What the other papers say this morning – 16 December 2013
FINANCIAL TIMES
Sale of NuGen stake boosts plans
Westinghouse, the Japanese-owned engineering group, will shortly announce that it is buying a big stake in one of the UK’s three nuclear-building consortiums, inthe latest example of Asian investment in UK infrastructure. Westinghouse, which is owned by Toshiba, is expected to announce it is acquiring a 50 per cent stake in NuGen.
JCB chairman warns on 2013 results
The chairman of JCB has warned that 2013 results will be disappointing because of a sharp slowdown in India, its largest market by sales, as it joined a parade of global companies who are worried about theirprospects in the Bric nations.
The world’s third-largest maker by volume of construction equipment, said its exposure to Asia’s third-biggest economy would hit profits this year. But Lord Bamford said the privately owned company is more confident about the UK and the US, where construction activity has picked up.
Vodafone calls for tax transparency
The telecoms company that was targeted by protestors at the start of the public backlash against tax avoidance has said businesses must open up their tax affairs to more public scrutiny. John Connors, group tax director of Vodafone, said “responsible” businesses had nothing to fear from revealing more information.
THE TIMES
Share trading in Makism 3D stopped
A British technology company, which trades on Wall Street, has had its share dealing suspended after alleged manipulation of the stock before the launch of its new flagship Wideboy 3D printer.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission issued a temporary suspension of trading in shares of the Cambridge-based Makism 3D on Friday.
Frackers seek donations firm help
The shale gas industry is in talks with the organisation that distributes donations on behalf of Sport Relief and Comic Relief to run its proposed £1.1bn community benefit fund.
The Daily Telegraph
Australia tipped as energy superpower
Australia is to become a global gas superpower by the middle of the decade and eliminate its current account deficit for the first time in almost 40 years, according to Morgan Stanley.
“Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from Australia could be the next big thing,” said the bank in a new report.
JP Morgan in instant messaging ban
America’s biggest bank, JP Morgan, is preparing to ban staff from using any kind of online messaging service other than traditional email.
The clampdown could be formalised as soon as this week.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
EUROPE
AerCap nearing deal with AIG
American International Group is in advanced talks to sell its jet-leasing business to AerCap Holdings for $3bn in cash and a minority stake in the smaller, Netherlands-based company, people with knowledge of the talks said yesterday. The minority stake is currently valued at about $2bn.
Two more execs leaving BlackBerry
Blackberry’s executive vice president in charge of global sales, Rick Costanzo, will be leaving the company by early next year, according to sources. Chris Wormald, head of mergers and acquisitions strategy, is expected to leave this year.