Reuters - Before the Bell

Click to View in Browser

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Bargaining chip? China seen closely scrutinizing Qualcomm, Broadcom deal

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A potential mega-merger between chipmaker Broadcom Ltd and U.S. rival Qualcomm Inc is likely to face stern scrutiny in China, antitrust lawyers say, amid a strategic push by Beijing into semiconductors.

China plans easing foreign holding, partner choice for securities ventures: sources

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China plans to allow global banks to take a stake of up to 51 percent in their onshore securities ventures for the first time and tie up with local non-financial firms, people familiar with the matter said.

U.S. investors target 'buyback stocks' in bet on Trump tax plan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rather than waiting to see how the Republican tax bill will fare in Congress, some investors are already picking out gingerly technology, healthcare and consumer companies they expect to use potential tax savings to buy back more of their own stock.

U.S. department stores tap brakes on stocking for holiday season

CHICAGO (Reuters) - This holiday season, retailers are making a list, checking it twice, and then ordering less for U.S. shoppers. With foot traffic at their stores in decline, department stores that would have stocked up for the biggest shopping season of the year months ago are still in the process of placing new orders, according to nearly a dozen sources including company officials, vendors who work with the retailers and consultants who advise such chains.

Uber, rival apps join forces in Brazil to stem tide of regulation

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] has formed an unprecedented alliance in Brazil with other ride-hailing services, including its main local rival 99, to win public support to block regulation threatening the way they do business in a booming market.

SocGen investigated over possible French anti-corruption law breach

PARIS (Reuters) - Societe Generale said the French financial prosecutor had opened a preliminary investigation into possible violations by the bank of French anti-corruption laws, and had requested documents on its ties with the Libyan Investment Authority.

Deal-hungry Qatar Airways aims to create virtual mega-carrier

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Qatar Airways wants to create a virtual mega-carrier that will benefit from economies of scale in negotiations on fuel and aircraft purchases while it boosts investment in other airlines, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Sky falls as report of Disney-Fox talks increase deal uncertainty

LONDON (Reuters) - A report that Rupert Murdoch held talks about selling film and television assets to Walt Disney Co added another layer of uncertainty to his $14.5 billion bid to buy all of Britain's Sky .

Toyota forecasts tough outlook for U.S. sales, yen boost to overall profit

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp upgraded its full-year operating profit forecast by 8 percent on expectations of a weaker yen but flagged a dour outlook for North America, its biggest market, where quarterly sales fell to the lowest in nearly three years.

One-year since Trump's win, U.S. funds enjoy strong growth

LONDON (Reuters) - Assets managed by U.S.-based funds have grown substantially, led by equity funds, since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential elections a year ago.