February, 2023

• 22 February

  Microsoft ‘willing to address concerns’ to save $69bn deal

  

  Bloomberg Microsoft Corp. headed into a showdown with European Union antitrust watchdogs by insisting its $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc. will “bring more competition” for gamers but pledging to show willingness to address antitrust concerns. “I think we’ll make clear that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will bring more games to more people on more devices and platforms ...

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• 22 February

  Europe sees strong rebound in business activity

    Bloomberg Europe’s biggest economies beat expectations as business activity returned to growth, boosting the chances they can stave off recessions. Gauges of private output in Germany and France both signaled expansion in February after pullbacks in January, while the UK’s purchasing managers’ index showed the first positive reading in six months — jumping to 53 from 48.5. In the ...

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• 22 February

  Tesla undercuts average US car by $5,000 in EV shakeout

  

  Bloomberg It’s never been this cheap to buy a Tesla. After a hopscotch of price cuts over the past month, Tesla’s Model 3 sedan now sells for $4,930 less than the average new vehicle sold in the US. That’s the cheapest price Tesla has ever had relative to the typical US vehicle, according to a new Bloomberg analysis. It’s a ...

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• 22 February

  Putin halts nuke pact with US, vows to push war in Ukraine

  

  Bloomberg President Vladimir Putin said Russia will suspend its observation of the New START treaty with the US, dealing a blow to the last accord limiting their nuclear arsenals, as he vowed to press on with his faltering invasion of Ukraine. Russia is fighting for its “historic lands” in Ukraine and “will fulfill the tasks set step-by-step, carefully and consistently,” ...

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• 22 February

  Thai PM to dissolve parliament, paving way for next election

  

    Bloomberg Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha said he will dissolve parliament in March, a move that paves the way for the next election. Prayuth told reporters he informed the cabinet in a meeting on Tuesday of his intention to dissolve the House of Representatives — the clearest sign he has given yet on the timeline for the vote, though ...

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• 22 February

  China to ‘show’ world it can broker Russia-Ukraine peace

  

  Bloomberg A year after declaring a “no-limits” partnership with Russia, China is now seeking to convince the world it’s a neutral actor that can help end the war in Ukraine. It won’t be easy. Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi is set to visit Moscow in the coming days after floating a fresh peace proposal to end the conflict triggered by ...

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• 22 February

  Sri Lanka election commission says lacks funds to hold local elections

  

    Bloomberg Sri Lanka’s election commission has instructed its lawyers to inform the Supreme Court about a lack of funds and the backing needed to hold local elections next month, the head of the government agency said. The commission has not received financial resources and the required support from other agencies, including the government printer and police, for the ballot ...

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• 22 February

  HSBC eyeing special payout on Canada sale after Ping An battle

  

  Bloomberg HSBC Holdings Plc will consider a special payout after the sale of its Canadian unit as the bank attempts to face down a campaign from its top shareholder to pursue a wider break-up of the business. Reporting fourth-quarter results that beat analyst estimates, HSBC said it may pay a special $0.21 dividend next year after the completion of the ...

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• 22 February

  BOK to keep weighing interest rate increases

    Bloomberg The Bank of Korea (BOK) said it will keep considering further interest-rate increases as inflationary pressures are expected to remain elevated for an extended period. The central bank said in a report to parliament on Tuesday that monetary policy needs to remain tight with a focus on reining in consumer prices. Even though inflation is likely to gradually ...

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• 22 February

  Stocks slide on Fed concern

  

    Bloomberg US equity-index futures and European stocks fell as investors worried about the prospects of interest-rates staying higher for longer and a deepening of geopolitical tensions. The dollar rebounded on haven appeal. Contracts on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indexes dropped at least 0.6% each with US markets set to return from a holiday. European stocks fell as ...

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