Posts by Mark Darwin
Samsung chief Jay Y Lee found not guilty in merger case
The Seoul High Court upheld a lower court’s ruling dismissing all the charges from a case involving a 2015 merger Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y Lee was found not guilty of accounting fraud and stock manipulation by a Seoul appeals court on Monday(Feb 3), in a ruling that could remove long-running legal risks that he…
Read MoreHonda’s motorcycle business is the gem in a messy Nissan union
HONDA Motor’s crusade to shore up car sales by absorbing Nissan Motor could undermine an oft-forgotten but equally vital part of its company: a thriving motorcycle business. Honda’s two-wheeler segment, which has already cornered 40 per cent of the global market, could be better positioned to expand further if it’s given freedom, or independence, under…
Read MoreUS car prices face US$3,000 increase as tariffs hit auto sector
PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada and Mexico will threaten production at automakers across North America and send record vehicle prices even higher, with about a quarter of a trillion US dollars in trade set to be disrupted. Trump on Saturday (Feb 1) followed through on his warning to impose 25 per cent tariffs on…
Read MoreUniCredit heats up Italy finance battle with new Generali stake
UNICREDIT has made a surprise new move in the fight to dominate the Italian financial system by unveiling a minority stake in Assicurazioni Generali. The Milan-based bank confirmed the purchase on Sunday (Feb 2), following earlier press reports. UniCredit emphasized that its 4.1 per cent stake in Generali is a “pure financial investment”, with no…
Read MoreWhy Europe will power a big and beautiful 2025 for stocks
WHAT will 2025 bring for stocks? Haze clouded my view in January. Three 2025 outcomes seemed similarly likely: US and world stocks could repeat big, 20-plus per cent booms. Or dip a little. Or grind out low single-digit gains. But the haze lifted. Now, I foresee a brighter-than-feared 2025 – surprisingly, led by Europe. Here…
Read MoreSembcorp to miss 2025 target on green business profits, drops metric from 2028 strategy
Management will not receive compensation tied to this particular sustainability goal SEMBCORP Industries will miss one of its 2025 strategic targets of having 70 per cent of its net profit come from its sustainable solutions business, said the energy company in response to queries from The Business Times. This means that Sembcorp’s management will not…
Read MoreYour iPad Could Be Your Best Employee
Ever thought your iPad could be more than just a gadget for watching videos or playing games? Believe it or not, it could be your next best employee. With the right apps and a bit of know-how, your iPad can handle a lot of the tasks that keep your business running smoothly. From managing projects…
Read MoreVolkswagen sues India to quash ‘enormous’ US$1.4b tax demand, legal filing shows
Volkswagen has sued Indian authorities to quash an “impossibly enormous” tax demand of US$1.4 billion, arguing that the ask is contradictory to New Delhi’s import taxation rules for car parts and will hamper the company’s business plans, court papers show. Volkswagen’s unit, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, also told the High Court in Mumbai that the…
Read MoreTrump tariffs target loophole used by Chinese online retailers
President Donald Trump’s new trade levies against China, Canada and Mexico include a broadside against e-commerce, with apparent plans to extinguish a long-held tariff exemption for packages worth less than US$800. Trump’s executive orders directing 25 per cent levies on Canada and Mexico – plus a 10 per cent duty on China – specify that…
Read MoreTrump’s oil tariffs a boost for European and Asian refiners
US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on Canadian and Mexican oil imports will offer European and Asian refineries a competitive advantage against their US rivals, analysts and market participants told Reuters. Trump on Saturday (Feb 1) ordered 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10 per cent on goods from China starting…
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