer its activities in Russia to a new entity under local management by end-2022** French carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) sold its majority stake in Avtovaz (AVAZI_p.MM) to a Russian science institute, and transferred all shares in Renault Russia to the city of Moscow** MAN Truck & Bus and Scania, units of German truck maker Traton (8TRA.DE), expect to sell their sales companies in Russia to local partners along with Scania's Russian financing business by Q1 2023BANKS** Britain's HSBC (HSBA.L) agreed to sell its Russian business to Expobank, subject to regulatory approvals in Russia** Czech investment group PPF sold its Russian banking assets, including consumer lender HCFB and its subsidiaries, to investors led by Ivan Tyryshkin** France's Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) sold its Russian business Rosbank (ROSB.MM) to Interros Capital, a firm linked to Russian oligarch Vladimir PotaninCONSUMER ELECTRONICS** Swedish home appliance maker Electrolux (ELUXb.ST) transferred its business in Russia to local management** Its Electrolux Professional (EPROb.ST) branch also sold its Russian business to local management** Whirlpool (WHR.N) sold its Russian operations to Turkey's Arcelik (ARCLK.IS)ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS & EQUIPMENT** Finland's Boreo (BOREO.HE) sold its 90% stake in YE Russia to companies controlled by its current director Yrjö Pönni** U.S. industrial firm Emerson Electric (EMR.N) agreed to sell its Russia business to the local management** Finnish elevator maker Kone (KNEBV.HE) expects to close the sale of its Russian business to local management in Q4 2022** France's Schneider Electric (SCHN.PA) expects to close the sale its Russian unit to local management by end-2022** U.S. elevator maker Otis (OTIS.N) sold its Russia business to local investment firm Ice DevelopmentENERGY** French industrial gases producer Air Liquide (AIRP.PA) agreed to shift its Russian assets to local management, subject to regulatory approvals in Russia** Baker Hughes (BKR.O) agreed to sell its oilfield services business in Russia to local management, with closing expected in H2 2022** Italian utility Enel (ENEI.MI) sold its 56.43% stake in Enel Russia to Lukoil (LKOH.MM) and private fund Gazprombank-Frezia** Norway's Equinor (EQNR.OL) transferred assets of its Russian oil and gas joint ventures to state-owned partner Rosneft (ROSN.MM), and its 30% stake in the Arctic Kharyaga oilfield to state-controlled Russian operator Zarubezhneft** U.S. oilfield services firm Halliburton (HAL.N) sold its Russia operations to a management team made up of former employees** Oil major Shell (SHEL.L) sold its Russian retail and lubricants business to Lukoil** Singapore-based commodities trader Trafigura sold its 10% stake in Vostok Oil project in Siberia to Hong Kong-registered trading firm Nord Axis** Total Energies (TTEF.PA) sold its remaining 20% interest in the Kharyaga oil project to Zarubezhneft, and its 49% stake in Terneftegaz to joint venture partner NovatekFOOD & BEVERAGES** Finland's Atria (ATRAV.HE) sold its fast food business in Russia, Sibylla Rus, to Russian meat producer Cherkizovo (GCHE.MM)** Finland's Fazer sold its Russian unit to Moscow's Kolomenskij Bakery and Confectionery Holding** Irish ingredients giant Kerry Group (KYGa.I) sold its Russian subsidiary to local management and agreed to offload its Belarusian unit to a local operator** Fast food chain McDonald's (MCD.N) sold its Russian business to its licensee Alexander Govor** Finnish food and drinks company Paulig sold its operations in Russia to private Indian investor Vikas Soi** Yum Brands (YUM.N) sold its Pizza Hut business in Russia to a local operator** Finnish food processing firm Raisio (RAIVV.HE) sold its consumer business in Russia to Copacker Agro** Finnish dairy producer Valio sold its Russian business to GK VelkomINDUSTRIAL MACHINERY** Polish measuring devices maker Apator's (APTP.WA) Powogaz unit divested its entire stake in Russia-based AO Teplovodomer** Danish industrial firm Danfoss agreed to sell its Russian and Belarusian business to local management, subject to approval by shareholders and regulatory approvals in Russi

Search resuls for: "Zurn"

18 mentions found