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☆ UniCredit CEO Orcel's 'bank of Europe' ambition tough to realise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

However, his aspirations to make UniCredit the "bank of Europe" are proving trickier to realise with the CEO setting a high bar for mergers and acquisitions in the euro zone's fractured capital markets, despite having what he describes as the biggest war chest among European lenders. UniCredit bought Greece's 9% stake in Alpha Bank (ACBr.AT) and struck a commercial partnership with the Athens-based lender, also acquiring most of its Romanian operations. The CEO works closely with a small M&A team he set up within UniCredit which constantly reviews potential deals in the markets and businesses where the bank operates, people with knowledge of the matter said. But uneven regulation across the euro zone, where progress towards a single banking market has stalled, complicates cross-border deals. Calling on Europe to follow his lead, Orcel says he has unlocked UniCredit's potential by giving it a unified strategy across its 13 markets.

Persons: Andrea Orcel, Merrill Lynch, Orcel, He's, Cole Smead, ALPHA Orcel, Siena, UniCredit, Smead, Jean, Pierre Mustier's, Mustier, it's, Carlo Franchini, Danilo Masoni, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Discount, MILAN, UBS, Smead Capital Management, Fund, ALPHA, Banco, Alpha Bank, Alpha, Banca Ifigest, Thomson Locations: buybacks, Europe, Arizona, Ukraine, Athens, HVB, Berlin, Milan

☆ Nexi CEO: happy to help UniCredit on payments but contract is set
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Italian payments group Nexi is pictured outside their headquarters in Milan, Italy, March 28, 2019. Italian payments infrastructure group SIA in 2016 signed a 10-year contract with UniCredit to manage cards and shop payments as well as cash withdrawal machines ahead of a being acquired by Nexi, which inherited the contract. Nexi finance chief Bernardo Mingrone told an analyst call on Thursday that the contract did not envisage the possibility of an early break-up. While the contract is "very solid" and runs over the long term, Nexi is "very keen to help UniCredit achieve their ambitions in payments, which are growing," Nexi CEO Paolo Bertoluzzo added. Asked whether UniCredit might dispose of its merchant acquiring business, Bertoluzzo said he would be "very surprised" if UniCredit did anything with it.

Persons: Alessandro Garofalo, Nexi, UniCredit, Andrea Orcel, Bernardo Mingrone, Mingrone, Paolo Bertoluzzo, Orcel, Jean Pierre Mustier, Bertoluzzo Organizations: REUTERS, SIA, Nexi, Thomson Locations: Milan, Italy

☆ Upstart steals march on Atos’s M&A battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Atos (ATOS.PA) may have found a helper, and potential acquirer. Smaller rival Onepoint said on Wednesday that it had bought a 9.9% stake in the ailing French IT company. Mustier is trying to implement a plan devised before he took over, which will see Atos split into two entities. Its 10% stake will have cost no more than 70 million euros. If a 900 million euro rights issue included in the split plan is confirmed, the total outlay for the stake will be about 160 million euros.

Persons: Atos, Sarah Meyssonnier, Onepoint, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Daniel Kretinsky, Mustier, Pierre Briançon, Aston Martin, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, French IT, Airbus, Pfizer, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, French, Czech, Orange, cybersecurity

☆ Roche's $7 bln deal is pricey and partial cure
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Roche tablets are seen positioned in front of a displayed Roche logo in this photo illustration shot January 22, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Roche (ROG.S) has taken a small step towards curing its drug pipeline problem. JPMorgan analysts estimate that the drug’s U.S. sales could peak at 2.4 billion Swiss francs ($2.7 billion), but will take until 2037 to get there, assuming a 2028 launch. Analysts expect Roche’s pharmaceutical division to generate revenue of almost 45 billion Swiss francs this year, according to estimates compiled by LSEG. With expected free cash flow of around 16 billion Swiss francs this year and next, Roche can afford to buy a little more diversification.

Persons: Roche, Dado Ruvic, Thomas Schinecker, Peter Thal Larsen, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Jonathan Guilford, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Pfizer, U.S, New, JPMorgan, Merck, Prometheus Biosciences, Analysts, LSEG, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Swiss, U.S

☆ Atos shares plunge as nationalisation calls threaten planned Kretinsky deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Atos (ATOS.PA) shares plunged on Monday after calls from opposition lawmakers for the nationalisation of the ailing IT firm on national security grounds raised doubts about a planned deal involving Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Asked by Reuters if the government was considering nationalisation, or could support an amendment to do so, a finance ministry source replied "no". Lawmakers from Les Republicains said the deal threatened to allow French supercomputers, made by Atos and used for virtual nuclear tests, to fall into foreign hands. Others, including Brun, have said critical Atos components were also used in combat systems used by France's navy and air force. Atos had also won a contract to process data for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Persons: Atos, Sarah Meyssonnier, Daniel Kretinsky, Olivier Marleix, Socialist Philippe Brun, Philippe Brun, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Les Republicains, Brun, Leigh Thomas, Mathieu Rosemain, Tassilo Hummel, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Les Republicans, Socialist, Atos, Reuters, supercomputing, Paris, National Assembly, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

☆ Merck’s cancer rush may spawn lower returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The American drug company said on Thursday it signed a giant deal with Daiichi Sankyo (4568.T) for the rights to sell three potential drugs outside Japan. Merck will pay $4 billion upfront, up to another $1.5 billion over the next two years, and as much as $16.5 billion if the drugs pass certain sales milestones. Merck’s Keytruda accounts for about 40% of the company’s revenue, and that cancer drug might face cut-price competition before the end of the decade. The potential is giant, as these targeted therapies might eventually account for a quarter of the current oncology market. With over 100 of these drugs in clinical trials, the stampede might lead to lower-than-expected returns.

Persons: Jeff Zelevansky, Robert Cyran, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Jennifer Saba, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Merck & Co, REUTERS, Reuters, Merck, Pfizer, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Linden , New Jersey, American, Japan

☆ Rentokil may be next to nibble at US listing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Blake Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Rentokil (RTO.L) is an obvious contender to ditch its London listing in favour of the U.S. CEO Andy Ransom said that it is getting harder to win new business due to “the macroeconomic backdrop”. Rollins is valued on nearly 38 times its forward earnings, versus Rentokil which was trading on just 23 times before Thursday’s fall, according to LSEG data. With Rentokil shareholders a little ratty, Ransom may come under more pressure to consider ways of pepping up the stock, like ditching London in favour of the more highly valued U.S. market. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Blake, Andy Ransom, Ransom, Rollins, Aimee Donnellan, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Larry Fink, Uncle Sam, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, U.S, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S

☆ P&G price hikes have no-tears effect on US wallets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pampers, a brand owned by Procter & Gamble, is seen for sale in a store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., June 29, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Acquire Licensing RightsWashington/NEW YORK, Oct 18 (Reuters Breakingviews) - If Americans are fed up with inflation, their checking accounts aren’t showing it. Procter & Gamble (PG.N) topped earnings expectations on Wednesday after raising prices 7% year-over-year in the third quarter. Imagine all producers of such goods raised prices by 7% in the past year, as P&G did. P&G credits innovation, and if it can squeeze where others can’t, it may even be able to raise prices more.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Forrester, Ben Winck, John Foley, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Larry Fink, Uncle Sam, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Procter & Gamble, REUTERS, Washington, Reuters, of America, PepsiCo, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S

☆ Jean-Pierre Mustier enters Atos last chance saloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Atos (ATOS.PA) is ending its long-running governance farce by starting at the top. Former UniCredit (CRDI.MI) CEO Jean-Pierre Mustier is taking over as chairman of the 540 million euro French IT group. Mustier, who led a recapitalisation for UniCredit in 2017, has his work cut out. On Monday, Atos also delayed the split until the second quarter of 2024, sending its shares down as much as 4%. Atos’s growing cybersecurity unit Evidian, which accounts for two-thirds of its current operating profit, will remain listed after the split.

Persons: Jean, Pierre Mustier, Mustier, Atos, Daniel Kretinsky, Pierre Briancon, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, HSBC, UBS, X, Infosys, Thomson Locations: UniCredit, Czech, Europe

The logo of Atos is pictured at the Eurosatory international defence and security exhibition in Villepinte, near Paris, France June 13, 2022. Mustier, credited with restoring UniCredit's capital strength, will be tasked to revive investors' trust after a governance crisis and a series of setbacks pummelled Atos' shares, now trading at near record lows. Atos shares jumped by more than 20% in early Paris trading but reversed course in the morning. The planned sale of Atos's loss-making legacy IT operations, dubbed Tech Foundations, to Kretinsky is opposed by some minority shareholders and several French politicians. Atos on Monday reiterated the plan to sell Tech Foundations to Kretinsky under the terms announced in August, although it signalled some of the financial terms could change.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Bertrand Meunier, Kretinsky, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Daniel Kretinksy, Atos, Mustier, pummelled Atos, Kretinsky's, Mathieu Rosemain, Pierre John Felcenloben, Christian Schmollinger, Navaratnam, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Tech Foundations, Tech, Atos, Kretinsky, Thomson Locations: Villepinte, Paris, France, Czech, Kretinsky, Eviden, French, Atos

☆ Starboard dusts off old plan at News Corp
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the signage outside the News Corporation building in New York, U.S., September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Bing Guan Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Maybe it takes a pile on to move the Murdoch family’s thinking. Reuters reported on Friday that Jeff Smith’s Starboard is the latest activist to try and unlock value at News Corp (NWSA.O), the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, owner of book conglomerate HarperCollins and Realtor.com. Starboard, which took a position in the $13 billion company, is pushing for a spinoff of the real estate assets, according to the Wall Street Journal. Last year Irenic Capital Management agitated for the same transaction in reaction to the Murdochs’ desire to reunite News Corp with broadcasting company Fox (FOXA.O).

Persons: Bing Guan, Murdoch, Jeff Smith’s, pushback, Jennifer Saba, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Larry Fink, Uncle Sam, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: News Corporation, REUTERS, Reuters, News Corp, Wall Street Journal, HarperCollins, Wall Street, Capital Management, Fox, X, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Europe

☆ UniCredit to use 300 mln euro charges for staff exits-sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly results, UniCredit on Wednesday raised its 2023 profit goal above 6.5 billion euros ($7.2 billion) and said the figure included 300 million euros in restructuring charges it would book mostly in the second quarter. UniCredit last year invited applications from staff who wanted to retire early and were within five years of qualifying for a pension. On Dec. 1 it signed an accord with unions and booked 239 million euros in charges to fund voluntary exits to be replaced by younger hires. Eager to protect its branch network, UniCredit allocated 80% of the 2022 early retirement packages to people from its central offices, raising complaints from unions, the source added. UniCredit underwent years of restructuring under CEO Jean Pierre Mustier, but cost cuts remain a key plank of new CEO Andrea Orcel's strategy.

☆ UniCredit CEO Orcel has leverage in pay debate
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Under UniCredit’s remuneration policies, Orcel receives 2.5 million euros in salary, with the potential for twice that via an annual bonus. A regulatory cap prevents UniCredit from paying its CEO a bigger bonus, so the board may have to hike his fixed salary to pay him more. UniCredit Chairman Pier Carlo Padoan said Orcel has not asked for a pay rise. Follow @LJucca on TwitterloadingCONTEXT NEWSItalian lender UniCredit will review the pay package of its Chief Executive Andrea Orcel ahead of its 2023 general meeting. Orcel’s pay package envisages a fixed salary of 2.5 million euros a year and a bonus of up 5 million euros.

☆ UniCredit to assess CEO pay rise ahead of general meeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The board examined Orcel's pay package in light of the important performance reached in 2021 under his leadership," the report said. "Orcel separately indicated ... he prefers to keep his fixed pay unchanged and have his variable pay closely linked to performance goals," it added. "The board agrees ... and will reassess Orcel's pay ahead of the 2023 general shareholder meeting in light of results and progress made in 2021 and 2022," it concluded. Annual pay of up to 7.5 million euros makes Orcel one of Europe's best paid bank executives, analysts say. The Financial Times first reported UniCredit sought a pay hike for Orcel citing people familiar with the matter.

☆ UniCredit to reassess CEO pay ahead of general meeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Valentina Za | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MILAN, Dec 3 (Reuters) - UniCredit (CRDI.MI) will reassess the remuneration of CEO Andrea Orcel ahead of its 2023 general meeting to see if the results achieved by Italy's second-biggest bank in 2021-2022 warrant an increase, a document on its website showed. "The board examined Orcel's pay package in light of the important performance reached in 2021 under his leadership," the report said. "Orcel separately indicated ... he prefers to keep his fixed pay unchanged and have his variable pay closely linked to performance goals," it added. "The board agrees ... and will reassess Orcel's pay ahead of the 2023 general shareholder meeting in light of results and progress made in 2021 and 2022," it concluded. The Financial Times first reported UniCredit sought a pay hike for Orcel citing people familiar with the matter.

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