Citi has completed the sale of its former Russian subsidiary, AO Citibank, to Renaissance Capital, marking the bank’s full withdrawal from Russia. The agreement covers all remaining business activities in the country and affects around 800 employees. Approvals for the transaction included sign-off from President Vladimir Putin in November last year, followed by internal approval within Citi in December. The bank first announced its decision to leave the Russian consumer market in April 2021, later broa ...

Core Insights - Aspo Plc reported significant profit improvement in 2025 despite challenging market conditions, with a notable increase in comparable EBITA and net sales [1][12] Financial Performance - For the full year 2025, net sales increased to EUR 616.3 million from EUR 592.6 million, representing a growth of 4.0% [20] - Comparable EBITA for the year grew to EUR 36.5 million, up from EUR 29.1 million, with a margin of 5.9% compared to 4.9% in 2024 [20] - The Group's total EBITA was EUR 43.1 million, significantly higher than EUR 21.2 million in 2024 [20] - Free cash flow improved to EUR 26.5 million from a negative EUR 36.1 million in the previous year [20] Segment Performance - ESL Shipping's comparable EBITA was EUR 16.5 million, slightly down from EUR 16.9 million, impacted by weak market conditions [20][13] - Telko's comparable EBITA increased to EUR 17.9 million from EUR 12.6 million, driven by higher sales margins [20][14] - Discontinued operations, including Leipurin, reported a comparable EBITA of EUR 2.0 million, up from EUR 1.1 million [20][16] Strategic Developments - Aspo announced a strategic evaluation, considering divestment of ESL Shipping or a partial demerger [4][18] - The divestment of Leipurin was agreed upon with an enterprise value of EUR 63 million, expected to be completed in Q1 2026 [10][15] - The International Science Based Targets initiative approved Aspo's emissions reduction targets, focusing on fleet investments and renewable fuels [17] Guidance for 2026 - The company expects comparable EBITA from continuing operations to increase compared to EUR 29.4 million in 2025 [6] - Economic growth is anticipated to slowly revive, although challenges remain in the early part of the year due to geopolitical uncertainties [7] - ESL Shipping is expected to see slight demand improvement, while Telko aims for growth through acquisitions [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential divestment of Pizza Hut, which is characterized as the "ugly duckling" of the restaurant industry [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The author is an equity analyst and founder of Goulart's Restaurant Stocks, focusing on the U.S. restaurant industry, including various segments from quick-service to fine dining [1] - The research firm applies advanced financial modeling and sector-specific KPIs to uncover hidden value in public equities, particularly in micro and small-cap companies [1] Group 2: Research Focus - The analyst covers a range of sectors including consumer discretionary, food & beverage, casinos & gaming, and IPOs, with a particular emphasis on often-overlooked small-cap stocks [1] - The author's research has been featured on multiple platforms such as Seeking Alpha, Yahoo Finance, and Investing.com, indicating a broad reach and influence in the industry [1] Group 3: Analyst Background - The author possesses an MBA in Controllership and Accounting Forensics, along with a Bachelor's in Business Administration, providing a strong academic foundation for the analysis [1] - Specialized training in valuation, financial modeling, and restaurant operations enhances the author's expertise in the field [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential divestment of Pizza Hut, which is characterized as the "ugly duckling" of the restaurant industry [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The author is an equity analyst and founder of Goulart's Restaurant Stocks, focusing on the U.S. restaurant industry, including various segments from quick-service to fine dining [1] - The research firm applies advanced financial modeling and sector-specific KPIs to uncover hidden value in public equities, particularly in micro and small-cap companies [1] Group 2: Research Focus - The analyst covers a range of sectors including consumer discretionary, food & beverage, casinos & gaming, and IPOs, with a particular emphasis on often-overlooked small-cap stocks [1] - The author's research has been featured on multiple platforms such as Seeking Alpha, Yahoo Finance, and Investing.com, indicating a broad reach and influence in the investment community [1] Group 3: Analyst Background - The author possesses an MBA in Controllership and Accounting Forensics, along with a Bachelor's in Business Administration, providing a strong academic foundation for the analysis [1] - Specialized training in valuation, financial modeling, and restaurant operations enhances the author's expertise in the restaurant sector [1]

This comes after the government fell short of its budgeted divestment target of about Rs 47,000 crore in FY26.Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives Key PointsThe Centre and LIC together hold a 95% stake in IDBI Bank, of which 60.72% is on the blockAsset monetisation and divestment would remain key pillarsDipam had received multiple EoIs for IDBI BankThe government on Friday received financial bids for the strategic divestment of IDBI Bank, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (D ...

Group 1 - TotalEnergies EP Nigeria has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Vaaris to sell its 10% non-operated interest in the Renaissance JV licenses in Nigeria [1][5] - The Renaissance JV consists of 18 licenses in the Niger Delta, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd holding 55%, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd 30%, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria 10%, and Agip Energy and Natural Resources Nigeria 5% [2] - The agreement's closing is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals [2] Group 2 - TotalEnergies has been operating in Nigeria for over 60 years, employing more than 1,800 people and producing 209,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2024 [2] - The company operates an extensive distribution network in Nigeria, including approximately 540 service stations, and is committed to socio-economic development and collaboration with local communities [2] - The sale includes TotalEnergies EP Nigeria's 10% interest in 15 licenses producing mainly oil, which represented about 16,000 barrels equivalent per day in 2025, and 10% interest in three gas-producing licenses while retaining full economic interest in these licenses [5]

Core Insights - Banqup Group SA is in advanced negotiations to sell all shares in its operational Baltic companies to Fitek Oü, with a target completion date by the end of February 2026, pending approval from competition authorities in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania [1][5]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The proposed transaction involves an enterprise value of €9.5 million, subject to adjustments based on the net financial cash/debt position as of December 31, 2025 [5]. - The transaction is expected to enhance Banqup's focus on core digital services and optimize its print operations [3][5]. - A partnership agreement is also being negotiated, allowing Fitek to become an authorized reseller of Banqup's digital product suite in the Baltic States [5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - The Baltic companies generate an annual EBITDA of €1.3 million, with a product suite that includes €0.3 million in Digital Banqup revenue, €4.0 million in digital legacy revenue, and €10.0 million from print-related services [5]. - The transaction proceeds are anticipated to strengthen Banqup's balance sheet and working capital position [5]. Group 3: Strategic Focus - The divestment reflects Banqup's strategic focus on growing its core digital services in key European markets [3]. - The acquisition by Fitek is expected to enhance capabilities in digital business solutions and improve service offerings in the Baltic region [3].

Group 1: BP and Castrol Stake Sale - BP is selling a 65% stake in its lubricant unit Castrol to Stonepeak, valuing the unit at $10.1 billion [3] - BP will retain a 35% minority stake, while the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board will contribute up to $1.05 billion for an indirect stake [3] - Initial discussions for the sale began in November 2025 as part of BP's $20 billion divestment strategy, with early valuations around $8 billion [4] Group 2: S&P Index Changes - UiPath will replace Synovus Financial in the S&P MidCap 400, effective January 2, 2026, due to Synovus's acquisition by Pinnacle Financial Partners [4] - Versant Media Group will replace Brandywine Realty Trust in the S&P SmallCap 600, effective January 6, 2026, following its spin-off from Comcast [5] Group 3: Waymo's Software Update and Response to Power Outage - Waymo plans to update its software across its fleet and improve emergency response protocols after a power outage in San Francisco affected its vehicles [5][6] - The blackout caused several Waymo vehicles to become immobilized, contributing to traffic congestion in the city [8] - Waymo has trained over 25,000 first responders globally on how to interact with its autonomous vehicles [7]

Core Viewpoint - BP has agreed to divest a majority stake in its Castrol lubricants business to Stonepeak for a $10 billion enterprise value, generating approximately $6 billion in proceeds to accelerate debt reduction and streamline its downstream portfolio [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The deal values Castrol at an implied 8.6x EV/LTM EBITDA, with Stonepeak acquiring a 65% stake and BP retaining 35% [2]. - The sale will provide BP with around $6 billion in net proceeds, including $800 million in accelerated dividend pre-payments linked to BP's retained stake [3]. - The transaction simplifies BP's downstream operations and supports its strategy of focusing on integrated businesses with higher returns [3]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - This divestment is part of BP's broader strategy to tighten its balance sheet, optimize its portfolio, and enhance cash generation, having completed or announced over half of its $20 billion divestment program with cumulative proceeds of approximately $11 billion [4]. - Castrol remains a well-recognized lubricant brand with significant market positions across automotive, industrial, and marine sectors, allowing BP to retain exposure to its growth trajectory through the new joint venture [4][5]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Stonepeak plans to support Castrol's expansion while BP maintains minority participation, with Castrol having posted nine consecutive quarters of year-over-year earnings growth [5]. - Regulatory approvals for the transaction are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, after which BP will account for its retained stake under the equity method [6].

India is poised to seek bids for its $7.1 billion majority stake in IDBI Bank, a key step in its long-running effort to privatize the previously-distressed lender and accelerate a divestment push https://t.co/q3CepAQAT4 ...