DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Automakers, South Korea urge U.S. to tap commercial EV tax credit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rivian Automotive (RIVN.O), Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia Corp (000270.KS) among others want the administration to let consumer vehicle leasing qualify for the commercial EV tax credit that could reduce monthly lease payments. South Korea also asked Treasury not to impose any budget restrictions on commercial vehicle tax credits through 2025. The commercial credit does not have the same sourcing or pricing restrictions but has an "incremental cost" eligibility test that might prove complex. Some automakers want Treasury to make it easier to ensure most commercial light-duty vehicles qualify for $7,500 tax credits. Tesla (TSLA.O)said commercial credits "should apply exclusively for commercial end-users" and the consumer tax credit "should apply exclusively for individual end-users."

☆ Toyota offers cheaper Prius if customers take software updates
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Satoshi Sugiyama | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The lease program will require customers to opt in for a service expected to bring monthly lease payments down by 10%, Toyota's leasing affiliate said. The service marks the first time Toyota will update its safety features, including the collision avoidance system, for a car on the road, said Shinya Kotera, president of KINTO, the Toyota leaser unit in Japan. Tesla has routinely used over-the-air software updates to improve charging speed on its electric vehicles, unlock additional battery range and fix safety issues. Toyota unveiled the new Prius last month amid criticism from ESG investors and environmental groups for its slow rollout of fully electric vehicles. The leasing unit wants to expand the service to other vehicles within a year or two and is considering plans to make it a global offering, Kotera said.

☆ Analysis: Investors face dilemma as capital increases fill IPO void
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro | Oliver Hirt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"This is a test as to whether shareholders want to support a company they know well already," he said. In contrast with a drought of initial public offerings (IPO), EMEA companies have raised an overall 33.3 billion euros ($34.99 billion) through capital increases so far this year. Meanwhile, fund managers' cash holdings stand at a near 21-year peak, according to poll data from Bank of America. "However, the market could see more firms turn to shareholders for funding given the rising cost of debt and changing outlook," he added. ($1 = 0.9517 euros)Reporting by Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro and Oliver Hirt; Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Leased Robots Roll in to Help Logistics Firms Handle Holiday Crush
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Angus Loten | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Sally Miller, chief information officer of DHL’s North American supply-chain business, a unit of Deutsche Post AG , said she is planning to deploy “a good number” of temporary robots at several of the company’s retail-focused sites. The Locus Robotics robots—which the manufacturer calls “surge bots”—will be used for picking up orders and fulfillment, Ms. Miller said. Photo: Locus RoboticsKnown as robots-as-a-service, leased robots are employed widely in manufacturing, but are relatively new to the logistics industry, analysts said. The extra robots, provided by Berkeley, Calif.-based Ambi Robotics Inc., helped the company handle a surge of packages, it said. Mr. Faulk, of Locus Robotics, said the company hopes many logistics firms will hold on to their temporary robots well after seasonal highs, as a way to eke out year-round efficiencies.

☆ EV maker Vinfast files for U.S. IPO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Vietnam-based electric-vehicle maker VinFast said on Tuesday it has filed for an initial public offering in the United States and plans to list its ordinary shares on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol "VFS". While no time frame was specified on Tuesday for the offering, the IPO was initially slated for the fourth quarter of this year, the company had previously said. The company's parent, Vingroup conglomerate, said in May that the IPO maybe delayed to 2023 due to market uncertainty. In April, VinFast's Singapore-based holding company filed for a confidential IPO with U.S. securities regulators, as it readied a $4-billion investment to build a factory in the United States. Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru and Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sale jumpstarts floating, offshore wind power in U.S. waters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

The cost of developing offshore wind has dropped 60% since 2010 according to a July report by the International Renewable Energy Agency. Offshore wind is well established in the U.K. and some other countries but is just beginning to ramp up off America’s coasts, and this is the nation’s first foray into floating wind turbines. Europe has some floating offshore wind — a project in the North Sea has been operating since 2017 — but the potential for the technology is huge in areas of strong wind off America’s coasts, said Josh Kaplowitz, vice president of offshore wind at the American Clean Power Association. President Joe Biden set a goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 using traditional technology that secures wind turbines to the ocean floor, enough to power 10 million homes. Then the administration announced plans in September to develop floating platforms that could vastly expand offshore wind in the United States.

☆ A tale of 2 tech giants: Struggling Meta is pulling back on offices in LA and NYC to cut costs, while TikTok is expanding
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Daniel Geiger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

TikTok is seeking 150,000 square feet in Los Angeles to more than double its footprint in the city. One of the leasing executives who spoke with Insider said TikTok had considered spaces from "Santa Monica to downtown" Los Angeles. Meta, meanwhile, has 260,000 square feet in Los Angeles at the Brickyard, a recently built office complex in Playa Vista. The diverging appetite for office space between TikTok and Meta underscores a change in fortune for both firms. A spokeswoman for Meta said the company would not comment on its LA offices or its plans for them.

☆ These resilient stocks that keep expanding margins are Goldman's 10 picks for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The median company on the list has expanded margins by 1.19% so far this year, while the typical stock in the Russell 1000 saw a 0.28% contraction in margins in the same period. Even better, the companies on Goldman's screen are expected to continue expanding their margins in 2023. The aircraft leasing company has expanded margins by 116 basis points this year and is expected to boost them another 429 basis points next year. Avoid stocks where margins might compress Goldman also said investors should avoid stocks where profit margins appear vulnerable if the recent decline in companies' selling, general and administrative expenses (SG & A) reverses. This is because if costs increase — likelier than not as demand slows — that will eat into profit margins and potentially lead to negative earning per share revisions.

☆ A real-estate investor who owns 22 units and started buying property during an economic downturn shares her top advice for investors heading into 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

She also says you shouldn't let rising interest rates hold you back from buying. When Dana Bull bought her first property in June 2012, she wasn't intending on becoming a real estate investor. Even though everybody was talking about how scary buying real estate was, it didn't really seem to impact me. Today, the 33-year-old real estate investor and agent owns 22 rental units around Salem and Marblehead, two coastal towns north of Boston. Don't let today's interest rates hold you back from buyingSure, interest rates aren't what they were in 2020 and 2021, when they plummeted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and even dipped below 3% to record lows.

☆ Factbox: Aircraft lessors sue insurers for $8 billion over trapped Russian planes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Aircraft leasing firms are suing dozens of insurers for around $8 billion in a string of lawsuits over the loss of hundreds of aircraft stuck in Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Lessors argue the aircraft are covered by policies against war or theft, but insurers point out the planes are undamaged and might yet be returned. Here is a list of claims filed against insurers in London, Dublin and the United States, with the most recent filing listed first. SMBC AVIATION CAPITAL VS LLOYD'S OF LONDONSMBC filed a claim against Lloyd's of London (SOLYD.UL) in the Irish High Court on Nov 28. BOC AVIATION VS 16 INSURERSBOC Aviation has begun legal action against 16 insurers, according to an Irish High Court filing on Nov 3.

I shared my finances with an advisor to get his advice for preparing for a recession. In addition to having a solid health insurance plan, Keil suggests looking into a plan that includes a health savings account. Another strategy Keil mentioned is that if you have an HSA but can cover a health expense out of pocket, do that and save the receipt. For example, some of my fixed costs include my rent payment, health insurance monthly premium, and utility bills (electricity, cable bills, etc.). Action step: Keil also recommends opening a Roth IRA since withdrawals of both contributions and earnings are tax-free once you turn 59 1/2.

☆ These riderless electric lawn mowers can run on their own for 10 hours
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Now a Colorado-based startup is experimenting with commercial-grade electric mowers that not only produce no carbon emissions, but can run on their own. Scythe Robotics' autonomous electric mower can run for 8 to 11 hours at a time, depending on the grass length. Now it is experimenting with Scythe mowers. Beyond electrification's effect on carbon reduction, Morrison claims that the self-driving aspect of the mowers also benefits the planet. If a person doesn't have to spend hours mowing lawns, they have more time to do other landscaping work.

☆ Credit Agricole is weighing foray into German car-sharing: media report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FRANKFURT, Nov 27 (Reuters) - French bank Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA) is weighing plans to offer car-sharing financial services in Germany because the growing market offers opportunities to challenge incumbent players, an executive told trade publication Automobilwoche. "We are testing car-sharing in smaller towns in France with a population of up to 30,000. The German membership-based car-sharing market is undergoing a transformation as Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is selling its all-electric car-sharing unit WeShare to Berlin-based Miles Mobility. Germany's Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE) sold their car-sharing venture Share Now to Stellantis (STLA.MI). Car rental firm Sixt has branched out into car-sharing.

☆ Office space is tougher than ever to rent out. See the pitch deck that raised $15 million to help landlords compete for demanding tenants.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

WiredScore certifies buildings' tech capabilities, like LEED does with environmental ratings. WiredScore CEO Arie Barendrecht walked Insider through the pitch deck he used to raise $15 million. In a world of remote work, potential office tenants have become pickier about their spaces. Generally speaking, prospective office tenants have little insight into what their office WiFi will look like. The company now also certifies technology in apartment buildings, the office of the remote worker.

☆ Societe Generale's car leasing unit ALD wins EU nod for LeasePlan buy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, Nov 25 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators cleared with conditions French car leasing company ALD's (ALDA.PA) bid for Dutch rival LeasePlan on Friday after the Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) unit agreed to divest some businesses across Europe to address competition concerns. ALD announced the 4.9-billion-euro ($5.1 billion) deal in January, which would give it ownership of the biggest electric vehicle fleet in Europe. The European Commission said ALD agreed to sell its operational leasing businesses in Ireland, Norway, Portugal and LeasePlan's businesses in the Czech Republic, Finland and Luxembourg to address competition worries. It will also provide access to tech services and its used car sales platform for up to 2 years. "These commitments remove the overlaps existing between ALD and LeasePlan's activities in the national markets for operational leasing where the Commission had identified competition concerns," the EU competition watchdog said in a statement.

Nov 24 (Reuters) - Manulife Financial Corp (MFC.TO) will outsource its property operations in Canada to focus on its entrepreneurial investment management unit, Canada's biggest life insurer said Thursday. The change to a new structure will result in Manulife Investment Management, which overseas the real estate portfolio, shedding 50 jobs, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. Among other financial services companies, Canada's biggest lender, Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO) and Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO) have recently cut jobs in the United States. Manulife Investment Management's real estate arm uses a pool of capital to invest in real estate in 29 cities across the United States, Asia and Canada. According to its annual report, the insurer had about C$13.2 billion ($9.90 billion) worth of real estate investments in 2021.

☆ EBRD to support $206 million in Ukraine investment via local banks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Wednesday it will help facilitate loans in Ukraine for key industries from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. The bank will issue risk-sharing instruments to local banks Credit Agricole Ukraine, ProCredit Bank, OTP Bank Ukraine and leasing company OTP Leasing aimed at backing up half of the risk of 200 million euros ($206.34 million) in new financing, according to an emailed statement from the bank. The EBRD will provide a 50-million euro guarantee to support the lending, which is also aimed at sectors such as food processing, transport and logistics and retail. "The bank's dedicated food security package envisages supporting 200 million euros of investment this year in Ukraine," the statement added. ($1 = 0.9693 euros)Reporting by Jorgelina do RosarioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ KKR is canceling its plans for a big new Manhattan office. It joins Meta, Netflix, and other big firms pulling back on office space.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Daniel Geiger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Two senior leasing executives in Los Angeles told Insider that Meta just canceled its plans to expand by 300,000 square feet in the city. KKR's decision comes as New York City's office market flagsTenants who are on the fence about taking space have little incentive to rush to commit to deals as the city's office market continues to soften. Leasing activity in Manhattan totaled 20.27 million square feet through October, according to CBRE, 38% more than the same period last year. Leasing is on track to finish the year well below prepandemic activity in 2018 and 2019, when 32.4 million and 31.6 million square feet were leased respectively in total. Cushman & Wakefield data showed there was over 21 million square feet of sublease space available in Manhattan in September.

☆ U.S. business equipment borrowings grew 6% in October- ELFA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - U.S. companies borrowed 6% more in October to finance equipment investments compared with a year earlier, industry body Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) said on Monday. The companies signed up for $11.3 billion in new loans, leases and lines of credit last month, compared with $10.7 billion a year earlier, according to ELFA. ELFA, which reports economic activity for the nearly $1-trillion equipment finance sector, said credit approvals totaled 77%, marginally down from 77.3% in September. The Washington-based body's leasing and finance index measures the volume of commercial equipment financed in the United States. The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, ELFA's non-profit affiliate, said its confidence index in November stood at 43.7%, down from 45% in October.

☆ "There's more opportunity now than in the last 10 years": A real estate investor with a 178-unit portfolio shares why it's crucial to get in within the next 6 months — and offers his 4 best pieces of
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Ahmed Seirafi is a real estate investor with over 20 years of experience and a 178-unit portfolio. Shortly thereafter, he began to pursue real estate investing full time. Now's the time to begin investing in real estateFor those interested in real estate investing, Seirafi believes that it's crucial to start sooner rather than later. But with more opportunities for real estate investors comes more potential pitfalls. "There's a million different ways of making money in real estate — there really is, and everybody makes money in real estate when they focus and stick to a lane," he said, explaining that this is the reason he's offloading his office retail buildings in favor of more multifamily and industrial developments.

☆ Air India in talks with Airbus, Boeing to buy planes, says CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Tata Group-owned Air India is in talks with Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA) about ordering new aircraft and is meeting its immediate needs by leasing planes and repairing grounded aircraft, the airline's chief executive said on Saturday. Wilson said Air India planned to expand its fleet and global network, aiming to increase its market share to 30% on both domestic and international routes over the next five years. At present, Air India has a domestic market share of about 10% and an international market share of around 12%, according to industry estimates. Air India said in September it would lease 30 Boeing and Airbus planes, expanding its fleet by more than 25% as part of the drive to boost market share and to improve service levels. Industry sources said in July that Air India was moving closer to a decision on an order worth $50 billion at list prices to be split between Airbus and Boeing.

☆ Amazon's layoff meltdown: Inside a week of turmoil when thousands lost their jobs.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

"I just don't know how to tell this news to my kids," one employee wrote. "At some point we have to stop calling them leadership," another employee wrote. In a memo to employees, Amazon's devices chief, Dave Limp, pinned the layoffs on an adverse economic climate. A new breaking point for corporate employeesIndeed, some Amazon employees had already reached a breaking point. On Discord, a small group of Amazon employees began broaching a taboo topic: Unionizing.

☆ How small-town Maine embraced a family that fled the Taliban
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Elyse Lightman Samuels | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +36 min

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine — Last November, at about midnight, Omid was lying in bed in his new home in Cape Elizabeth, Maine — exhausted, but unable to sleep. On this night, and on many nights during Omid's first few months in Maine, Nasir was soon at his door. Omid's family arrived in Maine just before Halloween in 2021 and recently celebrated one year in Maine. Catholic Charities, the local refugee-resettlement organization in Maine, was working with Omid's family to help them resettle. After Omid's family escaped Kabul, members of his extended family came by to collect some of their more precious items, and gave other things away.

☆ The startup offering commercial landscapers fully-autonomous electric lawnmowers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe startup offering commercial landscapers fully-autonomous electric lawnmowersCNBC's Diana Olick joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss a startup called Scythe that's making fully-autonomous commercial scale electric lawn mowers, which are available to customers through a leasing service.

☆ Rent growth slows to the lowest level in 18 months
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Rents in October rose 4.7% compared with October 2021, the slowest annual increase in 18 months, according to Realtor.com. The largest gains in rent were in two-bedroom units, as tenants looked for more space in the new work-from-home economy. Rent growth annually has now been slowing for nine straight months and has been in the single-digits for the past three months. Single-family rent growth has been shrinking for the past five months, but is still in the low double-digits, according to CoreLogic. The pressure on multifamily rents is trickling down to both builders and investors.

Search resuls for: "Leasing"

25 mentions found