This $468-Billion Fund Is Betting on U.K. Yields Going to Zero

This $468-Billion Fund Is Betting on U.K. Yields Going to Zero

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – The U.K. may become the next developed economy to embrace zero yields, according to an influential money manager. The yield on two-year gilts could “easily” vanish in the coming months as the Bank of England will need to cut borrowing costs more than once to support an economy on the brink of recession, according to Columbia Threadneedle Investments, which oversees the equivalent of $468 billion. The firm, which has…

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Barclays Cut 3,000 Jobs in Recent Months, Joining European Peers

Barclays Cut 3,000 Jobs in Recent Months, Joining European Peers

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Barclays Plc Chief Executive Officer Jes Staley said the bank cut 3,000 jobs in the second quarter as the firm sought to keep a tight grip on expenses and counter criticism over its ability to reach profitability targets. The London-based bank joined other European lenders who have been eliminating roles in recent months, including HSBC Holdings Plc and Societe Generale SA. Barclays Finance Director Tushar Morzaria told journalists on a call Thursday that the cuts were…

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Shell Profit Misses as Slowing Economy Hurts Gas, Chemicals

Shell Profit Misses as Slowing Economy Hurts Gas, Chemicals

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Royal Dutch Shell Plc got caught into the same earnings trap as many of its peers, reporting second-quarter earnings that fell well short of expectations as the slowing global economy hit everything from natural gas to chemicals. Profit in Shell’s integrated gas division was down by 25%, but earnings were lower across all of its businesses, including upstream oil and gas production, and refining and chemicals. “We’ve seen some very…

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LSE’s $27 Billion Refinitiv Deal Creates Trading Powerhouse

LSE’s $27 Billion Refinitiv Deal Creates Trading Powerhouse

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – London Stock Exchange Group Plc agreed to snap up Refinitiv in a $27 billion blockbuster deal, betting on a future dominated by data that will extend its reach beyond Europe. Shares in LSE rose as much as 8% after the exchange operator unveiled details of the transaction for the data and trading provider, which Chief Executive Officer David Schwimmer said fulfilled his ambitions to expand the group further into global analytics and the buy-side…

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Newton-King Takes Swedish Break After Eight Years as JSE CEO

Newton-King Takes Swedish Break After Eight Years as JSE CEO

JOHANNESBUR (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nicky Newton-King, the first woman to lead Johannesburg’s 131-year-old stock exchange, will take some time off to cycle in Sweden after stepping down from Africa’s largest bourse following eight years as its chief executive officer. “I think it’s important for CEOs to know when it’s time to step back,” Newton-King, 52, said Tuesday by phone. Leila Fourie, who will take over from Oct. 1, has held positions at companies including…

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Nigeria Sets Up Task Force to Recoup $15 Billion of Amcon Debt

Nigeria Sets Up Task Force to Recoup $15 Billion of Amcon Debt

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria has set up a task force to recover about 5.5 trillion naira ($15 billion) of bad loans taken over during a banking crisis more than a decade ago. The loans are owed to the Asset Management Corp. of Nigeria, known as Amcon, which bought them over during the 2009 banking crisis, the Abuja-based presidency said on its Twitter account Tuesday. The group includes the Economic and Financial Crimes…

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Old Mutual and Its Fired, Not-Fired CEO in New Spat Over Job

Old Mutual and Its Fired, Not-Fired CEO in New Spat Over Job

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Old Mutual Ltd., fresh from an embarrassing court ruling that reinstated its fired chief executive officer, is facing another battle over whether Peter Moyo can start working again. The insurer said late Tuesday it will appeal the Johannesburg High Court judgment and that Moyo is therefore not “required or permitted to resume his duties.” Moyo arrived at the company’s headquarters on Wednesday, and will meet with Old Mutual and his legal team later…

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