Steinhoff Boosts Fund-Raising to $1.4 Billion in KAP Sale

Steinhoff Boosts Fund-Raising to $1.4 Billion in KAP Sale

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Steinhoff International Holdings NV boosted the amount raised from asset sales to about $1.4 billion as the embattled global retailer strives to shore up its balance sheet. The owner of Conforama in France and Mattress Firm in the U.S. sold almost 3.7 billion-rand ($313 million) of shares in South Africa’s KAP Industrial Holdings Ltd., adding to disposals including stock in investment holdings company PSG Group Ltd. and a private jet….

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Steinhoff Africa Retail Gains Most Since Listing as Profit Beats

Steinhoff Africa Retail Gains Most Since Listing as Profit Beats

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Steinhoff Africa Retail Limited rose the most since its September listing after South Africa’s second-biggest retailer reported debut earnings that beat estimates. The stock climbed as much as 6.6 percent and traded 1.1 percent higher at 25.99 rand as of 10:28 a.m. in Johannesburg, valuing the company at 90 billion rand ($6.5 billion). That brings its gain since listing to 27 percent. With more than 4,800 stores in 12 African countries, the…

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Old Mutual Split Forges Ahead Even as Brexit Risks Returns

Old Mutual Split Forges Ahead Even as Brexit Risks Returns

SOUTH AFRICA, Capital Markets in Africa: Old Mutual Plc plans to split into a South African holding company that will consist mainly of its emerging-markets businesses and another company comprising its wealth management operations, with shares traded on the London Stock Exchange. The insurer will spin off a significant portion of its stake in Nedbank to investors, leaving the South African company with a strategic holding in the lender through Old Mutual Life Assurance Co., the insurer…

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South Africa | Sasol Set for Its Biggest Decline Since 1998 on Writedowns

South Africa | Sasol Set for Its Biggest Decline Since 1998 on Writedowns

Johannesburg, South Africa, Capital Markets in Africa: Sasol Limited  was set for the biggest decline in more than 17 years after saying fiscal full-year profit will drop by as much as 30 percent following write downs. The South African fuel producer reported impairments totaling 11.5 billion rand ($770 million), citing the collapse in energy prices. The shares fell 11 percent in Johannesburg, which would be the largest slump on a closing basis since October 1998….

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African Stock Market March 2016: Bull rules, Egyptian equities rewards local investors with 22.4% gains

African Stock Market March 2016: Bull rules, Egyptian equities rewards local investors with 22.4% gains

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa — The Federal Reserve’s dovish stance on U.S. interest rates and a rebound in commodity prices fuelled an African-market rally in March, leading currencies to record monthly gains against the dollar. African equity market performance measured by country equity benchmark index returns ended in positive for the month, with eleven gainers and seven losers on the local currency basis. March’s average return of 2.3 percent was recorded across eighteen African…

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African Stock Market February 2016: BRVM Bourse & Kenya Stocks reward local and foreign investors

African Stock Market February 2016: BRVM Bourse & Kenya Stocks reward local and foreign investors

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa —Stronger commodity prices helped most African stock markets to rebound in February. The rally has been sparked by a rebound in commodity prices with gold up 21 percent from its December low. Commodities are rallying amid more optimism over economic growth in China, while negative interest rates in countries like Japan and Switzerland are increasing the appeal of gold as a safe haven. Consequently, African equity market performance measured by country equity benchmark index returns…

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