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☆ The semiconductor supply chain is the most sensitive to shocks, fund manager says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe semiconductor supply chain is the most sensitive to shocks, fund manager saysVikas Pershad, fund manager at M&G investments, discusses the state of global supply chains in the wake of the Taiwan earthquake, Baltimore bridge collapse and Red Sea disruptions.

Persons: Vikas Pershad Locations: Taiwan, Baltimore

☆ Oil to grind higher, says Macquarie's Vikas Dwivedi
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOil to grind higher, says Macquarie's Vikas DwivediVikas Dwivedi, Macquarie Global Energy Strategist, joins 'Closing Bell: Overtime' to discuss the state of energy and where investors can find opportunity.

Persons: Macquarie's Vikas Dwivedi Vikas Dwivedi Organizations: Macquarie Global Energy

☆ OPEC likely to extend cuts throughout rest of year: Strategist
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOPEC is 'pretty likely' to extend oil production cuts throughout the rest of the year: StrategistVikas Dwivedi, global oil and gas strategist at Macquarie Group, says that's because "without the cuts, OPEC gets in a bit of a jam."

Persons: Vikas Dwivedi Organizations: OPEC, Macquarie Group

☆ There is a 'slightly postive skew' on oil demand for the first time in a while, strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThere is a 'slightly postive skew' on oil demand for the first time in a while, strategist saysVikas Dwivedi, global energy strategist at Macquarie Group, discusses the state of energy markets, saying they've become used to the idea that geopolitical tension does not always mean oil barrels will be lost.

Persons: Vikas Dwivedi, they've Organizations: Macquarie Group

☆ China is 'very much investable' across sectors, fund manager says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina is 'very much investable' across sectors, fund manager saysVikas Pershad, fund manager at M&G Investments, explains why he sees investment opportunities across multiple sectors in China despite negative sentiment, and says "China's not just a relative outperformance market — there's absolute outperformance to be found."

Persons: Vikas Pershad, China's Organizations: China, G Investments Locations: China

☆ Oil prices dip on demand worries as U.S. gasoline stocks surge
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices edged lower Wednesday as U.S. gasoline stocks rose significantly, suggesting demand might be faltering in the world's largest economy. U.S. crude oil inventories tumbled by 6.67 million barrels for the week ending Jan. 19, but gasoline stocks surged by 7.18 million barrels, according to the American Petroleum Institute. Rising gasoline stocks are a signal that demand might be weakening as supply returns to the market after disruptions in Libya and North Dakota. Geopolitical risk is largely already factored into prices, according to Dwivedi. The market is waiting for the Energy Information Agency to release the latest weekly U.S. crude supply data at 10:30 am ET.

Persons: Brent, Vikas Dwivedi, Tamas Varga Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, American Petroleum Institute, U.S, Macquarie, PVM Oil Associates, Energy Information Agency Locations: Libya, North Dakota

☆ Oil prices dip on weak demand, strong dollar
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

File: A Repsol Oil Operations oil drilling rig pounds into the desert searching through thousands of feet for and oil reserve in El-Sharara, Libya. Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over tepid demand and a stronger dollar even though escalating geopolitical tensions limited the losses. Gasoline inventories, however, increased by 7.2 million barrels, stoking concerns over fuel demand in the world's top oil consumer. A stronger U.S. dollar also weighed on oil prices as demand from buyers in other currencies ebbs as they have to pay more for dollar-denominated oil. Elsewhere, U.S.'s third-largest oil-producing state of North Dakota brought some oil output back online after weather-related disruption, the state's pipeline authority said.

Persons: Vikas Dwivedi Organizations: Operations, Brent, . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, The Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy, Federal Reserve, Macquarie, U.S, Houthi, Sharara, Jan Locations: El, Sharara, Libya, Russia, Ukraine, Yemen, Britain, U.S, Iran, Red, Iraq, Iraqi, North Dakota

☆ The 'Korea discount': Value stock or value trap?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A cameraman takes video footage of a stock index board showing South Korea's benchmark stock index (L) after a ceremony celebrating the New Year's opening of the South Korea stock market at the Korea Exchange in Seoul on January 2, 2023. Chaebol challengeIn South Korea, most market heavyweights are corporations called "chaebols," large family-owned global conglomerates that are usually controlled by the founder's family. However, IHS Markit highlighted in June last year that in South Korea, the ex-dividend date comes before the companies' dividend announcement dates. With such challenges, should investors be putting their money into South Korea stocks — or should they stay away? "If authorities continue to improve the investment environment further, the chances for the South Korean stock index to be included in the [MSCI World Index] will grow," he said.

Persons: Jung Yeon, JUNG YEON, Vikas Pershad, Jiang Zhang, Jeremy Tan, Zhang, Hebe Chen, Chen, Ryota Abe Organizations: South, Korea Exchange, Getty, Management, North, CNBC, Samsung Electronics, LG, SK, Hyundai, Samsung, Tiger Fund Management, IHS, South Korea's Financial Services Commission, IG International, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Locations: South Korea, Korea, Seoul, North Korea, Korea's, Southeast Asia

☆ The big AI and robotics concept that has attracted both Walmart and Softbank
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Tim Mullaney | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

Softbank also owns 65% of the GreenBox venture, which launched with $100 million in investment by the two companies. They say it's a $500 billion market, and an example of the kind of change AI can bring to the economy at large. But not as many investors know about Softbank's "other" big AI investment, Wilmington, Mass.-based software and robotics maker Symbotic , which Walmart has taken a big stake in itself. Symbotic teamed up with Softbank to build GreenBox in order to preserve its own capital, Cohen told analysts. The GreenBox market for smaller companies shapes up as another $500 billion of possible demand, Gartner's Klappich said.

Persons: Rick Cohen, Softbank, Robert W, Baird, Vikas, Schwarz, Kristin Schwarz, Vikas Parekh, Parekh, Giordano, I've, TD Cowen, Joseph Giordano, GreenBox, Dwight Klappich, Symbotic, Klappich, Mason, Cohen, —, Bill Boyd, Gartner's Klappich, Doug McMillon Organizations: Walmart, CNBC, Gartner, Target, Venture, Arm Holdings, Wholesale, Forbes, Revenue Locations: GreenBox, Wilmington, Mass, Fla

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, July 31 (Reuters) - Oil inventories are beginning to fall in some regions as demand outpaces supply constrained by deep production cuts from OPEC leader Saudi Arabia, providing support for prices which are expected to rise in coming months. JP Morgan analysts said this month that oil inventories - which include crude and fuel products - now play a bigger role in determining oil prices than the U.S. dollar because Western sanctions on Russia have accelerated oil trading in other currencies. Stock declines have been geographically uneven so far, with inventory falls in the United States and Europe offset by increases in China and Japan. Weekly stocks of diesel, jet fuel and fuel oil in the five regions are also currently below their five-year averages. Crude inventories in Japan have added 25 million barrels, or 8%, since April to stand at their highest in nearly two years, according to Kayrros.

Persons: Morgan, Christopher Haines, Cushing, Kayrros, Antoine Halff, Macquarie, Vikas Dwivedi, JP Morgan, Dwivedi, we've, Muyu Xu, Stephanie Kelly, Simon Webb, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: U.S, Energy, International Energy Agency, Organization of, Petroleum, OECD, OPEC, UBS, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Reuters Graphics Reuters, FGE Energy, United Arab, Reuters Graphics, Macquarie, Thomson Locations: HOUSTON, SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Europe, China, Japan, Saudi, Oklahoma, Singapore, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Mideast, Ukraine, Portugal, Reuters Graphics China, Iran, Venezuela, North Africa, Asia, New York

☆ SoftBank forms JV to build AI-powered warehouses with Symbotic
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 24 (Reuters) - SoftBank Group (9984.T) is forming a joint venture with supply-chain services provider Symbotic to build AI-powered warehouses that will be majority owned by the Japanese technology investor, the companies said on Monday. The firms are investing a total of $100 million in the venture, which will be called GreenBox Systems. The unit has also signed a contract to buy AI-powered systems worth $7.5 billion for its warehouses from Symbotic. The deal will give SoftBank, already an investor in Symbotic, warrants representing about 2% of the U.S. company's outstanding shares. The Japanese firm said it had also bought 17.8 million shares of Symbotic from CEO Rick Cohen.

Persons: Rick Cohen, Masayoshi Son, Vikas Parekh, Greenbox, Symbotic, Zaheer Kachwala, Shailesh Kuber, Anil D'Silva Organizations: SoftBank, Systems, Tokyo bourse, SoftBank Investment, JV, Thomson Locations: Symbotic, Tokyo, GreenBox

☆ We remain very constructive on Japan — 'it's not too late,' says asset management firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe remain very constructive on Japan — 'it's not too late,' says asset management firmVikas Pershad of M&G investments, says that for Japan, it's "still relatively early in a long-term equity appreciation cycle."

Persons: Vikas Pershad Locations: Japan

The research arm of BlackRock, the world's biggest asset manager, shifted its view on Japanese equities to neutral from underweight. "We are looking for more evidence of corporate reform to support the enthusiasm for its equity markets that has gripped foreign investors so far this year," wrote analysts at BlackRock Investment Institute, in its mid-year outlook report last week. "It's not the case that we've already seen the completion of offshore investors' quite aggressive investment in Japan equity markets," said Nomura's chief equity strategist for Japan, Yunosuke Ikeda. "Now, a lot of asset owners have decided just not to invest in China any more, and that's made Japan the top dog in Asia." Many analysts and investors, though, consider the declines a healthy and necessary retracement before the next leg higher, with 35,000 often touted as a target for this year as slower-moving foreign investors start to buy in size.

Persons: Nomura, It's, Yunosuke Ikeda, Archie Ciganer, Rowe Price, Ciganer, that's, Warren Buffett, Vikas Pershad, Kevin Buckland, Ankur Banerjee, Junko Fujita, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Nikkei, BlackRock Investment Institute, Nomura Securities, Graphics, G Investments, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, BlackRock, China, Asia, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Amazon to collect expiring 2,000-rupee notes from Indian customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Tanvi Mehta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, June 21 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O) said on Wednesday it will collect soon-to-be-withdrawn 2,000 rupee ($24) notes from customers in India and credit them to online wallets to help people struggling with the exchange process. Amazon said its customers can hand over up to 50,000 rupees' worth to delivery agents for orders meant for payment via cash. The amount will then be credited to their Amazon Pay wallets. "Don't stress if stores are refusing to accept 2,000 rupee notes for payments," the e-commerce giant said in a statement. "The facility to top up your Amazon Pay balance with cash handed to delivery agents at your doorstep is one of our unique services in India," Vikas Bansal, whole-time director at Amazon Pay India, said in a statement.

Persons: Amazon, Vikas Bansal, Tanvi Mehta, Andrew Heavens, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Amazon Pay, Thomson Locations: DELHI, India

Refinitiv data shows foreigners sold $1.71 billion worth of mainland shares this month via Stock Connect, a key cross-border link between the mainland and Hong Kong exchanges, after selling $659 million in April. Despite outflows in February, April and May, foreigners' net purchases of mainland shares still stood at $25.05 billion for the first five months of this year, compared with net buying of about $6.36 billion worth over the whole of 2022. "Foreigners seem to have been selling because of the underwhelming near-term economic data points and, perhaps, because of the opportunities available to investors with a broader (pan-Asia or global) mandate," Pershad said. "We presume other investors have re-allocated some capital from China to those markets (and others) this year." Reporting By Patturaja Murugaboopathy and Gaurav Dogra in Bengaluru; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan & Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pruksa Iamthongthong, Refinitiv, Alexander Davey, Vikas Pershad, Pershad, Patturaja Murugaboopathy, Gaurav Dogra, Vidya Ranganathan, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Stock Connect, Reuters, National Bureau of Statistics, P Global, PMI, Morningstar, Allianz All China Equity WT, HK, HSBC Asset Management, U.S . Federal Reserve, G Investments, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Morningstar ,, Taiwan, Shanghai, Asia, Bengaluru

Vahia is one among India’s young and aspirational 1.4 billion population, whose propensity for online spending has attracted global companies and digital platforms. And as private consumption underpins economic growth in India, financial investors are targetting new ways to tap into it. India's per capita consumption of food was at $314 in 2020 compared to $884 for China, while that of clothing stood at $53.9 versus $212.9 for China, data from CLSA showed. FOREIGN INVESTORS JUMP INWith private consumption accounting for 60% of India's $3.5 trillion GDP, foreign portfolio investors have been quick to latch on. To be sure, it has not been all smooth sailing for investors as they chased India's consumption boom.

☆ India's 2023/24 budget likely to be cautious, cutting deficit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Aftab Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The federal government is likely to cut its fiscal deficit to between 5.8% and 5.9% of GDP in 2023/24 from the 6.4% of 2022/23, other officials have said. The deficit will remain much larger than the 4% to 4.5% of GDP that was usual for decades. Reuters GraphicsThe international slowdown will hold down growth in nominal GDP - real growth plus inflation - to about 11% for 2023/24 from an estimated 15.4% for 2022/23. NUMBERS VS SPEECHModi's government in the past has used the budget document to lay out a broad economic vision and social agenda. The government is expected to borrow a record 16 trillion rupees in 2023/24, according to a Reuters poll.

☆ 18 movies with valuable entrepreneurial lessons: From 'Startup.com' to 'Becoming Warren Buffett'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Vikas Jha | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

Takeaway: This movie shows the effect money, greed and power can have on relationships. "The Social Network" (2010)"The Social Network" shows us that business success requires more than just a great idea. "Becoming Warren Buffett" (2017)In this documentary, Warren Buffett reveals his day-to-day, and his two most important investing rules. Takeaway: This movie shows how two young men were pitted against each other, striving to grow in a cut-throat business. I've found myself feeling motivated after watching a great film with lessons I can transpose to my entrepreneurial journey.

☆ Bank of Japan's yield curve control policy tweak is a step in the right direction, fund manager says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBank of Japan's yield curve control policy tweak is a step in the right direction, fund manager saysVikas Pershad of M&G Investments discusses the central bank's yield curve control policy tweak and says "what we have gotten this week is a tacit acknowledgement from the BoJ that Japan's dalliance with deflation is done."

☆ Turnover surges as funds rush to exit private equity stakes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Conceived as an illiquid but lucrative method of accessing unlisted companies, private investments are typically structured into funds run by buyout firms. Investment firm Hamilton Lane says an unprecedented $224 billion in private equity stakes have been offered in the secondary market this year to mid-November. Others want to deploy their capital elsewhere - a sign that private equity funds are no longer so highly regarded. The need to sell to rebalance can occur when, as this year, private equity funds have outperformed public markets. On paper, plenty of private investments, which are typically valued quarterly, appear to have done very well this year.

☆ Schools in Scotland, Uganda and Chile among 'world's best' in new prize
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Schools in Scotland, Uganda, Chile, Philippines and the United States triumphed at the inaugural "World’s Best School Prizes" on Wednesday for feats including saving mangroves and expanding classrooms in an area hit by war. The five schools shared $250,000 in prize money for supporting pupils and communities, especially during the pandemic, in the awards organised by global body T4 Education. Dunoon Grammar School in Scotland won the category of community collaboration for skill-based courses, including in travel and tourism, design and maritime studies, intended to stem a brain-drain. Bonuan Buquig National High School in Dagupan City, Philippines took the environmental prize for helping rehabilitate lost mangroves and provide new habitats for fish. “Far too many children will continue to be left behind in the wake of COVID unless governments take urgent action to tackle the education crisis," T4 Education and the prizes founder Vikas Pota said in a statement.

☆ 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

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