Morning News | Swissquote

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max Pushes Up the Price

Apple unveiled a new iPhone lineup aimed at wringing more money out of its top model without jacking up prices for more basic versions that are getting only minor upgrades. The Cupertino, Calif., tech giant showed off an iPhone 15 lineup at a company event Tuesday that featured largely incremental improvements, including better cameras, improved battery and new software features. For pricier Pro models, Apple is offering a new titanium case to make the phones lighter and a screen that pushes further out to the edges of the device, among other advances. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will start at $1199 for a version with 256 gigabytes of memory. Apple said it’s the same price as last year’s Pro Max model with the same storage, but the company effectively raised the minimum price for the Pro Max by $100 by eliminating a lower-price 128-gigabyte model. Apple shares closed down 1.7% Tuesday after the announcements.

13.09.2023

Disney, Charter End Dispute, Restoring ESPN, ABC to 15 Million Households

Disney (+1.1%) and Charter Communications (+3.2%) have reached an agreement that will restore popular channels including ESPN and ABC to the cable operator’s nearly 15 million subscribers, ending a blackout that lasted for more than a week. The agreement comes just hours before ESPN’s coverage of the first “Monday Night Football” game of the season—a highly anticipated matchup between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Under the terms of the agreement, Charter has agreed to higher rates for Disney’s channels in return for being able to provide the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services to its pay-TV subscribers.

12.09.2023

Nadine PEREIRA

Kroger Says Supermarket Sales Are Under Pressure as Shoppers Pull Back

Kroger said sales at its supermarkets would likely decline over the next six months as consumers keep a tight leash on spending. Cincinnati-based Kroger said its identical sales, which exclude effects of store openings and closings, rose 1% excluding fuel for the three months ended Aug. 12. The company swung to a loss for the quarter as it incurred a $1.4 billion charge related to a nationwide opioid settlement. Kroger shares gained 3.1% Friday.

11.09.2023

Nestle to Buy Majority Stake in Brazil Chocolate Company Grupo CRM

Nestle said it has reached a deal with Advent International to buy a majority stake in Brazilian chocolate company Grupo CRM for an undisclosed sum, in a bid to bolster its confectionery presence there. The Swiss consumer-goods giant said the deal will allow it to enter the high-end segment of the Brazilian market.

08.09.2023

Dominion Energy Sells Gas Units for $9.4 Billion

Dominion Energy announced plans to sell several of its natural gas-distribution companies to Enbridge for $9.4 billion as it focuses on investing in renewable energy and improving the electric grid. Enbridge, a Calgary, Alberta-based pipeline operator, has agreed to pay $9.4 billion in cash and assume $4.6 billion in debt to acquire the gas-distribution companies, which operate pipeline networks in Ohio, North Carolina and parts of the Western U.S. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Dominion was considering a sale of the companies. The sale comes as lawmakers and regulators across the U.S. debate the future of natural gas and more towns and cities look to reduce its use in homes and businesses.

07.09.2023

Arm Targets More Than $52 Billion Valuation in Largest IPO of the Year

British chip designer Arm Ltd. is targeting a valuation of more than $52 billion from what is expected to be the largest initial public offering this year, according to the company's latest regulatory filing. SoftBank Group, Arm's owner, plans to sell roughly 10% of the total shares outstanding, setting a share sale price of between $47 and $51 apiece. The Securities and Exchange Commission filing comes as Arm's management hits the road starting Tuesday to meet with prospective investors to solicit support for the offering.

06.09.2023

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Sells Westfield Valencia Town Center To Centennial

French real estate company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (UNBLF, UNRDY) announced that it has sold Westfield Valencia Town Center, a Regional mall in Santa Clarita, California, to Centennial Real Estate for $199 million, above the $195 million debt amount on the asset.

05.09.2023

Chip-Maker Arm Looks to Target Over $50 Billion Valuation at IPO

British chip designer Arm Ltd. is eyeing a target valuation between $50 billion and $55 billion for what is shaping up to be the year's largest initial public offering. Arm plans to start meeting with prospective investors as early as Tuesday ahead of its stock-market debut on the Nasdaq exchange the following week, people familiar with the matter said.

04.09.2023

3M Board Approves $6 Billion Earplug Settlement

3M’s board approved a $6 billion settlement to resolve claims that its earplugs caused hearing loss among veterans, putting a long-awaited price tag on a large chunk of the company’s legal troubles. The settlement, which people familiar with the matter said will be paid out over multiple years, is substantially less than the $10 billion to $15 billion some analysts expected. 3M shares climbed Monday after news of the initial settlement terms was reported over the weekend. Veterans allege that 3M and Aearo Technologies, a company 3M acquired in 2008, produced faulty earplugs that failed to protect their hearing from noise damage after they were issued by the U.S. military. 3M has said the earplugs work correctly when used with proper training.

29.08.2023