Reuters - Before the Bell

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Monday, July 31, 2017

Hot and cold: Euro zone grows but inflation slows

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Data in the coming week should confirm the euro zone economy is running hot, after the IMF upgraded growth forecasts and Greece returned to the debt market, although inflation figures could throw cold water on ECB plans to start tightening policy.

HSBC, miners lift European shares as dollar holds near lows

LONDON (Reuters) - Forecast-beating profits at HSBC and strong gains for miners on the back of a two-year high in copper prices lifted European shares on Monday while the dollar lifted off 13-month lows against other major currencies.

Charter Communications says 'no interest' in buying Sprint

(Reuters) - U.S. cable operator Charter Communications Inc said on Sunday it was not interested in acquiring U.S. wireless carrier Sprint Corp, leaving the latter's majority owner, SoftBank Group Corp, pondering how to orchestrate a merger.

Discovery to acquire Scripps Networks Interactive

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Discovery Communications Inc is acquiring Scripps Networks Interactive for $14.6 billion in a deal that is expected to boost the combined company's negotiating leverage with pay TV operators at a time when more people watch video online, the companies said on Monday.

Shell plans 400 job cuts at Dutch projects and technology department

LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc plans to cut more than 400 jobs in the Netherlands, mainly at its major projects and energy technology operations, as the oil giant shifts its business model in response to lower oil prices, according to an internal document seen by Reuters.

Ford CEO Hackett reviewing future products, plants, countries: sources

(Reuters) - Ford Motor Co Chief Executive Jim Hackett is reviewing the automaker's operations in India and other markets, as well as Ford's future product programs including plans to build a self-driving commercial vehicle in 2021, according to company officials and other sources familiar with that review.

Buyback and profit rise show progress as HSBC looks east

HONG KONG/LONDON (Reuters) - A third share buyback in a year by HSBC underlined progress in the turnaround plan for Europe's biggest bank, with profit also growing by 5 percent in the first half of 2017.

Oil near two-month high as producers set to meet again

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil rose on Monday, putting July on track to become the strongest month this year, as news of a producers' technical meeting next week added to bullish sentiment driven by the threat of U.S. sanctions against OPEC member Venezuela.

Boeing expects India to order up to 2,100 aircraft over 20 years

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Boeing Co said on Monday it expects Indian airlines to order up to 2,100 new aircraft worth $290 billion over the next 20 years, calling it the highest-ever forecast for Asia's third-largest economy.

Sprint seeks alternatives to a merger with T-Mobile: sources

(Reuters) - Sprint Corp has proposed a merger with Charter Communications Inc as the wireless carrier seeks an alternative to a deal with T-Mobile US Inc that has so far not come to fruition, according to sources familiar with the matter.