John Varley posts
FeedPosted Jun 30th 2008 8:00AM by Laurie Pasternack (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newspapers, Magazines, Citigroup Inc. (C), , Barclays plc ADS (BCS)
MAJOR PAPERS:
- After being downgraded by Moody's, The Wall Street Journal reported that MBIA Inc (NYSE: MBI) will have to make $2.9 billion in termination payments and put up an additional $4.5 billion in collateral on agreements called Guaranteed Investment Contracts. As a result the firm is selling municipal bonds to raise cash.
- Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc (NYSE: BUD) introduced a new business plan to help thwart a takeover by rival InBev. As part of its plan, The Wall Street Journal reported its intention to reduce headcount, raise prices and buy back more of its shares.
- In an attempt to withstand the economic slowdown, the Financial Times reported that Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) announced plans to cut 17,200 jobs worldwide. Approximately 6,400 job cuts will be in Germany with a third more, elsewhere in Europe.
- The Financial Times also reported that Citigroup Incorporated (NYSE: C) is planning to change its bonus system for hundreds of its top managers, in an attempt to increase cooperation and reduce competition within the company.
OTHER PAPERS:
- John Varley, the CEO of Barclays Plc (NYSE: BCS), said the GBP4.5B rights issue answered naysayers, and said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that extra financing will not be necessary.