Category: Financial news

The company Sanofi (XPAR-SAN) has received regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Wayrilz, a new therapeutic option targeting chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults who have not responded adequately to prior treatments.

The approval follows positive results from the Luna 3 Phase 3 clinical trial, where Wayrilz achieved both primary and secondary endpoints. The study demonstrated sustained improvements in platelet counts and symptom management, reinforcing the drug’s potential in addressing this autoimmune condition.

Chronic immune thrombocytopenia is characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking platelets, resulting in abnormally low levels and increased bleeding risk. Wayrilz, a BTK inhibitor, represents a novel approach in the treatment landscape.

The drug was previously approved in the United Arab Emirates in June and is currently undergoing regulatory review in the European Union and China, signaling Sanofi’s broader global ambitions for the product. Investors may view the FDA approval as a strategic milestone in Sanofi’s immunology portfolio, potentially contributing to future revenue growth and market expansion.

Nvidia, the world’s most valuable semiconductor company, reported another impressive quarterly earnings beat, yet its shares slipped roughly 2% in pre-market trading Thursday. The decline reflects investor concerns over slowing growth in key segments and persistent geopolitical tensions.

The company projected third-quarter revenue of $54 billion, a figure that would typically excite markets. However, uncertainty surrounding Nvidia’s business in China—amid ongoing U.S.-China trade restrictions—cast a shadow over the outlook. Despite receiving limited licenses, Nvidia said its forecast assumes no shipments of its H20 AI chips to China.

CEO Jensen Huang remained optimistic, stating that the global surge in artificial intelligence investment is far from over. Still, the modest pullback in Nvidia’s stock had limited impact on the broader chip sector, and S&P 500 futures held steady following the index’s record close on Wednesday.

Keurig Dr Pepper (XNAS-KDP) has announced an $18 billion all cash acquisition of Dutch coffee giant JDE Peet’s (XAMS-JDEP), marking a major strategic shift in the global beverage landscape. The deal, which represents a 33% premium over JDE Peet’s recent trading average, will result in the formation of two separate publicly listed companies: one focused on coffee and the other on beverages.

JDE Peet’s, known for brands like Douwe Egberts, L’OR, and Peet’s Coffee, will merge its operations with Keurig’s single-serve coffee platform to form “Global Coffee Co.” a pure coffee company with projected annual sales of $16 billion. Meanwhile, “Beverage Co.” of Keurig will focus on North American refreshment drinks, including Dr Pepper, 7UP, and Snapple, with expected sales of $11 billion. 

The acquisition comes amid rising coffee prices driven by volatile weather and new U.S. tariffs on Brazilian beans. JDE Peet’s recently raised its annual forecast after outperforming expectations, while Keurig has flagged subdued performance in its coffee segment due to market pressures 

Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany will temporarily stop accepting goods shipments from business customers to the U.S. due to new customs regulations under the U.S. Executive Order “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for all Countries.” The changes, effective August 29, eliminate the previous $800 duty-free threshold and require full customs clearance for all imports, including low-value items.

While shipments via DHL Express remain unaffected, only private gifts under $100 and documents can still be sent through the postal network. The new rules introduce stricter data requirements and unclear customs collection processes, prompting global postal operators to suspend similar services. DHL is working with U.S. authorities to resume operations as soon as possible.

DHL is closely monitoring the further developments and is in contact with U.S. authorities, together with its European partners. The company’s goal is to resume postal goods shipping to the U.S. as quickly as possible.

Eni has taken a significant step in its energy transition strategy by selling a 49.99% stake in its carbon capture subsidiary, Eni CCUS Holding, to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), the infrastructure arm of BlackRock. The deal includes joint development of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects in the UK, Netherlands, and Italy, with key assets such as Liverpool Bay (part of the HyNet cluster), Bacton, and the L10-CCS site. The partnership may also expand to include the Ravenna CCS project, a cornerstone of Italy’s industrial decarbonization efforts.

Simultaneously, Eni continued its share buyback program, purchasing €40 million worth of shares between August 11 and 14 at an average price of €14.87. Since May, the company has repurchased €630 million in shares, now holding 4.34% of its own capital. This dual move strengthens Eni’s position in the low-carbon energy space while signaling financial confidence and enhancing shareholder returns.

This move underscores Eni’s “satellite model,” which aims to attract specialized capital to accelerate its green initiatives while generating value beyond its traditional oil and gas operations. The expanded CCUS portfolio positions Eni as a potential European leader in industrial decarbonization.

On the financial front, the buyback program supports the stock price, enhances shareholder returns, and signals confidence in the company’s long-term stability. Eni shares are currently trading at €15.02, with investors watching for further developments in the energy sector and ESG policy landscape.

Bayer has introduced Aspirina, Mexico’s leading over the counter pain relief brand, to the U.S. market, aiming to strengthen its presence among Hispanic consumers. This strategic move aligns with demographic trends, as Hispanics currently represent 19% of the U.S. population a figure projected to rise to 28% by 2060.

Aspirina, which contains 500 mg of aspirin (NSAID), is widely recognized in Latin America, boasting a 99% brand awareness rate and regular use by 67% of Mexican consumers. Its cultural relevance and legacy of trust make it a natural fit for Hispanic households in the U.S., many of which have long relied on the product for multi-symptom pain relief.

Mohamed Atef, Global Brand Lead for Aspirin at Bayer, emphasized the importance of accessibility and cultural connection, noting that 70% of Hispanic consumers feel a strong tie to their country of origin. By offering a familiar and trusted product, Bayer aims to address healthcare access gaps while deepening consumer loyalty.

Evergrande Group, once a symbol of the country’s real estate boom, is set to be removed from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on August 25, marking the end of a turbulent era for the embattled property developer. The delisting follows more than 18 months of suspended trading, a threshold that triggers automatic removal under Hong Kong’s listing rules.

Evergrande’s downfall was the most dramatic episode in China’s 2021 property crisis. In January 2024, the company filed for bankruptcy, burdened by a colossal debt of $300 billion. Founder Hui Ka Yan has been accused of fabricating $78 billion in revenue, further eroding investor confidence.

Since the bankruptcy filing, Evergrande has sold approximately $225 million worth of assets, primarily from its subsidiaries. However, this figure falls far short of the $45 billion in claims submitted by creditors. At its peak in 2017, Evergrande was valued at over $50 billion. Today, its market capitalization has dwindled to just $274 million.

The delisting underscores the scale of Evergrande’s collapse and the broader challenges facing China’s property sector. As the company exits the public market, questions remain about the future of its remaining assets and the fate of its creditors.