Conglomerates

Ambani’s retail backers dispel only a little doubt

15 Sep 2023

Asia’s richest man is raising funds at the shopping unit of his Reliance Industries. Infusions from KKR and Qatar signal a $100 bln pre-IPO valuation, twice some analyst estimates, but there are caveats. A few more endorsements from new financial investors would go a long way.

Arm’s IPO valuation rests on big dose of hope

7 Sep 2023

The SoftBank-owned chip designer is getting ready to list. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists argue that even the company’s reduced price tag of $50 bln is still far too high, and debate what investors would have to believe to buy the shares.

SoftBank’s reduced Arm price tag is still too high

5 Sep 2023

The Japanese group may float its UK chip designer for $50-54 bln. That’s lower than initially hoped, but still implies an implausible future where revenue and profitability soar. If Arm merely grows at recent rates and nudges up margins, its market worth is more like $35 bln.

Nvidia gives Arm IPO a double leg-up

4 Sep 2023

The $1.2 trln semiconductor designer’s AI-inflated stock price provides a following wind for the UK group’s float. Now Nvidia and two peers may endorse its valuation by buying into Arm’s offering. Owner SoftBank will be hoping other investors buy into the somewhat circular logic.

Capital Calls: Microsoft in the EU, Dollar General

31 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: The software giant will sell its Teams communications app separately from other software in the European Union; the discount retailer’s poor results reflect a more resilient US economy.

SoftBank could live with a cut-price Arm IPO

30 Aug 2023

The Japanese conglomerate wants a $60-70 bln price tag for the UK chip designer, according to reports. But it has reasons to push on even at a lower value, in part because a float would boost the parent group’s creditworthiness. That gives investors an incentive to play hardball.

Capital Calls: 3M settles again

29 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: The industrial conglomerate has followed a $12.5 bln agreement over long-lasting chemicals known as PFAS with a $6 bln deal to resolve one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history. A portion of it, however, comes in stock.

Roark scores sandwich deal better than $5 footlong

24 Aug 2023

Family-owned Subway is settling for a $10 bln price in its sale to the buyout firm. It values the chain at a lower multiple than peers and other deals, including Roark’s Dunkin’ purchase. With IPO markets opening and terms protecting buyers, there’s plenty to nibble on.

Capital Calls: Walmart’s Goldilocks moment

17 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: The $431 bln US retailer’s valuation has held up much better than Target and Amazon, validated by another strong quarter. But it has done that only by keeping its multiple steady.

Adani fundraising trickle could turn into a flood

17 Aug 2023

GQG is betting $1 bln on the tycoon’s power business. Qatar is buying into his green energy unit. The helpful endorsements are adding up, even as auditor Deloitte exits. If Adani gets a clean bill of health from India’s securities watchdog, a capital-raising bonanza could follow.

China does Intel a small favor

16 Aug 2023

The chipmaker aborted its $5 bln acquisition of Tower Semiconductor after failing to secure approval from Beijing. The questionable deal was made worse by the target’s struggles. And given the cross-border tech tension, a $350 mln break fee at this stage is a small price to pay.

Capital Calls: Target’s bullseye

16 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: The $60 bln retailer reported better-than-expected second-quarter profit, sending shares up some 8%. The reaction overlooks some big problems and puts faith in factors beyond the company’s control.

CFOs are stepping into a rapidly revolving door

14 Aug 2023

From Alphabet to Tesla to Walgreens, finance chiefs are moving on at a faster rate than usual. One-tenth of the 1,000 largest US companies lost their CFO in the first half. Economic whiplash and expanded job duties are both factors. Higher turnover looks here to stay.

Capital Calls: Siemens

10 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: The rot at the 110 bln euro German industrial group is spreading from its misfiring energy unit to the core automation business.

Capital Calls: Italian bank levy flip-flop

9 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: Rome has only partially soothed investors panicking over its windfall tax on lenders.

Capital Calls: PIF, Siemens Energy

7 Aug 2023

Concise views on global finance: Saudi Arabia’s big sovereign wealth fund is getting bigger; the $13 bln German company unveiled a $2.4 bln charge due to persistent wind turbine problems.

GE chief’s efforts pay back twice over

25 Jul 2023

Jet engines and turbines are back in demand after years of weakness when CEO Larry Culp could do little but focus on efficiency. The conglomerate is now equipped for better times. So’s the boss, whose extravagant $232 mln bonus – pegged to the share price – is finally in the bag.

Fading Russia windfall will test Ambani’s ambition

24 Jul 2023

Earnings at the Indian tycoon’s $210 bln Reliance disappointed. The high crude refining margins driven by the dislocation in energy markets are evaporating. As weak global demand bites, scrutiny will intensify on the conglomerate’s newer consumer-facing businesses.

Warren Buffett flaunts his green investment thumb

17 Jul 2023

Berkshire Hathaway is paying $3.3 bln for control of a liquefied natural gas facility. The conglomerate’s utilities now account for about half the conglomerate’s capex. Regulated returns help, but the Oracle’s funding devoted to energy transition should be a sign to laggards.

Samsung sees glimmer of light at end of tunnel

7 Jul 2023

The $365 bln South Korean tech titan warned that its quarterly operating profit has probably cratered 96%, thanks to a global memory-chip glut. But there are signs that prices are bottoming out. A recent artificial intelligence frenzy may also bolster demand in the year ahead.