Woolworths plans $940m rights offer

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s Woolworths plans to raise 10 billion rand ($940 million) through a rights offer to help repay financing for its acquisition of Australia’s David Jones, the company said on Friday. Woolworths, an upscale retailer of food and clothing, this month finalised its A$2.2 billion ($2 billion) purchase of Australia’s second-largest apparel retailer to create a global … Read more

Asian stocks steady as China GDP growth hits target

By Wayne Cole SYDNEY (Reuters) – Asian stocks held stubbornly steady on Wednesday after China reported economic growth that was just ahead of market expectations, drawing a sigh of relief from investors rather than outright applause. China’s economy expanded by 2.0 percent in the second quarter from the previous quarter, taking annual growth to 7.5 percent. Retail … Read more