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☆ Virgin Australia clocks first profit in 11 years as travel demand recovers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aircraft from Australia's second largest airline, Virgin Australia, sit on the tarmac at the domestic terminal of Sydney Airport in Australia, August 19, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 10 (Reuters) - Bain Capital-owned Virgin Australia said on Tuesday that the airline returned to a profit for the first time in 11 years for fiscal 2023, buoyed by a strong recovery in travel demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier reported a statutory net profit after tax of A$129 million ($82.93 million) for the full year ended June 30, 2023, compared with a loss of A$565.5 million in 2022. Virgin Australia now has a considerably stronger balance sheet with continued significant improvement in its cost base, CFO Race Strauss said in a statement on Tuesday. Virgin was upbeat on its capital position, reporting total debt including leases of A$2.3 billion and over A$1 billion of cash on the balance sheet.

Persons: David Gray, Bain, Race Strauss, Strauss, Roushni Nair, Nausheen, Rashmi Organizations: Virgin, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Bain Capital, Virgin Australia, Australian Securities Exchange, Reuters, GQG Partners, Airlines, Thomson Locations: Australia's, Virgin Australia, Australia, Bengaluru

The company logo of Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured at the Shanghai Country Garden Center in Shanghai, China August 9, 2023. Companies accounting for 40% of Chinese home sales - mostly private property developers - have defaulted on debt obligations since a liquidity crisis hit the sector in 2021, leaving many homes unfinished. The developer had been working towards announcing a restructure of its offshore debt, Chinese media reported on Monday. Country Garden faces another big test next week when its entire offshore debt could be deemed in default if it fails to pay a $15 million September coupon by Oct. 17. "The difficult situation shows that Chinese developers face severe liquidity pressure from weak home sales, and repayment to bondholders is still a lower priority," said Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis Corporate and Investment Bank.

Persons: Aly, Houlihan Lokey, Sidley Austin, Morningstar, Jeff Zhang, Sandra Chow, CreditSight's, Gary Ng, Scott Murdoch, Xie Yu, Rishav Chatterjee, Rashmi Aich, Lincoln, Jamie Freed 私 Organizations: Shanghai Country Garden, REUTERS, Garden Holdings, HK, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, China International Capital Corporation, Asia, Natixis Corporate, Investment Bank Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bengaluru

☆ Tesla slashes prices of Model 3, Models Y vehicles in US
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tesla Model 3 vehicles are shown for sale at a Tesla facility in Long Beach, California, U.S., May 22, 2023. Tesla cut the prices for its Model 3 sedan to $38,990 from $40,240, while the price for its Model Y long-range vehicle was cut to $48,490 from $50,490, the website showed. The company also cut prices for its Model Y performance variant to $52,490 from $54,490. Prices for the higher-priced Model S and Model X did not change either. This is the first time that the EV maker has cut prices of any of its models in the U.S. since early September, when it slashed the prices for its premium Model S and Model X cars.

Persons: Mike Blake, Elon Musk, Tesla, Urvi, Rashmi Aich Organizations: Tesla, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Long Beach , California, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's Westpac fails to sell pacific banking business
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A woman exits the ground floor of an office building with Westpac logo amidst the easing of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in the Central Business District of Sydney, Australia, June 3, 2020. "Any failure to successfully divest businesses means that we may have sustained exposure to higher operating costs and to the higher inherent risks in those businesses," Westpac had told the market during its interim results in May. The bank would be starting a new brand campaign in the months ahead in both the countries in a move to improve its standing in local markets, Anthony Miller, CEO of Westpac business and wealth division said in a statement. The company said its pacific business was continuing to see growth along with operational recovery post COVID, which presented Westpac an option to invest in the operations. ($1 = 1.5863 Australian dollars)Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Additional Reporting by Ayushman Ojha; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Anthony Miller, Rishav Chatterjee, Ayushman Ojha, Rashmi Organizations: Westpac, Central Business District of, REUTERS, Kina Securities, Thomson Locations: Central Business District of Sydney, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's Energy One says no proof of malicious activity after cyber incident
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 29 (Reuters) - Australian software supplier Energy One (EOL.AX) said on Friday it had not uncovered any evidence of malicious activity on their customer systems after a cyber incident was first identified last month. The company had previously said some personal information of its current and former employees had been compromised, for which the notification process is underway. "Our investigations have not revealed any evidence that customer systems have been impacted and the company continues to securely trade," Energy One said in a statement on Friday. Australian firms have suffered many cyber attacks since September 2022, putting the spotlight on the country's understaffed cybersecurity industry. Recently, Shell Plc (SHEL.L) identified a cybersecurity incident involving some employees at BG Group in Australia, the latest company to be hit by the MOVEit hack.

Persons: Clare O'Neil, Ayushman Ojha, Rashmi Aich, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: Energy, Shell Plc, BG Group, Home Affairs, Thomson Locations: Australian, Australia

☆ UK's CMA says examining Qualcomm's buyout of Israel's Autotalks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Autotalks and Qualcomm logos are seen in this illustration taken, May 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Autotalks Ltd FollowQualcomm Inc FollowSept 29 (Reuters) - Britain's antitrust regulator on Friday said it was examining whether Qualcomm's (QCOM.O) purchase of Israeli auto-chip maker Autotalks would lessen competition in the UK market. Qualcomm had said it would acquire Autotalks, a maker of chips used in crash-prevention technology in vehicles, but had not disclosed the terms of the deal. Autotalks, which makes dedicated chips used in the V2X communications technology sector for manned and driverless vehicles, would help Qualcomm expand its automotive business. Qualcomm and Autotalks did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Autotalks, Eva Mathews, Rashmi Aich, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: Qualcomm, REUTERS, Markets Authority, Politico, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ OpenAI, Jony Ive in talks to raise $1 bln from SoftBank for AI device venture - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OpenAI and ChatGPT logos are seen in this illustration taken, February 3, 2023. Sam Altman, OpenAI's chief, has tapped Ive’s company LoveFrom to develop the ChatGPT creator’s first consumer device, the report said. Ive and LoveFrom could not be reached for comment. Tech website The Information first reported on Tuesday that Ive and Altman have been discussing building a new AI hardware device and that Softbank's Son has also been involved in some aspects of the conversation. Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Eileen SorengOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, OpenAI, Jony, Sam Altman, LoveFrom, Altman, Steve Jobs, Kanjyik Ghosh, Rashmi Aich, Eileen Soreng Organizations: REUTERS, Apple, Financial Times, OpenAI's, Tech, Thomson Locations: OpenAI, Bengaluru

☆ IT services provider Kyndryl plans to separate its China business - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sept 27 (Reuters) - U.S.-based IT services provider Kyndryl Holdings (KD.N) is planning to split off its China business and has told some employees about the decision, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kanjyik Ghosh, Rashmi Organizations: Kyndryl Holdings, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: China, Bengaluru

☆ Canadian union Unifor sets Oct 9 deadline for GM negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The new GM logo is seen on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., March 16, 2021. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 28 (Reuters) - Canadian labor union Unifor said on Thursday it has informed General Motors (GM.N) that Oct. 9 has been set as the deadline for negotiating a deal with the U.S. automaker. Unifor had announced GM as its second bargaining target in contract talks with the Detroit Three on Monday, a day after ratifying a new three-year contract with Ford Motor (F.N). Meanwhile, in the U.S., negotiators for the United Auto Workers (UAW) union could strike additional Detroit Three automotive facilities on Friday if there is no substantial progress in labor negotiations. The UAW had launched its walkouts on Sept. 15, its first simultaneous strikes at General Motors, Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) and Ford.

Persons: Rebecca Cook, Unifor, Juby Babu, Rishabh Jaiswal, Sherry Jacob, Phillips, Rashmi Organizations: General Motors, REUTERS, Motors, U.S ., Ford, GM Canada, Oshawa Operations, Catharines Propulsion Plant, Distribution, GM, Detroit, Ford Motor, United Auto Workers, UAW, Chrysler, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S, Unifor, Canada, St, Catharines, Woodstock, Bengaluru

☆ Qantas charter unit's pilots vote in favour of protected industrial action
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Three pilot groups, including pilots from aircraft charter company Network Aviation, have been negotiating with Qantas management over wage policy revisions. A spokesperson for QantasLink, an airline brand of Qantas, termed the step towards industrial action by the AFAP as "disappointing". "We have already reached in-principle agreement with the two other unions representing Network Aviation pilots, and we're continuing to negotiate in good faith to secure new agreements with our turboprop pilots." There are contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions to customers if the union proceeds with the industrial action, the spokesperson told Reuters. The AFAP also flagged the potential industrial action might impact certain charter flight operations to large mines and oil gas projects in Western Australia.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Rishav Chatterjee, Lewis Jackson, Aishwarya Nair, Rashmi Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Pilots, Network Aviation, Qantas Airways, Australian Federation of Air Pilots, Reuters, Network Aviation's, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Western Australia

☆ SoftBank Corp to raise $800 mln via bond-type class shares - filing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of SoftBank Group Corp is displayed at SoftBank World 2017 conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - SoftBank Corp (9434.T) plans to raise 120 billion yen ($808.79 million) via Japan's first public offering of bond-type class shares, it said in a regulatory filing on Monday. The Japanese telecommunications arm of tech investment giant SoftBank Group (9984.T) first announced the issuance in May, saying the shares would be listed before the close of the 2023 financial year, which ends on March 31, 2024. The shares will not have voting rights nor can they be converted into common shares, so the issuance would not affect current shareholders, SoftBank said in a statement in May. The proceeds will be used for growth investments in telecommunications, IT technologies and "next-generation social infrastructure", it said.

Persons: Issei Kato, SoftBank, Urvi, Anton Bridge, Mariko Katsumura, Rashmi Aich, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kim Coghill Organizations: SoftBank, REUTERS, SoftBank Corp, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Bengaluru, Anton

☆ SoftBank Corp to raise over $800 mln via bond-type class shares - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of SoftBank Group Corp is displayed at SoftBank World 2017 conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - SoftBank Corp (9434.T) will likely decide as early as Monday to raise up to 120 billion yen ($808.79 million) via Japan's first public offering of bond-type class shares, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese telecommunications arm of tech investment giant SoftBank Group (9984.T) first announced the issuance in May, saying the shares would be listed before the close of the 2023 financial year, which ends March 31, 2024. The shares will not have voting rights nor can they be converted into common shares, so the issuance would not affect current shareholders, SoftBank said in a statement in May. The proceeds will be used for growth investments in telecommunications, IT technologies and "next-generation social infrastructure", it said.

Persons: Issei Kato, SoftBank, Urvi, Rashmi Aich Organizations: SoftBank, REUTERS, SoftBank Corp, Bloomberg News, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Bengaluru, Anton

The forecasts seem at odds as higher rates raise the credit costs that can crimp the economy. MSCI's U.S.-centric gauge of global equity performance and stocks on Wall Street bounced back while Treasury yields, which move inversely to price, retreated. Yields on two- and 10-year notes remained inverted at -68.3 basis points as the shorter-dated note yields more than the longer one. MSCI's all-world country index for stocks (.MIWD00000PUS) gained 0.14%, but the pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) closed down 0.31%. Oil prices rose as renewed global supply concerns from Russia's fuel export ban countered demand fears driven by macroeconomic headwinds and higher interest rates.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Marvin Loh, Joe LaVorgna, SMBC, Brent, Craig Ebert, Huw Jones, Tom Westbrook, Marguerita Choy, Rashmi Aich, Aurora Ellis Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Bank, Japan, Treasury, Federal, Fed, U.S, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Bank of, Japan's Nikkei, Investors, Bank of England, Swiss, Swiss National Bank, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Boston, New York, Asia, Japan, China, Sweden, Norway, BNZ, Wellington

Yet higher rates typically crimp bank loans and raise the cost of credit. MSCI's U.S.-centric gauge of global equity performance and stocks on Wall Street bounced back while the dollar and Treasury yields, which move inversely to price, retreated. The initial reassessment of the Fed's higher-for-longer policy drove the rise in Treasury yields and created headwinds for risk assets, including equities, credit and emerging markets, but supported the dollar. MSCI's all-world country index for stocks (.MIWD00000PUS) gained 0.37%, but the pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) fell 0.39%. In emerging markets, Indian bonds and the rupee rallied after JPMorgan said it would add Indian debt to its widely tracked emerging markets index, setting the stage for billions of dollars in foreign inflows.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Marvin Loh, Brent, Craig Ebert, Huw Jones, Tom Westbrook, Marguerita Choy, Rashmi Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Bank, Japan, U.S, Treasury, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Bank of, Japan's Nikkei, Investors, Bank of England, Swiss, Swiss National Bank, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, U.S . Federal, Boston, Asia, Japan, China, Sweden, Norway, BNZ, Wellington

☆ Stocks stall, yields climb on "higher for longer" rate worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. stock futures , , were slightly firmer ahead of the opening bell on Wall Street, signalling a pause after sharp losses on Thursday amid uncertainty over interest rates going into 2024. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a 16-year high of 4.508%, later trading at 4.48%, while 30-year yields hit their highest in a dozen years. The Fed revised downwards its unemployment rate forecast for next year, and if the U.S. economic data continued to improve, it would put "upside risk" on interest rates, making the need for a soft landing all the greater, Osman added. Ten-year Japanese government bond futures rallied though cash yields were little changed and near decade highs at 0.745%. Gold firmed 0.3% to $1,925 an ounce despite pressure from the stronger dollar and bond yields.

Persons: what's, Eren Osman, Arbuthnot Latham, Osman, Mary Daly, Neel Kashkari, Susan Collins, Lisa Cook, Craig Ebert, Huw Jones, Tom Westbrook, Edmund Klamann, Kim Coghill, Rashmi Organizations: Bank of Japan, Global, Nasdaq, Treasury, ING, Bank of, Japan's Nikkei, Investors, Bank of England, Swiss, Swiss National Bank, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Europe, U.S, Asia, Japan, China, Sweden, Norway, BNZ, Wellington

SYDNEY, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Vietnamese internet company VNG Ltd has delayed a $150 million U.S. initial public offering (IPO) due to volatile market conditions, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not yet public. Founded in 2004, VNG was Vietnam's first unicorn, or a startup valued at $1 billion or more. VNG still aims to carry out a New York listing, likely in the first half of 2024, they added. Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Yantoultra Ngui in Singapore; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: VNG, Scott Murdoch, Yantoultra, Himani Sarkar, Rashmi Organizations: VNG, Reuters, U.S, Thomson Locations: New York, Sydney, Singapore

☆ Qantas ex-CEO takes 900% pay rise, but bonus cut amid scandals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alan Joyce, Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, speaks with members of the media at an event celebrating Qantas' 100th birthday at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, November 16, 2020. Most of the amount was share-based incentives that Joyce was allowed to cash in after they vested, according to the report. It could also "claw back" unvested stock bonuses for Joyce, currently worth A$6 million, it said. Joyce's final pay packet encapsulates his decade and a half of running the company, which dominates Australian air travel. Qantas must return to the Federal Court to determine what it must pay in penalties and compensation to affected workers.

Persons: Alan Joyce, Loren Elliott, Joyce, Richard Goyder, disquiet, Alan, Goyder, Byron Kaye, Sameer Manekar, Rashmi Aich, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Rights Companies Qantas Airways Ltd, Australia's Qantas Airways, Consumer Commission, High Court, Federal, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ London stocks open higher on surprise CPI data
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The London Stock Exchange Group offices are seen in the City of London, Britain, December 29, 2017. The exporter-heavy FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.6% by 0705 GMT, while the sterling weakened 0.4% against the U.S. dollar, hitting its lowest levels since May. Britain's annual consumer price inflation (CPI) unexpectedly fell to 6.7% last month from 6.8% in July, data showed, while economists polled by Reuters had forecast CPI would rise to 7.0%. M&G (MNG.L) gained 3.3% after the insurer posted a better- than-expected 31% rise in its first-half operating profit. Mid-cap stocks (.FTMC) soared 1.4%, boosted by a 3.8% rise in Dunelm Group Plc (DNLM.L) after the homeware retailer said it expected higher sales volumes to drive earnings in 2024.

Persons: Toby Melville, BoE, Siddarth, Rashmi Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, Bank of England, U.S ., Reuters, Dunelm, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ Target to hire 100,000 workers, start holiday promotions in October
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shoppers wait in line at Target on the Thanksgiving Day holiday in Burbank, California, November 22, 2012. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - Target (TGT.N) said on Tuesday it would hire nearly 100,000 employees for the holiday season, a number that has been consistent over the last two years, and offer discounts as early as October to attract inflation-weary shoppers. In 2022, Amazon.com (AMZN.O) had announced plans to hire 150,000 employees across its operations for the holiday season, while retail bellwether Walmart (WMT.N) had said it would add 40,000 workers in seasonal and full-time roles. Macy's said on Monday it would hire more than 38,000 full and part-time seasonal workers, fewer than the 41,000 workers it had announced to hire in 2022. In a bid to draw shoppers, Target said it would start offering items under $25 across categories including apparel, home goods, and essentials and was hosting a "Deal of the Day" program starting October.

Persons: Jonathan Alcorn, Macy's, Steve Sadove, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Deborah Sophia, Rashmi Aich, Anil D'Silva Organizations: REUTERS, Mastercard, Challenger, Walmart, Thomson Locations: Target, Burbank , California, U.S, Bengaluru

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - National Australia Bank (NAB) (NAB.AX) said on Thursday it would shut its Hong Kong branch, as offices in Singapore, Tokyo and Shanghai were its preferred customer outreach hubs in Asia. The move is likely to impact about 50 roles in the Hong Kong, however, the lender said in a statement that its "too early" to confirm the impact of the branch closing. "The decision probably reflects that foreign businesses are not finding operating conditions in Hong Kong as conducive as they once were," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. The office shutdown comes after Finance Sector Union said earlier this month that the bank was planning to cut 222 back-office jobs.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Tim Waterer, NAB's, Navya Mittal, Subhranshu Sahu, Rashmi Organizations: National, REUTERS, National Australia Bank, NAB, KCM, Westpac, Finance Sector Union, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Asia, Bengaluru

NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Barclays (BARC.L) said on Thursday it has hired two senior bankers for its financial sponsors group to oversee relationships with private equity clients. The British lender appointed Tom Vignon as a managing director in the financial sponsors group for the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, it said in a statement. Christian Oberle also joined Barclays as the head of its financial sponsors group in the Americas, the bank said. Oberle previously worked as a senior managing director at JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), where he served clients including Apollo Global Management and Advent International. In recent months, the bank has appointed new leaders from within its ranks, including global co-heads of capital markets, debt capital markets and equity markets and a sole head of equity capital markets.

Persons: Tom Vignon, Vignon, Christian Oberle, Oberle, Jean, Francois Astier, Taylor Wright, Cathal Deasy, Lananh Nguyen, Rashmi Organizations: Barclays, Credit Suisse, Christian, Reuters, JPMorgan Chase, Apollo Global Management, Advent, UBS, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: Europe, East, Africa, Americas, New York

☆ UK's IG Group ekes out revenue rise from interest income, U.S. trading
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dealers work on the IG Group trading floor in London, Britain June 30, 2015. REUTERS/Neil Hall/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - British online trading platform IG Group (IGG.L) on Thursday reported a marginal rise in its first-quarter revenue after a big boost from net interest income and strong U.S. trading helped offset a fall in the number of active clients. However, the company's net interest income on client balances was boosted by rising interest rates and stability in the amount of cash maintained by clients in their accounts. Net interest income during the quarter was 34.4 million pounds compared to 7.1 million pounds a year earlier. IG Group posted total revenue of 242.9 million pounds ($303.5 million) for the reported period, compared with 241.8 million pounds a year earlier.

Persons: Neil Hall, Khushi, Rashmi Aich, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: IG Group, REUTERS, Bank, IG, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Ukraine, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ IQE expects semiconductor sector recovery to lag estimates; swings to loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 12 (Reuters) - British chip components maker IQE (IQE.L) on Tuesday said the recovery in the semiconductor industry would likely be slower-than-anticipated this year but it would improve in 2024 as customer demand picks up. IQE, which makes "epi-wafers", a type of advanced material used in products from laser hair removal to facial recognition sensors in iPhones, swung to a loss in the first-half hurt by lower sales and a supply glut. The company's posted a core loss of 5.7 million pounds ($7.13 million) for the six months ended June 30, compared with a core profit of 12.3 million pounds last year. Still, the Apple (AAPL.O) supplier said it expected core earnings to be profitable for 2023, adding that it saw double-digit revenue growth in the second half of 2023, compared to the first half. ($1 = 0.7998 pounds)Reporting by Anchal Rana and Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema and Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anchal Rana, Chandini, Sonia Cheema Organizations: Apple, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Metro Bank shares dip as mortgage risk model change drags
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 12 (Reuters) - Britain's Metro Bank (MTRO.L) said on Tuesday that the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) would likely not approve its application to use internal credit risk models in its residential mortgages business this year. Shares in the lender fell 7% in early trading as stock-holders reacted to the news. Without permission to use its own risk models, Metro Bank remains subject to higher capital requirements set by the regulator, which have weighed on returns for its investors. "The board retains conviction in the merits of Metro Bank's customer-centric model and strongly believes that there is a significant opportunity set that the company can capitalise on, subject to renewed balance sheet strength," Metro said. "Larger scale is needed to absorb the high, branch-centric expense base which can be achieved only if current capital constraints ... are resolved," Peel Hunt said.

Persons: Peel Hunt, Radhika Anilkumar, Sinead Cruise, Savio D'Souza, Rashmi Aich, Iain Withers Organizations: Britain's Metro Bank, Bank of England's Prudential, Authority, Metro Bank, Metro, Peel, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, London

☆ Tesla jumps on prediction supercomputer unit could add $600 bln to mkt value
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dojo can open up new addressable markets that "extend well beyond selling vehicles at a fixed price," Morgan Stanley analysts led by Adam Jonas said in a note on Sunday. The Wall Street brokerage upgraded Tesla's stock to "overweight" from "equal-weight" and made it their "top pick," replacing Ferrari's U.S.-listed shares . That's about 76% higher than Tesla's market value of about $789 billion, based on the stock's close of $248.5 on Friday. Morgan Stanley raised its revenue estimate from Tesla's network services business to $335 billion in 2040, from $157 billion earlier. Jonas expects the unit to account for more than 60% of Tesla's core earnings by 2040, nearly doubling from 2030.

Persons: Matthew Childs, Morgan Stanley, Tesla, Adam Jonas, Jonas, Roshan Abraham, Susan Mathew, Medha Singh, Savio D'Souza, Sherry Jacob, Phillips, Rashmi Organizations: REUTERS, Dojo, Ferrari's U.S, Ford, Motors, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bengaluru

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