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☆ Profitable Klarna poses IPO valuation conundrum
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Karen Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Last year, Siemiatkowski raised money at a $6.7 billion equity value, or 85% below its 2021 price tag of $45.6 billion. The implied Klarna valuation, before netting out the company’s cash or debt, would be roughly $14 billion. It’s hard to see Klarna getting close to those multiples, if it’s valued like a bank, since the Swedish company is nowhere near as profitable. For Siemiatkowski, then, the key to gaining an IPO valuation uplift will be to convince investors that Klarna is a lender but not a bank. Klarna raised $800 million at a $6.7 billion valuation in July 2022.

Persons: Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna, That’s, Breakingviews, Siemiatkowski, Liam Proud, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Bank, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Revenue, Thomson Locations: U.S, Swedish, United Kingdom

☆ This city never slept. Now with China tightening its grip, is the party over?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

China’s message at the time was that even if change was coming to Hong Kong, its spirit of “anything goes” would be staying put. People gather outside a restaurant on a near-empty street in the Soho area of Hong Kong. Officials say they were “fluorescent.”A Hong Kong government spokesman told CNN this week that the activities were “well-received by local residents and tourists”. Under Hong Kong’s pandemic restrictions, live music was all but banned in small venues for more than 650 days. Months before the virus emerged, China had been tightening its grip on Hong Kong in response to pro-democracy protests that had spread throughout the city.

Persons: Hong Kong, Boy George, Grace Jones, Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold, China’s, Deng Xiaoping, China –, Deng, Deng’s, –, Noemi Cassanelli, Hong, John Lee, “, ”, Gary Ng, Covid, Benson Wong, Wong, Lan Kwai Fong, Cassanelli, Hong Kongers, Kongers, Ng, Yan Wai, ” Yan, hasn’t, Billy H.C, Kwok, Richard Feldman, Feldman, Becky Lam, ” Lam, “ They’ll, ” Feldman, Kwai Fong, Marco Chan, Chan, ” Allan Zeman, Allan Zeman, Lan, CNN “ They’ll, they’ll, Lam, Hong Kong’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, East, West, Britain, Occupy Central, National Security, Michelin, CNN, Hong, Tai Hang, National, Hong Kong Wine, HKSAR, Immigration Department, Chinese University of Hong, Soho Association, Netflix, “, Lan Kwai Fong Group, Hong Kong, Shady Locations: China, Hong Kong, Asia, Hong, Soho, Japan, Singapore, Tai, Thailand, Lan Kwai, expats, Britain, Canada, Australia, Natixis, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lan, revelers, California, Central, Shenzhen, Hong Kong’s Central, Bangkok, Shanghai, Taipei, Petticoat

☆ Hong Kong central bank leaves interest rate unchanged, tracking Fed move
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A taxi drives in front of skyscrapers at the central business district, including AIA Central, China Construction Bank (CCB) Tower, Bank of China Tower, Cheung Kong Centre, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank headquarters, in Hong Kong, China August 17, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on Thursday left its base rate charged through the overnight discount window unchanged at 5.75%, tracking a move by the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep rates steady. The U.S. central bank held interest rates steady on Wednesday as policymakers paused its aggressive tightening of monetary policy to consider if conditions were restrictive enough to tame inflation. "The Hong Kong dollar exchange rate remains stable, and the Hong Kong dollar interbank rates might remain high for some time," HKMA said in a statement, adding that local financial and monetary markets continue to operate in a smooth and orderly manner. Hong Kong's monetary policy moves in lock-step with the United States as the city's currency is pegged to the greenback in a tight range of 7.75-7.85 per dollar.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, HKMA, Donny Kwok, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: AIA Central, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, Cheung, Cheung Kong Centre, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, REUTERS, Hong, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, U.S . Federal Reserve, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: Cheung Kong, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, U.S, United States

☆ Investors reject Sanofi's cure to sickly valuation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Sanofi (SASY.PA) investors dislike CEO Paul Hudson’s prescription to reinvigorate the pharmaceutical group’s weak valuation. Analysts polled by LSEG expect the division to hit an EBIT of 1.6 billion euros this year. On listed rival Haleon’s 15.6 times multiple, that business could be worth 25 billion euros. The rest of the Sanofi business may generate EBIT of 11.4 billion euros. The problem is that investors don’t appear to want to take the harsh medicine that leads to a cure.

Persons: Paul Hudson’s, Ernst & Young, Sanofi, EBIT, Roche, Karen Kwok, Francesco Guerrera, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Sanofi, Ernst, LSEG, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, GSK, AstraZeneca, X, Unilever, Thomson

[1/2] Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee delivers his annual policy address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China October 25, 2023. Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong's economy, which contracted 3.5 percent last year, would "resume growth this year" as inbound tourism and consumption improved, and unemployment fell. Hong Kong's economy grew 2.2% in the first half of the year, and is expected to grow four percent this year. "External forces continue to meddle in Hong Kong affairs," he said, without giving specifics or naming any country. Some Western governments have criticised the ongoing national security clamp down, which has led to the imprisonment of many opposition democrats and closure of liberal media outlets.

Persons: John Lee, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Lee, Hong Kong's, Clare Jim, Twinnie Siu, Jessie Pang, Donny Kwok, James Pomfret, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Hong, Legislative, REUTERS, Tyrone, U.S, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Hong

☆ Hong Kong's leader will deliver his policy address this week. Here's what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Vivian Kam | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

An aerial view of a residential district in Hong Kong. He expects domestic demand will continue to be the key driver to Hong Kong's expansion. A nurse examines new born chinese childs with their mums at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 30 April 2012 in Hong Kong. That's compared to 1.1 in Singapore and 1.7 in the U.S. To tackle the problem, local media reported the Hong Kong leader may consider giving 20,000 Hong Kong dollars ($2,556) to the family of every newborn baby in the territory, if at least one of the parents is a permanent resident. By offering attractive incentives ... Hong Kong can re-establish itself as an attractive destination for both local and international talent.

Persons: Chunyip Wong, John Lee, Hong, Eddie Kwok, Kwok, Thomas Shik, Shik, childs, Victor Fraile Rodriguez, Wise Lam Organizations: Hong, Hang Seng Bank, CNBC, Gross, Labor, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Corbis, Bank Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Singapore, Hong, PwC, U.S

☆ West’s latest China corporate risk: medical graft
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Karen Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

An employee wearing a face mask is seen at a workshop of computed tomography (CT) scanners of medical device firm Siemens Healthineers in Shanghai, China, February 24, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China corporate risk has spread to Western medical device companies. According to BMI analysts, about two-thirds of Chinese medical devices used by local hospitals and clinics are imported from Western groups. That implies a direct hit to the order and revenue growth for medical device firms. Domestic brands, which have historically lagged in the advanced end of the medical device market, took the whole of last decade just to hike their share from around 20% to 30%, Deloitte says.

Persons: Aly, Philips, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Siemens, REUTERS, Reuters, Volkswagen, Philips, GE Healthcare, BMI, National Health Commission, Siemens Healthineers, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Deloitte, GE, Healthineers, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, People’s Republic, Beijing, United States

[1/5] A view of the residential apartments in Country Garden's Forest City development in Johor Bahru, Malaysia August 16, 2023. The group hired PJT Partners (PJT.N) as financial adviser to lead discussions with Country Garden, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Ratings agency Moody's said on Thursday it could downgrade Country Garden's (2007.HK) 'corporate family rating' if the recovery prospects for its creditors weaken further. Moody's said Country Garden's senior unsecured rating of C was already at the lowest of its rating scale. Country Garden and Frasers did not immediately respond for a request for comment on that sale.

Persons: Edgar Su, PJT, Moody's, Frasers, Houlihan Lokey, Sidley Austin, Yeung Kwok Keung, Yang Huiyan, Yeung, Yang, Cao Jianglin, Garden's, China Evergrande, Scott Murdoch, Xie Yu, Clare Jim, Anousha Sakoui, Liz Lee, Lewis Jackson, Kim Coghill, Christopher Cushing, Jamie Freed, Lincoln, Miral Fahmy, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, HK, PJT Partners, Garden's, Australian Financial, Reuters, China International Capital Corporation, Finance, HSBC, China National Agricultural Development, SOE, Thomson Locations: Garden's, City, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, China HONG KONG, Garden's Australian, Melbourne, China, Shunde, Guangdong province, Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Beijing, Sydndey

☆ Country Garden says founder, board chairperson at work, haven't left China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Country Garden's founder and chairperson of the board are at work as usual, the debt-laden Chinese property developer said on social media on Thursday, denying online reports of the pair leaving the country. Founder Yeung Kwok Keung quit Country Garden's board in March and daughter Yang Huiyan became chairperson. Country Garden on Wednesday was due to pay a $15 million coupon payment on a bond due September 2025, but two bondholders told Reuters they were yet to receive it. On Wednesday, it said it was unlikely to be able to meet most of its upcoming offshore debt payments. Country Garden has almost $11 billion of offshore bonds outstanding.

Persons: Yeung Kwok Keung, Yang Huiyan, Yeung, Liz Lee, Scott Murdoch, Kim Coghill, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Shanghai

☆ Country Garden founder Yeung, the tycoon who called himself 'dumb'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Clare Jim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Born into a peasant family in rural China, Yeung Kwok Keung's rags-to-riches tale inspired millions across the country until his Country Garden (2007.HK) empire spiralled into crisis this year. On his home turf, Yeung and his company had many nicknames, among them "The most grassroots tycoon" and the "Universe's No.1 property developer". Born in 1955, Yeung founded Country Garden along with four others in 1992, quickly building its scale across China and transforming it into a household name by the early 2000s. Focusing on less popular, smaller cities in the world's second-largest economy was what made Country Garden successful, as the world's second-largest economy urbanised. In a company statement in August, Yeung spelt out a number of attributes that he said make "The Country Garden that I dream of", some of which will be key amid the crippling cash crisis.

Persons: Yeung Kwok, Yeung, Wu Jianbin, Yeung's, Yang Huiyan, Clare Jim, Dorothy Kam, Anne Marie Roantree Organizations: Xinhua, Volkswagen, China Evergrande, HK, Forbes, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, HK, Foshan, Guangdong, Xinhua

☆ Country Garden founding family provides $300 mln loan, selling jet - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The company logo of Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured at the Shanghai Country Garden Center in Shanghai, China August 9, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The founding family of Country Garden (2007.HK) recently loaned the embattled Chinese property developer $300 million interest free, and the family was also trying to sell its private jet, a Chinese online news outlet, The Paper, reported on Friday. Another online news outlet, Cailianshe, reported earlier that founder Yeung Kwok Keung had already sold a new jet and was trying to sell another. Country Garden declined to comment. Country Garden's 30-day grace periods to make the missed coupon payments will start expiring next week.

Persons: Aly, Yeung Kwok Keung, Yeung, Mo Bin, Yang Huiyan, Clare Jim, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Shanghai Country Garden, REUTERS, HK, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Shunde, Guangdong province

☆ JD.com shares hit record low, banks cut Q3 growth target on retail slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of JD.com is seen at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 1, 2022. The brokerages and banks including Citi, Daiwa and Jefferies, which issued notes to clients on Thursday and Friday with the revised estimates. Shares in JD.com, which is also China's largest home appliance retailer, closed at their lowest level since their June 2020 debut. Citi Research lowered its revenue assumption for JD.com by 3.4% and 4.3% for the third and fourth quarter, saying that it now estimates 0.8% and 1.3% growth respectively. JD.com is China's leading online platform for sales of digital and electronics products, such as mobile phones and domestic electrical appliances.

Persons: Florence, JD.com, Nomura, Sophie Yu, Donny Kwok, Brenda Goh Organizations: Fair for Trade, Services, REUTERS, Rights, Citi, Daiwa, Jefferies, Citi Research, Alibaba, HK, PDD, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, HK, Hong Kong, United States, JD.com, BEIJING, HONG KONG

☆ Ericsson $3 bln hit ticks most boxes for M&A folly
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike Blake Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Börje Ekholm’s overpriced M&A has come home to roost. The $15 billion Swedish telco equipment maker’s chief executive said on Wednesday he was writing down 50% of the value of software company Vonage. While the 32 billion Swedish crowns ($3 billion) hit is a non-cash impairment, Vonage remains a major goof. Ericsson bought it for $6.2 billion as recently as November 2021, in cash, and the deal only closed three months ago. 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, Breakingviews, Ekholm, Karen Kwok, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: T's, REUTERS, Reuters, Ericsson, Deutsche Telekom, Reuters Graphics Reuters, X, Qantas, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, U.S, Brussels

☆ LVMH may have to settle for a more humdrum future
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The disappointing results knocked 6% off LVMH stock on Wednesday and dragged down rivals Richemont (CFR.S) and Kering (PRTP.PA) which also fell about 3%. That may compound investor worries about an overall slowdown of the company that’s behind Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior (DIOR.PA). And China’s economic slowdown and a possible U.S. recession make their future even more uncertain. LVMH is trading at 20 times its expected 2023 earnings after Wednesday's fall. If the less exuberant times keep rolling, LVMH may find itself settling for an even less luxurious valuation.

Persons: Richemont, Bernard Arnault’s, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Karen Kwok, Aimee Donnellan, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, UBS, Hermès, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Qantas, Thomson Locations: Asia, Japan, Brussels

☆ Evergrande shares volatile as trade resumes amid chairman probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Shares of China Evergrande (3333.HK) jumped as much as 42% in volatile trade on Tuesday, days after the embattled developer said its billionaire founder was being investigated over unspecified crimes. Evergrande's stock was suspended last Thursday after a report that its chairman and founder had been placed under police surveillance. "There is currently no other inside information in relation to the company that needs to be disclosed," Evergrande said in a statement late on Monday. The clock is ticking for Evergrande to get creditors' approval for restructuring its offshore debt. With the latest setbacks, some analysts say the debt restructuring plan now looks set to falter and that the risks of the company being liquidated are increasing.

Persons: Hui, Evergrande, Donny Kwok, Anne Marie Roantree, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: China, HK, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Lincoln

HONG KONG/BEIJING, Sept 28 (Reuters) - China Evergrande Group's (3333.HK) founder is being investigated over suspected "illegal crimes", the embattled developer said on Thursday, as creditors become increasingly concerned about the group's prospects amid an uncertain debt revamp plan and liquidation risk. Evergrande has been working to get creditors' approval for restructuring its offshore debt. The offshore debt restructuring plan now looks set to falter and the risks of the company being liquidated are rising, some analysts said. An Evergrande sign is seen near residential buildings at an Evergrande residential complex in Beijing, China September 27, 2023. "We believe that Evergrande's debt turmoil has had a great turmoil and negative impact on the global economy, and the things behind it are not simple."

Persons: Hui Ka Yan, Evergrande, Hui, Gary Ng, Ng, Florence Lo, They've, Christopher Beddor, Yan Yuejin, Saxo, Redmond Wong, Upasana Singh, Donny Kwok, Scott Murdoch, Ziyi Tang, Anne Marie Roantree, Sumeet Chatterjee, Kim Coghill, Shri Navaratnam, Lincoln, Miral Fahmy, Susan Fenton Organizations: HK, Trading, Asia Pacific, Reuters, REUTERS, Evergrande, China Research, Development Institution, Buyers, China Market, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, BEIJING, China, Asia, Beijing, Evergrande, Shanghai, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, Sydney

☆ Evergrande shares halted as concerns mount about developer's prospect
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An Evergrande sign is seen near residential buildings at an Evergrande residential complex in Beijing, China September 27, 2023. Evergrande has been working to get creditors' approval for restructuring its offshore debt. The offshore debt restructuring plan now looks set to falter and the risks of the company being liquidated are rising, some analysts said. The company shares ended down 19% on Wednesday in the Hong Kong market, taking their losses to 81% since the resumption of trading in late August after a 17-month suspension. The recent regulatory easing may stabilize the housing market in the world's second-largest economy to some extent, Saxo Greater China Market Strategist Redmond Wong wrote in a research note.

Persons: Florence Lo, Hui Ka Yan, Hui, Evergrande, Gary Ng, Ng, Redmond Wong, Donny Kwok, Scott Murdoch, Ziyi Tang, Anne Marie Roantree, Sumeet Chatterjee, Kim Coghill, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, China Evergrande, HK, Bloomberg, Reuters, Asia Pacific, China Market, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, HONG KONG, China's, Evergrande, Asia, Hong Kong, Saxo, Sydney, Lincoln

SYDNEY, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Shares in Chinese hospital cloud software firm Neusoft Xikang (9686.HK) slumped nearly 35% in the company's Hong Kong trading debut on Thursday, as sentiment towards some new share sales remained weak. Neusoft Xikang opened down 22.4% and sold off sharply early in the Hong Kong trading session on Thursday. Separately, Chinese AI startup firm Beijing Fourth Paradigm (6682.HK) opened 13.4% higher at HK$63.10 per share in its Hong Kong trading debut on Thursday. Retail demand for Beijing Fourth Paradigm was considered stronger than usual with that tranche 11.4 times covered, according to its filings. ($1 = 7.8238 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Neusoft Xikang, Scott Murdoch, Donny Kwok, Himani Sarkar Organizations: HK, Investor, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, U.S, Commerce Department, Retail, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Sydney, Lincoln

☆ SoftBank’s AI dream team is far from iPhone killer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters Breakingviews) - SoftBank Group’s (9984.T) Masayoshi Son, former Apple (AAPL.O) iPhone designer Jony Ive, and Sam Altman, boss of ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI, are forming a seemingly exciting alliance. SoftBank, which is flush with cash after the Arm IPO, is putting up over $1 billion into the project. Several Big Tech companies have tried to build consumer devices that imitate the popularity of the iPhone, without much success. And AI queries may drain mobile batteries quickly, as some iPhone users have discovered. It’s unclear what kind of device Son, Ive and Altman have up their sleeves.

Persons: Group’s, Son, Jony, Sam Altman, OpenAI, Altman, Karen Kwok, ’, quagmire, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Apple, Financial Times, Big Tech, Counterpoint Research, Ericsson, X, Thomson Locations: Ukraine

☆ China Evergrande shares tumble for second day after unit misses bond payment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

China Evergrande Group's logo is seen on its headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, Sept. 26, 2021. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Sept 26 (Reuters) - China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) shares slid for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, dropping as much as 8% after a unit of the embattled property developer missed an onshore bond repayment. Evergrande has been seeking creditors' approval for its proposals to restructure offshore debt worth $31.7 billion that includes bonds, collateral, and repurchase obligations. Under the plan unveiled in March this year, Evergrande proposed various options to offshore creditors, including swapping some of their debt holdings into new notes with maturities of 10 to 12 years. ($1 = 7.3102 yuan)Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Aly, Evergrande, Hengda, Donny Kwok, Sumeet Chatterjee, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, China Evergrande, HK, Group, Thomson Locations: China, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, HONG KONG

☆ Exclusive: Some Evergrande creditors plan to join winding-up petition if no new debt plan by Oct 30
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Thomson Reuters | Scott Murdoch Has Been A Journalist For More Than Two Decades Working For Thomson Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

An aerial view shows the 39 buildings developed by China Evergrande Group that authorities have issued demolition order on, on the man-made Ocean Flower Island in Danzhou, Hainan province, China January 6, 2022. Evergrande has been in the process of seeking creditors' approval for its proposals to restructure offshore debt worth $31.7 billion, which includes bonds, collateral, and repurchase obligations. In July, the hearing for that winding-up petition against Evergrande was adjourned to Oct. 30, in order to wait for the result from the developer's meeting with creditors to vote on its debt restructuring plan. Evergrande needs approval from more than 75% of the holders of each debt class to approve the plan. Many of the defaulted developers have been scrambling to get their offshore creditors' approval for debt restructuring plans to avoid collapse or being forced into liquidation proceedings.

Persons: Aly, Evergrande's, Evergrande, homebuyers, Scott Murdoch, Donny Kwok, Sumeet Chatterjee, Kim Coghill Organizations: China Evergrande Group, Rights, China Evergrande, Group, Thomson Locations: Danzhou, Hainan province, China, HK, Hong Kong, Shenzhen

☆ Evergrande's debt revamp roadblock hits China property investors' sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China Evergrande Group's logo is seen on its headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, Sept. 26, 2021. "Its debt restructuring plan is now stuck and can't go any further," said Steven Leung, sales director at UOB Kay Hian in Hong Kong. Evergrande's offshore debt restructuring involves a total of $31.7 billion, which includes bonds, collateral and repurchase obligations, potentially making it one of the world's biggest such exercises. "Concern over the financial health (of developers) still clouds the property sector, especially those smaller property developers with high gearing but very few property projects on hand," Leung said. The latest roadblock in Evergrande's debt restructuring plan opens a new front for the developer just a week after police detained some staff at its wealth management unit, sending its shares slumping.

Persons: Aly, Group's, Hengda, Hong, Steven Leung, UOB Kay Hian, Leung, Evergrande, Donny Kwok, Anne Marie Roantree, Sumeet Chatterjee, Lincoln, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, HK, Hengda, Estate Group Co, China Oceanwide Holdings, National Bureau of Statistics, Thomson Locations: China, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, HONG KONG, firming, Seng, Hong Kong, Bermuda

☆ Permira will have to work to exit classified hole
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Karen Kwok | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Sept 22 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Permira is trying to salvage its bet on classified ads. But buying more may be the best way for Permira to make a healthy return, provided the business can be turbocharged. On Thursday, Adevinta said it had received a non-binding offer from Blackstone and Permira. Norwegian media group Schibsted, a 28% Adevinta shareholder, and eBay, which owns a 33% stake, expressed their support for the proposal and will retain part of their current stake, Adevinta said. In 2021 eBay sold 10% of its stake in Adevinta to Permira for $2.25 billion.

Persons: Adevinta, Permira, Blackstone, Aimee Donnellan, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Blackstone, eBay, Reuters Graphics Reuters, EBay, Permira, Thomson Locations: Norwegian, Adevinta, Oslo, Permira

LONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Barely a day goes by without an eye-catching story involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. A third of the fund consists of significant stakes in domestic companies like the $51 billion Saudi Telecom Company (7010.SE) and $53 billion Saudi National Bank (1180.SE). Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe PIF’s investment strategy is also racier than its more conservative peers. But the episode reinforces the impression that the PIF is a mix of venture capital, hedge fund and startup money. The most spectacular was probably handing $45 billion to SoftBank Group (9984.T) boss Masayoshi Son for his $100 billion first Vision Fund.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, It’s, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Yasir Al, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, Rumayyan, Salman bin Abdulaziz, Masayoshi Son, SWFs, Taiwan’s Foxconn, Peter Thal Larsen, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Standard Chartered, Spanish telco Telefonica, Fund, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Global, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Saudi, Saudi Telecom Company, Saudi National Bank, Saudi Aramco, giga, Qatar Investment Authority, Singapore’s Temasek, Al, MbS, SoftBank Group, Vision, Credit Suisse, UBS, Saudi giga, Aramco, Investment, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Saudi

☆ Everything you need to know about London Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Leah Dolan | Nicole Mowbray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

London CNN —London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday in the glow of a sweltering UK heatwave, and concluded on Tuesday after biblical showers and thunderstorms. More famous faces piled into the London fashion scene over the course of the week. Dave Benett/Courtesy BurberryHowever, some controversial collections and marketing choices brought London Fashion Week outside of the industry bubble and into the wider cultural conversation. Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesErdem's collection was partly inspired by the protected stately home, Chatsworth House, in the North of England. Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesAshish returned to the London Fashion Week runway after 4 years with a show that was suitably high-octane and glamorous.

Persons: JW Anderson, Erdem, Simone Rocha, Findikoglu, Halpern, Nensi, S.S, Daley, Anna Wintour, Sienna Miller, Jodie Turner, Smith, Princess Eugenie, Kate Winslet, Cole Sprouse, Suki Waterhouse, Charli, Ncuti Gatwa, Alexa Chung, Mo Farah, “, Damon Albarn, Rachel Weiss, Jodie Comer, Kylie Minogue, Burna Boy, Barry Keoghan, Dave Benett, Burberry —, Daniel Lee, —, Mowalola, HARRI, Sam Smith, JW, Kwok, Joe Maher, Crocs, Sinéad O’Dwyer, Molly Goddard, Victor Virgile, Gareth Cattermole, David, David Cronenberg, David Lynch, 16Arlington, Isamaya Ffrench, Jeff Spicer, Richard Quinn, ”, Goddard, Matty Bovan —, Bovan, ” Richard Quinn, Matty Bovan, tulle, Susan Fang, David Koma, David Lee’s Burberry, Giovanni Giannoni, Di Petsa, beading, Susan Fang's, Henry Nicholls, Chet Lo's, Wiktor, Chet Lo, Shane Anthony Sinclair, Stuart Wilson, TOVE, Daniel Lee's, Shutterstock Burberry, Ashish, Poppy Delevingne, Anderson, KNWLS — Organizations: London CNN, London, Burberry, Vogue, JW, Highbury, Fashion, Brit, BFC, Getty, National Theatre, National, Publishing, London's Barbican Center, British Locations: couture, London, North London, Saudi, Hong, Kong, Erdem, AFP, Englishness, Chatsworth House, North, England, Noor

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