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☆ Netflix winds down DVD rental business
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

April 18 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) is winding down its DVD rental business, the company said in a blog post on Tuesday, ending the service it started around 25 years ago. The streaming service said the DVD business had been shrinking and it will not be able to continue to offer quality service. The company will ship the last discs on Sep. 29. Netflix, which was founded in 1997, started the DVD rental service a year later and would send them with a red envelope which the subscribers could use to return the discs to the company. Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Intel ends its bitcoin mining chip series
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 18 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Intel Corp (INTC.O) said on Tuesday it has discontinued production of its bitcoin mining chip series, just a year after its introduction. A rout in the cryptocurrency market hurt some chip companies including Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O), whose high-end graphics chips became popular for crypto mining. Intel expects to stop taking orders for the series, called Blockscale, by October 20 this year and end shipping by April 20 next year, according to a document on the company's website. "As we prioritize our investments in IDM 2.0, we have end-of-lifed the Intel Blockscale 1000 Series ASIC while we continue to support our Blockscale customers," a company spokesperson said. Argo Blockchain (ARB.L), Block Inc (SQ.N), Hive Blockchain Technologies(HIVE.V) and GRIID Infrastructure were Intel's first customers for the chips.

☆ Elon Musk plans AI startup to rival OpenAI - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 14 (Reuters) - Billionaire Elon Musk is working on launching an artificial intelligence start-up that will rival ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, the Financial Times reported on Friday citing people familiar with his plans. Twitter-owner Musk is assembling a team of AI researchers and engineers, according to the FT report, and is also in discussions with some investors in SpaceX and Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) about putting money into his new venture. Meanwhile, has launched an effort to establish rules on AI technologies to address national security and education concerns. Musk has secured thousands of graphic processor units, systems that power high-powered computing required for tasks such as AI and high-end graphics, the Business Insider reported earlier this week. Musk is one of the co-founders of OpenAI, which was started as a non-profit organization in 2015.

☆ Sega nears deal to acquire Angry Birds maker Rovio for $1 billion, Wall Street Journal reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

April 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Sega Sammy Holdings Inc (6460.T) is nearing a deal to acquire Rovio Entertainment (ROVIO.HE), the company behind the 'Angry Birds' mobile game, for about $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Tokyo-based Sega could finalize the deal to complete the acquisition of Rovio by early next week, the report said citing people familiar with the matter. Israeli peer Playtika (8II.F), had made a preliminary bid in January to buy Rovio for 683 million euros ($750.96 million), but the Angry Birds maker confirmed last month talks had ended. Rovio and Sega did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. ($1 = 0.9095 euros)Reporting by Rahat Sandhu in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ BBVA, Santander, Bank of America want to back Mexico's $6 billion power deal, Bloomberg reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The logo of Spanish utility company Iberdrola is seen outside its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File PhotoApril 13 (Reuters) - Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA.MC), Banco Santander SA (SAN.MC) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) together plan to fund Mexico's $6 billion deal to purchase power plants from Spain's Iberdrola (IBE.MC), Bloomberg News reported on Thursday citing people familiar with the talks. The three lenders are among a consortium looking to finance the deal, the report said, with local banks such as Grupo Financiero Banorte and billionaire Carlos Slim's Grupo Financiero Inbursa also interested. The Bank of America declined to comment on the report, while Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Banco Santander SA and Iberdrola did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Alibaba, one of the most valuable assets in SoftBank's portfolio, tumbled as much as 5.2% in Hong Kong and closed down about 2%. On Wednesday, the FT said forward sales based on filings at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed SoftBank's Alibaba stake would eventually fall to 3.8% from almost 15%. The Japanese group, led by billionaire founder Masayoshi Son, has sold about $7.2 billion worth of Alibaba shares this year through prepaid forward contracts, the newspaper said. "It is well within the realms of expectations that the proportion of Chinese shares among its total investment will shrink further." In New York, Alibaba's shares were up 3% as analysts noted that the stake sale was more due to SoftBank's circumstances.

TOKYO, April 13 (Reuters) - Japanese technology investor SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) has moved to sell almost all of its remaining shares in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (9988.HK), , the Financial Times reported, sending the Chinese e-commerce major's stock tumbling. Alibaba, one of the most valuable assets in SoftBank's portfolio, tumbled as much as 5.2% in Hong Kong after the report before paring the loss to 2.8%. SoftBank has been seeking ways to monetise its stake in Alibaba, which the Japanese conglomerate bought into more than two decades ago with just $20 million spending. On Wednesday, the FT said forward sales based on filings at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed SoftBank's Alibaba stake would eventually fall to 3.8% from almost 15%. The Japanese group, led by billionaire founder Masayoshi Son, has sold about $7.2 billion worth of Alibaba shares this year through prepaid forward contracts, the newspaper said.

☆ SoftBank to sell nearly all its stake in Alibaba - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] SoftBank Corp's logo is pictured at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, February 4, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-HoonApril 12 (Reuters) - SoftBank has moved to sell almost all of its remaining shares in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (9988.HK), the Financial Times reported on Wednesday citing regulatory filings it had analyzed. Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

April 12 (Reuters) - Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) said on Wednesday Chief Financial Officer Gina Goetter was leaving the company at the end of April to pursue another job. The Milwaukee-based company said Vice President David Viney will take over as interim CFO after Goetter's departure on April 28. Shares of the company fell 6.3% in extended trading. Before joining Harley, Goetter held top finance roles at meat company Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) and cereal maker General Mills Inc. (GIS.N)The company did not respond to a request for additional information. After cutting hundreds of jobs in 2020, Harley has either beaten or met Wall Street earnings forecasts in recent years.

☆ New vehicle prices fall below sticker price after nearly two years - Kelley Blue Book
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 12 (Reuters) - New vehicles' average transaction price fell below the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first time in 20 months, according to data published by automotive research company Kelley Blue Book. Vehicle prices turned hot after a pandemic-driven supply chain snag and an increased demand for private cars. The average transaction price of a new vehicle in the U.S. declined 1.1% in March to $48,008 from February's $48,558. However, March prices rose 3.8% compared to a year earlier. Top global automakers, except Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), reported a rise in first-quarter U.S. sales on improving shipments to dealers as vehicle inventories improve.

☆ New vehicle prices fall below sticker price after nearly two years, Kelley Blue Book data shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 12 (Reuters) - New vehicles' average transaction price fell below the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first time in 20 months, according to data published by automotive research company Kelley Blue Book. Vehicle prices turned hot after a pandemic-driven supply chain snag and an increased demand for private cars. The average transaction price of a new vehicle in the U.S. declined 1.1% in March to $48,008 from February's $48,558. Top global automakers, except Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), reported a rise in first-quarter U.S. sales on improving shipments to dealers as vehicle inventories improve. Reporting by Pratyush Thakur in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cirrus Logic slumps as analyst says Apple to abandon button design change
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 12 (Reuters) - Shares of Apple Inc (AAPL.O) supplier Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS.O) tumbled about 12% after a renowned analyst said the iPhone maker will abandon the solid-state button design for premium variants of its iPhone 15 series of smartphones. Amid speculation Apple would use a button format that remains static, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his accurate predictions related to Apple's product launches, said in a blog post the company decided to abandon the design shift. "Investors had anticipated that the new solid-state button design would increase suppliers' revenues and profits," Kuo said. Shares of integrated circuit maker Cirrus Logic have hit their lowest in over two months and are set for their worst day in about two years. Cirrus Logic declined to comment.

☆ Cannabis producer Tilray to buy Hexo for $56 mln
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 10 (Reuters) - Tilray Brands Inc (TLRY.O) said on Monday it would buy Canadian cannabis company Hexo Corp (HEXO.TO) for $56 million, which would cement the pot producer's top position in Canada in terms of market share. Hexo shareholders will receive 0.4352 of a share of Tilray common stock in exchange for each share held. Shares of Hexo plunged 22.6% to $1.27 in extended trade, while Tilray fell 2% to $2.68. Tilray said the deal includes anticipated pro-forma net sales of $215 million and low-cost operations with distribution across all Canadian geographies. "The combined company is expected to strengthen Tilray's existing Canadian position with 12.9% pro-forma market share and number 1 market position across all major markets and a leading share across most product categories," Tilray added in a statement.

☆ Levi Strauss tops quarterly revenue estimates, but higher costs hit margins
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 6 (Reuters) - Levi Strauss & Co (LEVI.N) on Thursday topped Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue on resilient demand for jeans and non-denim styles, but maintained its annual forecast as the company turns cautious due to macroeconomic uncertainties. Shares of the San Francisco-based apparel maker fell more than 4% in premarket trade, as it also took a hit on margins in the quarter, owing to persistent cost pressures. The jeans maker's attempts to get rid of excessive inventory by offering higher discounts and promotions squeezed its profit margins. UBS analysts have noted that Levi's promotions were up 1,500 basis points in December. On an adjusted basis, Levi's earned 34 cents per share, beating estimates of 32 cents per share.

☆ London's FTSE 100 climbs ahead of Easter break
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Sruthi Shankar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.5% and is on course to end the holiday-shortened week about 1% higher, with gains in oil & gas and healthcare stocks offering support. Shell (SHEL.L) rose 1.7% as the energy giant forecast higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) output in the first quarter. The midcap FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) rose 0.2%, with London-listed shares of travel firm TUI jumping 7.2% after sharp losses this week. "The report noted mortgage rates have continued to trend downwards, housing transactions have picked up slightly and the employment market remains robust. We still see challenges ahead as affordability remains under pressure," said Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown.

NEW YORK, April 5 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Wednesday that most of its electric and plug-in electric hybrid models will see tax credits halved to $3,750 on April 18 after new U.S. Treasury rules take effect. The other models currently getting credits - Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford E-Transit, Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring - will see credits drop to $3,750. Stellantis said of its three plug-in hybrid electric models, its Chrysler Pacifica plug-in electric hybrid will qualify for $7,500 tax credits after April 18, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Wrangler 4xe qualify for just $3,750. All U.S. EV consumer tax credits require vehicles to be assembled in North America and have income and retail price caps. Electric vehicles leased by consumers can qualify for up to $7,500 in commercial clean vehicle tax credits without any of the same restrictions.

The move to integrate FedEx Ground, its outsourced package delivery arm, with the FedEx Express overnight air delivery business was announced almost a year after activist investor D.E. FedEx Express is already handling FedEx Ground's pickup and deliveries in Alaska and Hawaii - fueling concerns that Ground contractors in the lower 48 states could be let go. John Smith will become president and CEO of U.S. and Canada ground operations at FedEx Express and assume leadership of surface operations across the FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight businesses from April 16. FedEx Freight will continue to provide freight transportation services as a standalone company under the Federal Express Corp banner, the company added. Shares in FedEx, which also announced a 10% dividend boost on Wednesday, were up about 2% in mid-morning trade.

The other models currently getting credits - Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford E-Transit, Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring - will see credits drop to $3,750. Sales of Ford's electric vehicles jumped 41% in the first quarter, data on Tuesday showed. GM currently receives that amount for the Chevrolet Bolt and the forthcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV would have been eligible. All U.S. EV consumer tax credits require vehicles to be assembled in North America and have income and retail price caps. Electric vehicles leased by consumers can qualify for up to $7,500 in commercial clean vehicle tax credits without any of the same restrictions.

☆ Ford confirms all three EVs, plug-in hybrids eligible for US subsidy packages
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

April 5 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Wednesday that all three of its electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids were eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) federal tax credits in 2023. The company's Mustang Mach-E electric SUV will be eligible for a $3,750 credit, while the F-150 Lightning pickup truck will be eligible for a $7,500 credit. Ford said in March it expects its electric-vehicle business unit to lose $3 billion this year, but will remain on track for a pretax margin of 8% by late 2026. Sales of Ford's electric vehicles jumped 41% in the first quarter, data on Tuesday showed. Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ FedEx to fold operating divisions into one organization in cost-cutting push
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FedEx had come under criticism from investors last year for its subpar performance compared to UPS, which has a unionized workforce. In response, FedEx outlined extensive plans to cut costs, including parking planes and reducing headcount. The phased transition announced Wednesday will ultimately bring FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Services and other FedEx operating companies into Federal Express Corporation and will be headed by present Chief Executive Officer Raj Subramaniam, the company said. John Smith will become president and CEO of U.S. and Canada Ground Operations at FedEx Express and assume leadership of surface operations across the FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight businesses, effective April 16. FedEx Freight will continue to provide freight transportation services as a stand-alone company under the Federal Express Corp banner, the company added.

☆ FedEx to consolidate operating divisions into one organization
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

April 5 (Reuters) - FedEx Corp (FDX.N) said on Wednesday the delivery firm will consolidate its operating companies into one organization to cut costs and increase efficiency. Reporting by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ PDD Holdings names Jiazhen Zhao co-CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 4 (Reuters) - PDD Holdings Inc (PDD.O), which owns discount e-commerce platforms Pinduoduo and Temu, on Tuesday named Jiazhen Zhao as co-chief executive officer of the company, effective immediately. Zhao, who is one of the founding members of PDD and has served as senior vice president since 2018, joins CEO Chen Lei to steer the company as it grapples with tepid consumer demand as China's post-reopening recovery remains patchy. "In the future, Jiazhen will concentrate more on supply chain management and China operations, while my focus will be more on globalization efforts," Lei said in a statement. Zhao was behind PDD's Duo Duo Grocery business and led the operations of some product categories in the Pinduoduo platform, including agriculture. Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ US energy stocks join European peers' rally after surprise oil output cut
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 3 (Reuters) - U.S. energy stocks hit an over one-month high on Monday, following a rally in European peers as crude prices rose more than 6% following a surprise announcement by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ oil producers to cut production. The S&P 500 energy index (.SPNY) added 4.2%, eying its best day in six months, while the benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) traded flat. So any amount of oil price incrementally higher from here is very good for margins and it's very good for these stocks." Other oil producers Occidental Petroleum (OXY.N), ConocoPhillips (COP.N), Devon Energy (DVN.N), Marathon Oil (MRO.N) and APA Corp (APA.O) gained between 6.3% and 9.5%. Alastair Syme, head of energy research at Citi, said investors had recently been reducing the weight of energy stocks in their portfolios, and that any move to re-weight would likely benefit most of the largest cap stocks.

☆ US Army awards Lockheed up to $4.5 bln missiles contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 3 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) said on Monday the U.S. Army has awarded a multi-year production contract for Joint-Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) and HELLFIRE missiles, in a deal that could go up to $4.5 billion including follow-on awards. The contract, which will have a total value of $439 million in its first year, is among the first multi-year awards for precision munitions, as the Pentagon looks to build stocks in the hopes of deterring China. Lockheed added the contract also offers three additional follow-on awards which will start in late 2023, allowing for a total contract value of up to $4.5 billion over the next four years. The JAGM program anticipates a "significant increase" in international demand for the weapon system, Lockheed said. Reporting by Amna Karimi in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationMarch 31 (Reuters) - General Electric Co (GE.N) has settled all its outstanding wind turbine technology patent disputes in the United States and Europe with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S.A (GAM.HA), the companies said on Friday. Siemens Gamesa had sued GE for patent infringement in 2020 over the latter's Haliade-X turbines. Last year, a Boston federal judge barred GE from making and selling its Haliade-X wind turbines in the United States, after a jury found they infringed a patent owned by Siemens Gamesa. But GE was allowed to continue making and operating the turbines for existing projects off the coasts of Massachusetts and New Jersey with royalty payments to Siemens Gamesa. In February, the same judge ruled GE must double its patent royalty payments to Siemens Gamesa for the turbines it uses in a renewable energy project off the New Jersey coast.

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