Vodafone will submit Belgian Belgacom 25% of stocks of mobile operator Proximus for 2 billion euro.

August 25th, 2006

British Vodafone Group Plc., the world’s largest operator of mobile communication, has declared sale of 25 percent share holding of the leading Belgian operator of mobile communication Proximus to Belgian company Belgacom SA for 2 billion euro. Such data contain in the message of the British company published today.
Earlier Belgacom owned 75% of Proximus stocks. The transaction should be approved by adjusting bodies. The transaction is to be completed by December, 31st 2006.
In addition to this transaction Vodafone and Proximus have signed the agreement on partnership for the period of 5 years. This agreement allows users of the Belgian operator to continue usage of Vodafone products and services, such as service on uploading multimedia products Vodafone live!, Vodafone Mobile Connect Card, Blackberry and international roaming.

USA stock market.

August 24th, 2006

The USA has the largest share market in the world. And though for some years (in the end of 80th - the beginning of 90th years) it has yielded precedence to the Japanese market, nevertheless it has regain positions after crash of the Japanese market after earthquake in Osaka. Ordinary stocks in the USA have no face-value. Other feature of actions of the USA is that their holders usually do not receive preemption right when the companies issues additional stocks.
If the company wishes to issue stocks for the public circulation, it should address in the Commission under securities and stock exchanges and to carry out of strict obligations on disclosing the information which continue to operate and in the further. Even the method of preparation and representation of the financial reporting stipulates in these rules. Until recently the Commission negatively concerned to dual listing of securities on a myriad of the stock exchanges organized on all country. These stock exchanges (all of them are authorized by the Commission) have no exclusive right on trade. And operations on over-the-counter market are widely widespread at them.
Many stock exchanges have kept the adherence to a trading hall in which brokers conclude transactions face to face. In addition to trade in a hall of a stock exchange are equipped by computer systems (at New-York stock exchange such system refers to “Super pillbox”), and at them so-called “transactions by phone on the top floor” for large share holdings also practice. Stock exchanges also often use “expert” who partly is engaged in regulation, and partly acts in a role of the main trader, and only one expert is engaged in each securities. However the growing North American association of dealers under securities (NASD) by means of the system of automatic quotations has created a special market niche especially for stocks of the hi-tech companies and technically it is considered organized over-the-counter market. There is a requirement of bodies of regulation concerning all intermediaries in the USA - they should aspire to the conclusion of the transaction under the “best” price which is available in a network of stock exchanges of the USA irrespective of, whether local it is the market or not.
In the general opinion, the market of the USA is the most adjustable according to the legislation originally put into operation in the beginning of 1930th years. In this market extremely strict control measures are applied concerning its all participants at their admission on the market and carrying out of operations on it. Access of commercial banks to trade in securities is still limited by Glass Stigl Certificate which does not allow concluding to banks the transaction on the goods and securities of the same companies.
Calculations are usually made for the third working day after day of the conclusion of the transaction (T + 3) on the basis of everyday execution through usual bank system.

And again about oil…

August 22nd, 2006

 

Oil-processing factory in Iraq

 

The nearest years the government of Iraq plans to construct some new oil refining factories, and also to modernize already existing, to start to export gasoline and other products of oil refining to 2010. Minister of oil of Iraq Hussein Al-Shahristani has made such statement today.
As he said, construction of largest of new factories nearby 140 thousand barrel per day will be completed by capacity to 2009-2010. The exact site of a factory is not specified yet; however it is known, that it will be in one of the central areas of the country. One more factory (capacity nearby 70 thousand barrel per day), according to minister, is planned to construct near to settlement Koja in the north of Iraq. After 2010 construction of a large factory by capacity nearby 300 thousand barrel per day in An-Nasria is planned, informs Associated Press.
Besides, as minister has noted, is planned to modernize and expand already existing oil refining factories in Baidga, Dora and Basra, having increased manufacture on each of them on 700 thousand barrel per day. “Thus, to 2009-2010 national manufacture of mineral oil will allow to cover internal demand, and to 2010-2011 we shall be ready to start to export mineral oil”, - minister has concluded.
Hussein Al-Shahristani also has confirmed plans of the government to lift a level of oil extracting in the country from existing 2 up to 3 million barrel per day already by the end current year. Iraq takes the third place in the world on volume of the proved oil stocks. After the American intrusion in 2003 extraction has decreased on third, and attacks of insurgents complicate work of oil refining factories therefore in the country there was a sharp shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel.
As for the World prices for oil on August, 21st 2006 they have considerably risen. On results of the trades at leading oil stock exchanges Inter Continental Exchange Futures (ICE Futures - London) and New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX - New York) the official prices of oil futures of the nearest month of delivery have accordingly made - IPE Brent Crude - $73,38 (+1,08) for barrel - Light Sweet Crude Oil - $72,45 (+1,31) for barrel.

Management of Microsoft has made changes to the program under the back baying of the stocks.

August 21st, 2006

The management of American computer giant Microsoft Corp. has made changes to the program under the back baying of the stocks. According to representatives of the company, by the moment of end on August, 17th 2006 declared in July of 2006 “The Dutch auction” (to public sale at which the auctioneer gradually reduces the declared price, there will be no yet a buyer) it has been redeemed stocks only on 3.8 billion dollars.
Before the beginning of auction Microsoft intended to redeem securities not less than on 20 billion dollars. In this connection the company has declared plans to redeem till June, 30th 2011 securities (within the limits of the long-term program of the repayment of stocks) for a total sum of 36.2 billion dollars, that almost twice surpasses proposed earlier, Associated Press informs. In July 2006 Microsoft has declared intention to redeem till August, 17th 2006 during “the Dutch auction” securities for the sum nearby 20 billion dollars. Besides, the company plans to redeem securities on 20 billion dollars till June, 30th 2011.

Economic reforms in Russia: revival of stock exchanges.

August 16th, 2006

Two generations of the Soviet citizens did not know a word “stock exchange”. But all falls back into place. By 90-th years of XX century centralized national economy has deadlocked: commodity deficiency has swept away all from counters of shops, the hidden inflation and surplus of monetary weight have led to appearance of barter in the economy, to disorder of economic communications, recession of industrial production. It is the incomplete list of those problems that were preconditions for a new economic reform in Russia when in the beginning of 1990th years transition to market economy has begun. Then after sixty years’ of calm in Russia again there were stock exchanges which always were one of the major elements of the market. The stock exchange again became necessary.
These years in Russia the exchange boom begins. In the beginning of 1990 in Moscow there are first commodity exchanges - Russian commodity-raw (RCRE) and the Moscow commodity exchange (MCE) - the centers of marketing of those years on which then it was necessary up to half of all wholesale exchange turn of Russia. President of RCRE Konstantin Borovoj in the book “the Price of freedom” recollects, how then nobody trusted, that in Russia stock exchanges can revive. “One of my friends, - he writes, - which I torture most of all in occasion of an opportunity of opening of a stock exchange, has suggested to pay to me of ten thousand dollars that I have stopped these conversations and vanity…”. Really, all began with naked enthusiasm. Some person have simply gathered, risked to enclose in new business the of 30 thousand rubles.
In the beginning of 1990th years stock exchanges have arisen on all territory of the country. In a course there was a wood, sugar, electronics, a paper, building materials, bread, cars, computers and set of other goods. Soon Russia was beat out in world leaders by quantity of stock exchanges - them was totaled more than 1000. Certainly, the majority of them were not classical exchange structures. Many of stock exchanges as a matter of fact were simply fairs where traded in the real goods. But the role of a stimulator of trade and they have played wholly. People began to forget about so hated deficiency of the food and industrial goods.
These for the present not all clear quasi-exchange organizations – harbingers of something new - found to themselves a haven in any premises which could be rented for a while. To many budgetary organizations which are often not received the salary in time, it was necessary “to sin” with letting of rent of its space. Where only did not lodge new sprouts of market economy! Their neighbors were workers of research institutes, publishing houses, the ministries, factories; they removed premises on All-Union Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh), private apartments.

A building at the All-Russia Exhibition Centre in which there is a Moscow commodity exchange. The photo of 90th years of XX century

The first term transactions began to be made. On the Moscow commodity exchange (MCE) for the first time in the country transactions for the term with grain and a clap began to be spent. Hardly later to it the Moscow chamber of commerce (MCC) where the future for US dollar bargained joins.
Gradually this trade starts to get the organized character. Classical exchange platforms on which trade basically in financial actives (currency, securities, credits) crystallize. In due course in exchange movement all starts to sound a theme of the share market more clearly. By the end of 1992, according to the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the quantity of exchange share platforms has reached 22. On the largest commodity exchanges there are share departments. In 1992 the Moscow interbank currency stock exchange (MICSE) which all over again became the center of the organized trade in currency, and then was established by the main stock exchange of the country. 

A trading hall of the Russian stock exchange. A photo of 1998

With the beginning of process of privatization in 1993 in Moscow has opened Moscow international share (MISE) and Moscow central share stock exchanges (MCSSE). The Leningrad stock exchange is established. Trade in securities was started by the Siberian, Baltic and Nizhniy Novgorod stock exchanges. First time stock exchanges were often open for everything, with the right of paid participation of the visitors, not being members of a stock exchange. Usual auction sometimes practiced.
The classical share market that time yet was not. Stock exchanges should struggle for a survival. The majority of commodity exchanges began to trade in 1993 in nationally known vouchers (certificates on privatization), credits and monetary resources, broker places, securities for bearers, and also substitutes of securities. To such notorious tickets MMM, for example, concerned.
After more than semicentennial investment hibernation people again have become interested in securities. There was a hope to earn additionally: many have rushed to put the savings thawing from inflation in securities. It was necessary to something to prove nobody, all as though waited, when, at last, there will be such opportunity. But the market was young. It ill equipped participants was waited with “reefs” of share games: unscrupulous businessmen with financial “pyramids”, sharp loss of savings, it is frequent the last. As a result has come disappointment, and more likely, mistrust of the population to any securities.

The Moscow share center. The photo of 1998

 
The same years develops the exchange market for wholesale trade in currency. The center of interbank trade in a foreign currency became the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange, founded by Bank of Russia and leading commercial banks. In 1992-1993 regional currency stock exchanges in the key economic centers of the country are created. Their network was stretched from St.-Petersburg up to Vladivostok. A creation of the national market on trade in currency and securities on a united technological basis was possible after their unification around of the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange.
Having received the license of Bank of Russia for the organization of operations of sale and purchase of a foreign currency, these stock exchanges gradually became universal exchange structures which, leaning on local banks, carried out trading and settlement operations, and also carried out functions of storage and the account of the rights to securities for participants of currency, share and term segments of the financial market.
Trade in the state short-term bonds, the state currency and municipal bonds, has begun. In the market the corporate securities emitted by the first private enterprises have started to address.
Revival of exchange trade in Russia has coincided on time with mass introduction in the financial world of information technologies, distribution of the Internet. Though the largest stock exchanges of the West continued to trade in classical way - “by vote on pit”, on a number of the Russian stock exchanges the integrated electronic systems for the organization of the trades began to take root. For the Russia which have stretched on nine time zones, it also was complex, as well as it is necessary. The first large project in this area became creation in 1993 on the basis of the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange electronic trading-depositary systems which served the market of the state securities (state credit obligations-federal loan bonds).
In May, 1993 the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange has opened the exchange market state short-term zero-coupon bonds (state credit obligations). In the end of this year it has started the project of united electronic financial market “ETHER” - the inter-regional exchange trades in system of currency stock exchanges have begun. Since 1994 the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange has entered new technical and trading-depository complex, and with July 1994 has begun distribution of the removed terminals connected to trading-depository system of the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange.
Its beginning was such. As a result in Russia there was the exchange platform possessing modern electronic trading system, serious potential of development and supporting an increasing securities market - state credit obligations, federal loan bond, then corporate securities and term tools. Then the trades by currency also are translated in system of the electronic trades (SELT). Introduction of the removed terminals enabled to create a universal computer stock exchange where in a mode of real time worked not only the Moscow investors, but also participants from other regions of the country.
In 1994 the Central republican universal stock exchange (CRSE) in Moscow starts to work. It has been opened for fulfillment of transactions by general public, including private persons. On it traded approximately in 50 kinds of demand securities and substitutes which most part then has completely disappeared from the reference. The share market then experienced illness of growth - the reference of pseudo-actives - substitutes of securities. The most popular were tickets MMM by means of which notorious adventurer-mathematician Sergey Mavrodi has constructed a huge pyramid. During its promotion mass advertising promised incomes up to 1000% annual, to resist what the most proof investors could not even. In annual report CRSE for 1994 it is possible to read through the interesting lines describing tickets МММ: “Behind tickets МММ definition “polytrophic production МММ” has strongly affirmed. However during long time they were the most popular paper. Occurrence of tickets of different face values, constant change by management of МММ of appearance of tickets, frequent refusals to accept for payment own releases of tickets, feverish throws of a rate of their buying up-sale in items МММ - all this has resulted work in the market of tickets in the category of the most brave, but also… the most profitable operations. Tickets МММ were the largest component in turn CRSE and gave those years approximately 40-50% of a turn of all stock exchanges of Russia. But unjustified incomes and poor papers have a short life: in 1994 the pyramid has failed, having left millions investors without means and for a long time having scared away investors from the share market.
In 1995 there has begun the activity the Russian trading system (RTS) on which stocks of the first privatized Russian enterprises bargained. On a plan of its founders, it was anything other, as computer over-the-counter system. Similar RTS can be named American computer market NASDAQ. The basic participants of RTS became brokers - members of National association of participants of the share market (NAPSM). Activity of RTS which has been constructed in view of the international standards, has allowed returning trust to the organized securities market. However its weak places were absence of guarantees of execution of transactions, and also orientation to service of the large broker companies with foreign participation. Nevertheless till 1998 on RTS consist more than half of transactions with the Russian stocks.
One of the last in 1990th years had been created the Moscow stock exchange (MSE). In the beginning of 1997 several tens of banks and the broker-dealer companies, and also four stock exchanges have created MSE. However its activity was limited to trade in stocks of the gas giant - Russian Open Society “Gazprom” and the Moscow municipal loans. Attempts to expand a spectrum of operations due to introduction in a turn of other share values and currency have not gone right.
Thus, rough process of formation of exchange structure of the financial market in Russia, predictably, crystallized in several classical stock exchanges. The interesting certificate of the middle of 1993 the newspaper has left to us “Exchange sheets” in which president of MCSE V. Pankin wrote: “The main thing during the last period consists in that in any measure to adjust the destroyed intereconomic communications. There was a process of transformation of many stock exchanges in associations, trading houses, the investment companies and so forth Commodity and raw stock exchanges send to future contracts on that goods which all over the world are considered exchange. As to stock exchanges now there was ten and a half. In the long term them will be even less - two-rub Moscow besides it is probable, in St.-Petersburg, in Ural, the Siberian, Far East regions “.
Rough exchange decade has yielded the fruits. There was a precise exchange system across all Russia, in central and industrial regions of the state, helping to work to the domestic financial market.

British Internet-book-maker BetOnSports closes business in the USA.

August 15th, 2006

British Internet-book-maker BetOnSports Plc. has declared today, that stops reception of rates from the American clients. As they say in the message of the company widespread today, representations in Costa Rica and on Antigua Iceland in Caribbean Sea, worked on the American market, will be closed in the near future.
The company could not register business in territory of the USA as the American laws forbid the Internet-totes. In opinion of analysts, closing of the American business actually means the end of the company as three quarters of its proceeds and 95% of profit fall to the USA, and expansion of operations in Asia and the Europe hardly compensates huge losses.
The decision was accepted after on July, 17th of 2006 in Texas on charges in swindle executive director of the company David Karruters has been arrested. According to consequence, illegal reception of rates has allowed BetOnSports to avoid taxes to a total sum more than 3 billion dollars. Next day stocks of BetOnSports have been removed from the trades at the London stock exchange, and thousand clients of the company have demanded immediately to pay money due by it. BetOnSports declares that they are ready to pay, but time is required to the company to convince banks to defreeze actives.
The general turn of the industry of gambling on the Internet is estimated in 12 billion dollars a year. The leader of the market is British PartyGaming Plc., rendering services of the Internet-poker.

IBM gets the developer of hardware FileNet for 1.6 billion dollars.

August 11th, 2006

The American company International Business Machines Corp (IBM), the world’s largest provider of computer services, buys the developer of hardware FileNet Corp. for 1.6 billion dollars. Such data contain in the press release of company IBM published today. In recalculation on one stock IBM will pay for each securities FileNet on 35 dollars, that on 1% above cost of stocks of FileNet on results of closing of the trades in electronic system Nasdaq on the eve. The transaction will be carried out in carry-over funds.
The transaction still should be approved by shareholders of FileNet and adjusting bodies of the USA. End of the transaction is expected in 4th quarter of 2006.
American company FileNet develops corporate decisions for automation of document circulation and business processes.

Philips promises at sale of the operation to return to shareholders 4 billion euro.

August 10th, 2006

Company Royal Philips Electronics undertakes to return to shareholders nearby 4 billion euro by the end of 2007 at sale of 80.1% of stocks of operation Philips Semiconductors which are letting out semiconductors. As it is marked in the message of the company, shareholders will receive money by means of payments of dividends and the return repayment of stocks, including already announced repayment of stocks on July, 17th 2006 for the sum of 1.5 billion euro.
As it was informed earlier, Royal Philips Electronics has agreed to sell 80.1% of stocks of the operation on manufacture of semiconductors to a consortium of private investors for 6.4 billion euro (8.2 billion dollars). The consortium included American joint-stock companies Kohlberg Kravis Roberts both Co. and Silver Lake Partners, and also Dutch AlpInvest Partners NV. According to conditions of the transaction, 19.9% of stocks of division will remain in property Philips.
As it is marked in press release of Philips, the company follows strategy on reinvestment of the capital for reception of additional profit, including through favorable purchases. For last 12 months Philips has declared 8 purchases in sphere of medical systems, illumination and public health services for which it has been spent 3.5 billion euro. The given investments have already been repaid at a rate of almost 1 billion euro. Philips also has confirmed intention to leave structure of concerns LG.Philips and TSMC. “With this transaction we have actually finished begun still in 2002 reorganization of the company with the purpose of creation of business steadier and bringing the stable income”, - was emphasized by the president of company Philips Gerard Kleisterlee. As he said, in this connection the name of the company will be changed on Royal Philips.
Gerard Kleisterlee has specified that resources Philips will be concentrated to public health services, needs in effective energy-saving decisions and increasing desire of consumers to improve style of a life. In opinion of the president of the company, all this will allow to redefine Philips in the company generating values, unlike historically developed image of the manufacturer of electronics.
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands - one of the largest manufacturers of electronics in the world and the largest in the Europe. A sales volume in 2005 has made 30.4 billion euro. The basic line of activity of the company is care of health, style of a life and technology. The company is presented more than in 60 countries of the world and has 158 thousand of employees.

Venezuela has suggested the companies to begin development of 4 new gas fields.

August 9th, 2006

State company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) has suggested private concerns to begin investigation and development of four new gas fields in the east of Venezuela. To participation in the transaction 36 companies, among which Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil, Indian Oil and Natural Gas Corp., Chinese Sinochem, and also Russian Open Societies “LUKOIL” and Open Society “Gazprom” are invited.
Field reserves are estimated in 311.5 billion cubic meters. According to minister of oil of Venezuela Rafael Ramirez, PDVSA plans to 2010 enclose in prospecting project Delta Caribe 172 million dollars. PDVSA will belong from 30 up to 35% of stocks of each of gas fields. Licenses for investigation and development will be given by the end of November of 2006, and industrial production of gas will begin to 2012. In total PDVSA it is ready to invest more than 16 billion dollars, informs Associated Press.
In 2005 five licenses have been given out to the foreign companies, including Chevron and Brazilian Petrobras. PDVSA is measured to increase manufacture of natural gas in Venezuela. In territory of this South American country is located the largest fields on continent of “blue fuel”, however its manufacture does not satisfy its internal needs. It is planned to double gas recovery, which to 2012 should make 326 million cubic meters a day.

The group of investors buys the company on delivery of food stuffs Aramark for 6.3 billion dollars.

August 9th, 2006

Group of investors buys the company on delivery of food stuffs Aramark Corp. for 6.3 billion dollars. There is a chairman of board of directors and executive director of Aramark Joseph Njubauer in charge of group of investors that buy Aramark. The group includes also private investment companies GS Capital Partners, CCMP Capital Advisors, JPMorgan Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Warburg Pincus LLC. Investors will incur also obligations on payment of duty Aramark for the sum 2 billion dollars.
On conditions of the transaction, shareholders of Aramark will receive 33.80 dollars for each stock Aramark that on 2.3 % exceeds cost of stocks of the company on results of closing of the New York stock exchange on the eve. The transaction will be carried out in carry-over funds.
For financing purchase investors will apply for reception of the loan. Board of directors of Aramark has approved the transaction and is ready to recommend accepting to shareholders Aramark conditions of the agreement. In case of approval of the transaction by shareholders and adjusting bodies of the USA, the transaction will come to the end in the end of 2006, or in the beginning of 2007.
Aramark conducts the activity in 20 countries of the world. In the company work 240 thousand persons. Aramark carries out deliveries of food stuffs in hospitals, schools and on stadiums, informs Associated Press.

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