Reuters

(Reuters) - Blackstone has agreed to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Fund for about $1.57 billion, after the private equity giant outbid rival suitor Concord in the takeover battle for the music owner of artists such as Shakira and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Blackstone's formal offer valued the music rights investor at $1.30 per share, higher than Concord's $1.25 per share offer last Wednesday.

Hipgnosis' board plans to back Blackstone's offer and... (continue reading...)

By Tassilo Hummel

PARIS (Reuters) -Ailing French IT firm Atos said it needed 1.1 billion euros ($1.18 billion) in cash to fund its businesses over the 2024-25 period, and confirmed the French state had made an offer to buy out some of its key units.

Atos' latest estimate of the need for 1.1 billion euros in cash was almost double the 600 million euro estimate given in April, as its group finances deteriorated further.

The... (continue reading...)

(Reuters) - Scotland's Humza Yousaf is considering quitting as First Minister rather than face two confidence votes, UK media outlets reported late Sunday.

Yousaf's resignation was an option but a final decision had not yet been taken, BBC news reported citing a source close to the minister.

Former Scottish National Party leader John Swinney has been approached by senior party figures to become an interim First Minister in the event of... (continue reading...)

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Deutsche Bank shares were 5.5% lower in early trade on Monday after news that Germany's largest lender could be on the hook for up to 1.3 billion euros ($1.39 billion) in a yearslong lawsuit claiming it underpaid in its purchase of Postbank.

Deutsche Bank unexpectedly announced late on Friday that it would make a provision to offset possible claims in litigation in the suit.

Deutsche Bank, which said it "continues to... (continue reading...)

ZURICH (Reuters) -Seeds and pesticides maker Syngenta suffered big drops in first quarter sales and profit, the company said on Monday, just a few weeks after the Swiss company shelved its plans for a $10 billion flotation.

Sales fell 20% to $7.4 billion, Syngenta said, while core operating profit (EBITDA) declined by 34% to $1.2 billion, as farmers continued to run down their supplies rather than buying new seeds and sprays.

Higher interest... (continue reading...)