03 Oct 2025

Armani Group has begun exploring the sale of a minority stake, with informal approaches made to potential buyers, sources told Reuters. Among those approached is French cosmetics giant L'Oreal, which already has a licensing deal with Armani running until 2050. Talks are still at an early stage and could take months to progress, while private equity bidders have not yet been contacted. Rothschild is expected to advise on the transaction, with partner Irving Bellotti also serving on the Armani Foundation board. The move comes just weeks after Giorgio Armani's death, sparking interest in the future direction of one of fashion's most iconic brands.Read more

03 Oct 2025

TotalEnergies is raising USD 950 million by selling a 50% stake in its U.S. solar portfolio to KKR, while retaining the other half of its 1.4-gigawatt portfolio. This move is part of a broader strategy to generate USD 3.5 billion by year-end, offsetting acquisitions that more than doubled its debt in the first half of 2025. At the same time, Total is expanding its natural gas presence by acquiring a 49% stake in Continental Resources' upstream gas fields in Oklahoma, boosting net gas production and securing supply for long-term Asian contracts.Read more

03 Oct 2025

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit claiming Zillow paid Redfin USD 100 million to stop competing in online apartment rental listings. The FTC says the deal reduces competition in a concentrated market, likely increasing advertising costs for larger rental properties and limiting improvements in site usability for renters. Under the agreement, Redfin transferred most of its rental business to Zillow, agreed to stay out of the market for up to nine years, assisted with sales staff hiring, and transitioned its customers to Zillow's platform.Read more

03 Oct 2025

Malaysia is preparing a roadmap to transform its steel industry into a fully green sector by 2050. The plan aims to manage overcapacity, restructure licensing, and prepare for decarbonisation. Measures include clear licensing guidelines, carbon pricing, transparency frameworks, and better access to finance for green and high-value production. The industry faces challenges such as high carbon intensity and a supply-demand imbalance. Malaysia also recommends ASEAN collaboration through shared databases, common decarbonisation pathways, and green steel hubs to improve competitiveness and support sustainable growth in the regional steel market.Read more

03 Oct 2025

Australia's housing market has recorded its fastest growth in a year, driven by interest rate cuts, limited listings, and strong buyer demand. National home prices rose 0.8% to a record A$857,280 (USD 565,462), with Brisbane and Perth seeing the largest gains. Growth has shifted to the middle of the market as borrowing capacity improves. Recent government policies allowing first-home buyers to enter the market with minimal deposits, coupled with a tightening rental sector, suggest sustained upward pressure on prices. Despite steady rates, economic uncertainty and inflation remain factors influencing future market trends.Read more

02 Oct 2025

PsiQuantum has begun construction of a major quantum computing facility in Chicago following a USD 1 billion Series E funding round led by Blue Owl Capital. The site at Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will develop the company's largest intermediate-scale quantum test system, monitored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. PsiQuantum's photonic-based approach aims to overcome technical bottlenecks faced by competitors. The funding will also support development in Australia and advances in quantum photonic chips, while the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs and attract substantial economic investment.Read more

02 Oct 2025

Fermi, a data center real estate investment trust co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, has increased its U.S. IPO to USD 715 million, selling 32.5 million shares at USD 18-22 each, compared with the previous target of 25 million shares. The increase reflects growing energy infrastructure needs for AI development by companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. Fermi plans to develop a large energy and data complex powered by nuclear, natural gas, and solar energy. Despite a USD 6.4 million loss since inception, investor interest in AI-related infrastructure remains high.Read more

02 Oct 2025

Activist investor Land & Buildings is reportedly pressing Six Flags to consider selling or spinning off its real estate portfolio, which could be worth up to USD 6 billion. The amusement park operator, with a market capitalization of USD 2.1 billion, recently missed its second-quarter revenue targets and is preparing for a leadership change as CEO Richard Zimmerman plans to exit by year-end. Analysts indicate that monetizing these properties could unlock significant value, improve the company's financial position, and provide flexibility for future growth and operational improvements.Read more

01 Oct 2025

Uganda Development Bank is preparing to raise USD 500 million from international markets to support a four-year strategy aimed at increasing lending across key sectors including mining, energy, manufacturing, agro-processing, tourism, infrastructure, climate change, education, and health. The funds will be raised in tranches, with the first tranche of USD 100-150 million expected next year. UDB is working with Global Sovereign Advisory to choose the right debt instrument, considering options like green bonds or syndicated loans. The initiative reflects the government's focus on expanding UDB's capital and providing long-term, affordable financing to support Uganda's economic growth.Read more

01 Oct 2025

Kuwait is planning to increase its power generation capacity by 14.05 gigawatts (GW) by 2031 to meet rising electricity demand and secure stable supplies. The program includes major projects such as the Al-Zour North power plant phases II and III, the Shagaya renewable energy project, the Khairan power and desalination plant, and the Nuwaiseeb project. The expansion combines conventional and renewable energy sources, using public-private partnerships and international collaborations. These projects are central to Kuwait's strategy to modernize its energy infrastructure and ensure sustainable power for future growth.Read more