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☆ Chatbots just showed scientists how to make social media less toxic
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

AI bots, on the other hand, will do whatever you tell them to, practically for free. So researchers are starting to use chatbots as fake people from whom they can extract data about real people. In July 2020, Facebook introduced a walled-off simulation of itself, populated with millions of AI bots, to study online toxicity. His team created hundreds of personas for its Twitter bots — telling each one things like "you are a male, middle-income, evangelical Protestant who loves Republicans, Donald Trump, the NRA, and Christian fundamentalists." Scientists create experiments to be simpler than reality, to offer explanatory power uncomplicated by the messiness of real life.

Persons: chatbots, Donald Trump, Petter Törnberg, Törnberg, Emma, Terry Crews, mindlessly, we've, LLMs, Lisa Argyle, Joon, he's, Smallville's café, messier, it's, sims, Adam Rogers Organizations: ABC News, CNN, New York Times, Twitter, Institute, Logic, University of Amsterdam, Columbia University, Facebook, NRA, American, Election, Democratic, Chamber Twitter, Brigham Young University, Stanford University Locations: Alabama

☆ Inside David Solomon's evolution of Goldman Sachs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, we're looking at a fascinating deep dive into the state of Goldman Sachs, including an interview with CEO David Solomon. The big storyLong live GoldmanJon Krause for InsiderDid Goldman Sachs need to die to survive? The prestigious Wall Street bank has drawn plenty of bad headlines over the past few years, often focused on CEO David Solomon. AdvertisementMichael Kovac/Getty ImagesMcLean's story provides a fascinating look at not just Goldman Sachs' evolution but Wall Street's. Goldman COO John Waldron told McLean it's a "big, big issue" at the bank.

Persons: —, we've, it's, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, What's, Goldman Jon Krause, Solomon, Bethany McLean, McLean, he's, hasn't, Michael Kovac, Banks, Goldman, John Waldron, McLean it's, wouldn't Goldman, Jerome Powell, Carlos Barria, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bottari, Mark, TikTok, Ian Grandjean, Chatbots, Frederick Banting, Travis Barker, King Charles III, Yuna, Condoleezza Rice, Claude Monet, Ina, Terri Peters, Ina Garten, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Business, Enron, Brookings Institution, UBS, Moody's, Facebook, Google, Meta, Apple Locations: Washington, Roman, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Man Group's new AI lead breaks down plans to change how investors work at the largest publicly listed hedge fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The goal is to concentrate Man's AI and machine learning firepower to reduce duplicative efforts across disparate trading desks and teams. The company's software engineers are using generative AI to generate code, which could help Man's some-500 technologists be more efficient. In that way, uniting Man's data and machine learning efforts to explore generative AI use cases was a natural step, Mace said. Generative AI creates new human-like content like images, text, or even snippets of code based on prompts. Generative AI is "very different to how we use the other AI techniques, which is really exciting.

Persons: Tim Mace, I've, Mace

You shouldn't expect high-yield savings account interest rates to drop anytime soon. High-yield savings accounts are a great choiceDespite the fact that APYs will likely fall eventually, high-yield savings accounts can still be a really good place to put your money. "By its nature a high-yield savings account will still provide more interest than an ordinary savings account at a major bank," Herzog says. In fact, now may be the time to take advantage and put funds into a high-yield savings account if you haven't already. "If we see more talk of interest rates slowly declining, I think there will be more interest in longer-term securities or options to lock in those interest rates," Valega says.

Persons: —, you'll, we're, Andrew Herzog, Herzog, Catherine Valega, It's, Valega, it's Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Fed, Green Bee

☆ Bayer examines break-up options and prepares to cut management jobs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ludwig Burger | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bayer will remove multiple layers of management and coordination for a "significant reduction" in the workforce, it said. "We are redesigning Bayer to focus only on what’s essential for our mission – and getting rid of everything else," said Anderson. Analysts have said Bayer shares are trading at a massive discount to rivals in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and consumer health activities, partly weighed down by a preference among many financial investors for pure-play companies. Bayer reported third-quarter earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and adjusted for one-off effects fell 31% to 1.685 billion euros, hit by lower earnings at its Crop Science division. Bayer added that it expects a "soft growth outlook and continued challenges" to profitability next year.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Bill Anderson, Anderson, Bayer, Werner Baumann, Ludwig Burger, Miranda Murray, David Goodman Organizations: Bayer AG, REUTERS, Rights, Bayer, Consumer, Roche, Science, Thomson Locations: Leverkusen, Germany

A worker cleans a BMW i7 xDrive60 elecric car while it is charging at a BMW dealership in Sandton, South Africa, October 27, 2023. "We have no interest in sinking prices to gain market share. In a statement, BMW made no mention of high interest rates or inflation weighing on growth, in contrast to competitors such as Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and Porsche (P911_p.DE). Fully electric sales hit 15.1% of total sales in the third quarter, outstripping BMW's end-year target of 15%. Models from the upper price segment, like the 7 Series, the updated BMW X7, and the BMW X5 and BMW X6 models, are also driving sales growth.

Persons: Siphiwe, Oliver Zipse, That's, Walter Mertl, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Elaine Hardcastle, Mark Potter Organizations: BMW, REUTERS, JV, LSEG, Mercedes, Benz, Porsche, BMW X5, Thomson Locations: Sandton, South Africa, BERLIN, China

☆ Morgan Stanley’s new CEO inherits rich pickings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( John Foley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

A good place to start is outside Morgan Stanley’s home market. Morgan Stanley’s two last big acquisitions were chunky, at a combined $20 billion, but also filled niches. E*Trade, an online brokerage, brought millions of households and company employees that Morgan Stanley hadn’t previously served. Eaton Vance, a U.S. asset manager, peddles investment products that Morgan Stanley now funnels through sales teams in far-flung markets. CEO Jane Fraser shows no inclination to sell private banking, which for now sits within the group’s $756 billion global wealth management bucket.

Persons: Ted Pick’s, Morgan Stanley, Pick, James Gorman, Morgan, Gorman, Germany’s, Britain’s, Morgan Stanley’s, Morgan Stanley hadn’t, Eaton Vance, Smith Barney, watchdogs, Jane Fraser, It’s, Noel Quinn’s, Ping, Colm Kelleher, Ted Pick, Peter Thal Larsen, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Credit Suisse, McKinsey ., Morgan, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Infrastructure, Citi, U.S, HSBC, HK, UBS, Thomson Locations: U.S, American, Asia, Pacific, Japan, India, China, French, Europe, Switzerland, HK, Swiss

☆ Volkswagen puts off east European gigafactory amid sluggish EV demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Volkswagen logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. It said earlier this year it was in no rush to make a decision. Czech officials said on Wednesday they would start offering their proposed site for Volkswagen's battery plant to other investors, saying they could not afford to wait any longer for a decision. "We cannot continue to hold the land for this project," Fiala told a news conference. Industry minister Jozef Sikela said talks were happening with five investors, with two of those projects on a similar scale to Volkswagen's plans.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Oliver Blume, BEV, Blume, Petr Fiala, Fiala, Jozef Sikela, Jason Hovet, Louise Heavens, Mark Potter Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Rights, Volkswagen, Volkswagen's, Skoda Auto, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Europe, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Salzgitter, Germany, Valencia, Spain, St, Thomas, Canada, Volkswagen's Czech, Czech

☆ Siemens is case study in China de-risking dilemma
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Pamela Barbaglia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

That’s unsettling for the likes of Siemens, $62 billion carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and $39 billion chemicals group BASF (BASFn.DE). Factor in the German group’s 32% stake in Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) and 75% holding in Siemens Healthineers (SHLG.DE), currently worth 46 billion euros, and it adds up to 156 billion euros. The unit and Siemens’ Airport Logistics unit, which press reports say could be another divestment candidate, may only be worth 4 billion euros combined. Moreover, Kaeser already tried to boost Siemens’ valuation by partially spinning off subsidiaries. As of September, Siemens had bought back 2.5 billion euros of shares since starting a 3 billion euro share repurchase programme in November 2021.

Persons: Roland Busch, France’s Legrand, Busch, Joe Kaeser, he’s, Kaeser, Germany’s Bundesbank, Siemens, Goldman Sachs, Judith Wiese, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Siemens, Germany’s, Barclays, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Volkswagen, BASF, Software, Dassault, Automation, ABB, Smart Infrastructure, Siemens Energy, Siemens ’ Mobility, France’s Alstom, CRRC Corporation, Siemens ’ Airport Logistics, Siemens Healthineers, Toshiba Corp, Energy, BNP, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: China, Brussels, Beijing, Germany, EMEA, Swiss, Middle Kingdom, Republic, Shenzhen, Sichuan, Chengdu, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand

About 8,000 trailers carrying an estimated $1 billion worth of goods have been stranded on the Mexican side over the past week, said Manuel Sotelo, president of the transport association of Ciudad Juarez, a major manufacturing hub across from El Paso, Texas. The delays forced a Canadian snowmobile and off-road vehicle manufacturer to suspend production on Monday and Tuesday at three factories in Ciudad Juarez that employ some 9,000 people. "Due to the waiting times on the international bridges in Ciudad Juarez, we have had a significant reduction in the volume of units that we can export daily," the Quebec-based company, BRP, said in a statement. Jesus Salayandía, a representative of the Mexican industry association Canacintra, said he expected other companies in Ciudad Juarez would announce temporary work stoppages if the long wait times at the border continue. U.S. border authorities suspended cargo processing at one of El Paso's international bridges last week to shift officers to process more migrant arrivals.

Persons: Manuel Sotelo, Sotelo, Jesus Salayandía, Ferromex, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Laura Gottesdiener, Isabel Woodford, Sonali Paul Organizations: . Customs, Border Protection, Patrol, U.S ., Ciudad, Reuters, BRP, El, U.S . Customs, Protection, Union Pacific, Wednesday . Union Pacific, Thomson Locations: Zaragoza, Ysleta, U.S, Cordova, Americas, CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, El Paso , Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Canadian, Quebec, Mexican, United States, Eagle Pass , Texas, Monterrey, Mexico City

☆ Why a single mom is stuck paying her ex husband's student debt — and needs his permission to make any changes to her payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Biden signed into law a bill allowing student-loan borrowers who combined balances with a spouse to separate their loans. They wouldn't owe payments, and if approved for administrative forbearance, their interest rates would be set to zero. Brigid, a 55-year-old borrower with spousal loans, told Insider she's experienced a similar dilemma. However, because of the strict nature of spousal loans, she would also have to meet the hardship requirements by, for example, also having cancer in order to receive the deferment. But she's been unable to receive administrative forbearance, and she's frustrated borrowers with spousal loans are blocked from opportunities federal borrowers are receiving.

Persons: Biden, Theresa, she's, Theresa —, —, Sen, Mark Warner, David Price, Joe Biden, Price, it's, That's, hasn't, servicer, Brigid, servicers, It's, they'll, Elizabeth Organizations: Service, Education Department, Federal Student Aid, Group, Family Education, forbearance Locations: Wall, Silicon, forbearance

☆ Ron DeSantis turns to Wall Street executives, top lawyer for fundraising boost to catch Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Republican U.S. presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during his "Never Back Down" tour ahead of his appearance at the Iowa State Fair, in Atlantic, Iowa, August 11, 2023. DeSantis will be hosted at a fundraising breakfast on Thursday in New York by at least seven wealthy executives, according to one invite. Burck has previously represented former Trump advisors while they faced legal hurdles, including Steve Bannon and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. DeSantis' fundraising trip to New York comes as he's lagging the former president in polls. Trump is favored in the Republican primary with 62% support, followed by DeSantis at 12%, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, DeSantis, William Burck, David Blumberg, Steve Hornstein, Mark Gerson, Gerson, Burck, Steve Bannon, Mike Pompeo, Trump, Emil Henry Organizations: Republican U.S, Florida, Fair, Florida Gov, Wall, Republican, Blumberg Capital, Global Credit Advisers, Gerson Lehrman, Trump, Tiger Infrastructure Partners Locations: Iowa, Atlantic , Iowa, New York, Quinnipiac

☆ China is bitter medicine for Europe’s EV pivot
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Neil Unmack | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

LONDON, Sept 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China can offer a bitter medicine for Europe’s bold electric vehicle pivot. That has prompted carmakers to develop premium e-cars for richer punters, rather than mass market vehicles. More competition from Chinese carmakers should help bring down prices of electric vehicles in Europe. It will force Western players to keep cutting costs to avoid losing too much market share, boosting overall e-car adoption. Sales of EVs picked up in August, with Jefferies analysts estimating a total market share across Europe of 23%.

Persons: Oliver Zipse, Olaf Scholz, carmakers, Morgan Stanley, Encouragingly, BYD, ”, EVs, Lisa Jucca, Oliver Taslic, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Volkswagen, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, HK, Norway, BMW, Reuters Graphics, Jato Dynamics, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, BYD, Renault, UBS reckons, Financial, Electric, European Union, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: China, Europe, Italy, Europe’s, Germany, Norway, Latvia, Bulgaria, Britain, Polo . China, Western, EU

The logo of German chemicals maker Covestro is pictured outside its headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany, July 26, 2019. The sign of change from Covestro's previous stance comes after two top-15 investors of the plastics and chemicals maker told Reuters last month that it should engage in formal takeover talks in the interest of its shareholders. The German group's shares were up 8.6% at 51.96 euros at 1445 GMT, their highest level in about 18 months. In August, ADNOC indicated to Covestro, which has not commented on the takeover approach, that it could raise its informal offer to 60 euros conditional on the German company entering formal talks, Reuters reported at the time. That non-binding offer would value Covestro, a maker of chemicals used in insulation, upholstery foams, coatings and transparent engineering plastics, at about 11.6 billion euros ($12.4 billion).

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Abu, ADNOC, Ludwig Burger, Urvi, Elisa Martinuzzi, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Reuters, Covestro, BASF, Bloomberg News, Thomson Locations: Leverkusen, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Bengaluru

☆ Vingegaard wins Vuelta stage 13 on terrible day for Evenepoel
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sept 8 (Reuters) - Jonas Vingegaard tamed the Tourmalet to win stage 13 of the Vuelta a Espana, on a dramatic day which saw last year's winner Remco Evenepoel's challenge wither in the Pyrenees on Friday. The relentless climbing and downhill racing took its toll on many, including last year's winner Evenepoel, who now finds himself out of contention. Any early attacks had all been reeled in by a Jumbo-Visma team looking to control the race. With the five-man group left to battle behind Vingegaard, it was Kuss who attacked in the final kilometre to close the gap. Saturday's stage 14 is another mountain stage, a 156.5 kilometre ride from Sauveterre-de-Bearn to Larra-Belagua.

Persons: Jonas Vingegaard, Remco, du Tourmalet, Evenepoel, Sepp Kuss, Primoz, Vingegaard, I'm, Kuss, d'Aubisque, Joao Almeida, Marc Soler, Juan Ayuso, Almeida, Robert Gesink, Wilco Kelderman, Lenny Martinez, Michael Storer, Enric Mas, Roglic, Visma, Dane, Trevor Stynes, Christian Radnedge, Toby Davis Organizations: UAE Team Emirates, de France, la, Belgian, Thomson Locations: Espana, Pyrenees, Formigal, Roglic, American, Vingegaard, Sauveterre, Bearn, Larra

☆ Jackson Hole: Fed policy collides with reality in the most unequal county in America
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Central bank officials from across the world have descended upon Jackson Hole, Wyoming this week to discuss policy decisions that will shape the economy for years to come. That’s because Jackson Hole is the most economically unequal place in the United States, according to the Economic Policy Institute. What’s happening: The snow kissed peaks and verdant valleys of Jackson Hole, Wyoming — where Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is due to give a highly anticipated speech on Friday — aren’t just awe-inspiring. Among the top 1% in Teton County (where Jackson Hole is located), the average annual income is a jaw-dropping $22.5 million. The extreme wealth disparity in Jackson Hole is a perfect example of that dichotomy.

Persons: Jackson, Jerome Powell, aren’t, They’re, ”, Kenan Fikri, “, they’re, Powell, ” Jackson, That’s, Allison Morrow, Krystal Hur, it’s, Anna Bahney, Black Knight, Knight, Andy Walden Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Economic, Institute, Census Bureau, Economic Innovation, Nvidia, Revenue, Wall, Federal Reserve, Black Locations: New York, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, United States, Teton County, Wyoming, Jackson, Teton, Santa Clara , California

HONG KONG, Aug 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) China shortcut sets a tricky roadmap for its western rivals. An increasingly competitive Chinese market means others may also need to plot a new route. VW’s western peers may feel they do not need to follow in its tracks. Second, VW’s Xpeng deal highlights how companies need to adapt quickly to stay relevant in China. Both partnerships will see the companies jointly develop intelligent, connected electric vehicles for the Chinese market.

Persons: China’s, that’s, Bernstein, Alix, Elon Musk’s, VW’s, Auto, Neil Unmack, Pranav Kiran, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, HK, FAW, SAIC, VW, BMW, upstarts, Alix Partners, Elon, Mercedes, Benz, Nissan, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volkswagen’s Audi, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology, Jetta, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Xpeng, Kingdom, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Zhejiang

☆ Siemens’ spreading rot obscures elusive value
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike BlakeLONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Siemens’ (SIEGn.DE) problems are no longer affecting just its periphery. Shares in its spun-out unit Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) have lost more than 40% this year due to faulty wind turbines. Chief Executive Roland Busch pointed the finger at China, saying slowing demand in Siemens’ third biggest market was to blame. Siemens shares fell as much as 7% on the news. Siemens shares are now trading over 30% below JPMorgan’s valuation based on a sum of the parts calculation.

Persons: Mike Blake LONDON, Roland Busch, Busch, Pamela Barbaglia, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Siemens, Coaster, REUTERS, Reuters, Siemens Energy, West, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Oceanside , California, U.S, China, Chengdu, Shenzhen

☆ Siemens Energy’s flop puts brakes on green race
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An offshore wind turbine of the Siemens Gamesa company is seen from the Telde coast on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, May 2, 2022. REUTERS/Borja SuarezLONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Siemens Energy’s (ENR1n.DE) growing wind woes will have wider repercussions. The $13 billion German group unveiled on Monday a 2.2 billion euro ($2.4 billion) charge because of quality issues linked to its troubled wind turbine unit Siemens Gamesa. A previous profit warning in June, also linked to malfunctioning turbines, erased a third of Siemens Energy’s stock market value. Bruch says he is now prioritising the profitability of Siemens Gamesa, implying a pause over plans to add more wind capacity.

Persons: Borja Suarez, Jefferies, Siemens Gamesa, Reuters Breakingviews, Christian Bruch, Bruch, Yawen Chen, headwinds, Lisa Jucca, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Siemens, Gran Canaria, REUTERS, Borja Suarez LONDON, Reuters, Siemens Energy, Investors, Siemens Gamesa, JPMorgan, Global, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Gran, Spain, Germany

☆ Man Group shares tumble as fund performance disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Nell Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - British hedge fund manager Man Group (EMG.L) posted forecast-beating first-half pretax profit and record assets under management on Tuesday, but a disappointing performance across several of its funds roiled investors, sending shares lower. Man reported negative investment performance at its AHL Evolution Fund and Numeric Global Core Relative Return fund for the first half of 2023, as well as its actively managed GLG Global Emerging Markets Debt Total Return Fund. Performance fees in both Man's AHL Evolution and funds marked "other alternatives" both fell by over 80% from a year earlier. Despite the first quarter volatility, Man reported net inflows of $2.6 billion for the period, coming in around 2.5% higher than industry peers. Man recommended an interim dividend of 5.6 cents a share, in line with guidance offered a year ago.

Persons: Antoine Forterre, Man, Luke Ellis, Man's, Robyn Grew, Ellis, Group's Forterre, Jefferies, Nell Mackenzie, Sinead Cruise, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Man, Credit Suisse, Reuters, AHL Evolution Fund, GLG, Varagon Capital Partners, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ Volkswagen invests $700 million in Chinese EV maker Xpeng to boost sluggish sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The German group’s Audi subsidiary will also work more closely with its existing partner, SAIC Motor, China’s biggest car maker. Shares in Xpeng jumped more than 30% Thursday in Hong Kong, leading a broad rally in Chinese EV stocks. China is the single largest market for Volkswagen, accounting for about 40% of its global sales and half of its profits. In the first quarter of 2023, BYD, the Chinese EV maker backed by Warren Buffett, surpassed Volkswagen to become the largest brand by sales in China, according to official car insurance registration data. The German car maker said it would strengthen its strategic position in China, including beefing up its capacity for e-mobility, digitalization and autonomous driving.

Persons: ”, Ralf Brandstätter, Xpeng, Warren Buffett, It’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Volkswagen, VW, Audi, SAIC, China’s, “ Volkswagen Locations: Hong Kong, German, Xpeng, China, Xinjiang, Germany, BYD, Europe, Hefei, Anhui, Hefei city

☆ Man mixes risk and reward in private credit bet
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Man Group (EMG.L) is getting into the hot private credit market, by buying a majority stake in lender Varagon Capital Partners for $183 million. Private credit, which involves managers like Ares Management (ARES.N) or Blackstone (BX.N) making bilateral loans to mostly private equity buyouts, has been one of the hottest areas in fixed income. Low rates encouraged investors to hunt for yield, and has seen mainstream managers like T. Rowe Price (TROW.O)join the fray. They will be rewarded with further payments if they extend their commitments, and Man hopes to use its network to broaden Varagon’s investor base. Given private credit managers like Fortress have traded at more than double that multiple, it looks like a relatively savvy deal.

Persons: Rowe Price, Neil Unmack, Aimee Donnellan, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Man, Capital Partners, Ares Management, AIG, Fortress, Twitter, KKR, Thomson Locations: Varagon’s, China

☆ Audi names Volkswagen strategy chief Doellner as new CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, June 29 (Reuters) - Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) Audi named the German group's strategy chief as its new CEO on Thursday, as the luxury carmaker seeks to catch up with rivals in the dash towards electrification, including in China, the world's top car market. Gernot Doellner, who replaces Markus Duesmann, will become CEO with effect from September, Audi said, after the luxury automaker's supervisory board passed a resolution on Thursday. Doellner is a Volkswagen Group veteran who joined the company as a doctoral student in 1993 and rose through the ranks to become head of product development at Porsche. He headed up the Panamera series from 2011 to 2018 and became head of product strategy at Volkswagen AG in 2021. "Audi is a fantastic company with a rich history," Doellner said, adding: "I look forward to shaping the company's future together with the entire team at Audi."

Persons: Gernot Doellner, Markus Duesmann, Doellner, Oliver Blume's, Bentley, Peter Bosch, Christina Amann, Jan Schwartz, Ilona Wissenbach, Christoph Steitz, Victoria Waldersee, Tom Sims, Emma Rumney, Hans Seidenstuecker Organizations: Audi, Volkswagen Group, Porsche, Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Benz, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, China

☆ I'm leaning towards defensive sectors like consumer staples and healthcare: Neuberger's Joseph Amato
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | 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 EmailI'm leaning towards defensive sectors like consumer staples and healthcare: Neuberger's Joseph AmatoJoseph Amato, Neuberger Berman Group CIO, joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' to discuss the day's market action, what to expect for the second half of the year, and the impact of the Federal Reserve's next moves.

Persons: Neuberger's Joseph Amato Joseph Amato, Neuberger Berman Organizations: Neuberger, Federal

Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch said on Friday that the takeover of Siemens Gamesa had not been a mistake and that the price had seemed right at the time when the offer was made. 'SO MANY QUESTIONS'Top-20 investor Deka Investment said "significantly greater efforts" were now needed by Siemens Energy, chaired by Siemens veteran Joe Kaeser, to restore trust. Berenberg analysts pointed out that Siemens Energy had given a fairly upbeat view on Siemens Gamesa along with second-quarter results only a month ago, and that Thursday's announcement did not fit with the recent communication. Siemens Energy CEO Bruch also cited the need to fix Siemens Gamesa's corporate culture, hinting at the fact that the company's merger never fully worked and that major management mistakes were made. When asked earlier this month on whether Siemens Energy was doing well enough to master the challenges of the energy transition, Kaeser said the management team led by Bruch was strong.

Persons: Felix Schroeder, Schroeder, Christian Bruch, Siemens Gamesa, Jochen Eickholt, Spain's, Joe Kaeser, Bruch, Kaeser, Christoph Steitz, Christina Amann, Susan Fenton, Louise Heavens Organizations: Siemens Energy, Siemens, Siemens Gamesa, Union Investment, Deka Investment, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, BERLIN, Bray, European

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