The Grifols family has announced that they will not support any new attempts by third parties to take the company private, following indications that Brookfield Asset Management may abandon its acquisition plans. A family spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback from existing shareholders, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing the company's value.
Raiffeisenbank Thalwil has appointed Alona Müller as the new Chairwoman of the Executive Board, effective April 1, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in the financial sector, she previously led four branches at Zürcher Kantonalbank and held various management roles there. Chairman Andreas Federer praised her impressive track record, extensive network, and strong interpersonal skills.
Foreign smartphone sales in China plummeted 44.25% year-on-year in October, with sales dropping to 6.22 million units from 11.149 million. Despite an overall increase in phone sales by 1.8% to 29.67 million units, Apple's performance significantly impacts the foreign market, especially following the release of its iPhone 16 models. The anticipated AI feature for the Chinese market will not be available until next year, and Apple has yet to announce a local AI partner.
UBS has raised its price target for Zoom Video Communications from $75 to $90 but maintains a "neutral" rating due to concerns over limited growth potential. The company anticipates only 3% revenue growth for Q4, indicating a conservative outlook for fiscal year 2026, which may dampen bullish investor sentiment. Despite Zoom's strong market presence and innovation, the current projections suggest challenges in returning to a higher growth trajectory.
The FTSE MIB has retreated to significant support at 33,000 points, losing over 6% since mid-October amid concerns over a potential Trump victory and its implications for global trade. The risk/reward ratio favors buyers, with a rebound target set at 35,000 points. Developments in the European economy, particularly a CDU/CSU victory in Germany, could further influence market sentiment.
EUR/JPY and USD/JPY have declined amid speculation that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates next month, while AUD/USD has bounced off its November low at $0.6435, targeting a rise towards $0.6549. EUR/JPY's recent drop has neutralized its medium-term outlook, with potential downside targets at ¥158.11, while resistance is noted between ¥161.49 and ¥162.35. For USD/JPY, minor resistance is identified around ¥153.29.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed trade lawyer Jamieson Greer as the new U.S. trade representative. Greer, a key figure in Trump's first-term trade conflict with China, is set to implement a comprehensive tariff agenda that could significantly alter global trade dynamics.
Aurobindo Pharma reported an 8% YoY increase in Q2FY25 consolidated revenue to Rs. 7,796 crore, driven by strong U.S. sales and significant growth in Europe and other markets. The company’s EBITDA rose 11.6% YoY to Rs. 1,566 crore, with an improved margin of 20.1%. Geojit Financial Services maintains a BUY rating with a target price of Rs. 1,540, reflecting a positive outlook for the company.
The metaverse in healthcare market is projected to grow from $10.28 billion in 2023 to $44.44 billion by 2028, driven by advancements in telemedicine, virtual clinical trials, and personalized healthcare experiences. Key trends include the integration of digital twin technology and wearable devices, alongside a surge in telehealth adoption, which has increased by over 6,000% since the pandemic. Major players in this evolving market include Meta Platforms Inc., Siemens Healthineers, and Microsoft Corporation.
South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, is appealing a decision by the Competition Tribunal that blocked Vodacom Group Ltd.’s $730 million acquisition of a stake in Remgro Ltd.’s fiber businesses. The appeal aims to overturn the ruling and allow the merger to proceed, as indicated in the appeal document reviewed by Bloomberg News.