RTRS - IRAN WILLING TO DISCUSS OIL OUTPUT FREEZE ONCE ITS PRODUCTION HAS REACHED PRE-SANCTIONS LEVEL – SENIOR SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH IRANIAN THINKING
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With increased focus on the prospect of negative interest rates and post the renewed drop in bond yields, the demand for yield among equity investors is likely to pick up again. We update our high & secure dividend yield screen.
The principal shareholder of Paris St-Germain is in talks to buy a stake in David Beckham's Miami Major League Soccer franchise.
Miami Beckham United (MBU), the ownership vehicle behind the proposed MLS team, has been seeking a financial partner for some time.
But sources close to the proposed deal say Qatar Sports Investment are just one of many interested groups.
Ex-England captain Beckham ended his playing career with PSG in 2012-13.
He will remain heavily involved in the project in the event of any sale.
Beckham has strong links to Qatar and recently defended its right to host the 2022 World Cup, along with Russia in 2018.
He said in December: "Whether it's corrupt or not, those countries have been chosen.
"People need to get behind that. It's all about bringing football to new countries. I think they should stick with it."
MBU have struggled to find a suitable site to build a stadium but are aiming to join the MLS in 2018.
In a statement MBU said: "As Miami Beckham United lays the groundwork for launching a world class soccer club in Miami, our team has attracted interest from a number of potential partners.
"David Beckham, Simon Fuller and Marcelo Claure are evaluating these possibilities, with the goal of bringing additional resources and international expertise that draws players, staff and fans from around the world.
"At the same time, we are performing due diligence on our stadium site as we move toward finalising the acquisition of two privately held properties and a third county-owned parcel over the coming weeks."
LafargeHolcim 3.03% acquired by Harris Associates (translated)
Story
LafargeHolcim, the French/Swiss building materials group, has seen US investor Harris Associates acquire a 3.03% stake, Tagesanzeiger reported. The Swiss daily said Harris disclosed the shareholding on Monday.
Harris is the fifth shareholder to disclose a position of over 3%. Harris acquired the stake before the resignation of LafargeHolcim Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle was announced on 8 February.
Harris was the largest shareholder in Holcim before the merger with Lafarge, the report stated.
Reckitt Benckiser CEO says acquisitions to strengthen health portfolio would be considered
Reckitt Benckiser [LON:RB] chief executive Rakesh Kapoor said the UK-based consumer products company would look at acquisitions that would bolster its health products portfolio, the Financial Times reported.
Kapoor, quoted in a report about Reckitt’s FY15 results, said that if the company can derive more value from a brand that is available, it will consider making an acquisition.
Reckitt’s consumer health arm’s growth rate - in the double digits - is unsustainable, Kapoor said.
Reckitt Benckiser’s FY15 results showed a 5% increase in net revenue to GBP 8.87bn and an adjusted operating profit of GBP 2.24bn, up 4%.
Background:
Kapoor, quoted in an Irish Independent report on 7 December 2015, confirmed that Reckitt was interested in Pfizer’s [NYSE:PFE] consumer health business.
A market report in The Daily Mail on 3 February said Reckitt was believed to be the leading contender to acquire GlaxoSmithKline’s [LON:GSK] consumer health business, but did not cite a source for the speculation.