Non-OPEC supply boost will lessen need for OPEC output, IEA says

U.S. expansion, plus big gains from Norway and Brazil, is set to boost non-OPEC supply growth in 2020 to 2.3 million barrels a day from 1.9 million barrels a day this year, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly outlook. The non-OPEC surge will cut the need for OPEC crude to 28.3 million barrels a day, which is 1.4 million barrels a day below its August output. The IEA kept its 2019 and 2020 global oil demand growth forecasts unchanged at 1.1 million barrels a day and 1.3 million barrels a day.

Anheuser-Busch InBev shares rally on plans for slimmed-down Hong Kong IPO

Anheuser-Busch InBev BUD, +0.07%ABI, +3.92% shares jumped 4.6% in Belgium on Thursday amid reports the parent of beer giant Budweiser is planning to list a slimmer version of its Asia unit. The company is planning to raise $5 billion in an initial public offering for its Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC LTD. unit in a Hong Kong offering that could be done by the end of September, said sources cited by The Wall Street Journal. The news comes two months after the European beer giant called off that listing.

Ricardo FY Pre-tax Profit Down – Quick Facts

Ricardo Plc. (RCDO.L) reported that its profit before tax for the year ended 30 June 2019 declined to 26.5 million pounds from 27.0 million pounds in the prior year.

Profit attributable to owners of the parent grew to 19.8 million pounds or 36.9 pence per share from 17.6 million pounds or 32.8 pence per share in the previous year.

Underlying basic earnings per share for the year decreased 3% to 53.7 pence from 55.1 pence in the previous year.

Group revenue increased 2% to 384.4 million pounds from last year. Organic revenue increased by 1%, after normalising for the impact of the acquisitions of TE in the current year and Control Point Corp. in September 2017 of the prior year.

The company increased the total dividend for the year by 4% to 21.28 pence per ordinary share. The proposed final dividend of 15.28 pence will be paid on 21 November 2019 to shareholders who are on the register of members at the close of business on 8 November 2019.

Jolting discovery: Powerful new electric eel found

Researchers report two newly discovered species of electric eels in South America, one of which can deliver a bigger jolt than any other known animal.

The researchers collected 107 eels in four countries and found differences in their DNA, along with minor physical variations.

One species had the ability to generate 860 volts of electricity, more than the 650 volts discharged by the only previously identified type of electric eel.

While 250 species of fish in South America generate electricity, only electric eels use it to stun prey and for self-protection.

Study leader C. David de Santana of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History says the discovery illustrates the importance of protecting and studying the Amazon rainforest area.

The study was published this week in the journal Nature Communications.

Alstom shares tumble after Bouygues sells stake

Shares of Alstom SA ALO, -5.13% tumbled nearly 5% on Thursday after telecoms group Bouygues SA EN, +0.06% said it has sold a 13% stake in the French multinational group. Bouygues said it remains Alstom’s main shareholder with a 14.7% stake even after that sale. Shares of Bouygues rose 0.8% in Paris.

German Economic Growth to Drop Near Zero for 2019

Germany’s Ifo Institute for Economic Research has downgraded its forecast for the German economy to a growth rate of 0.5% for 2019. That is more optimistic than some other forecasts, but it means the largest economy in Europe is close to recession.

The Ifo researchers report of its August forecast was headlined “German Economy at Risk of Recession.” The report says, “Economic growth this year is likely to amount to 0.5% over the previous year – a considerably lower rate than in the past years of the upturn. The economy is likely to gradually return to normal next year, with growth recovering to 1.2%.”

As Europe’s largest economy by far, its growth is essential to the region, which already may be under pressure due to the effects of Brexit. Germany also is under pressure as a large trade partner with China and the United States. The trade war between those two nations may well have an impact on its economy going forward.

The other effect of the German economy is its size in relationship to the global economy, and therefore its potential harm to global gross domestic product. Germany sits behind only the United States, China and Japan in the size of its economy.

The German problem is another symptom of what could become a slowing in the U.S. economy. It needs its trade partners to be healthy because of the demand for exports they drive. Without China, the need for trade with Germany will become larger.

ValueAct reports it’s taken a 5.2% stake in LKQ

Activist investor ValueAct Capital has taken a 5.2% stake in LKQ Corp. LKQ, +1.47%, the auto parts company, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

China could start buying U.S. soybeans, pork again: report

China may allow for U.S. imports of soybeans and pork, amid steps by both countries to ratchet down trade-war tensions, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources. China’s Ministry of Commerce said companies have begun to ask about prices for some U.S. farm products, the report said. U.S. stock futures rose early Thursday after President Donald Trump tweeted that he will delay pushing through higher tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods for two weeks as a "gesture of good will." China placed retaliatory tariffs on soybeans, pork and other items last year, pressuring American farmers and forcing the Trump administration to funnel billions in aid to the sector.