ALV Stronger Than Predicted

Autoliv reported stronger than expected second-quarter earnings per share of $1.48, besting the Street consensus by $0.10 and $0.09 higher than the year-ago $1.39 EPS. Owing to an anemic European new car market, analysts were also expecting Autoliv to report flattish earnings for the quarter. The company’s like-for-like European revenue increased by 4% compared with a 4% decline in new car registrations. Management also raised … Continue reading ALV Stronger Than Predicted

STERV Sees Loss in Paper and Writing Segment

In the second quarter, Finnish forest products company Stora Enso had a surprising loss in its Paper and Writing segment. Even though the secular headwinds for publishing paper in Europe are well known, Stora had previously been able to turn a consistent profit in the business in recent years. Management says it is stepping up its cost-cutting efforts in response to the loss, but many … Continue reading STERV Sees Loss in Paper and Writing Segment

PBOC Announces Elimination of the Original Lending Rate Floor

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced the elimination of the original lending rate floor of 30% discount to benchmark, allowing banks to lend at any discount to benchmark lending rates as they see fit. The PBOC scrapped the cap on lending rates in 2004, and this move will fully liberalize lending rates for banks. Greater pricing flexibility will enable the banks to retain their … Continue reading PBOC Announces Elimination of the Original Lending Rate Floor