SLOVENIA
Government expected to discuss NLB sale
The government is expected to discuss today the final proposal on changes to the commitments regarding the sale of the NLB bank and compensatory measures. As planned by the Finance Ministry, the cabinet is also to decide on a bill designed to shield NLB from claims in Croatia over Yugoslav-era savings deposits.
Source: STA
Počivalšek says Mercator needs stable owner after Agrokor settlement
Outgoing Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said as he commented on today's vote on a settlement between the Croatian conglomerate Agrokor and its creditors that Mercator, as a part of the group, needed a stable and strong owner which would be able to support the needed development measures at the largest Slovenian retailer.
Source: STA
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
German Factory Orders Surge in May
German industrial orders rose 2.6% mom in May 2018, beating consensus of 1.1% and after a downwardly revised 1.6% drop in April. It was the first rise in manufacturing output since December 2017, due to a 4.3% gain in domestic demand and a 1.6% growth in foreign orders.
European markets close marginally higher as trade war concerns hit tech stocks
European stocks closed marginally higher Wednesday afternoon, amid elevated tensions between the U.S. and China over looming trade tariffs and investment restrictions. The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged up 0.04 percent during the day's deal-making, with a slim majority of sectors in positive territory.
Europe's technology stocks led the losses, down more than 1 percent after a slide in U.S. chip makers overnight. U.S. peer Micron was banned from selling chips in China late Tuesday, as heightened fears over trade frictions prompted a slump in global tech shares. Europe's STMicroelectronics and Siltronic were the worst sectoral performers, down over 3 and 7 percent respectively.
Looking at individual stocks, French healthcare company Orpea rose towards the top of the European benchmark after HSBC raised its stock recommendation to "buy." Shares of the Paris-listed company ended up 2.06 percent on the news.
NYSE was closed due to Independence Day holiday.
Source: CNBC
SERBIA
Net inflow of foreign direct investments in first four months of 2018 amounts to EUR 871 million
The net inflow of foreign direct investments in Serbia in the first four months of 2018 amounted to EUR 871 million, according to the balance of payments. As the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) told Tanjug, this marks the continuation of the growth of the net inflow of FDI, which increased by 12.9% compared to the corresponding period in 2017.
Source: Ekapija
AERO: Belgrade airport reports rise in number of passengers in June
The Belgrade airport “Nikola Tesla” (AERO) said t served 539,137 passengers more in June this year than in the same period in 2017, recording an increase of six percent. At the same time, there were 5,651 departures and arrivals, or two percent more. In comparison to the first half last year, records show that some 150,000 more travellers went through the Belgrade airport in the same period in 2018, while the transport of goods and mail increased by 19 percent, the Airport statement said.
Source: AERO, N1
Russian VTB Bank leaving Serbia
The Supervisory Board of VTB Bank has reached the decision to sell 7.3 million shares amounting to 100% of its capital in its Serbian branch VTB banka a.d. Beograd, the bank says in a press release. VTB sells 100% of the bank's ordinary shares (7,344,813 shares) with a par value of 500 Serbian dinars each. The transaction should be conducted at a price not lower than the market value determined by the appraiser – the press release says.
Source: Ekapija
