WINE AND SPIRITS
Heineken to buy Distell
Heineken NV agreed to buy South African wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings NV for 2.2 billion euros (US$2.52 billion), creating a new regional group to compete with larger rival Anheuser-Busch InBev SA and spirits giant Diageo PLC. The Dutch brewer made an offer of 180 rand a share that has been recommended by Distell’s board, according to a statement yesterday. Heineken is also looking to buy a majority stake in the owner of Namibia Breweries Ltd, a regional partner, the brewer said. The move forms a Heineken majority-owned entity with a total valuation of about 4 billion euros, the company said.
FOOD
Deal boosts French delivery
Deliveroo PLC is partnering with French frozen food specialist Picard Groupe SAS to offer express deliveries countrywide, marking its third deal with a major food provider in the country. The latest alliance is part of Deliveroo’s global effort to expand its rapid grocery delivery business, and take part in the booming quick-commerce sector. Groceries now represent 7 percent of the total value of transactions made on the Deliveroo app, according to a statement from the company yesterday. Picard topped a recent OC&C annual survey of France’s most favored retail brands this year, and is well-established in the country with 1,050 shops.
PROPERTY
Sunac sells stake for cash
Sunac China Holdings Ltd (融創中國控股) raised about US$953 million through the sale of new shares as well as a stake in its property management unit, the latest Chinese developer to seek funds amid an industry-wide liquidity crunch. Sunac said in a statement on Sunday that it sold 335 million shares at HK$15.18 each, raising about US$653 million. Another US$300 million came from a sale of 158 million shares in its property management arm Sunac Services Holdings Ltd (融創服務控股), via a subsidiary. Sun Hongbin (孫宏斌), the controlling shareholder of Sunac and the chairman of the board, also provided US$450 million from his own funds in the form of a loan with no interest.
REAL ESTATE
Singapore home sales grow
Sales of private homes in Singapore rebounded after two months of consecutive declines, with demand spurred by long-term investors and those seeking upgrades, even as virus restrictions limit viewings. Purchases of new private apartments climbed about 9 percent to 909 units last month, Urban Redevelopment Authority figures showed yesterday. That is higher than the 834 units sold in September. There is still appetite for Singapore’s private homes as buyers look to upgrade from public apartments, which have seen prices surpassing a peak in 2013, said Christine Sun (孫燕清), senior vice president of research and analytics at OrangeTee & Tie (橙易產業).
TECHNOLOGY
Cyber review for HK IPOs
China might require a cybersecurity review for data-holding companies planning to go public in Hong Kong, if it is decided that the listing would potentially affect its national security. The draft rule, published by China’s cyberspace regulator on Sunday, did not specify how the regulators would define a listing that endangers security. Firms holding data of more than 1 million users must undergo cybersecurity approval when seeking listings in other nations, the Cyberspace Administration of China said in the statement.
DIVIDED VIEWS: Although the Fed agreed on holding rates steady, some officials see no rate cuts for this year, while 10 policymakers foresee two or more cuts There are a lot of unknowns about the outlook for the economy and interest rates, but US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled at least one thing seems certain: Higher prices are coming. Fed policymakers voted unanimously to hold interest rates steady at a range of 4.25 percent to 4.50 percent for a fourth straight meeting on Wednesday, as they await clarity on whether tariffs would leave a one-time or more lasting mark on inflation. Powell said it is still unclear how much of the bill would fall on the shoulders of consumers, but he expects to learn more about tariffs
NOT JUSTIFIED: The bank’s governor said there would only be a rate cut if inflation falls below 1.5% and economic conditions deteriorate, which have not been detected The central bank yesterday kept its key interest rates unchanged for a fifth consecutive quarter, aligning with market expectations, while slightly lowering its inflation outlook amid signs of cooling price pressures. The move came after the US Federal Reserve held rates steady overnight, despite pressure from US President Donald Trump to cut borrowing costs. Central bank board members unanimously voted to maintain the discount rate at 2 percent, the secured loan rate at 2.375 percent and the overnight lending rate at 4.25 percent. “We consider the policy decision appropriate, although it suggests tightening leaning after factoring in slackening inflation and stable GDP growth,”
Greek tourism student Katerina quit within a month of starting work at a five-star hotel in Halkidiki, one of the country’s top destinations, because she said conditions were so dire. Beyond the bad pay, the 22-year-old said that her working and living conditions were “miserable and unacceptable.” Millions holiday in Greece every year, but its vital tourism industry is finding it harder and harder to recruit Greeks to look after them. “I was asked to work in any department of the hotel where there was a need, from service to cleaning,” said Katerina, a tourism and marketing student, who would
i Gasoline and diesel prices at fuel stations are this week to rise NT$0.1 per liter, as tensions in the Middle East pushed crude oil prices higher last week, CPC Corp, Taiwan (台灣中油) and Formosa Petrochemical Corp (台塑石化) said yesterday. International crude oil prices last week rose for the third consecutive week due to an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, as the market is concerned that the situation in the Middle East might affect crude oil supply, CPC and Formosa said in separate statements. Front-month Brent crude oil futures — the international oil benchmark — rose 3.75 percent to settle at US$77.01
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