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☆ Starboard Value’s Jeffrey Smith, who's bullish on A.I., reveals his top picks in latest 13F
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Starboard Value's Jeffrey Smith has called artificial intelligence "an enormous opportunity," and there are hints of his enthusiasm in his latest, quarterly 13F filing to SEC. The activist investor drastically increased his stake in Wix.com , making it his ninth-biggest holding at the end of June. The hedge fund manager said there's more room for Salesforce to grow and the stock can rally another 30% on the back of the AI boom. Nine years later he spun out his New York-based hedge fund and became the CEO. The hedge fund manager also added a relatively small stake in British life science company Abcam PLC last quarter.

Persons: Jeffrey Smith, Wix.com, Smith, There's, blockchain, there's, Splunk Organizations: SEC, Acacia Research, CNBC, Abcam Locations: Wix.com, Salesforce, New York

☆ AI fears overblown? Theoretical physicist calls chatbots ‘glorified tape recorders’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The public’s anxiety over new AI technology is misguided, according to theoretical physicist Michio Kaku. “Mother Nature computes on electrons, electron waves, waves that create molecules. Quantum computing is an emerging technology utilizing the various states of particles like electrons to vastly increase a computer’s processing power. Instead of using computer chips with two states, quantum computers use various states of vibrating waves. We’re powerless to cure these diseases because we have to learn the language of nature, which is the language of molecules and quantum electrons.”

Persons: Michio Kaku, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, ”, ’, chatbots, ChatGPT, Gabby Jones, ” Kaku, we’re, Kaku Organizations: New, New York CNN, Darktrace Plc, Bloomberg, – IBM, IBM, Microsoft, Google Locations: New York, Brooklyn, British

☆ European gas prices jumped nearly 40% on Australia supply fears — and analysts expect further rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage units at Grain LNG importation terminal, operated by National Grid Plc, on the Isle of Grain on August 22, 2022 in Rochester, England. Energy analysts believe the bullish momentum for European natural gas prices will persist over the coming months after futures jumped almost 40% on Wednesday. Fears over possible supply disruption in Australia saw the front-month gas price at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) hub, a European benchmark for natural gas trading, hit its highest level since mid-June on Wednesday. The surge in gas prices came on news of a potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility strike at major plants in Australia as workers campaign for higher pay and improved job security. "Looking ahead, we expect the bullish outlook for gas prices to continue with fewer LNG imports to Europe, planned maintenance for Norwegian pipelines and continued heatwaves in multiple regions globally," Luo said.

Persons: Luo Organizations: National Grid, Energy, New York Mercantile Exchange, Rystad Energy, Woodside Energy Group, LNG Locations: Isle, Rochester , England, Australia, U.S, Europe, Chevron, China, Japan

☆ Outperforming analysts reveal 2 new oil and gas stock picks — with one expected to rise by 35%
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets have revealed two new top stock picks in the oil and gas sector. The bank's energy and utilities equity team is behind a basket of stock picks called the Global Energy Best Ideas List. RBC said the basket rose 7.8% in July, compared to a 6.2% rise in the iShares S & P Global Energy ETF . ALA-CA YTD mountain Callon RBC analysts also favor Callon Petroleum . As well as adding the above two stocks to their Best Ideas List, RBC analysts removed several others this month.

Persons: Vern Yu, Yu, Vern Yu's Organizations: RBC Capital Markets, Global, RBC, P Global Energy, ALA, Callon Petroleum, Shell PLC, California Resources Corp Locations: Canada, United States, Enbridge, North America

☆ Aptiv expects semiconductor prices to remain high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 9 (Reuters) - Aptiv PLC (APTV.N) does not expect semiconductor prices to cool off in the near future, the auto parts supplier said on Wednesday. Even though supply-chain challenges are easing, prices of certain parts remain high, denting profits. The company said the "real challenge" is in obtaining chips, whose prices have risen 25% to 30%, while supply chains remain tight. The Dublin-based company said demand for new vehicles remains strong in North America and Europe, but flagged concerns around underlying GDP growth in China. Reporting by Pratyush Thakur in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Pooja DesaiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Clark, Pratyush Thakur, Shailesh Kuber, Pooja Desai Organizations: Aptiv, Ford, Detroit, JPMorgan, United Auto Workers, UAW, Ford Motor, General Motors, Thomson Locations: Dublin, North America, Europe, China, Bengaluru

☆ Novavax posts quarterly profit on COVID vaccine sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Novavax Inc FollowAstraZeneca PLC FollowBioNTech SE Follow Show more companiesAug 8 (Reuters) - Novavax (NVAX.O) reported a second-quarter profit on Tuesday, helped by strong revenue from its COVID-19 vaccines, but still trimmed its annual forecast for sales of the shot. As part of the agreement, Novavax will issue 6.5 million shares to SK Bioscience at $13 per share. Following the agreements, Novavax now owes SK Bioscience $65 million in cash. The company reported revenue of $424 million, compared with analysts' estimates of $240 million, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Novavax lowered the sales forecast for its COVID-19 vaccines to between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion this year, compared with a previous outlook of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion.

Persons: Novavax, Leroy Leo, Michael Erman, Varun H, Maju Samuel, Shounak Organizations: AstraZeneca, SK Bioscience, South Korean, South, Thomson Locations: KS, South Korean, United States, Bengaluru, New York

Logos of Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse are seen on an office building in Zurich, Switzerland March 19, 2023. The changes are aimed at producing unified teams following the completion of UBS's emergency takeover in June of Credit Suisse. Under the shake-up some Credit Suisse bankers will take on bigger roles in the combined company while some others leave, the sources said. Matt Eilers, UBS's global head of financial sponsors, is also in talks about possibly leaving, two of the sources said. His co-head would be Christian Lesueur, who has been global head of TMT investment banking, the sources added.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Sergio Ermotti, Jeff Rose, Jon Levin, Matt Eilers, Rob DiGia, Rose, Levin, Eilers, DiGia, Laurence Braham, Lesueur, Steve Pettigrew, Braham, Neil Meyer, Abigail Summerville, Milana Vinn, David Carnevali, Leslie Adler Organizations: UBS, Credit Suisse, REUTERS, UBS Group AG, Suisse, Reuters, Swiss, Barclays Plc, Bank of America Corp, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Americas, Milana, New York

The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland October 25, 2022. UBS was 8th in Refinitiv's global M&A league table in the first half of 2023, down from 6th a year earlier. Steve Pettigrew, who just joined UBS from Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), would be leading software M&A under Braham, according to the sources. Some Credit Suisse technology bankers may lose their jobs as part of the shake-up, while others may be retained or also be promoted, the sources said. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Credit Suisse had initiated broad layoffs in New York.

Persons: Sergio Ermotti, Laurence Braham, Lesueur, Steve Pettigrew, Braham, Neil Meyer, Milana Vinn, Amy, Jo Crowley, Jane Merriman Organizations: Swiss, UBS, REUTERS, UBS Group AG, Credit Suisse, Swiss Re AG, Barclays Plc, Bank of America Corp, Barclays, Reuters, Suisse, Credit Suisse's, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Swiss, dealmaking, United States, Americas, New York, London

☆ US CDC panel recommends Sanofi-AstraZeneca's preventive RSV therapy for babies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Sanofi logo at the company's headquarters during the annual results news conference in Paris, France, February 4, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File PhotoCompanies AstraZeneca PLC FollowSanofi SA FollowAug 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said its advisory panel on Thursday recommended use of Sanofi (SASY.PA) and partner AstraZeneca's (AZN.L) antibody therapy to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and toddlers. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended nirsevimab for preventing lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants below eight months of age born during or entering their first RSV season. It also recommended its use in children aged 8-19 months who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second such season. The therapy, branded as Beyfortus, will be available in the U.S. ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 RSV season, Sanofi said.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, AstraZeneca's, Sanofi, Mrinmay Dey, Mariam Sunny Organizations: Sanofi, REUTERS, Companies AstraZeneca, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ GSK Nigeria calls an end to its business, to return cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Chijioke Ohuocha | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA, Aug 3 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nigeria (GLAXOSM.LG) said on Thursday it plans to stop doing business after evaluating the options for moving to a third-party distribution model for its drugs and consumer healthcare goods. GSK Nigeria, which has faced increased competition from local companies and imports from India and China, said its half-year sales had dropped to 7.75 billion naira ($9.82 million), from 14.8 billion naira in the same period a year ago. GSK Nigeria said it is working with advisers to agree next steps and plans to submit a scheme of arrangement to Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission, which if approved will see it return cash to shareholders except its parent GSK. "For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations," GSK Nigeria said in a statement. Shares in GSK Nigeria, in which British drugmaker GSK has a 46.4% stake and Nigerian shareholders the remaining 53.6%, closed at 8.10 naira, down from a peak of 42.24 naira in 2014.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Chijioke Ohuocha, Alexander Smith Organizations: GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, Nigeria's Securities, Exchange Commission, Haleon, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, British, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, GSK Nigeria, India, China, British, Africa

The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at an office building in Zurich, Switzerland October 25, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File PhotoNEW YORK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) has hired semiconductors banker Dmitri Anissimov from Barclays Plc (BARC.L), according to people familiar with the matter. UBS declined to comment, while Anissimov was not immediately available. Anissimov, who spent about eight years at Barclays, previously had stints as a technology banker at RBC Capital Markets, and as an investment banking analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. Reporting by Milana Vinn in New York; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Arnd, Dmitri Anissimov, Anissimov, Milana Vinn, Alison Williams Organizations: Swiss, UBS, REUTERS, UBS Group AG, Barclays Plc, San, Barclays, RBC Capital Markets, Oppenheimer, Co, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, New York

☆ DXC Technology cuts annual revenue forecast, shares tumble
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 2 (Reuters) - DXC Technology (DXC.N) on Wednesday posted weaker-than-expected quarterly sales and lowered its annual revenue forecast, as the IT services provider grapples with tough competition and lower spending from businesses worried about a turbulent economy. DXC said it now expects annual revenue to range between $13.88 billion and $14.03 billion, compared with its prior prediction of $14.40 billion to $14.55 billion. The company also generates sizeable revenue from outside the United States which makes it vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations and geopolitical issues in an already uncertain market. For the quarter to June 30, the company reported revenue of $3.45 billion, missing analysts' average estimate of $3.56 billion, according to Refinitiv data. The company's adjusted profit fell to 63 cents per share in the quarter, compared with estimates of 82 cents.

Persons: DXC, Yamini, Maju Samuel Organizations: DXC, Accenture, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for investors holding other currencies. PVM analyst Tamas Varga noted that for months, predictions have been made that global oil demand will grow in the second half of 2023 versus the first half, in tandem with supply cuts to reduce global oil inventories. The latest figures from the U.S.- the world's biggest fuel consumer - showed fuel demand rose the highest level since August 2019. A Reuters poll also estimated U.S. crude oil and gasoline stockpiles were expected to have declined last week. In a conference on Monday, BP (BP.L) chief Bernard Looney presaged oil demand growth continuing into next year and OPEC+ being increasingly disciplined.

Persons: Johan Sverdrup, Carina Johansen, NTB, Brent, Dennis Kissler, Tamas Varga, group's, Bernard Looney, Arathy somasekhar, Natalie Grover, Emily Chow, Christian Schmollinger, Sonali Paul, David Evans, Nick Macfie, Jan Harvey Organizations: Reuters Connect, HOUSTON, Brent, . West Texas, BOK, Reuters, Thomson Locations: North, ., U.S, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Houston, London, Singapore

Companies Standard Chartered PLC FollowJuly 31 (Reuters) - China's Ant Group and Standard Chartered (STAN.L) said on Monday they will work together in green finance and global fund management, broadening their existing partnership. The deal is the first high-profile tie-up between Ant and a major foreign bank since authorities cancelled a planned mega-IPO by the fintech giant in 2020. StanChart will help Ant build "an industry-leading global liquidity and foreign exchange management structure", they said in a joint statement. They also plan to enhance collaboration in environmental, social and governance, digital innovation and inclusive finance, the statement said. Ant also hired StanChart as one of the lead arrangers and book runners for the $6.5 billion sustainability-linked syndicated loan it took out last year.

Persons: StanChart, Ant, Roxanne Liu, Selena Li, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Chartered, Standard Chartered, Thomson Locations: China

☆ Linde PLC CEO Sanjiv Lamba goes one-on-one with Jim Cramer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Linde PLC CEO Sanjiv Lamba goes one-on-one with Jim CramerLinde PLC CEO Sanjiv Lamba sits down with 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer to talk the company's end markets, technologies used for clean energy and reinvestments.

Persons: Sanjiv Lamba, Jim Cramer Linde, Jim Cramer Organizations: Linde

☆ On tap this week: Jobs report plus 10 key earnings. Here's what we want to see
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

All three major averages advanced for the week, powered by strong mega-cap earnings and favorable inflation data. Looking to next week, earnings season enters its second half with the last of our mega-caps — Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) — set to report on Thursday. We'll get a better read on the employment picture on Wednesday with the ADP report and then, more importantly, on Friday's nonfarm payrolls report for July. Thursday after the close brings us to the main events of the week: Earnings from Apple and Amazon. For those looking to review first quarter performance ahead of these releases, be sure to keep our first-quarter earnings report card handy.

Persons: We'll, that's, Stanley Black, Decker, Emerson, Bausch, Leggett, Platt, SIRI, Ares, COLM, PERI, Kraft Heinz, Phillips, Ferrari N.V, Johnson, Robinson, COOK, BUD, Kellogg, Papa, Pitney Bowes, Parker, Trimble, Ziff Davis, Nonfarm, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Apple Tim Cook, Kevin Dietsch Organizations: Nasdaq, Dow, Federal Reserve, Federal, ISM Manufacturing, Services PMI, Investors, Caterpillar, Devices, Starbucks, Natural Resources, AMD, Management, Emerson Electric and, Humana, Bausch Health, Apple, Microsoft, Resource Partners, AerCap Holdings, CNA Financial Corp, CNA, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Bank, SJW, Hutchison China MediTech, Camtek Ltd, Silvercrest Asset Management, Loews Corp, Oxford Lane Capital Corp, Banco Santander, Silicom Ltd, SuperCom Ltd, Arista Networks, Avis Budget Group, Diamondback Energy, Lattice Semiconductor Corp, Republic Services, Yum China Holdings, Western Digital Corp, Power Systems, Tenet Healthcare Corp, Vornado Realty, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, PetMed, SBA Communications Corporation, Brixmor, Snack Foods Corp, Cushman & Wakefield, Sanmina Corporation, TFI, PMI, Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Uber Technologies, Pfizer, Enterprise Products Partners, Merck, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Allegro MicroSystems, Altria, SunPower Corp, SiriusXM Holdings, Molson Coors Beverage, Marriott International, Toyota Motor Corp, BP, SYSCO Corp, Marathon Petroleum Corp, Ares Management, Equitrans Midstream Corporation, Game Technology, Illinois Tool, IDEXX Laboratories, Rockwell Automation, Packaging International Corp, Gartner, Zebra Technologies Corp, IQVIA Holdings, Oshkosh Corporation, Leidos Holdings, Eaton Corp, yte Corp, Lear Corp, Starbucks Corp, Devon Energy Corp, SolarEdge Technologies, Lumen Technologies, Virgin Galactic Holdings, Caesars Entertainment, VF Corp, Sciences Corp, Paycom, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Suncor Energy, Holdings, Chesapeake Energy Corp, Boston Properties, American International Group, AIG, Allstate Corp, Aspen Technology, Electronic Arts, EA, Flowserve Corporation, Denny's, Corp, Prudential Financial, Store, Ternium S.A, Vimeo, Emerson, Lomb, CVS Health, Generac Holdings, Cameco Corp, Perion Network Ltd, Builders, Carlyle Group, Scorpio, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Rithm Capital Corp, AeroSystems Holdings, Vertiv Holdings Co, Johnson Controls, CDW Corp, DuPont, Brands Holdings, Scotts Miracle, Gro, SMG, Brands, Allegheny Technologies, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, ABC, Real Estate Corporation, Adient plc, Editas, Garmin Ltd, WWE, Bunge Ltd, Criteo S.A, PayPal, QUALCOMM, Occidental Petroleum Corp, Apache Corp, Albemarle Corp, MGM Resorts International, MGM, Marathon Oil Corp, Joby Aviation, Industrial, CF Industries Holdings, Goodyear Tire &, Realty ome Corp, Metlife, Pacific Biosciences of, Rush Street Interactive, Zillow, JFrog Ltd, Herbalife Nutrition Ltd, Simon Property Group, McKesson Corp, Storage, Cerus Corporation, GXO Logistics, MAX Holdings, Health, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Warner Bros ., Cheniere Energy, ConocoPhillips, Hasbro, CIGNA Corp, Lantheus Holdings, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Fiverr International, Air Products & Chemicals, TopBuild Corp, EPAM Systems, Lightspeed Commerce, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Cummins, CMI, Slair Corporation, Starwood Property Trust, Vulcan, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, New Energy Corp, Cedar Fair Entertainment, Intellia Therapeutics, Lending, Privia Health, Dickinson, Chimera Investment, CIM, Hyatt Hotels Corp, Lion Electric, LEV, Deluxe Corp, Murphy Oil Corp, PBF Energy, Papa John's, Targa Resources Corp, Wix.com Ltd, Apollo Global Management, LLC, Butterfly, Sempra Energy, Aptiv PLC, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Canada Goose Holdings, Hannifin Corporation, WESCO International, WCC, Arrow Electronics, Constellation Energy Group, Midstream Partners, Coinbase, Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras, Gilead Sciences, Opendoor Technologies, Booking Holdings, Atlassian Corporation, International, Redfin Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Monster Beverage Corporation, Consolidated Edison, Rocket Companies, Apple Hospitality, Cirrus, Resources, Universal Display Corporation, Chesapeake Utilities Corp, Social, Defense, Security Solutions, Post Holdings, Tandem Diabetes Care, Nikola Corporation, Magna International, Dominion Energy, ACM Research, Frontier Communications, Brookfield Renewable Partners, inTEST Corporation, American Pipeline, TELUS International, XPO Logistics, Fluor Corp, Gray Television, Cboe, LyondellBasell Industries, Twist Bioscience, Global, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Allen & Company Sun Valley, Getty Locations: U.S, China, India, Oxford, Chile, Illinois, Columbia, Pacific, Pacific Biosciences of California, Southern, PBI, Gilead, Sun Valley , Idaho

☆ NatWest reports profit rise amid fallout from Farage fiasco
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A sign outside a NatWest Group Plc bank branch in the City of London, UK, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Natwest is due to report first-half results on Friday, July 28. NatWest reported pre-tax profit of £3.6 billion ($4.6 billion) for the period, compared to £2.6 billion the prior year and above the £3.3 billion average of analyst forecasts compiled by the bank. NatWest remains under pressure over the Farage scandal. NatWest is nearly 40% taxpayer-owned following its bailout during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, adding more weight to the government's position.

Persons: Hollie Adams, Nigel Farage, Alison Rose, Coutts, Rose, Peter Flavel, Paul Thwaite, Howard Davies, Thwaite Organizations: NatWest Group, City of, Natwest, Bloomberg, Getty, NatWest, BBC, Reuters, Rivals Barclays, Lloyds, Barclays Locations: City, City of London, Britain

☆ Standard Chartered first-half profit beats estimates, sets new $1 billion share buyback
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A sign above the entrance to the headquarters of Standard Chartered Plc in London, U.K., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Standard Chartered reported on Friday first-half pretax profit rose 20% and announced a new $1 billion share buyback, as rising rates and record financial markets business propelled margins at the emerging markets-focused lender. StanChart, which earns most of its revenue in Asia, said statutory pretax profit for the first six months of this year reached $3.32 billion. That compared with $2.77 billion a year earlier and the $3.18 billion average of 16 analyst estimates compiled by the bank. The bank upgraded its guidance for income growth in 2023 to a 12%-14% range from 10% previously.

Persons: Bill Winters Organizations: Standard Chartered, Chartered Locations: London, Asia

☆ StanChart lifts annual profit outlook, sets new $1 billion share buyback
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The lender upgraded its guidance for income growth in 2023 to a 12%-14% range from 10% previously. StanChart, which earns most of its revenue in Asia, said statutory pretax profit for the first six months of the year surged 20% to $3.32 billion, beating the $3.18 billion average of 16 analyst estimates compiled by the bank. Standard Chartered upgraded its annual profit forecast on Friday and set a new $1 billion share buyback after a strong first-half performance, as rising rates and a record financial markets business propelled the lender's margins. An illuminated Standard Chartered Plc logo is displayed on the Standard Chartered Bank building. London-headquartered StanChart's transaction banking income shot up by 92% to $2.86 billion, with cash management income up 166%, benefiting from a favorable interest rate environment.

Persons: Bill Winters, StanChart, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Chartered, Standard Chartered Bank, Jefferies, Hong, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank Locations: Asia, Hong Kong, London

The lender upgraded its guidance for income growth in 2023 to a 12%-14% range from 10% previously. StanChart's robust results showed how global market conditions are playing to the emerging markets-focused lender's strengths. London-headquartered StanChart's transaction banking income shot up by 92% to $2.86 billion, with cash management income up 166%, benefiting from a favorable interest rate environment. That contrasted with the prolonged slump in income at more deal-focused U.S. and European rivals. Reporting by Selena Li and Lawrence White; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bill Winters, StanChart, Goldman Sachs, Selena Li, Lawrence White, Muralikumar Organizations: Standard Chartered PLC, Jefferies, Hong, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Asia, Hong Kong, London

☆ Japan's Takeda beats Q1 profit estimates on mainstay drugs, dengue vaccine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd FollowTOKYO, July 27 (Reuters) - Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502.T) posted first-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates, citing solid sales of mainstay drugs and the launch of new products including its dengue fever vaccine. Operating profit rose 12% from a year earlier to 168.6 billion yen ($1.2 billion) in the three months through June 30, the drugmaker said. That compared with an average forecast of 150.7 billion yen from six analysts polled by Refinitiv. The company held its forecast for full-year operating profit at 349 billion yen. Analysts expect 481.1 billion yen on average for the year.

Persons: Takeda, Rocky Swift, Tom Hogue, Robert Birsel Organizations: Takeda Pharmaceutical, Refinitiv, Therapeutics, Shire Plc, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Japan, United States, U.S

☆ Banks to fuel boom in UK Plc regular dividend payouts
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The estimate from financial services company Computershare is 2.7 billion pounds higher than its April forecast and reflects improved profit prospects across the rate-sensitive industry. Computershare's latest quarterly Dividend Monitor showed bank payouts rose 61% on an underlying basis to around 7.8 billion pounds in the second quarter. The sector is set to raise headline payouts by over 3 billion pounds this year. That estimate is 1 billion pounds more than what it forecast three months ago. In the second quarter, UK dividends rose 3.5% on an underlying basis, but fell 9% to 32.8 billion pounds on a headline basis, it said.

Persons: Computershare, Rio, Danilo Masoni, Amanda Cooper, David Evans Organizations: MILAN, HSBC, Bank of England, Rio Tinto, Tobacco, Thomson

CARACAS, July 21 (Reuters) - Venezuelan expects to sign licenses by year-end for developing the nation's vast natural gas reserves, oil minister Pedro Tellechea said on Friday, even amid U.S. sanctions. Most of the South American country's gas reserves remain undeveloped after decades of insufficient investment, contract changes and - in recent years - U.S. sanctions to oust President Nicolas Maduro. But new officials running the oil ministry and PDVSA want to encourage new investment and unfreeze projects. Oil major Shell Plc (SHEL.L), which produces in Trinidad, could operate the Dragon gas field in Venezuela if Maduro's government extends it a license, Trinidad officials have said. Venezuela is producing 831,000 barrels of crude per day (bpd) this month and expects to increase to 1 million bpd by year-end.

Persons: Pedro Tellechea, Nicolas Maduro, Tellechea, Spain's, Maurel, Deisy Buitrago, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Marianna Parraga, Alison Williams Organizations: Eni, Shell, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, Caracas, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Trinidad, China

☆ J&J-spinoff Kenvue forecasts upbeat annual profit on strong self-care demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Kenvue Inc FollowNeutrogena Corporation FollowHaleon Plc Follow Show more companiesJuly 20 (Reuters) - Kenvue (KVUE.N), the former consumer health unit of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), forecast full-year profit above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, betting on resilient demand for its skincare and self-care products such as Neutrogena and Tylenol. Kenvue, in its first results after being spun off from Johnson & Johnson in May, forecast full-year adjusted profit per share between $1.26 and $1.31. However, adjusted gross profit margin came in at 57.5%, compared to 59.3% a year earlier, dragged by a strong dollar and higher costs. Meanwhile, J&J raised its 2023 profit forecast on Thursday, banking on the strength in its medical devices business and demand for its cancer drugs such as Darzalex. Net sales rose 5.4% to $4.01 billion while adjusted profit per share came in at 32 cents.

Persons: Johnson, Haleon, J, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Raghav, Devika Syamnath Organizations: Johnson, Wall, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Vir Biotech slumps to over 3-year low as flu prevention therapy fails trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 20 (Reuters) - Vir Biotechnology's (VIR.O) shares plunged 45% to a more than three-year low on Thursday after the company's experimental antibody therapy to prevent a type of flu failed to meet its goals in a mid-stage trial. The biotechnology firm, which came into prominence through its COVID-19 antibody therapy sotrovimab developed in partnership with GSK plc (GSK.L), lost over $1 billion in market capitalization in early trade hit by the therapy's failure. The company said it will conduct further analyses on the trial data to "better understand these outcomes", but TD Cowen analyst Phil Nadeau does not expect the therapy to undergo further development. The company is developing antibody therapies against hepatitis B and D, for which data is expected later this year, and also has development programs for COVID-19, HIV and influenza. Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vir Biotechnology's, sotrovimab, Cowen, Phil Nadeau, Nadeau, Leroy Leo, Shailesh Organizations: GSK plc, COVID, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

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