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☆ Generali's No.3 investor Caltagirone withholds backing for 2022 accounts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, April 28 (Reuters) - Italian tycoon Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, the third-largest investor in Generali (GASI.MI), on Friday withheld his approval for the insurer's 2022 accounts, two sources said, after attempting to bring about a management shake-up last year. They proposed an alternative candidate for the job but lost out in the April 2022 shareholder vote. During the AGM, Donnet said those results put Generali "in an excellent position" to achieve all the targets of its plan to 2024. In April last year, at the height of the shareholder clash, the 2021 accounts got around 85% of AGM votes. Italy's Benetton family, with a 4.8% stake, also challenged Donnet who had the support of Generali's top shareholder Mediobanca (MDBI.MI), which holds 13% of the insurer.

☆ Oil major BP braces itself for shareholder revolt after scaling back its climate targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Dutch group Follow This, a small activist investor and campaign group with stakes in several Big Oil companies, has tabled a resolution at BP's shareholder meeting. It calls on the energy giant to align its climate targets with the landmark Paris climate accord and commit to absolute carbon emissions cuts by 2030. Those emissions cuts, Follow This says, should include emissions generated by customers' use of their oil and gas, known as Scope 3 emissions. Follow This says it expects BP's annual general meeting to be a "contentious" one, warning investors will be "rightfully concerned" about BP dialing back its climate strategy amid an ever-worsening climate crisis. Proxy advisors ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended that shareholders of BP vote against the resolution tabled by Follow This.

Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual autonomy in central Florida where the Disney World theme parks attract millions of visitors each year. "Disney now is forced to defend itself against a State weaponizing its power to inflict political punishment," the company said. DeSantis has argued that Disney, which employs roughly 75,000 people in Florida, had been enjoying unfair advantages for decades. Carlos Curbelo, a former U.S. Republican congressman from Miami, said DeSantis' attacks on Disney "made sense for a time." Florida's new oversight body on Wednesday said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void.

Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual autonomy in central Florida where the Disney World theme parks are located and attract millions of visitors each year. In the action filed in federal court in Tallahassee, Disney said it had no choice but to take legal action. DeSantis has argued that Disney, which employs roughly 75,000 people in the Florida, had been operating with unfair advantages for decades. Carlos Curbelo, a former U.S. Republican congressman from Miami, said DeSantis' attacks on Disney "made sense for a time." Florida's new oversight board on Wednesday said Disney's plans for potential expansion of Disney World did not comply with state law, and declared that agreement void.

☆ Explainer: How did the battle between Ron DeSantis and Disney escalate?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

April 26 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) sued Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, asking a federal court to overturn state efforts to exert greater control over the Walt Disney World theme parks. DeSantis responded by urging the legislature to abolish a special district that gave Disney virtual autonomy over the development of its theme parks in central Florida. The Florida State legislature created the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967 to promote the development of Walt Disney World on a 38.5-square miles of land. HOW DO VOTERS FEEL ABOUT THE DESANTIS VS. DISNEY BATTLE? Forty-four percent of Republican respondents in an April Reuters/Ipsos poll said they had a more favorable view of DeSantis because of the fight with Disney.

April 26 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) sued Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, asking a court to overturn state efforts to control the Walt Disney World theme parks and intensifying a battle between a global entertainment giant and a potential White House contender. A DeSantis spokesman called Disney's action "an unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of Florida voters." Disney also argues it was denied its First Amendment rights to free speech. State Republicans last year targeted Disney after it publicly clashed with DeSantis. But before the takeover by DeSantis' appointees, Disney pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limit the board's action for decades.

☆ The US economy is slowing down. Just look at the freight recession that's sent diesel prices tumbling.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US is seeing a "freight recession," meaning fewer trucks delivering goods across the country. The slowdown in deliveries comes as diesel prices have dropped by roughly half since last year. The American Trucking Association's truck tonnage index dropped to the lowest since August 2021. Wholesale diesel prices in New York Harbor tumbled to $2.65 a gallon from $5.34 last May, per the Journal. And in an earnings call last week, JB Hunt executives sounded the alarm on a "freight recession" as the shipping company missed earnings views and reported across-the-board drops in volumes that sent revenue per truckload down by 17%.

☆ A US recession looks more and more unavoidable as key parts of the economy slow to a crawl
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

For many months now, I've been having conversations and writing about economic indicators that all point to a recession. The US is in the midst of a "freight recession," meaning there's fewer trucks delivering goods around the country. In a call last week, JB Hunt reported a bad earnings miss, and executives said a recovery for trucking looks uncertain. Outside the trucking sector, the classic recession indicators are blaring, too:The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index just dipped for the 12th consecutive month. The New York Fed's Recession Probabilities Model puts the odds of a downturn at 57%, the highest mark since 1982.

☆ 'The equity market is poised to struggle in the weeks and months ahead': Comerica Bank's CIO says the S&P 500 is primed for a 15% drop as weak earnings, high valuations, and a hawkish Fed all work aga
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Year-to-date, the S&P 500 is up 8%. Plus, when the Consumer Price Index is between 4-6% like it is now, it usually dictates that the S&P 500 trades at a lower multiple than it is. "For example, at the current S&P 500 P/E of 19, the earnings yield for stocks is 1 divided by 19, or ~5.2%. While he sees 15% downside in the months ahead, he also believes the S&P 500 will return to current levels by the end of 2023. Morgan StanleyWilson has also repeatedly warned of an earnings recession ahead, and recently said that the pullback in lending from banks strengthens his case.

☆ Norway sovereign fund backs Teck Resources in battle with Glencore
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] The logo of the Canadian mining company Teck Resources Limited is displayed as people visit the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File PhotoOSLO, April 21 (Reuters) - Norway's sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest investors, said on Friday it will support a plan by Canadian miner Teck Resources (TECKb.TO) to spin off its metallurgical coal business and focus on copper and zinc. Glencore on Wednesday said it was willing to improve its $22.5 billion offer for Teck, raising pressure on the Canadian miner to ditch a restructuring plan and sit down at the negotiating table. But the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, which does not own shares in Glencore due to the Swiss company's large thermal coal business, said it would vote in favour of Teck's plan. The Norwegian fund at the end of 2022, the last available data, owned a 1.48% stake in Teck Resources worth $287 million, while its share of voting rights under the miner's dual-class share structure stood at 0.59%.

☆ What to watch for in the markets in the week ahead: Monster tech earnings, then sell in May?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Scott Schnipper | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

More than one third (35%) of the S & P 500 reports earnings next week — including megacaps Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Amazon — versus less than 12% in the week just ended and only 2% last week. So far this quarter, S & P 500 earnings are running 4.7% below the same period a year ago, Refinitiv data shows. Back then, the S & P 500 fell 19.4% from its April high to a low on October 3. Meanwhile, next week is the last full trading week before Wall Street's old adage to "sell in May and go away" takes hold. ET: FHFA Home Price index (February); S & P Case-Shiller home price indexes (February) 10:00 a.m.

April 21 (Reuters) - Demand for the Chinese yuan is growing in Russia, the CEO of Sberbank (SBER.MM) said on Friday, adding that the lender has made use of central bank currency swaps providing yuan liquidity. CEO German Gref said Sberbank was gradually raising its interest rates on yuan deposits and had resorted to borrowing from the Russian central bank in yuan several times. Gref said shareholders at the bank's annual general meeting on Friday had supported the board's recommendation to pay a record 565 billion roubles ($6.94 billion) in dividends. Gref said the bank would take advantage of an early payment option and direct around 10 billion roubles to the budget. Gref said Sberbank was not engaged in any talks with Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBIV.VI) over an asset swap.

☆ Australia central bank to get new rate-setting board under review recommendations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The central bank should keep its flexible inflation target of 2-3% but aim to return inflation to the mid-point rather than average it over time. Importantly for market confidence, the RBA's Monetary Policy Board (MPB) would retain its independence from government control. Chalmers is also due to announce two new external board members for the RBA later on Thursday, to replace members whose terms are expiring this year. MPB members should be more accountable for their role in setting monetary policy, the review said. Current RBA Governor Philip Lowe has come in for much criticism after telling borrowers in 2021 that interest rates were unlikely to rise until 2024.

☆ Disney announces groundbreaking for affordable housing in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 19 (Reuters) - Walt Disney World said on Wednesday it would break ground next year on a planned affordable housing development in Central Florida. The unit of Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said it plans to provide 1,400 housing units on 80 acres (32.4 hectares) of land "a few miles away" from the Magic Kingdom and near schools and shopping. Tensions between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney began last year, when the company publicly opposed the state's legislation barring instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Disney responded by pushing through a developer's agreement and restrictive covenants that would limit the new board's actions for decades. The Governor responded by calling on the state lawmakers to pass a bill that would nullify the company's efforts.

☆ US stocks fall as weakening data suggests recession coming for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

US stocks fell on Thursday after a slew of economic data suggested a recession is coming. Disappointing earnings from Tesla and AT&T led to a 11% sell-off for both stocks. AT&T also reported earnings that fell flat with investors, sending the stock down as much as 11%. And the Philadelphia Fed Factory index reported another contraction in April, representing the eighth consecutive month of declines in manufacturing activity. A recession is all but certain, so the more important question is if markets will hit new lows as the economy contracts.

☆ Ex-Crawley manager Yems' ban extended until 2026 after FA appeal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Crawley suspended Yems in April 2022 over accusations that he used discriminatory language and behaviour towards his players between 2019 and 2022. Yems was found to have made 16 breaches of FA Rule E3.2, which relates to comments on race and ethnicity. "We welcome the verdict from the independent Appeal Board to suspend John Yems from all football-related activity until January 2026," the FA said in a statement. "We strongly disagreed with their original sanction, as well as some of the elements of their judgement, which we fundamentally believed were not appropriate for the severity of the offences committed by John Yems." British anti-discriminatory body Kick It Out welcomed the appeal board's decision to extend the ban, calling it a "landmark moment".

☆ Florida expands Gov. Ron DeSantis' so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law to all grade levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Florida's Board of Education approved expanding the rules of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law through 12th grade. Currently, the state bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through 3rd grade. Ron DeSantis requested expanding the ban as he gears up for an expected presidential run. The current law is also the root of an ongoing feud with Disney, one of the state's largest employers and political donors. DeSantis has directed the chief inspector general to investigate the Disney board's move and vowed to take additional revenge against the company through legislation.

☆ DeSantis and allies ramp up Disney fight as more Republicans criticize his tactics
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

DeSantis ripped Disney repeatedly this week over its recent maneuvers to thwart the governor's efforts to seize some control of the company's Orlando parks and properties. Meanwhile, his handpicked board of supervisors overseeing Disney World's special tax district increased the pressure on Disney. The board took that step two days after DeSantis floated a range of possible actions against Disney World, including developing land nearby. That legislation, dubbed "Don't Say Gay" by critics, "should never have been signed" by DeSantis, Disney said in a March 2022 statement. The state's Republican governor and GOP-held legislature targeted the special tax district that has allowed Disney to essentially govern itself for decades.

April 19 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' new oversight board has discovered another "11th hour agreement" that allows Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) to set its own utility rates at its Orlando theme parks, the board's chairman said on Wednesday. A Disney subsidiary, which provides utility services to the central Florida district that includes the Walt Disney World Resort, negotiated an agreement in February to extend its contract through 2032, Chairman Martin Garcia said at a public meeting. "Last Friday afternoon I learned for the first time about one of these new 11th hour agreements entered into between Disney and the district. "We'll have to evaluate the legality of that agreement, that essentially enables Disney to set their utility rates. The board was established to provide state oversight of a special district around Walt Disney World.

☆ The Board's Role in Sustainable Leadership: Not Just Window Dressing
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | 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 Board's Role in Sustainable Leadership: Not Just Window DressingHow do sustainability policies impact fiduciary responsibility? Board governance sets the tone for effective corporate stewardship but it's not always easy to integrate and implement into a company's existing strategy. Two trailblazing C-suite and board veterans with operational savvy, deep financial experience, and great, actionable advice on how to create fairer and more realistic socio-economic models when making business decisions.

☆ For LGBTQ Kenyans, court win prompts backlash as threats escalate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Ayenat Mersie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NAIROBI, April 18 (Reuters) - For Kenya's lesbians and gays, a supreme court ruling allowing the rights body that represents their interests to register as a non-governmental organisation has turned out to be a mixed blessing. But, in a country where same-sex acts remain punishable by up to 14 years in prison, the ruling has also led to a menacing backlash. An LGBT activist wears a badge as he attends a court hearing in the Milimani high Court in Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya. For now, Kenya is still seen as a relative haven for LGBTQ people in a hostile region. For Kevin Mwachiro, an LGBTQ activist for 15 years, this is the most challenging time that the community inside Kenya has experienced.

DeSantis told an Orlando radio station on Monday that the bill would "formally nullify" a development agreement Disney struck with outgoing members of the oversight board that ties the hands of DeSantis' appointees. "To do an end-run around the people of Florida shows how arrogant they are," DeSantis told the host of WFLA's "Good Morning Orlando." He and the Florida legislature have been working to eliminate the virtual autonomy the company enjoyed over Walt Disney World for more than century. Before the takeover by DeSantis appointees, Disney pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limit the board's action for decades. It also ensures that future boards would honor a commitment to $527 million in planned capital improvements to support Walt Disney World’s growth over the next decade.

☆ Shareholder group ISS backs Barclays board over former CEO Staley
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Sinead Cruise | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) - Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has recommended Barclays investors re-elect all board members at next month's annual meeting, sapping the momentum of protests against bosses for supporting former CEO Jes Staley who is being investigated over his links with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Investors should instead await the outcome of various investigations into the matter, ISS said. Staley has acknowledged having been friendly with Epstein, but expressed regret for their relationship and has denied knowing about the financier's criminal activities. JPMorgan, in turn, has sued Staley over "outrageous" alleged conduct and breaching his duty of loyalty to the bank. Barclays docked bonuses earned by Morzaria and its current top executives by a combined 1 million pounds ($1.24 million) in February over the blunder.

☆ Proxy advisor ISS urges investors to back Barclays board
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Staley has acknowledged having been friendly with Epstein, but expressed regret for their relationship and has denied knowing about the financier's criminal activities. The notice also said Staley's unvested long-term bonuses remained suspended pending further developments, adding that the board would "consider further action as appropriate". JPMorgan, in turn, has sued Staley over "outrageous" alleged conduct and breaching his duty of loyalty to the bank. Staley's lawyers have dismissed allegations that he hid what he knew about the late disgraced financier as "slanderous" and "false". Reporting By Sinead Cruise, editing by Lawrence WhiteOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

April 17 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday fired another shot in his battle with Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), saying the state's Republican legislature would take steps to nullify the company's effort to circumvent state oversight of Walt Disney World. DeSantis said the new bill, announced on Monday, would return control of the special district that is home to Disney World to a state oversight board run by the governor's appointees. [1/2] People gather ahead of the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. Before the takeover by DeSantis appointees, Disney pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limit the board's action for decades. It also ensures that future boards would honor a commitment to $527 million in planned capital improvements to support Walt Disney World’s growth over the next decade.

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