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☆ High-multiple consumer staples will struggle in a recession, says Blue Line's Bill Baruch
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | 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 EmailHigh-multiple consumer staples will struggle in a recession, says Blue Line's Bill BaruchBill Baruch, Blue Line Capital founder, says high-multiple consumer staples will be the ones that struggle if there's a recession. With CNBC’s ‘Halftime Report’ investment committee, Shannon Saccocia, Michael Farr, Jason Snipe and Steve Weiss.

Lawrence Elbaum, co-head of law firm Vinson & Elkins' shareholder activism practice, said investors were looking for value-boosting strategies that do not require much funding in a difficult market. Deka Investment, which has around 367 billion euros ($392 billion) in assets under management and holds stakes in most major German corporations, has repeatedly called out German companies for structural weaknesses. Germany's blue-chip DAX 30 index (.GDAXI) put in the worst performance of any major European stock market in the past year, rising just 2%. Joe Kaeser, supervisory board chairman of Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE), said the United States was much more advanced, and also more successful, in the field of shareholder activism. As CEO of conglomerate Siemens AG from 2013 until 2021, he engineered one of Germany's most successful corporate break-ups, separately listing Siemens Energy and Siemens Healthineers (SHLG.DE) and merging Siemens's wind unit with Spain's Gamesa.

Manchester United, INEOS, Tesla and Musk did not reply to requests for comment. "For potential buyers, football clubs like Manchester United are considered trophy assets driven by the perception of exclusivity. The size of that bid has fuelled speculation Manchester United will attract significantly more. Manchester United is the fourth richest soccer club in the world, according to analysis by Deloitte. A small portion of Manchester United shares is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

☆ Billionaire Najafi set to launch $3.75bn takeover bid for Spurs - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi, chair of MSP Sports Capital, is set to launch a $3.75 billion takeover bid for Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Najafi is also a minority shareholder in the National Basketball Association team Phoenix Suns. Tottenham, currently managed by Antonio Conte, have 39 points after 23 games in the league this season and sit two points outside the top four. Other Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool are also seeking investment, with Qatari investors preparing to make a bid to buy United while Jim Ratcliffe's company INEOS formally entered the bidding process last month. Reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr and Manasi Pathak; Editing by Alison Williams and Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: U.S. stock rally faces uphill climb after mixed inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Lewis Krauskopf | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] A trader works on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., January 27, 2023. Tuesday's closely watched inflation report on U.S. consumer prices showed the smallest annual price increase since late 2021. But the data did little to dispel expectations that the Federal Reserve will have to continue raising rates higher and keep them elevated for longer to drive inflation lower. The CPI data continues the trend of moderating annual inflation rates that have helped propel this year's rally in risk assets. Some have also expressed concern about investor positioning, which has grown stretched in recent weeks as market participants piled into the stock rally.

The campaign increases the pressure on non-executive Chairman Norbert Winkeljohann, who has faced calls from large shareholders for the swift replacement of Chief Executive Werner Baumann, who engineered Bayer's troubled Monsanto takeover. The approaches come after Ubben's activist investment fund Inclusive Capital Partners said last month it had bought a 0.83% stake in Bayer. David Herro, deputy chairman of Harris Associates, told Reuters in brief emailed comments that Ubben had contacted him to discuss Bayer. A spokesperson said Bayer was always open to a constructive dialogue with shareholders and declined to comment further. Investors who have publicly called for a swift CEO change hold at least a combined 6.7% in Bayer, according to Refinitiv data.

☆ 8 investments to make now as the Federal Reserve risks a recession by going 'way overboard' in raising interest rates, according to 7 top economists and strategists
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Since March, Rosenberg has warned that by trying to crush inflation, the Fed would inadvertently kill the economy as well. "I think that the odds now are that it's going to be more severe than people think because the Fed has gone way overboard," Rosenberg said of a recession. The contrarian view: With inflation falling, a recession is no guaranteeHowever, not every strategist thinks that a recession is a sure thing. But what I think we can see is the Federal Reserve is overdoing it and eventually, the Fed will have to cut rates." Fittingly, Parker's bets are contingent on his view that the US economy won't suffer from a severe recession.

☆ Opinion: Why Beijing is cheering on the U.S. debt ceiling fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Michael Farr | Dan Mahaffee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Capitol Building is seen on January 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. The contours of divided government in Washington are now clear: The main point of contention is the looming debt ceiling deadline, and the main area of agreement is addressing systemic competition with Communist China. Continued brinksmanship and extremism over the debt ceiling is only serving to undercut a key element of U.S. strength, as we call into question our very own financial and economic leadership. The 365-65 vote creating the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party demonstrates this. Therefore, as the both sides in Washington seek to outdo each other on a tough-on-China approach, radicals on the debt ceiling are counterproductively undermining fundamental drivers of U.S. strength — the dominance of the U.S. dollar, U.S. financial institutions, and Wall Street.

[1/2] A trader works at the Frankfurt stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, February 22, 2022. REUTERS/Timm Reichert/File PhotoBERLIN/LONDON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - German web hosting firm IONOS is targeting a market capitalisation of up to 3.15 billion euros ($3.42 billion) in Europe's first major initial public offering (IPO) since sports car maker Porsche last September. Subject to regulatory approval of the IPO prospectus, the offer is expected to run from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7. IPO investors are typically offered a discount to a peer group in compensation for the risk of buying a new stock. Montabaur-based IONOS offers web hosting services and cloud applications to consumers and SMEs in countries including the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Spain and Poland.

☆ Perella Weinberg puts employee in insider trading probe on leave -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FRANKFURT, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The advisory firm Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP.O) has placed an employee who is being investigated as part of an insider trading probe in Germany on leave, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday. On Thursday, German authorities said they were investigating five suspects, including one who was in custody, for allegedly profiting on upcoming M&A transactions between 2017 and 2021. Perella said in a statement: "The firm is assisting in an investigation by German law enforcement authorities. The firm is not the subject of the investigation, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the firm." The Perella employee is based in London, the two people said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

FRANKFURT, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Czech Republic-based private investment firm McWin said on Tuesday it had bought a majority stake in Germany's L'Osteria in a deal that values the Italian-themed restaurant chain at around 400 million euros ($434 million). The move is aimed at driving the chain's growth across Europe, with McWin investing alongside L'Osteria founders, Klaus Rader and Friedemann Findeis, and management. Founded in 1999, L'Osteria serves Italian food in 157 restaurants across eight European countries. The investment follows an auction process and has been made via McWin Restaurant Fund (MRF), which totals 525 million euros and was launched in August 2022. McWin's financial adviser was KPMG, while L'Osteria and its shareholders were advised by Ferber & Co and Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE).

☆ German finance minister warns against quick decoupling from China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Germany must reduce its dependence on China gradually as decoupling from the Chinese market would costs jobs in Europe's biggest economy, Finance Minister Christian Lindner was quoted as saying on Sunday. "Decoupling our economy from the Chinese market would not be in the interest of jobs in Germany," Lindner was quoted as saying by the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. He said that gradually other world regions and markets would have to become more important for German business over the coming years and decades, Welt reported. "The political conditions must be improved for this," Lindner said. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa, editing by Emma-Victoria FarrOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Stocks rise Friday but are on track for a losing week, Nasdaq jumps more than 1%
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | 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 EmailStocks rise Friday but are on track for a losing week, Nasdaq jumps more than 1%Jason Snipe, Steve Weiss Michael Farr, Shannon Saccocia, Jenny Harrington join 'Halftime Report' to discuss the trajectory of the January rally, job cuts, and Q4 earnings.

FRANKFURT, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Hellman & Friedman (H&F) is weighing options for its Italian cloud software maker TeamSystem, a business which could be valued at several billion euros, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Private equity investors are showing interest in TeamSystem, which may also attract sovereign wealth funds, they said. Hellman & Friedman acquired TeamSystem in 2016 and in 2021 moved the company from one of its funds to another. TeamSystem, which was founded in 1979, generated revenue of 545 million euros in 2021, while posting adjusted core earnings of around 235 million euros, according to company results on its website. While a decision on its valuation is still in flux, that could mean more than 6 billion euros including debt, the person said.

BERLIN/FRANKFURT, Jan 17 (Reuters) - United Internet (UTDI.DE) subsidiary Ionos said on Tuesday it would undertake a prime standard listing of its shares this quarter on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, as the web hosting company readies for an initial public offering (IPO). The offered shares are expected to come from the holdings of the subsidiary's two existing shareholders, United Internet and Warburg Pincus, with United Internet to retain a majority stake after the IPO, Ionos said. United Internet shares were up 1.8% to 22.23 euros in early Frankfurt trading. The intention to float document did not provide details on the target issue price or the number of shares to be offered. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that Ionos could achieve a valuation of 5 billion euros ($5.42 billion) in a stake sale.

☆ Volkswagen announces changes to Mexico, Canada supervisory boards
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies Volkswagen AG FollowFRANKFURT, Jan 12 (Reuters) - German car company Volkswagen Group (VOWG_p.DE) announced on Thursday promotions in its North American operations, CFO and COO Arno Antlitz posted on LinkedIn. Volkswagen of America President and CEO Pablo Di Si will take on the role of chairman of the company's Mexican supervisory board, and Andrew Savvas, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Volkswagen of America, will become chairman of its Canadian supervisory board. Both appointments take effect immediately, in a region Antlitz describes as "a cornerstone of the group's strategy." Reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr, editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Watch CNBC's full discussion with CNBC's Ron Insana and Hightower's Michael Farr
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | 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 EmailWatch CNBC's full discussion with CNBC's Ron Insana and Hightower's Michael FarrRon Insana, CNBC senior analyst, and Michael Farr of Hightower Advisors join 'Power Lunch' to discuss their respective outlook for the markets in the coming year.

☆ I think there will be a pause, then a pivot, says CNBC analyst Ron Insana
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | 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 EmailI think there will be a pause, then a pivot, says CNBC analyst Ron InsanaRon Insana, CNBC senior analyst, and Michael Farr of Hightower Advisors join 'Power Lunch' to discuss their respective outlook for the markets in the coming year.

The downside is that will increase carbon emissions and for the longer term, the firm is considering a switch to hydrogen, which is a much cleaner energy source provided it is produced using renewable power. "We want to be one of the first large companies in Bavaria to switch to hydrogen," Craig Barker, managing director of the 87-year-old firm, told Reuters. It also announced an action plan to support small and medium-sized companies as they switch to climate-neutral production, including expanding hydrogen infrastructure. More is required to accelerate investments in hydrogen, including a Hydrogen Act to cut bureaucracy and regulate the hydrogen ramp-up quickly, utility industry association BDEW said earlier this month. "2023 must provide new impetus for investments in renewable energies, hydrogen, hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants and energy networks," BDEW president Kerstin Andreae said.

☆ Grade My Trade: DVN, NOC, BX & RIO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGrade My Trade: DVN, NOC, BX & RIOThe ‘Halftime Report’ investment committee, Bryn Talkington, Michael Farr, Joe Terranova and Jenny Harrington, weigh in on the Devon Energy, Northrop Grumman, Blackstone and Rio Tinto.

☆ You want to buy energy companies with a dividend, says Requisite's Bryn Talkington
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | 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 EmailYou want to buy energy companies with a dividend, says Requisite's Bryn TalkingtonCNBC’s ‘Halftime Report’ investment committee, Bryn Talkington, Michael Farr, Joe Terranova and Jenny Harrington, discuss whether the energy sector will see more upside or downside.

☆ Michael Farr: These are 2023's top stock picks for what could be a rocky year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Michael K. Farr | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +17 min

Regarding the cloud, AMZN's Web Services business is the market leader in cloud infrastructure services. Moreover, the scale of AMZN's web services business provides many cost advantages as very few companies can compete with AMZN's investment spend and first-mover advantage. Over the long term, we would expect MDLZ to generate double-digit total returns, consisting of high-single digit EPS growth and the 2.3% dividend. There is a long runway remaining for cloud growth as companies slowly deal with legacy investments that still drive value but are not cloud-based. Management remains committed to its goal of high single-digit EPS growth in 2023, followed by sustained double-digit growth in 2024 and beyond.

☆ 10 money managers who quietly control the vast fortunes of Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin, the Waltons, and other big-name billionaires
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

Many über-rich people don't outsource their wealth — they hire their own chief investment officers. He left SAC in 2005 for Dune Capital Management, but stayed in touch with Steve during his five-year term at the investment firm. Andrew oversees CPV's portfolio, which primarily comprises direct private investments such as Collectors Universe, a collectibles-authentication company, and the New York Mets. In 2011, Wildcat Capital Management was launched with Potter as president and chief investment officer. Since November 2021, Carland has also served as the interim chief investment officer for Builders Vision's asset arm.

☆ New sanctions starting to bite Russia's economy as Moscow admits deficit impact
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference after a meeting of the State Council on youth policy in Moscow, Russia, December 22, 2022. The latest round of Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine are beginning to pinch the country's economy. However, Moscow should be able to finance the shortfall through domestic bond issuance and its rainy day fund, officials have suggested. The 27 countries of the EU also agreed in June to ban the purchase of Russian crude oil from Dec. 5. "High-frequency data show that Russian oil exports have fallen since the sanctions were introduced and the spread between Brent crude oil prices over Urals oil prices widened to a six-month high [last] week."

☆ 71 top VCs landed on Insider's 2022 list of investors to watch. Here's what they're looking for in startups to back in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | Stephanie Palazzolo | Darius Rafieyan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Despite a tumultuous market for startup investing, VCs still landed top deals at hot startups. Behind these successes were the smart and savvy rising-star VCs working to transform the industry. Here are some of the rising stars of venture capital who are names to watch in 2023. Insider asked the VCs we named in last year's rising-stars list and the general public to nominate this year's most promising venture investors. For instance, OMERS Ventures' Chrissy Farr made the jump to healthtech investing after working as a journalist covering the venture industry for CNBC.

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