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☆ German government unveils budget fixes as way out of crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The government said the spillover effects from the energy crisis that hit in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and caused rocketing prices had created an emergency situation that justified suspending the debt brake. The leader of Scholz's SPD urged the government to consider suspending the debt brake next year, a move rejected in particular by the fiscally hawkish Free Democrats (FDP). "The debt brake must remain." The debt brake, introduced after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, was first suspended in 2020 to help the government support firms and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday he stressed the need to give companies, which have been worried by the uncertainty caused by the budget crisis, clarity as quickly as possible.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Annegret, Olaf Scholz's, finalising, Scholz's, Christian Duerr, Bijan Djir, Christian Kraemer, Riham Alkousaa, Amir Orusov, Rachel More, Matthias Williams, Thomas Escritt, Alison Williams, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Finance, Climate, REUTERS, Free Democrats, ZDF, Greens, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, BERLIN, Ukraine, Sarai, East Germany

☆ Barclays in talks to buy Metro Bank's mortgage book worth $3.74 bln - Sky News
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view shows signage on a branch of Barclays Bank in London, Britain, March 17, 2023. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 27 (Reuters) - Britain's Barclays (BARC.L) is in exclusive talks to buy embattled lender Metro Bank's (MTRO.L) 3 billion pound ($3.74 billion) residential mortgages portfolio, Sky News reported on Monday. Both Barclays and Metro Bank declined to comment. The report comes after Britain's best-known challenger bank announced a 325 million pound capital raise and 600 million pound debt refinancing in early October, in a bid to bolster its finances. Last month, Santander's (SAN.MC) chief executive officer Hector Grisi had said the Spanish bank may consider looking into acquiring a mortgage portfolio from Metro.

Persons: Peter Nicholls, Britain's, Jaime Gilinski, Hector Grisi, Eva Mathews, Anil D'Silva, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Barclays Bank, REUTERS, Britain's Barclays, Metro, Sky News, Barclays, Metro Bank, Separately, Reuters, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Colombian, Metro, Spanish, Bengaluru

☆ Foxconn to invest $1.5 bln to expand India operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Foxconn shareholder poses for photos after the annual shareholder meeting in New Taipei City, Taiwan May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foxconn (2317.TW) will invest $1.5 billion in India in its latest expansion plan, the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics said on Monday. The company, which announced the investment plan in a stock exchange filing, did not provide any further details. Foxconn has been rapidly expanding its presence in India by investing in manufacturing facilities in the south of the country. The contract manufacturer aims to double its workforce and investment in India by next year, a company executive had said in September.

Persons: Ann Wang, Foxconn, Liu Young, Kashish Tandon, Krishna Chandra Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: New Taipei City, Taiwan, India, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCOLOMBO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka will likely approve on Monday a proposal from Chinese state refiner Sinopec to build a $4.5-billion-dollar refinery, the South Asian island nation's energy minister said on Saturday. Sri Lanka, trying to recover from its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years, is hungry for new investment and local fuel supplies. The investment will add to Sinopec's recently started fuel retailing business, the third international company with a foothold in Sri Lanka, with a license to operates 150 petrol stations. Sinopec's fuel oil division, which runs the retail business there, began in 2019 supplying marine bunker fuel at Hambantota, another Sinopec official said. Sri Lanka's refinery at Sapugaskanda, commissioned in 1969, can process 38,000 barrels of oil a day.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Kanchana Wijesekera, Wijesekera, Vitol, Uditha Jayasinghe, Chen Aizhu, Krishn Kaushik, William Mallard Organizations: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, REUTERS, Rights, and Energy, Reuters, Sri, China Merchant Port Holdings, Initiative, China Merchants, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, Sri Lanka, China's, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Colombo, Sinopec, Hambantota, Europe, Asia, Lanka's, Sapugaskanda

☆ Nissan invests $1.4 bln to build two new EV models in Britain
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nissan has made its electric Leaf model in Sunderland for years and will continue to do so, with batteries supplied by a small plant at the site. It announced a $1.4 billion investment in 2021 to build a second, 9 gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery plant in Sunderland with Chinese partner Envision AESC. Nissan did not comment on the value of any subsidies or guarantees being provided by Britain. [1/4]Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt attach a Nissan badge to a car as they visit the car manufacturer, Nissan, in Sunderland, Britain, November 24, 2023. But Sunak, who became prime minister a year ago, is having some success turning that around.

Persons: Rishi, Sunak, Nissan's, Alan Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor, Makoto Uchida, Brexit, Nick Carey, Sarah Young, Paul Sandle, Sonali Paul, Mark Potter Organizations: Nissan, Investment Summit, Britain, BBC, Britain's, India's Tata Motors, Rover, Thomson Locations: Sunderland, England, Britain, Europe, EVs

☆ Tesla ready to invest up to $2 bln to build India factory, but with riders -ET
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Tesla logo is seen on the steering wheel of an electric vehicle at a dealership in Durango, northern Spain, October 30, 2023. REUTERS/Vincent West/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Tesla Inc FollowBENGALURU, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA.O) is ready to invest up to $2 billion to set up a factory in India if the government cuts import duty on its vehicles to 15% for the first two years of operations, the Economic Times reported on Friday. The government is examining the viability of Tesla's proposal to invest $2 billion but wants to reduce the number of cars imported on a lower duty, compared to Tesla's proposal, the Economic Times said. Tesla, the department for promotion of industry and internal trade, ministry of heavy industries, ministry of road transport & highways and the ministry of finance did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita BhattacharjeeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vincent West, Elon, Tesla, Rama Venkat, Nivedita Organizations: REUTERS, Economic Times, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Durango, Spain, India, Bengaluru

REUTERS/David Gray Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The long-term value of hotly contested $10.6 billion takeover target Origin Energy (ORG.AX) has been muddied by a government plan to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy, announced just hours before a key shareholder vote. However, the potential for new investment via the government's scheme undercuts Brookfield's argument that Origin and Australia needed its deep pockets to decarbonise quickly, Vickerson said. Pension giant AustralianSuper has argued Origin's stake in fast-growing British renewable energy company Octopus Energy, gas assets and millions of customers position the company well for the energy transition. The government's new scheme only strengthens the fund's conviction about Origin, according to a person familiar with AustralianSuper's thinking. However, Simon Mawhinney, chief investment officer at fund manager Allan Gray, which owns a roughly 3% stake in Origin, said the government's plan appears likely to push down returns.

Persons: David Gray, AustralianSuper, Max Vickerson, Vickerson, Brookfield, Tom Leske, Simon Mawhinney, Allan Gray, Lewis Jackson, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Energy, Morgans, Origin, AGL Energy, Churchill Capital, Octopus Energy, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Chatswood, Australia, Brookfield

☆ UK pension transfer boom continues as deals worth $11 bln struck
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Lawrence White | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Legal & General insurance company is seen at their office in central London March 17, 2008. Legal & General (LGEN.L) said it had agreed a so-called full buy-in to the Boots Pension Scheme worth 4.8 billion pounds, in what it said was the largest such deal in Britain by premium size. The market has been running at around 30 billion pounds a year in Britain, but consultants expect 2023 to top that. Rising funding ratios for pension schemes are driving unprecedented demand, Legal & General (L&G) said, as funds scramble to protect schemes against the vagaries of market movements amid rising interest rates worldwide. L&G has written a total of 13.4 billion pounds worth of pension risk transfer deals this year globally, up from 9.5 billion pounds last year.

Persons: Alessia, Eva Mathews, Lawrence White, Sharon Singleton, Mark Potter Organizations: General, REUTERS, Legal, Co, Regulators, Bank of England's Prudential, Authority, Health, Thomson Locations: London, BRITAIN, Britain, Rothesay, Bengaluru

☆ Nissan to invest $1.4 bln to build two new EV models in Britain
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A staff cleans charging ports of Nissan's Leaf battery electric vehicle during the Japan Mobility Show 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan, November 1, 2023. Japan's third-biggest automaker said it would announce the names of the new EV models and timings for production launches at a later date. Earlier this year, Nissan raised its targets for EV models as it plays catch up in a segment dominated by newcomers like Tesla (TSLA.O) - saying it would launch 19 new EV models by 2030. The Nissan EV production announcement comes just months after India's Tata Motors (TAMO.NS) said it would invest 4 billion pounds in a UK EV battery plant to supply its Jaguar Land Rover factories. Industry experts had described the Tata battery plant as good progress, but argue Britain needs much more EV battery production capacity to maintain a viable, growing auto industry.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Makoto Uchida, Rishi Sunak, Nick Carey, Sonali Paul Organizations: Japan, REUTERS, Nissan, British, Nissan EV, India's Tata Motors, EV, Rover, Industry, Tata, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Sunderland, Europe, Britain

☆ India's Tata Technologies' IPO garners bids worth over $18 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Rama Venkat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Tata sign is seen outside their offices in London, Britain March 30, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Nov 24 (Reuters) - India's Tata Technologies' 30.43 billion rupee ($366 million) initial public offering (IPO) remained the most oversubscribed domestic IPO this week, signalling robust demand for the Tata group's first public float in nearly two decades. Investors bid for about 3.13 billion shares worth 1.56 trillion rupees ($18.74 billion) by the close of subscriptions on Friday, compared with the 45 million shares on offer, with institutional investors showing the most interest. This is the first Tata group company IPO since Tata Consultancy Services (TCS.NS) in 2004. Tata Technologies, which provides engineering and technology services to auto, aero and heavy machinery makers, will be valued at 202.83 billion rupees at the top-end of its price band of 475-500 rupees.

Persons: Toby Melville, Arun Kejriwal, Rama Venkat, Sonia Cheema Organizations: Tata, REUTERS, Rights, India's Tata Technologies, Tata group's, Kejriwal Research, Investment Services, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Technologies, Fedbank Financial Services, Flair, Industries, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, Gandhar Oil, Kejriwal, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, India, Bengaluru

☆ China wealth manager Zhongzhi flags insolvency, $64 bln in liabilities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING, Nov 23 (Reuters) - China's Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, a leading wealth manager, told investors it is heavily insolvent with up to $64 billion in liabilities, threatening to reignite concerns that the country's property debt crisis is spilling over into the broader financial sector. The firm, which has sizable exposure to China's real estate sector, apologised to its investors in a letter that said it had total liabilities of about 420 billion yuan ($58 billion) to 460 billion yuan ($64 billion). The liabilities compared to Zhongzhi's estimated total assets of about 200 billion yuan, according to the letter, which was issued on Wednesday and was seen by Reuters. 'ENORMOUS' HOLESigns of trouble at the Zhongzhi group first came to light in July when Zhongrong International Trust Co, a leading trust company controlled by Zhongzhi, missed payments on dozens of investment products. "The Zhongzhi group deeply apologises for the losses caused to investors.

Persons: Zhongzhi, Xu, Xing Zhaopeng, Christopher Beddor, Beddor, Ziyi Tang, Ryan Woo, Sumeet Chatterjee, Muralikumar Organizations: Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, Reuters, International Trust Co, Big, ANZ, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, Zhongzhi, China's, China

Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. When asked during a press conference if he had reservations about the revised deal, Chairman Scott Perkins said: "absolutely". DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Australia's, EIG, Scott Perkins, Blair Thomas, Allan Gray, Simon Mawhinney, Mawhinney, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Praveen Menon, Lincoln, Sonali Paul, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Reuters, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Sydney, Australia

☆ Macron to unveil 2.1 bln eur Novo Nordisk pharma investment in France
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk in their offices in Hillerod, Denmark, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 23 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron will on Thursday inaugurate a 2.1 billion euro ($2.3 billion) investment by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) in France, his office said, pitching it as a sign of newly restored French industrial competitiveness. The investment, for which no detail was provided by Macron's office, will be based in Chartres, west of Paris, where Novo already employs nearly 2,000 people. The Elysee palace deemed it the most significant investment in the health sector of Macron's mandates so far and said it would create 500 jobs. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Michel Rose, Editing by Dominique VidalonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tom Little, Emmanuel Macron, Michel Rose, Dominique Vidalon Organizations: Novo Nordisk, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Danish, Hillerod, Denmark, France, Chartres, Paris

☆ China wealth manager Zhongzhi flags insolvency, liabilities of $64 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The firm, which has sizable exposure to China's real estate sector, apologised to its investors in a letter that said it had total liabilities of about 420 billion yuan ($58 billion) to 460 billion yuan ($64 billion). The liabilities compared to Zhongzhi's estimated total assets of about 200 billion yuan ($27 billion), according to the letter, which was issued on Wednesday and was seen by Reuters. China's highly indebted property sector has been reeling from a liquidity crunch since 2020. Signs of trouble at the Zhongzhi group first came to light in July when Zhongrong International Trust Co, a leading trust company controlled by Zhongzhi, missed payments on dozens of investment products. "The Zhongzhi group deeply apologises for the losses caused to investors.

Persons: Zhongzhi, Ziyi Tang, Ryan Woo, Sumeet Chatterjee, Muralikumar Organizations: Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, Reuters, International Trust Co, Big, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, Zhongzhi, China's, China

Origin said based on the early votes received the original offer would not have won support. Under the new terms, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion ($8 billion). Origin shareholders would receive a total of A$9.08 per share, with an additional A$0.22 if EIG got up to 90.1% control of Origin. Institutional investors who have already voted on the A$9.43 offer can choose to change or keep their vote, or opt to invest in the energy markets business.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Fahmy, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Companies Brookfield, Origin Energy, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, Brookfield, Sydney, Australian, Australia

Trading in Origin Energy shares was paused on Thursday. Brookfield Corp (BN.TO), which has teamed up with EIG Partner's MidOcean Energy, and Origin Energy did not respond to requests for comment. Origin shares closed on Wednesday at A$8.42, up 1.69%, but well below the offer price of A$9.43 per share. If everyone thought it was going ahead the share price would be higher," he told Reuters. Origin shares remain 2.1% lower than last week's close and have traded well below the offer price since the new bid.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Jamie Hannah, I'm, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Origin Energy, Brookfield Corp, Energy, Investors, Newmont Corp, Newcrest Mining, VanEck, Reuters, Origin, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Lincoln

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A Brookfield-led consortium's A$16.3 billion ($10.61 billion) bid for Origin Energy (ORG.AX) is expected to fail after the largest shareholder in Australia's biggest energy retailer said it would vote against the offer at an investor meeting on Thursday. The energy company's shares closed on Wednesday at A$8.42, up 1.69%, but well below the offer price of A$9.43 per share. If everyone thought it was going ahead the share price would be higher," he told Reuters. Brookfield and Origin Energy declined to comment on Thursday's vote. Origin shares remain 2.1% lower than last week's close and have traded well below the offer price since the new bid arrived, suggesting investors were pessimistic of its success.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Jamie Hannah, I'm, Macquarie, Ian Myles, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Origin Energy, Newmont Corp, Newcrest Mining, Brookfield Corp, Energy, VanEck, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Sydney

Investments in renewables will be more selective, the group said, adding it would spend 12.1 billion euros in onshore wind, solar and battery storage. It will devote 49% of gross capex to investments in Italy, up from a 48% in the previous plan, which envisaged investment of 37 billion euros including 17 billion for renewables. Flavio Cattaneo, who succeeded long-serving CEO Francesco Starace in May, said the new 2024-26 business plan would turn Enel into a leaner and more flexible group. Enel said its net ordinary income was expected to grow to between 6.6 billion and 6.8 billion euros next year and rise to 7.1-7.3 billion euros in 2026. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Francesca Landini, editing by Giulia SegretiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Flavio Cattaneo, Francesco Starace, Cattaneo, Enel, Francesca Landini, Giulia Segreti Organizations: MILAN, Investments, Thomson Locations: Italy

The A$300 billion ($195.24 billion) pension fund was against the original offer, which it also said substantially undervalued the company's ability to profit from Australia's shift to renewable energy. Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

☆ Stellantis buys back shares worth $1 bln from Chinese JV partner Dongfeng
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Stellantis logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 22 (Reuters) - Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Wednesday it has repurchased 50 million common shares from Dongfeng Motor (Hong Kong) International (0489.HK) for about 934 million euros ($1.02 billion). Stellantis, which has a joint venture with Dongfeng Motor in China, said it plans to cancel these shares and the transaction with Dongfeng would not impact its 1.5 billion euros open-market repurchase program. Chinese automaker Dongfeng would retain 49.2 million common shares, which represents 1.58% of Stellantis' share capital post-cancellation. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Priyamvada C in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Priyamvada, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Chrysler, Dongfeng, HK, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Hong Kong, China, Bengaluru

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. As a result of the impairment, Thyssenkrupp, which has been trying to divest its steel division for several years, posted a 2-billion-euro net loss for the fourth quarter. Shares of the company, which proposed a stable dividend of 0.15 euros apiece, were indicated to open 1.8% lower in pre-market trade. Thyssenkrupp - which apart from steel builds submarines, car parts and operates a large materials trading business - said it was in constructive and open-ended talks with EPH about a potential steel joint venture. EPH, controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, would support Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe with its energy expertise in any joint venture, the company said.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Miguel Lopez, Daniel Kretinsky, Thyssenkrupp, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Sandra Maler, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, EPH, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Czech, Europe

SummaryCompanies UK business investment has lagged since Brexit"Largest business tax cut" in modern history-HuntTax break costs 11 bln stg a yearOBR forecasts 3 bln stg a year investment boostLONDON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Britain's finance minister Jeremy Hunt made a tax break for business investment permanent on Wednesday, aiming to kickstart growth in the country's sluggish economy. Hunt hopes that by making permanent the tax break known as "full expensing", companies will spend more on new kit and technology, lifting productivity. This is the largest business tax cut in modern British history," Hunt said in his Autumn Statement on Wednesday. BT (BT.L), a beneficiary of the tax break as it is investing billions in building a new fibre network, welcomed Hunt's move. British business investment has trailed that of other developed economies, according to research from the International Monetary Fund.

Persons: Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, Hunt's, Philip Jansen, Jessica Taylor, Handout, Stephen Phipson, Robert Forrester, David Milliken, Kylie MacLellan, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Alex Richardson Organizations: LONDON, BT, Labour, Conservatives, Britain's, REUTERS Acquire, International Monetary Fund, Vertu, BBC Radio, Thomson Locations: Britain, London, British

☆ Bain Capital raises $7.1 bln in largest pan-Asia PE fund this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Kane Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The logo of Bain Capital is displayed on the screen during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan October 5, 2017. Bain Capital said the firm itself committed $750 million to Bain Capital Asia Fund V, alongside existing and new investors. At $7.1 billion, the fund is Bain Capital's biggest to date for Asia and also the region's largest private equity fund raised this year, according to Preqin data. Bain Capital, which started fundraising in the second half of 2022, had an initial target of $5 billion. Bain Capital invests across multiple asset classes, including credit, public equity, venture capital and real estate, managing approximately $180 billion in total assets globally.

Persons: Kim Kyung, you've, David Gross, Gross, Toshiba Corp's, Bain, Kane Wu, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Bain Capital, REUTERS, Bain Capital Asia Fund V, Bain Capital's, Bain, ., Toshiba, Chindata, Estia, Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, Asia, U.S, Bain Capital's Asia, . Asia, China, India

Michael Regan, the administrator of the EPA, speaks onstage with Daniel Yergin, the vice chairman of S&P Global, during the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Texas, U.S., March 9, 2023. The Community Change Grants are the single largest investment in environmental justice that has been made by an administration, and a key measure to achieve the administration's goal of ensuring that 40% of federal clean energy investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities. The Biden administration's spending on climate and environmental justice measures has been under scrutiny by Republican lawmakers seeking to undercut the president's climate agenda. "This historic, unprecedented funding has the promise to turn disadvantaged and overburdened areas into healthy, resilient, and thriving communities for current and future generations,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. The EPA will review applications on a rolling basis and encouraged applicants to apply as early as possible.

Persons: Michael Regan, Daniel Yergin, Callaghan O'Hare, Valerie Volcovici, Franklin Paul Organizations: P Global, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, Republican, EPA, Virgin, Franklin Paul Our, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, Mexico

☆ Germany freezes new spending commitments as budget woes deepen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Holger Hansen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks next to Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck during a hearing at Germany’s lower house of parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, November 15, 2023. The finance ministry has frozen future spending pledges across almost the entire federal budget, a letter by the budget state secretary showed, in a sign of how seriously it was taking the potential fallout to its finances. "The step reflects the necessity of the situation," an economy ministry spokesperson said about the budget freeze. That could include planned chip factories, the expansion of the battery supply chain and the decarbonisation of steel, government sources said on Monday. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Additional reporting by Andreas Rinke; writing by Matthias Williams and Sharon SingletonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Annegret, Freeze, Olaf Scholz's, Kevin Kuehnert, that's, Kuehnert, Volker Wissing, Wissing, Andreas Rinke, Matthias Williams, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Finance, Climate, REUTERS, BERLIN, Free Democrats, Democrats, CDU, Scholz's Social Democrats, Greens, Digital, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Ukraine

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