US energy sector consolidation extends into 2024

May 29 (Reuters) – The consolidation wave in the U.S. energy sector that triggered $250 billion worth of deals in 2023 has stretched into this year, as companies look for opportunities to deploy their cash hoard and boost their reserves. The majority of energy executives polled in December by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas […]

HSBC completes sale of Russian unit to Expobank

MOSCOW, May 29 (Reuters) – HSBC (HSBA.L), opens new tab has transferred ownership of its Russian unit to Expobank for an undisclosed fee, the two lenders said on Wednesday, ending around two years of negotiations and uncertainty. HSBC’s exit from Russia has been on the cards since February, when Russian President Vladimir Putin gave approval for the […]

China doubles down on semiconductor self-sufficiency drive with US$47.5 billion Big Fund III

China has doubled down on efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in its semiconductor industry by creating the country’s largest-ever chip investment fund, disregarding mounting pressure from US tech sanctions and a track record of corruption in these state-led programmes. The third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, also known as the “Big Fund”, was established last Friday with a registered […]

Private credit market is a ‘big story’ in Asia though institutional investors have become selective, say industry experts

Hong Kong-based credit investment firm SC Lowy is raising a private debt fund with a target size of up to US$800 million, nearly eight times larger than its first one. The move shows financial institutions such as SC Lowy are betting on the flourishing private debt market – in which credit is neither extended by a traditional […]

China is pumping another $47.5 billion into its chip industry

China is doubling down on its plan to dominate advanced technologies of the future by setting up its largest-ever semiconductor state investment fund, according to information posted by a government-run agency. Worth $47.5 billion, the fund is being created as the US imposes sweeping restrictions on the export of American chips and chip technology in a bid to throttle Beijing’s ambitions. […]

Inter Milan’s Chinese owner Steven Zhang says US$429 million debt deadline threatens stability of Serie A champions

Inter Milan president Steven Zhang said the Serie A champions’ financial stability was being threatened by investment fund Oaktree as owners Suning scrambled to repay a debt of almost 400 million euros on Tuesday. Simone Inzaghi’s Inter team were officially crowned kings of Italy on Sunday following a 1-1 draw with Lazio after securing the […]