August, 2017

• 26 August

  Wal-Mart’s Massmart profit declines in S. Africa

  

  Bloomberg Massmart Holdings Ltd., the South African grocery and general goods retailer owned by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said tougher control of costs wasn’t enough to prevent earnings falling during “the most difficult trading conditions in recent memory.” First-half operating profit before interest declined by 6.6 percent to $58 million, the Johannesburg-based company said. Sales increased 0.5 percent to 42.5 billion ...

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• 26 August

  ‘Airbus A350s require an overheating fix’

  

  Bloomberg The European Aviation Safety Agency ordered operators of Airbus SE A350 airliners to revise fuel-system software to reduce the risk of overheating that could lead to a fire. A flaw in the hydraulic-fluid cooling system, located in the fuel tanks, may cause the temperature of the liquid to rise quickly, the EASA said in an emergency airworthiness directive that ...

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• 26 August

  Roots Canada hires banks for IPO by year end

  Bloomberg Roots Canada Ltd., the iconic retailer known for its casual wear and leather goods emblazoned with beaver logos, has hired banks to prepare an initial public offering this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The Canadian clothing company is working with Toronto-Dominion Bank, Credit Suisse Group AG and Bank of Montreal on the share sale, the people ...

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• 26 August

  The world’s longest flight is on its way from Qantas

  

  Bloomberg Pretty much everyone prefers a nonstop flight—business people, especially. And they are more likely than most to be in a position to afford the premium. But right now, all the money in the world won’t get you from Sydney to the Big Apple or UK without a pit stop, because commercial planes just don’t have that kind of range. ...

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• 26 August

  Saudi, China sign nuclear cooperation deals

  

  KHOBAR / Reuters­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Saudi Arabia and China are to cooperate on nuclear energy projects following discussions between the two countries on ways to support the kingdom’s nuclear energy programme, state news agency SPA reported. Saudi Arabia has been for years trying to diversify its energy mix so that it can export more of its oil, rather than burning it at ...

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• 26 August

  China’s solar appetite eats into India’s aim of quick growth in clean energy

  

  Bloomberg Indian solar projects banking on a continuous supply of ever-cheaper panels are now under threat as China’s appetite props up prices. The global spot market price for solar panels in the second quarter fell at the slowest pace since the three months ended in December 2015, according to data compiled by PVinsights. While the decline has picked up slightly ...

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• 26 August

  Iraq faces resistance from Asia on oil price change

  

  SINGAPORE / DUBAI / Reuters Iraq’s proposal to change the way it prices crude oil in Asia faces resistance from refiners who fear that longer lead times between pricing and deliveries will expose them to more risk. Iraq’s state oil marketer SOMO surprised traders this week by seeking feedback on plans to switch its Basra crude benchmark in Asia to ...

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• 26 August

  PetroChina rewards investors after oil buoys profit

  

  Bloomberg PetroChina Co. took a page from the playbook of global peers known for generous dividends by deciding to pay shareholders its entire half-year net income. China’s biggest oil producer passed on to investors the benefits of higher global prices with almost 12.7 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) in dividends, the Beijing-based company said as it reported earnings that beat estimates. ...

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• 26 August

  Works on Egypt’s largest petchem project to begin June

  

  CAIRO / Reuters Egypt’s Carbon Holdings aims to finalise funding and start building its massive Tahrir petrochemicals project by June, producing raw materials desperately needed to boost the country’s industrial sector, its chief executive told Reuters. The $10.6 billion scheme in the Suez Canal Economic Zone will be the largest petrochemicals project in Egypt. Carbon Holdings CEO Basil El-Baz sees ...

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• 26 August

  Grab to invest $100 million in Myanmar in next three years

  

  Bloomberg Grab, Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing app, plans to invest $100 million in Myanmar as it extends its battle with Uber Technologies Inc. to capture exploding use of smartphones. Grab will invest the money over the next three years and work with local governments to expand ride-hailing to more cities and roll out services such as its in-app digital payment ...

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