Reuters Before the Bell: March 23, 2017

Click to View in Browser Thursday, March 23, 2017 Diamond group De Beers buys out retail partner LVMH PARIS (Reuters) - Anglo American's diamond specialist De Beers has bought the 50 percent stake held by French luxury goods group LVMH in De Beers Diamond Jewellers for an undisclosed sum, taking full ownership of the retail operation. Shareholders urge Akzo to negotiate with suitor PPG AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Shareholders piled pressure on Dutch paint maker Akzo Nobel to open talks with U.S. rival PPG Industries on Wednesday after Akzo rejected a revised 22.7 billion euro takeover offer as too low, too risky and a bad fit culturally. Akzo Nobel CEO: won't meet with PPG to talk about bid AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Akzo Nobel's Chief Executive Ton Buechner said on Wednesday he was not planning to meet or talk with Michael McGarry, his counterpart at U.S. suitor PPG Industries , when McGarry visits Amsterdam this week. As Trump targets energy rules, oil companies downplay their impact BOSTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's White House has said his plans to slash environmental regulations will trigger a new energy boom and help the United States drill its way to independence from foreign oil. Shell reluctant to part with California refinery amid asset sale NEW YORK (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell is in talks with several potential buyers for its refinery outside of San Francisco, but the Anglo-Dutch oil giant is reluctant to part with its last asset in California, three people familiar with the process say. Oil up from four-month lows, inventories curb recovery LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rallied from four-month lows on Thursday but the recovery was cautious with investors concerned that OPEC-led supply cuts were not yet reducing record U.S. crude inventories. Teva Pharm says media reports of up to 6,000 layoffs incorrect JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' plans to end unprofitable activities and freeze recruitment, but said Israeli media reports of up to 6,000 layoffs were incorrect. Britain's financial watchdog revisits Barclays' Qatari cashcall probe LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's markets watchdog has resumed its investigation into payments made by Barclays in the course of a 2008 emergency fundraising, after reviewing new evidence that could see it reconsider a 50 million-pound ($62 million) fine imposed in 2013. PPG's McGarry in Amsterdam to promote 'compelling' Akzo offer AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Paint maker PPG has made a "very compelling" offer for Akzo Nobel and was shocked when its Dutch rival turned it down, PPG's chief executive Michael McGarry said on Thursday on a visit to Amsterdam to drum up support for a proposed tie-up. Global stocks, sterling hold steady after London attack LONDON (Reuters) - Stocks and sterling held their ground on Thursday as markets took the latest European terror attack, this time in London, one of the world's financial capitals, largely in their stride. Related Video Drillers to investors: energy prices trump regulation Sears doubts its survival Make sense of the market with highlights of valuable financial information and reports along with compelling investment insights. Register Today The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2017 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook