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 ...

Core Insights - Barrick Mining Corporation has completed the divestment of Hemlo Gold Mine in Canada to Carcetti Capital Corp. for a total consideration of up to $1.09 billion, marking the end of a successful chapter at Hemlo [1][9] - The consideration includes $875 million in cash, $50 million in Hemlo Mining Corp. shares, and a tiered cash payment structure linked to gold prices, potentially reaching up to $165 million starting January 2027 for five years [1][2] Company Strategy - Hemlo was Barrick's last operating mine in Canada, and its closure allows the company to focus on upcoming opportunities through early-stage projects and exploration targets in the region [2] - Barrick has been divesting non-core assets to sharpen its focus on Tier 1 assets, having previously sold the Alturas Project in Chile and its 50% interest in the Donlin Gold Project in Alaska [3][9] - The proceeds from these non-core asset sales will support Barrick's capital allocation strategy, aimed at reinforcing its balance sheet and financing key growth initiatives [5][9] Market Performance - Barrick's shares have increased by 173.2% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's rise of 138.9%, driven by a rally in gold prices [8] - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 12.84, which is approximately 4.3% lower than the industry average of 13.42 [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barrick's earnings in 2025 and 2026 indicates a year-over-year increase of 78.6% and 47.2%, respectively, with EPS estimates trending higher over the past 60 days [11]

Core Insights - Wolters Kluwer has completed the divestment of its Finance, Risk and Regulatory Reporting (FRR) unit to Regnology group, marking a strategic shift in its business focus [1]. Company Overview - Wolters Kluwer reported annual revenues of €5.9 billion for 2024, serving customers in over 180 countries and maintaining operations in more than 40 countries [2]. - The company employs approximately 21,900 people worldwide and is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands [2]. - Wolters Kluwer is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and is included in major indices such as AEX, Euro Stoxx 50, and Euronext 100 [3].

Core Insights - Yum! Brands is a global leader in the fast-food industry, operating well-known chains like KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, with a strong market presence and innovative strategies [1] - The company is recognized for its solid fundamentals, with KFC and Taco Bell performing well, helping to counter inflation and maintain stable revenue growth [2] - Despite its strengths, Yum! Brands appears overvalued, trading above historical price-to-earnings averages, which may deter value investors [3] Financial Performance - Yum! Brands has a market capitalization of approximately $41.1 billion, indicating significant size in the industry [4] - The stock has shown a trading range between a high of $163.30 and a low of $122.13 over the past year, with today's trading volume at 1,942,644 shares, reflecting active investor interest [4] - The company benefits from solid cash flow and effective debt management, which are crucial for financial health [2] Strategic Considerations - Yum! Brands is considering divesting Pizza Hut, which could improve margins and liquidity, thereby enhancing shareholder value [2] - Chris O'Cull from Stifel Nicolaus set a price target of $160 for Yum! Brands, suggesting an 8.09% potential upside from its current price of $148.03 [1] Market Trends - The stock's current price of $148.03 reflects a decrease of 0.66% today, with a trading range between $148.02 and $149.72, indicating early signs of bearish trends that could limit upside potential [3]

Core Viewpoint - BP is actively negotiating with Stonepeak for the sale of its Castrol lubricants unit, which is a significant move towards achieving its $20 billion divestment target [1] Company Summary - The sale of the Castrol lubricants unit represents a major step for BP in its strategy to divest assets [1] - The divestment goal set by BP is $20 billion, indicating a substantial restructuring effort within the company [1] Industry Summary - The potential sale highlights ongoing trends in the energy sector where companies are focusing on divestments to streamline operations and improve financial health [1]