June, 2020

• 28 June

  Nigeria’s NNPC opens to scrutiny

  

  Bloomberg Nigeria’s powerful state oil company, whose finances and operations have been shrouded in secrecy for decades, is opening itself up to greater public scrutiny. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC) published its 2018 annual report, which contained an audited account of all its 20 units for the first time in its 43-year history. The 2019 figures are set to …

  Read More »
• 28 June

  Occidental sells $2b in debut junk bond deal

  

  Bloomberg Occidental Petroleum Corp sold $2 billion of high-yield bonds to help push out its steep maturity wall. The company issued unsecured bonds in three parts, including a $500 million five-year bond with a yield of 8%. It also priced a $500 million seven-year note at a yield of 8.5%, and a $1 billion 10-year bond with a yield of …

  Read More »
• 28 June

  India refiners halt Venezuela oil imports

  

  Bloomberg India’s largest private refinery halted purchases of Venezuelan oil, putting additional pressure on the Latin American country’s beleaguered oil industry. Reliance Industries Ltd, which runs the biggest refinery in the world in Jamnagar and accounted for 25% of Venezuela’s exports last year, has no plans at the moment to make future purchases, according to people with knowledge of the …

  Read More »
• 28 June

  Boeing’s Max poised for key test over plans to train pilots

  

  Bloomberg Boeing Co and federal regulators are preparing to hold a critical set of test flights on the 737 Max early next week, and laying plans for other milestones toward ending the jetliner’s 15-month grounding including convening a panel of pilots to go over a proposed training course. Aviation industry officials briefed on the plans, which still haven’t been finalised, …

  Read More »
• 28 June

  British Airways offers pay cut for attendants

  

  Bloomberg British Airways proposed a pay deal for its flight attendants that would guarantee 80% of current basic salaries while limiting the need for mass job cuts amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The carrier would also reduce expenses by targeting the variable allowance component of cabin-crew pay, according to a letter to staff seen by Bloomberg News. The company said the …

  Read More »
• 28 June

  Gap soars most on record following Kanye West deal

  

  Bloomberg Kanye West is going to make Gap cool again. At least, that’s what investors hope. The struggling apparel company’s shares soared the most in at least 40 years after it revealed a partnership agreement with the head-turning rapper and designer. West, whose sneaker line with Adidas AG routinely sells out, will work with Gap Inc on a new line …

  Read More »
• 28 June

  Bain buys Virgin Australia in bet on shattered industry

  

  Bloomberg Bain Capital LP agreed to buy collapsed airline Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd in one of the biggest single bets on the industry since it was shattered by the coronavirus pandemic. Administrator Deloitte named Bain as the airline’s new owner, hours after rival buyout firm Cyrus Capital Partners LP withdrew its bid. The value of the deal wasn’t disclosed, though …

  Read More »
• 27 June

  Nike shares tumble as sales battered

  

  Bloomberg Nike Inc, which touted its ability to navigate the pandemic earlier this year, is finding it’s not so easy. The world’s biggest athletic brand posted a surprise loss and disappointing sales in the fiscal fourth quarter, a sign that shuttered retail stores across the US and much of the world took an even bigger toll than expected. Revenue declined …

  Read More »
• 27 June

  South Africa’s Mr Price closes Nigerian business

  Bloomberg Mr Price Group Ltd is closing its Nigerian business after volatility in the West African market and as the retailer favors a stronger focus on its home market of South Africa. The specialist in mid-range clothing, sports goods and homeware has already shuttered four of its five Nigerian stores and expects to close the last one in the coming …

  Read More »
• 27 June

  Stay home, let the robots 3D print the rockets

  

  Bloomberg Vertical agriculture company Plenty Inc. has an unusual selling point: Its crops of arugula, kale and microgreens are grown in an indoor farm run by robots. That hasn’t always been a winning proposition. Two years ago, the company had to scale back an ambitious international expansion plan, realising it wasn’t ready to bear the cost of pricey new markets …

  Read More »