Analysis: KKR’s Telecom Italia approach may call time on Italy discount

A $12 billion takeover proposal for Telecom Italia by private equity giant KKR has highlighted an ‘Italian discount’, which a surge in investor interest and a European fund aimed at supporting its struggling economy could help narrow.
UBS appoints JP Morgan Chase executive Youngwood as group CFO

UBS (UBSG.S) has recruited former JP Morgan Chase executive Sarah Youngwood as its group chief financial officer, the Swiss bank said on Wednesday, making a rare female appointment in the highest echelons of European banking.
Malaysia to charge Dyson supplier ATA over labour complaints -minister

Malaysia will charge Dyson supplier ATA IMS Bhd (ATAI.KL) following complaints received by the labour department, a minister said, after forced labour allegations emerged against the manufacturer.
Euro zone factory growth picked up in Nov but inflationary pressures mounted

Manufacturing growth in the euro zone accelerated slightly last month but supply chain bottlenecks worsened, putting a cap on output and driving the cost of raw materials up at the fastest rate in over two decades, a survey showed.
Asian factories shake off supply headaches but Omicron presents new risks

Asian factory activity grew in November as crippling supply bottlenecks eased, but rising input costs and renewed weakness in China dampened the region’s prospects for an early, sustained recovery from pandemic paralysis.
Global airlines prepare for Omicron-induced volatility

Airlines are bracing for a fresh round of volatility due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 that could force them to adjust schedules and destinations at short notice and to rely more on domestic markets where possible, analysts say.
ANZ faces class action for “unfair” interest charged from credit card customers

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ.AX) has been sued by a law firm for charging interest on some purchases by credit card holders which were repaid on time for nearly a decade, the parties said on Wednesday.
Analysis: Japan keen to speed up digital yen launch as China adds geopolitical twist

Japan’s new political leadership is calling on the country’s financial bureaucrats to ramp up efforts toward issuing a digital currency, pointing to China’s far quicker progress as a potential challenge to the global economic order.
EXCLUSIVE Investcorp revs up to sell Italian motorcycle clothing brand Dainese – sources

Investcorp is gearing up to sell Italian motorcycle clothing brand Dainese in a deal that could value the 49-year firm, favoured by motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi, at about 750 million euros, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Analysis: History says expect strong December for U.S. stocks, despite Omicron and Fed worries

A pileup of risks into year-end has some investors gauging whether December will continue its historical trend of a strong stock performance, even as markets face of worries over the Omicron coronavirus variant and a more hawkish Federal Reserve.