Central Europe's banks can withstand car sector turmoil, S&P says
  • January 13, 2025

Central Europe's banks can withstand car sector turmoil, S&P says

Turmoil in Europe's car sector could hit the central European economy and hurt banks' asset quality, S&P Global said on Tuesday, although it added that lenders were strong enough to withstand stress in their automotive portfolios. Automakers across Europe have announced plant closures and big layoffs as they struggle with weak demand, high costs, competition from China and a slower-than-expected transition to electric vehicles. The sector is a mainstay of central Europe's economic growth, accounting for 5% to 10% of the region's gross domestic product and 5% of its employment, according to S&P.

S&P lowers Nissan's outlook to negative, affirms BB+ ratings
  • January 13, 2025

S&P lowers Nissan's outlook to negative, affirms BB+ ratings

S&P Global Ratings revised Nissan Motor's credit outlook to negative from stable and affirmed its BB+ rating, as it expected it would take the Japanese automaker longer to improve its business performance. "The negative outlook reflects our view that the company's creditworthiness will continue to deteriorate if profitability does not improve and positive free cash flow is not secured," S&P said in a statement. Nissan has increased sales incentives in a bid to correct high inventory levels, which have risen due to a slowdown in car sales in North America, the company's main market, S&P said.

Financiers With Dubious Links to Gulf Royals Cloud $1 Trillion Market
  • January 13, 2025

Financiers With Dubious Links to Gulf Royals Cloud $1 Trillion Market

(Bloomberg) -- Alex Georges Tannous came across as a man with many of the trappings that might be associated with Emirati royalty: a Rolodex full of rich friends, a lavish villa in Dubai and a diplomatic passport to boot. Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain WhyA Blueprint for Better Bike LanesWhat Robotaxis Brought San FranciscoBut US federal prosecutors say that was all a mirage. The Lebanese national, who pitched himself to Texas small-business owners