CSL HY Profit Rises; Upgrades FY Profit Outlook

Australian biotech company CSL Ltd. (CSL.AX,CMXHF.PK) reported that net profit after tax for the six months ended 31 December 2019 was US$1.248 billion, up 8% or 11% on a constant currency basis. Earnings per share was US$2.75 up from US$2.56 in the prior year.

Total revenues grew to US$4.91 billion from US$4.51 billion in the prior year.

The company upgraded its fiscal year 2020 profit outlook. It now expects annual net profit after tax to be in the range of about US$2.11 billion to US$2.17 billion at constant currency, representing about 10%-13% growth over fiscal year 2019.

The company expects to again outpace the market in expanding plasma collections and its objective to open 40 new collection centers this financial year is on track.

CSL noted that Seqirus is performing well, however, consistent with the seasonal nature of this business the company anticipates it posting a loss in the second half of the fiscal year.

Coronavirus outbreak could affect U.S.-China trade deal: report

The outbreak of coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, could affect the recently signed "phase one" trade agreement between the U.S. and China, a top White House official said Tuesday. White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said the outbreak could cause China to buy fewer U.S. agricultural products this year, according to Reuters. "We expect the Phase 1 deal will allow China to import more food and open those markets to American farmers, but certainly as we watch this coronavirus outbreak unfold in China it could have an impact on how big, at least in this current year, the purchases are," he said at an Atlantic Council event. He added that the outbreak could disrupt the global supply chain and potentially the U.S. economy. "There’s no doubt that the virus could have an impact on the U.S. economy and also on the world economy," O’Brien said, according to Reuters.

Thailand forecast to export 7.5 mln T of rice in 2020 – exporters association

BANGKOK, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Thailand is expected to export 7.5 million tonnes of rice in 2020, the lowest since 2013, the Thai Rice Exporters Association said on Wednesday.

The association cited the drought, which has already hit central, northern and northeastern farming region, fluctuation in the currency exchange, and stronger competition from India, Vietnam, China and Myanmar, as main factors for the expected drop in exports. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

China reports drop in new COVID-19 cases as death toll tops 1,100

China on Wednesday reported another drop in the number of new cases of a viral infection and 97 more deaths, pushing the total dead past 1,100 even as the country remains largely closed down to prevent the spread of the disease.

The National Health Commission on Wednesday said 2,015 new cases had been reported over the last 24 hours, declining for a second day. The total number of cases in mainland China is 44,653, although many experts say a large number of others infected have gone uncounted.

The 97 additional deaths from the virus raised the mainland toll to 1,113.

Standard poodle crowned top dog in finale of Westminster Kennel Club show

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A standard poodle named Shiba was crowned “Best in Show” at the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Tuesday, taking home the grand prize in the most prestigious competition for pure-bred canines in the United States.

Shiba, the finalist representing all breeds classified as non-sporting dogs, emerged victorious at the three-day event after going head to head with the winners in six other groups – hounds, toys, herding dogs, working dogs, sporting dogs and terriers.

Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire’s Democratic primary

Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire’s Democratic primary, networks projected on Tuesday night. The Vermont senator narrowly beat former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota was in third place. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren took fourth and former Vice President Joe Biden came in fifth. Biden, once the national frontrunner, had downplayed his chances in New Hampshire and said that most African-American and Latino voters had not voted yet.

SoftBank shares jump 13% after Sprint merger approval

Shares of SoftBank Group Corp. 9984, +11.48% soared more than 13% in early trading Wednesday in Tokyo, as the Japanese conglomerate benefited from a U.S. judge’s approval of the merger between Sprint Corp. S, +77.50% and T-Mobile US Inc TMUS, +11.78%. SoftBank is a major stakeholder in Sprint, which saw its shares skyrocket 78% during Tuesday trading in New York. Wednesday’s gains marked SoftBank’s biggest intraday jump in more than a year. The Sprint approval was welcome news for SoftBank, which has seen some of its major investments stumble of late, including the canceled IPO of WeWork and Tuesday’s shutdown of retail startup Brandless. SoftBank shares are up 23% year to date, compared to the Nikkei index’s 0.6% gain.

Italy Is Facing the Worst Demographic Crisis Since World War I

Italy’s population fell for a fifth year in 2019 and deaths exceeded births by almost 212,000, according to Istat data published Tuesday. That means the so-called natural balance had its worst reading since 1918. The migratory balance also declined, falling 18% from a year earlier, with immigrants exceeding emigrants by only 144,000.

Siba the standard poodle wins Westminster’s best in show

NEW YORK — Primped and poised, Siba the standard poodle owned the ring.

Even with the crowd at Madison Square Garden chanting for a popular golden retriever, the statuesque Siba strutted off with best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club on Tuesday night.

Adorned with black puffs and pompoms, the 3-year-old Siba was the absolute picture of what many see as the epitome of a show dog.

Not everyone shared that view. As judge Bob Slay studied Siba in the best-of-seven final ring, a fan shouted out: “No way, Slay, no way!”

Slay stuck by what he saw.

“She’s beautiful and has that something,” handler Chrystal Murray-Clas said.

Bourbon the whippet finished second. Daniel the golden retriever was clearly the crowd favorite — a golden has never won at Westminster — and fans chanted his name as Slay deliberated.

Bono the Havanese, Wilma the boxer, Conrad the Shetland sheepdog, and Vinny the wire fox terrier also made the final grouping.

Poodles come in three sizes and this was the 10th time one of them has become America’s top dog, the first since 2002. A standard last won in 1991.

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