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☆ Europe markets open lower as investors look to euro zone inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON — European markets were lower Monday as investors digest a heavy week of earnings and look ahead to euro zone inflation data and a key policy decision from the Bank of England. Food and beverage stocks were 0.9% lower in early deals, while oil and gas stocks were up 0.3%. Preliminary euro zone inflation data will be released at 11:00 a.m. CET, with a further fall from June's 5.5% expected to provide some relief for policymakers. The European Central Bank's Christine Lagarde signaled last week that the bank was "open minded" about whether it would raise rates in September as inflation shows signs of easing. The move would mark its 14th consecutive rise as U.K. inflation remains high, having fallen only slightly to 7.9% in June.

Persons: Christine Lagarde, France's Legrand, Pearson Organizations: Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Nikkei, Nasdaq, Heineken Locations: June's, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Netherlands

CENTRAL BANK 'SHATTERED'It has marked a dramatic reversal for a man once seen as a possible president. After taking the helm of the central bank, Salameh built a reputation as a competent steward of the financial system. The central bank, known as Banque du Liban (BDL), has always said the operations were legal. Defending his record on Wednesday, Salameh said the central bank had contributed to "establishing economic stability and development" during 27 years of his tenure. "Neither directly nor indirectly did any money from the Central Bank go to Forry," Salameh said in Wednesday's interview.

Persons: Riad Salameh, Salameh, LBCI, Nasser Saidi, Raja, Salameh's, Marianne Howayek, Howayek, Friederike Heine, Tom Perry, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, Banque du Liban, Forry Associates, Central Bank, Thomson Locations: BEIRUT, Lebanese, Lebanon, Banque, Salameh, France, Germany

[1/9] Demonstrators gather in support of the putschist soldiers in Niamey, the capital city of Niger July 30, 2023. Images showed fires at the walls of the French Embassy and people being loaded into ambulances with bloodied legs. Military officials involved in the coup would be banned from travelling and have their assets frozen, it added. The Niger military rulers later asked protesters to abstain from vandalism and destruction of property. The European Union and France have cut off financial support to Niger and the United States has threatened to do the same.

Persons: Stringer, Mohammed Bazoum, General Abdourahamane Tiani, Amadou Abdramane, Sani Idrissa, Russia's Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Boureima Balima, Moussa Aksar, Felix Onuah, Elizabeth Pineau, Bate Felix, Andrew Cawthorne, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Pro, Niamey Military, Sahel region's, French Embassy, Economic, West, West African Economic, Monetary Union, Military, United Nations, African Union, European Union, World Bank, The, ECOWAS, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Sahel, NIAMEY, ABUJA, Niger's, Nigeria, States, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, United States, France, The United States, Italy, Germany, French, Niger national, Russian, Abuja, Paris

☆ How to watch Australia, Canada and Nigeria battle for Wwomen's World Cup knockout phase spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Norway celebrates scoring in its 6-0 victory against the Philippines on Sunday. Aisha Schulz/AP Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. John Cowpland/AP Italy's fans cheer before their team's match against Sweden at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand. John Cowpland/AP China's Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti during a Women's World Cup match on Friday, July 28. John Cowpland/AP US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22.

Persons: Colombia's Manuela Vanegas, Franck Fife, Alexandra Popp, Ulrik Pedersen, Manuela Vanegas, Sajad, Jaimi Joy, Reuters Linda Caicedo, Phil Walter, Getty, Dominique Randle, Hannah Peters, Hali, Rafaela Pontes, Olivia McDaniel, Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, Abbie Parr, Sophie Roman Haug of, Jessika Cowart, Buda Mendes, Ali Riley, Katie Bowen, Molly Darlington, Julia Stierli, Alessandra Tarantino, Ramona Bachmann, Sanka Vidanagama, James Elsby, Benzina, Edina Alves Batista, Hannah Mckay, Brenton Edwards, Panama's Aldrith Quintero, Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Luisa Gonzalez, Allyson Swaby, Herve Renard, Wendie Renard, Debinha, Katie Tucker, Aisha Schulz, Amanda Ilestedt, John Cowpland, Rebecka Blomqvist, Wang Shuang, Maddie Meyer, Dumornay, China's Dou Jiaxing, Alex Pantling, Chloe Kelly, Carl Recine, Mary Earps, Andy Cheung, Janni Thomsen, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Justin Setterfield, Keira Walsh, Walsh, Argentina's Mariana Larroquette, Yamila Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Matthew Lewis, Linda Motlhalo, Lars Baron, Osinachi Ohale, Bradley Kanaris, Dan Peled, Anthony Albanese, Matt Roberts, Jéssica Silva, Vietnam's, Saeed Khan, Fiona Goodall, Daphne van Domselaar, Julie Ertz, Brad Smith, Andrew Cornaga, Lindsey Horan, Joe Prior, Catherine Ivill, Amanda Perobelli, Canada's Vanessa Gilles, Ireland's Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Murty, Katie McCabe applauds, Paul Kane, Kailen Sheridan, McCabe, Stephen McCarthy, Adriana Leon, Colin Murty, Jennifer Hermoso, David Rowland, Reuters Hermoso, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mary Wilombe, Naomoto, Japan's Mina Tanaka, Daniela Solera, Sarina Bolden, Bolden's, Hannah Wilkinson, Bolden, Victoria Esson, Katelyn Mulcahy, Hagen Hopkins, Catalina Usme, Korea's Cho, Colombia's Jorelyn, Carolina Arias, Cameron Spencer, Reuters Usme, Kim Hye, Rebecca Welch, David Gray, Brazil's Marta, Matt Turner, Borges, Khadija Er, Victoria Adkins, Germany's Alexandra Popp, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout, Hamish Blair, Cristiana Girelli, Kim Price, Francesca Durante, German Portanova, Reuters Italy's Giulia Dragoni, Estefania Banini, Dragoni, Grace Geyoro, Mark Baker, Rebecca Spencer, Robert Cianflone, Bunny, Shaw, Estelle Cascarino, Portugal's Ines Pereira, Stefanie van der, Van der Gragt, Portugal's Jessica Silva, Silva, Joe Allison, Magaia, Sweden's Elin Rubensson, Amalie Vangsgaard's, Zhang Linyan, Denmark's Pernille Harder, Gary Day, Shui, Reuters England's Alessia Russo, Haiti's Tabita Joseph, England's Lionesses, Reuters Nicolas Delépine, Kerly Theus, Zac Goodwin, Jun Endo, Zambia's Agnes Musase, Reuters Aoba, Catherine Musonda, Alex Morgan, Carmen Mandato, Megan Rapinoe, Horan, Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Sophia Smith dribbles, Ane, Esther González, Costa, Costa Rica's Mariana Benavides, Katrina Guillou, Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann, William West, Uchenna Kanu, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Canada's Christine Sinclair, Steph Catley, Heather Payne, Australia's Kyra Cooney, Mackenzie Arnold, Ria Percival, Ada Hegerberg, Jan Kruger, Zealand's CJ Bott, Norway's Mathilde Harviken vie, Jose Breton, Benee, Ireland's, Niamh Fahey, Vanessa Gilles, Coliin Murty, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Tony Gustavsson, Christine Sinclair, Ireland, Spain –, Japan's Hikaru Naomoto Organizations: CNN, Germany, Getty, Colombia, Reuters, Norway, Sunday, FIFA, AP, New Zealand, South, Jamaica, Brazil, France, Italy, Sweden, Wellington Regional, Haiti, China, Denmark, England, Argentina, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, Reuters Australian, Vietnam, Portugal, USSF, Ireland, Spain, Eden, Costa, Forsyth, AP Costa, Japan, New, Victoria, Panama, Morocco, Cristiana, Atlanta Primus, Zambia, Zambian, Costa Rica's, Getty Images, Zealand, AP Norway, Nations, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Super Falcons, coy Locations: Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, AFP, Colombia, Philippines, AP Philippines, Sophie Roman Haug of Norway, New, Reuters, Morocco, South Korea, Perth, Reuters Jamaica, Brisbane, New Zealand, Reuters England, Reuters Argentina, Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Portugal, Vietnam, United States, Netherlands, Wellington , New Zealand, Auckland , New Zealand, Costa Rican, Dunedin , New Zealand, AP Costa Rican, Reuters Switzerland, Norway, Switzerland, Sydney, Reuters Colombia, Panama, Adelaide, Germany, AP Argentina, German, Italy, Atlanta, Africa, China, European, Reuters England's Georgia, Ane Frosaker, Eurasia, Melbourne, Reuters Norway, Zealand, Eden, United Kingdom, Republic of, Republic of Ireland, Wellington

[1/5] China's Vice Premier He Lifeng and French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire attend the China-France Economic and Financial Dialogue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, July 29, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas PeterBEIJING, July 29 (Reuters) - China hopes France can "stabilise the tone" of EU-China relations, vice-premier He Lifeng told a senior French minister in Beijing on Saturday, as European leaders debate how to "de-risk" but also cooperate with the world's second-largest economy. "It is hoped that France will stabilise the tone of friendly cooperation between China and the EU," He said in opening remarks before an afternoon of discussions at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest house, adding that China believes its bilateral ties with France "have a good foundation". "It is essential to think about the expansion and deepening of economic and financial cooperation between France and China," La Maire said. "We would like to welcome major new investments from China to French territory."

Persons: Lifeng, Bruno Le Maire, Thomas Peter BEIJING, State Anthony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Le Maire, La Maire, Joe Cash, Layli Foroudi, Liz Lee, Lincoln, Giles Elgood Organizations: China's, Finance, France Economic, REUTERS, Economy, Beijing's, U.S, State, Economic, European Union, Union, Huawei, Thomson Locations: French, China, France, Diaoyutai, Beijing, EU, United States, Russia, Paris

☆ Factbox: Uranium mines in Niger, world's 7th biggest producer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA). Below are details of Niger's uranium deposits and mines:PRODUCTIONNiger, which has Africa's highest-grade uranium ores, produced 2,020 metric tons of uranium in 2022, about 5% of world mining output, according to the WNA. Niger has one major mining operation in the north operated by France's state-owned Orano, another major mine which closed in 2021, with one under development. French nuclear power plants source less than 10% of their uranium from Niger, Orano added. IMOURARENThis deposit about 50 miles south of Arlit contains one of the largest reserves in the world, according to Orano.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Orano, Eric Onstad, Nick Macfie Organizations: Niger, World Nuclear Association, Somair, Arlit, Thomson Locations: Niger, Kazakhstan, Canada, Namibia, Arlit, Orano, Niger's, Akokan

☆ Atos lifts sales target, expands divestment plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The logo of French IT consulting firm Atos is seen on its new supercomputer BullSequana XH3000 during a news conference in Paris, France, February 16, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierJuly 28 (Reuters) - France's Atos (ATOS.PA) raised its annual organic revenue target on Friday, pointing to improving commercial traction and high demand, and said it planned further divestments. Atos expects to achieve the initial divestment target by the end of 2023, when the sale of its sustainability consultancy unit Ecoact to Schneider Electric (SCHN.PA) is completed. "We have already received signals of interest for assets we've identified in our supplementary divestment plan," Senior Executive Vice President Diane Galbe said in a call with journalists. Atos's revenue for the six months through June was 5.5 billion euros ($6 billion), slightly below the 5.57 billion euros expected by analysts polled by Refinitiv Eikon.

Persons: Atos, Sarah Meyssonnier, Ecoact, Diane Galbe, Refinitiv Eikon, Victor Goury, Milla Nissi Organizations: REUTERS, Schneider Electric, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Laffont, Gdansk

☆ French, Spanish economies grow at sustained pace in second quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS/MADRID, July 28 (Reuters) - The French and Spanish economies grew at a sustained pace in the second quarter on the back of stronger exports and tourism, statistics agencies said on Friday, auguring a possible euro zone rebound. France's gross domestic product expanded in the second quarter a faster-than-expected 0.5% from the preceding quarter, while the Spanish economy grew 0.4%, according to data from INSEE and INE, as the French and Spanish statistics agencies are respectively known. The data from French and Spanish economies, respectively the euro zone's second- and fourth-largest, bode well after the euro zone's growth was 0% in the first quarter of this year. The French economy sped up from a revised 0.1% in the first quarter, INSEE said in its quarterly GDP report. Unlike France and Spain, Austria, a much smaller economy, shrank 0.4% in the second quarter due to a slowdown in construction and industry.

Persons: auguring, Bruno Le Maire, bode, Nadia Calvino, Tassilo Hummel, Inti, Dominique Vidalon, Christopher Cushing, Nick Macfie Organizations: PARIS, Finance, RTL, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spanish, Spain, France, Austria

☆ France says Niger coup not definitive, president must be reinstated
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, July 28 (Reuters) - France's foreign minister said on Friday that a power grab in Niger was not definitive and that those responsible still had time to accede to international demands that the ousted president be reinstated. "If you hear me say attempted coup d'etat, it's because we don't consider that things are definitive," Colonna was quoted by French media as saying. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum is being held in the presidential palace and it remains unclear who is in charge of the country after soldiers on Wednesday evening declared a coup that sparked widespread condemnation. In a statement signed by its chief of staff, the army on Thursday declared support for the soldiers who stripped President Mohamed Bazoum of power. "President Bazoum must be restored to his constitutional functions," Colonna said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Catherine Colonna, Colonna, Mohamed Bazoum, Macron, Bazoum, John Irish, John Stonestreet Organizations: West African ECOWAS, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Niger, Papua New Guinea

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - France's privacy watchdog CNIL said on Friday it is aware of ChatGPT-founder Sam Altman's Worldcoin project and that the legality of its biometric data collection "seems questionable". CNIL, the French watchdog, said in response to a Reuters question on Worldcoin "The legality of this collection seems questionable, as do the conditions for storing biometric data." The Worldcoin Foundation is a Cayman Islands-based entity which describes itself as a "steward of the Worldcoin protocol". "The Worldcoin Foundation complies with all laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin is available," it said. The project is supervised in the European Union by the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision, the Worldcoin Foundation said.

Persons: CNIL, Sam Altman's, Worldcoin, Elizabeth Howcroft, Amanda Cooper, Jane Merriman, Louise Heavens Organizations: Reuters, Bavarian, Worldcoin, European Union, Office, Data Protection, Thomson Locations: Bavarian, Germany, Cayman Islands, European

SummaryCompanies Casino cut supermarket food prices by 10% on averagePARIS, July 27 (Reuters) - Cash-strapped retailer Casino (CASP.PA) swung to a loss of 233 million euros ($258.5 million) for the first half as falling sales and price cuts at its hypermarkets and supermarkets dented its core French business. The French retailer's group operating loss came after a profit of 166 million euros in the first half of 2022, with its operations in France posting a loss of 299 million euros. Consolidated group net sales fell 1.2% like for like in the second quarter to 5.5 billion euros, with retail sales in France down 4.2%. "We don't intend to go further," Lubek said when asked about possible further price cuts. Group net debt at end June-2023 was 6.1 billion euros against 6.0 billion at end June-2022.

Persons: Daniel Kretinsky, Jean, Charles Naouri, David Lubek, Lubek, France's, Dominique Vidalon, Kim Coghill Organizations: Casino, Finance, Consolidated, Thomson Locations: PARIS, French, France, Lincoln

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Powell’s conference had something for everyone
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Muted markets U.S. markets reacted little to the Fed's rate hike. A much-anticipated Fed hike The Federal Reserve hiked by 25 basis points , taking rates to a target range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest since 2001. However, Chair Jerome Powell left the door open to a subsequent rate hike, saying the central bank will make decisions "meeting by meeting."

Persons: America —, Jerome Powell, —, Powell, Frances Donald, Dow, CNBC's Fred Imbert, that'd Organizations: CNBC, Reserve, CNBC Pro, Wall, Revenue, Reality Labs, Dow Jones, CAC, Federal, Manulife Investment Management, Nasdaq, Dow Locations: America

Delivering affordable electric vehicles (EVs) has become a priority for car makers worldwide as the shift to cleaner driving has come with high prices, due largely to battery costs. In 2022, Chinese car makers had a 9% share of Europe's EV market, nearly double the previous year's figure, according to forecasts by consultancy Inovev. Tavares said Western car makers needed to use "the same weapons" as their Chinese rivals, sourcing parts in lower cost countries and striking partnerships with battery suppliers that offer the best combination of energy, cost and weight. Once-dominant Western automakers are also striving to regain ground in China itself, the world's largest car market, after losing share to local manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) said on Thursday it was sticking to its strategy and would not engage in a price war to "buy" market share in China.

Persons: France's, Thierry Pieton, Luca de Meo, Tesla, Carlos Tavares, Tavares, Mercedes, Ola Kaellenius, Kaellenius, Victoria Waldersee, Silvia Aloisi, Mark Potter Organizations: Western, France's Renault, Finance, Renault, SAIC, Inovev, Jato, Tesla, Peugeot, Fiat, Benz, Mercedes, Thomson Locations: Europe, U.S, Western, China, Berlin

☆ Stellantis wants Italy government support to hit million model mark
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Stellantis NV FollowMILAN, July 26 (Reuters) - Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said a production target of one million vehicles in Italy it is discussing with Rome was well within reach but it could not be a one-sided commitment and the government must support it. "We are not afraid of the one million mark," Tavares told reporters in a post-earnings roundtable. According to some forecasts its output in Italy will likely rise to over 800,000 units this year. Fiat Chrysler, which merged with France's PSA in early 2021 to create Stellantis, last produced over one million vehicles in Italy back in 2017. Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari Editing by Keith WeirOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Carlos Tavares, Rome, Tavares, Adolfo Urso, Alfa Romeo, Giulio Piovaccari, Keith Weir Organizations: Italy's Industry, Fiat, Alfa, Fiat Chrysler, France's PSA, Thomson Locations: Italy, Rome

This brings the total impairments related to Russia to almost 700 million euros, Danone said. The adjustment on the balance sheet of 500 million euros to reflect the negative currency transaction difference will also be recognized by Dec. 31, it added. Danone also reported a better-than-expected rise in quarterly like-for-like sales, as it increased prices again to make up for rising costs. Like-for-like sales rose 6.4% in the second quarter, beating expectations for 5.6% growth in a company-compiled consensus of 18 analysts. ($1 = 0.9047 euros)Reporting by Richa Naidu; Editing by Edmund Klamann, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Danone, Richa Naidu, Edmund Klamann, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Conor Humphries Organizations: France's Danone, Danone, Evian, Nestle, Thomson Locations: Russia, Russian, Ukraine

☆ Jeep, Dodge maker Stellantis posts first-half revenue jump, confirms 2023 guidance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Carmaker Stellantis on Wednesday posted a 12% year-on-year jump in net revenues and 37% spike in net profit for the first half of 2023, boosted by higher shipments. The manufacturer of Jeep, Dodge, Peugeot and other brands recorded second-quarter net revenues of 98.4 billion euros ($108.8 billion) and a net profit of 10.9 billion euros. The company confirmed its 2023 guidance while raising its growth outlook in Europe and the Middle East & Africa from 5% to 7%. Global battery electric vehicle (BEV) and low emission vehicle (LEV) sales were up 24% and 28% year-on-year to 169,000 units and 315,000 units, respectively. "It takes a united effort and open mindset across all our employees to embark on our no-compromise transformation journey while protecting the Company from external challenges."

Persons: Carmaker Stellantis, BEV, Stellantis, Carlos Tavares Organizations: Dodge, Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler, France's PSA Group, Global Locations: Europe, East, Africa, American

☆ Europe stocks dip at open on Fed decision day; Rolls-Royce up 20% after raising profit guidance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON — European stock markets were slightly lower early Wednesday amid a slew of earnings and ahead of the latest monetary policy update from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The benchmark Stoxx 600 index was 0.1% lower, with sectors spread across losses and gains. France's CAC 40 fell 0.77% as luxury goods behemoth LVMH fell 3.6% after reporting a surprise slowdown in U.S. sales after the market close on Tuesday. Banks nudged 0.1% higher as Deutsche Bank and UniCredit both beat expectations, while British aerospace and defense firm Rolls-Royce soared 20% higher after it hiked its profit forecast for the year.

Persons: LVMH, Banks, Royce Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, CAC, Deutsche Bank

GE's aerospace unit, which makes engines for jets of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA), posted double-digit growth in orders, revenue, and operating profit from a year earlier. Its services revenue was up 31% in the second quarter from a year ago. The Boston-based company now expects 2023 adjusted profit per share of $2.10 to $2.30, compared with its previous forecast of $1.70 to $2.00. Free cash flow for the year is estimated to be in a range of $4.1 billion to $4.6 billion, up from $3.6 billion to $4.2 billion expected previously. GE said operating profit at its aerospace business was now expected to be in a range of $5.6 billion to $5.9 billion this year, up from $5.3 billion to $5.7 billion estimated earlier.

Persons: Larry Culp, France's Safran, Culp, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Kirsten Donovan, Mark Potter, Louise Heavens Organizations: General Electric Co, Boeing Co, Airbus, Boeing, GE, Thomson Locations: Boston, Chicago, Bengaluru

PARIS, July 25 (Reuters) - France's Thales (TCFP.PA) said on Tuesday it would buy U.S. cybersecurity company Imperva in a deal worth $3.6 billion as it steps up expansion away from its historic defence business to the war against hacking. "This really changes our scale in civil cybersecurity," Thales Chief Executive Patrice Caine told analysts, adding that the deal represented a rare opportunity to become a premium player on a global scale in cybersecurity. Thales said the price of the deal implied an enterprise value of 17 times 2024 operating earnings. Thales said buying Imperva would generate around $110 million of pretax synergies, including $50 million of cost savings and $60 million linked to revenue opportunities. Thales said the deal would close in 2024 subject to approvals, and did not anticipate significant hurdles.

Persons: Thoma, Patrice Caine, Thales, Jefferies, Chloe Lemarie, Caine, Morgan Stanley, Sudip Kar, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kim Coghill, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Thales, Thoma Bravo, PwC, Cobham Aerospace Communications, Thomson Locations: cybersecurity, France, Paris, Europe

☆ Thales cyber push meets investor shoulder shrug
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - France's Thales (TCFP.PA) is doubling down on cybersecurity with its $3.6 billion purchase of U.S. firm Imperva. Thales's boss Patrice Caine briefly considered buying Atos's (ATOS.PA) cybersecurity arm last year, but didn’t go through with it. The purchase values the Thoma Bravo-backed group at 17 times forecast 2024 operating profit, according to Thales. Meanwhile Caine’s push into the racy cyber sector doesn’t seem to register in the group’s valuation. That means investors are sceptical that Thales’s efforts to crack the war against hacking will work out for shareholders.

Persons: Patrice Caine, Thoma, Caine’s, Refinitiv Datastream, Pamela Barbaglia, Liam Proud, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Thales, Thoma Bravo, BAE Systems, Twitter, Thomson Locations: U.S, Spain

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on June 9 he had secured a pledge from 75 food companies to cut prices. French shoppers have paid more than 20% more for Nestle products each month since January versus last year, the data showed, and price increases peaked at 36.6% in May. Nestle, whose brands include Maggi stock cubes and Kit Kat chocolate bars, declined to comment. Similarly, stores sold products made by Activia yogurt owner Danone for between 11.2% and 16.7% more than last year in the first six months of the year. The NielsenIQ data shows the final prices retailers charge shoppers, and does not necessarily only reflect the prices food companies ask for from stores.

Persons: Arnd, Bruno Le Maire, Bernstein, Kat, Le Maire's, Jack Martin, Janus Henderson, Gaurav Gooptu, Richa Naidu, Sybille de La, Matt Scuffham, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Swiss, Nestle, REUTERS, Danone, Finance, Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Oberon Investments, U.S, Consumers, BNP, Thomson Locations: Bern, Konolfingen, Switzerland, France

☆ Peace-themed torch unveiled for Paris 2024 Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Paris 2024 Olympics - Press conference to unveil the design of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Torch - Saint-Denis, France - July 25, 2023 Designer Mathieu Lehanneur speaks at a press conference during the unveiling of the Paris 2024 Olympic torch's design REUTERS/Pascal RossignolPARIS, July 25 (Reuters) - The design of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic torch was unveiled on Tuesday, imitating the reflection of the Eiffel Tower on the ruffled surface of the Seine river and conveying a peaceful energy, its designer said. Creator Mathieu Lehanneur said the rounded torch was symmetrical from top to bottom and through 360 degrees, its soft curves representing peacefulness and its symmetry standing for equality between athletes. Lehanneur said he hoped the torch conveyed a visual representation of the sporting event Paris 2024 wants to deliver. "I wanted to move away from the torch appearing as an object of conquest," designer Mathieu Lehanneur told a news conference a year ahead of the Paris Games, adding that designing the torch proved infinitely more technical than he imagined at the outset. Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet called the torch "very, very beautiful."

Persons: Denis, Mathieu Lehanneur, Pascal Rossignol PARIS, Lehanneur, Michel, Tony Estanguet, Louise Dalmasso, Richard Lough, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Press, Paris, Eiffel, Paris Games, Games, Saint, Thomson Locations: France, peacefulness, Seine, Olympia, Marseille, Strasbourg, Paris

☆ French antitrust watchdog issues statement of objection over Apple app tracking
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, July 25 (Reuters) - France's antitrust watchdog on Tuesday said it had issued a statement of objection against Apple (AAPL.O), citing concerns the U.S. technology company could have used "discriminatory and non-transparent conditions" for using user data for advertising purposes on iPhones. The statement triggers a proper antitrust procedure during which the company will be able to express its point of view, the watchdog said. The mechanism "gives users more control by requiring all apps to ask permission before tracking them," Apple said in an e-mailed statement, adding that it will "continue to engage constructively" with the French antitrust regulator. The four associations - IAB France, MMAF, SRI and UDECAM - said the changes brought by Apple did not meet European Union privacy rules, which Apple denies. Reporting by Tassilo Hummel and Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Susan Fenton and Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Apple, Tassilo Hummel, Mathieu Rosemain, Susan Fenton, Mark Porter Organizations: Apple, ., IAB, SRI, Thomson Locations: IAB France, MMAF

☆ LVMH strikes Paris Olympic Games sponsorship deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, July 24 (Reuters) - Luxury giant LVMH (LVMH.PA) unveiled on Monday a deal to sponsor next year's Olympic Games in Paris with top fashion brands Louis Vuitton and Dior, Moet Hennessy champagne and spirits labels and jeweller Chaumet, which will design medals for the event. The group will also sponsor athletes, including French swimmer Leon Marchand, and its beauty retailer Sephora will sponsor the Olympic torch relay, LVMH said. Terms of the deal, which was negotiated by Antoine Arnault, one of the five children and heirs of LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, were not revealed. "The Games are an opportunity to make France shine," Antoine Arnault said as he made the official announcement. The run-up to an Olympic Games can become mired in global geo-politics and controversies over domestic matters can attract scrutiny, such as China's rights record ahead of the Beijing Games.

Persons: Louis Vuitton, Dior, Moet Hennessy, Chaumet, Leon Marchand, LVMH, Antoine Arnault, Bernard Arnault, Mimosa Spencer, Silvia Aloisi, Tomasz Janowski, Richard Lough Organizations: Louis, Olympic, Beijing Games, HK, Toyota, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Belarus

☆ Leon Marchand, 21-year-old French swimming star, breaks Michael Phelps’ last remaining world record
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Although Michael Phelps retired seven years ago, his legacy has continued to tower over swimming. But on Saturday, Phelps’ last remaining world record was smashed by 21-year-old Leon Marchand at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukoka, Japan, as the Frenchman completed the 400 meters individual medley in 4:02.50, shaving an enormous 1.34 seconds off Phelps’ previous mark. Phelps himself had held the world record for almost 21 years, setting a series of increasingly faster times during his stint as the world’s most dominant swimmer. “I’m two seconds faster than my previous record, I beat the world record, it’s amazing… I don’t know what to say, I’m so happy.”France's Leon Marchand competes in the final of the men's 400m medley. Meanwhile Australia’s Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the women’s 400 meter freestyle with a time of 3:55.38, so blistering that she held off Katie Ledecky in second place.

Persons: Michael Phelps, Phelps ’, Leon Marchand, Frenchman, ” Marchand, “, Phelps, ” France's Leon Marchand, Manan Vatsyayana, Carson Foster, Australia’s Ariarne, Katie Ledecky Organizations: CNN, Olympics, Getty Locations: Fukoka, Japan, Beijing, AFP, Japan’s

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