(TechCrunch) SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son says he wants to invest in either Uber o

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son says he wants to invest in either Uber or Lyft

SoftBank has been heavily linked with an investment in Uber in recent weeks, and today CEO Masayoshi Son confirmed his interest in pursuing a deal. However, in a twist, Son said that SoftBank is also considering buying into Uber’s arch enemy in the U.S., Lyft, instead.

Speaking to investors following the announcement of SoftBank’s Q1 2017 earnings, Son was candid about SoftBank’s desire to back a horse in the U.S. ride-sharing space. While it is the largest investor in Didi Chuxing (China), Ola (India), Grab (Southeast Asia) and 99 (Latin America), it doesn’t yet have representation in North America.

“We are interested in discussing with Uber, [but] we are also interested in discussing with Lyft,” Son said in an answer to a question. “We haven’t decided which way, but [the] U.S. is a very big market — it’s [the] most important market — so we are differently very much interested in the U.S. market. Whether we decide to partner and invest into Uber or Lyft, I don’t know what will be the end result.”

From his language, it doesn’t look like a deal with either company is on the table yet — Son said SoftBank is “exploring the idea and we would like to discuss with both companies.”

The idea of investing in Uber, which rivals Ola, Grab and 99 but was beaten by Didi in China, has surprised many, but throw in the fact that SoftBank is also weighing its rival and there’s likely to be further confusion over the motivation. However, Son explained that he sees ride-sharing as a key global industry that Softbank can ill-afford to miss out on.

“This is the shared economy and one of the most important industries, I think the way people use the transportation and the lifestyle will be different from today [compared to in] 30 years [or] 50 years,” he explained.

“The autonomous car is definitely coming, and when that stage comes, this ride-share business becomes even more important,” Son added.

SoftBank’s ride-sharing ambition — which has been clear for some time — sits outside of its enormous Vision Fund, which is targeting a $100 billion total raise and also has stakes in huge global companies like ARM and Nvidia.

SoftBank announced a first close of $93 billion for the fund in May, but revealed it will sit out ride-sharing deals due to conflicts of interest. That hasn’t stopped SoftBank from stepping up and financing billion-dollar funding rounds for Grab and Didi already this year, with other companies likely to be on the receiving end of additional financing in the future.

>>>Rapala could be a target for PE player - report (translated)

Rapala could be a target for PE player - report (translated)
07 AUG 2017
Rapala [HEL: RAP1V], the Finnish fishing lure company, could attract the interest of a private equity player, according toTalouselama. The Finnish-language piece had written an unsourced piece about possible takeover candidates and wrote that Rapala has had major difficulties with its inventories recently and it has seen its sales and profitability weaken.
The item said that Rapala could attract the interest of a private equity player, thanks to its pricing level.
Talouselama is a Finnish business weekly, which is behind a paywall.

>>> Kemira could be eyed by industry player - report (translated)

Kemira could be eyed by industry player - report (translated)
07 AUG 2017
Kemira [HEL:KEMIRA], the Finnish chemicals group, could be a target for an industry player, according to Talouselama.
The Finnish-language item in its unsourced piece about possible takeover candidates wrote that two major Finnish investors Antti Herlin and Erkki Etola have been increasing their stakes in Kemira of late, most likely because the company could be taken over.
The item said that Kemira could attract the interest of an industry buyer, and since consolidation of the sector has started with the likes of AkzoNobel being takeover targets, it could mean Kemira could be targeted in the autumn.
Talouselama is a Finnish business weekly, which is behind a paywall.

>>> Europe Pre-Market Indications

Bofa
HOUSEBUILDERS - DCLG committing HM Govt to the Help to Buy scheme until 2021+2%
MINERS - Copper unch,Iron Ore fut +1.6% & BHP OZ +1.8%,RIO OZ +2%,FMG +2.9%.+1%
DTEL - Bbg reporting that Sprint has resumed discussions with T-Mobile (16).+1%
UBI - We UPGRADE to Neutral post 2Q results, with a new PO of EUR4.50 (4.14)+1%
WORLDPAY - Spec will reveal plans for a secondary listing in London (373).+0.5%
SAFRAN - United Tech to bid for Rockwell Colins. Endorses cos strategy (82).u/c
CAIRN ENERGY - Won't move dial. New oil discovery in Senegal SNE North (173)u/c
KINNEVIK - Ex-finance minister Borg quits after drunken abuse claim (253)...u/c
FRESENIUS MEDICAL - To buy Nxstage medical for USD30 per common share (79)-0.5%
STATOIL - Weak result at latest exploration well in Norway- Wisting (149).-0.5%
ULTRA ELEC - Revs -2.9%, u/lying op profit +0.2% v cons. FY is unch (2039)-1-2%
PADDY POWER - Says Worldpay's Jackson is to succeed Corcoran as CEO (7724)..-5%
POSTNL - Op income inline, mail vols -9% whilst parcel vols grew +17% (3.9).-5%

Shore
ULTRA ELECTRONICS-H1 ptp 52.3m.Views for Fy remain unchanged...............UNCH
MONITISE-Fiserv increased and final offer for company.......................+5%
PLUS 500-H1 revs $188.4m.$27.21 shr buyback.To significantly exxed '17 fcast+4%
PADDY POWER-Sees trading in line with views for H1.........................UNCH
VERNALIS-FDA issues complete response letter on CCP-08 NDA..................-2%
EARTHPORT-Expands into Nigeria with Access Bank............................UNCH
Investec
UK
*AMEC FOSTER WHEELER: contract win from Total's Donges refinery.............+1%
*BATS-to raise $25bn in bond mkt this week for Reynolds deal(S.Times)......-0.5%
*CARRS GROUP: US engineer NUVISION acquired max $20m......................+0.5%
*CAIRN ENERGY: another +ve well result offshore Senegal...................+0.5%
*CHEMRING: wins 2Y contract to prod MJU-66 for US Air Force worth $29mln....+1%
*DIGI BARR: US contract nt for DB tech for partner act as supplier for....+0.5%
*HALMA-completes aqn of Cardios...........................................+0.5%
*HENRY BOOT-positive write up in FT today...................................+1%
*ITM POWER: significant increase in order pipeline of £4.87m,total now >40m +2%
*PADDY POWER-CEO to step down, likely take negatively.......................-3%
*TELIT COMMS: lowers guidance delays getting its US Cert for LTE products...-5%
Euro
*BANCO BPM-Q2 rev small beat, NII looks good. Strong on Friday..............U/C
*BPOST-results due after close
*CARL ZEISS-9m results out, sees FY rev in line, ebit in midterm range......+2%
*DTEL-Sprint said to restart talks on T-Mobile deal.........................+1%
*FRESENIUS MED-buys NxStage for $2bn(23% prem), net/eps accretive in 3yrs...+1%
*POSTNL-Q2 revs small miss, sees FY performance towards lower end range.....-3%
*SAIPEM-said to get $800m Oman contract.....................................+1%
*STM-expects to reach high end of growth goal(Investir).....................+2%
*VESTAS-turbine catches fire at test site(DR)...............................-1%
*VW-Audi formally added to diesel probe.....................................-1%
*French privatisations to start end-Aug, ORA FP, ADP FP early candidates(Rtrs)

*Major US Co's reporting : Baker Hughes, Marriott, Tyson
CS
Amec R To sell off North Sea assets to clear way for deal
Banco BPM R Banco BPM Agrees to Sell Asset Mgmt Unit to Anima for E700M
Carl Zeiss M/P Q3 Revenues 1% ahead, EBIT inline, confirms forecasts
Deut Tel +0.5% Sprint said to resume early talks on merger with T Mobile
ElringKlinger +1-2% Q2 EBIT 3% miss, revs inline, confirms outlook
Fres Med -0.5% To acquire NxStage Medical (NXTM US) for approx. $2b
Halma +1% Completed purchase of Cardios
Miners +0.5% Copper -0.25%, Brent -0.15%, Iron Ore +2.70%, China UNCH
Oils +0.5% US rig count fell 4 rigs to 954 from 958. Brent -0.15%
Paddy Power -3-5% Corcoran to step down as CEO, guidance inline
Post NL -3-5% Q2 revs 1% light, Mail volume declined by 8.8%
Snam +0.5% Italy regulator published regulation for Gas transmission
Telit -5% H1 Revenues 11% light, guidance weak
Volkswag

MainFirst Pre Mkt Indications
*DTE-Sprint has resumed prelim merger talks with T-Mobile...........+0.5% 
*STM-Expects to meet high-end of 2017 goal says Investir............+0.5%
*POSTNL-Q2 Rev 836m(834),Mail -8.8%,Exps FY near low end of Ests....-5% 
*FRES MED-To buy NXSTAGE Medical for $2b,paying $30(30% prem).......+0.5% 
*CARL ZEISS-Q3 Sales 277.2m(276),Ebit 37.5m(37),Margin-o/l fine.....+1% 
*POPULAR-Shareholders challenge resolution decision - Expansion.....+0.5% 
*SGL CARBON-Mulls full ownership of BMW Carbon fiber JV - Euro......+3% 
*SAIPEM-Gets $800m contract in Oman,2 carry out several projects....+0.5% 
*VIVENDI-Must declare if fully ctrls TIT,may cut Mediaset stake.....U/C 
*VESTAS-V164-8mw Turbine catches fire at test site reports DR.......-0.25%
*QSC-Q2 Rev 87.2m(88.23),Ebitda 9.7m(9.7),Ebit 1.7m(1.6),FY ok......-5%
*XING-H1 Rev 86.2m(85.81),Ebitda 27.3m(26.1),Net 13.1m(11.72).......+0.5% 
*HYPOPORT-Rev 47.3m(45),Ebit 6m(6.8),Margin 12.7%(15.1),o/l ok......+0.5%
*ELRINGKLINGER-Q2 Ebit 35.8m(37),Sales 407.8m(408),Reit o/lk........+2% 
*EVONIK-Spec they may bid for Clariant,we think non-starter,no cash.+0.5%

>>> Dior: Bernard Arnault bought again CDI shares (between 31/07 - 03/08) an

Dior: Bernard Arnault bought again CDI shares (between 31/07 - 03/08) and now have 94,52% of CDI

 

Between 31/07 and 03/08, Bernard Arnault bought 190974 shares of CDI @ 245,1574€ (average) and now have 94,52%.

Details since 28 July:

 

Date

 Shares 

                            Price

                 Control of BA

28 July

348 348

247,0034

94,41%

31 July

27 000

241,263

94,43%

01 Aug

87 700

244,3257

94,48%

02 Aug

61 274

247,3191

94,51%

03 Aug

15 000

248,2

94,52%

Total

539 322

246,3497

 

 

Jordan Ettedgui