Reuters - Before the Bell

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Swedbank sacks CEO after money laundering allegations

Swedbank dismissed Chief Executive Birgitte Bonnesen on Thursday just before its annual shareholder meeting, after mounting investor criticism over allegations the bank was involved in money laundering in the Baltics.

Sony to close smartphone plant in China to cut costs

Sony Corp is closing its Beijing smartphone plant, a spokesman said on Thursday, as the Japanese electronics giant cuts costs in an attempt to make the money-losing handset business profitable from next year.

Exclusive: U.S.-hired firm audits Russia's Rusal for compliance with sanctions deal

A firm hired by the U.S. Treasury Department is auditing Russian aluminum giant Rusal to check whether it is complying with the terms of a deal under which Washington agreed to lift sanctions on the company, Rusal said.

Exclusive: China makes unprecedented proposals on tech, trade talks progress - U.S. officials

China has made unprecedented proposals in talks with the United States on a range of issues including forced technology transfer as the two sides work to overcome remaining obstacles to a deal to end their protracted trade war, U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

Lyft raises IPO price target as investor fret over missing out

Lyft Inc on Wednesday raised the price range for its initial public offering, as investors looked past the ride-hailing startup's mounting losses to the company's growing market share against larger rival Uber Technologies Inc.

Swedbank says has been truthful over money laundering probes

Swedbank believes it has been honest with authorities looking into allegations that accounts at the bank may have been used for money laundering, its chairman said on Thursday.

Bayer shares sag after U.S. jury verdict in Roundup cancer trial

Shares in Bayer hit an almost 7-year low on Thursday after a U.S. jury awarded $80 million to a man claiming use of the group's weed killer Roundup caused his cancer, with thousands of similar lawsuits looming.

Goldman Sachs fined $45 million by UK watchdog for reporting failures

Britain's markets watchdog said on Thursday it had fined Goldman Sachs International a record 34.3 million pounds ($45 million) for failing to provide accurate reporting of transactions over a decade.

WWE's next battle royale: Investor fans vs. shorts

A brawl between World Wrestling Entertainment Inc's bears and bulls could reach a peak this year as the company renegotiates overseas contracts.

Bond yields on the canvas, Turkey's lira on the ropes

Global bond yields continued to spiral lower on Thursday as recession fears fed expectations of more policy easing by major central banks, while Turkey's lira took a 5 percent beating as pressure ratcheted up on its volatile markets again.