Fewer disasters help lift Allianz’ profits in 2018

FRANKFURT. German insurer Allianz on Friday reported a 10-year high in annual net profits thanks to fewer claims for natural disasters in 2018, and said it expected a similarly strong performance this year. Net profit attributable to shareholders jumped 9.7 per cent year-on-year to 7.5 billion euros ($8.5 billion), the Munich-based group said, slightly less […]

Porsche warns UK buyers of possible 10% hard Brexit price hike

Frankfurt. Porsche AG’s UK unit has told customers they might have to pay as much as 10 per cent more than expected for their imported cars if the UK makes a hard Brexit and their imported car arrives after March 29, when the country is set to leave the European Union with or without a […]

Why Amazon is investing in electric truck maker Rivian

Los Angeles. In its first big electric vehicle investment, Amazon is leading a round of fund-raising by pickup and SUV start-up Rivian. Amazon’s specific contribution to the $700-million round wasn’t revealed in Rivian’s announcement of the deal Friday. It is the second auto-related investment this month for the online retail and technology giant; Amazon took […]

Idex 2019 to kick off as defence spending goes up

Abu Dhabi: International Defence Exhibition (Idex) 2019 will kick off in Abu Dhabi on Sunday amid growing spending by Gulf countries in the defence sector to meet security challenges. Hundreds of defence companies will be taking part in the five-day event that will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The number of exhibitors […]

ECB moves closer to global dovish shift as coeure mulls loans

Frankfurt The European Central Bank took a step closer to injecting fresh stimulus into the weakening Euro-area economy as one of its top policymakers said discussions are under way on offering banks new long-term loans. The comments by Benoit Coeure, the ECB Executive Board member in charge of markets, provided the strongest signal yet that […]

UAE to launch new industrial strategy in 2019

Abu Dhabi: The UAE will launch a new industrial strategy this year as the country aims to boost the non-oil sector as part of its diversification plans, according to the country’s energy and industry minister. The industrial strategy will focus on the role of industrial SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and how the country can […]

HNA cuts stake in Deutsche Bank to 6.3%

FRANKFURT. Chinese conglomerate HNA has cut its stake in Deutsche Bank to 6.3 per cent, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. That marks a reduction from 7.64 per cent of voting rights reported in the most recent filing in Germany. HNA, even with the reduced holding, would remain one of […]