LONG-TERM INVESTMENT: Uzbek-born Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov "increased his influence at Arsenal after purchasing 18,695 shares," giving him a 30.04% controlling stake in the north London club. He has taken over Farhad Moshiri's Arsenal stake and the move "means that the 62-year-old has consolidated his position as the Gunners' second largest shareholder behind American Stan Kroenke. On the latest development at the Emirates Stadium, Usmanov said, "I am committed to Arsenal and I will proudly retain my holding as a long-term investment and my family to enjoy and benefit for generations to come." The news is "unlikely to be welcomed by Kroenke who fought Usmanov for control of Arsenal" in '11 and is now understood to have plans to keep his 67% stake within his family (London DAILY MAIL, 2/26).
DIVIDEND AND BUYBACK: William Hill revealed plans to raise its dividend and launch a £200M ($277.6M) share buyback, "despite tax increases and regulation damaging profits" across the U.K. gaming industry. The U.K.’s largest bookmaker by retail stores and online share is "increasing its full-year dividend" 2.5% to 12.5p a share, and committed to a "long-term increase in dividend payouts" from 40% to 50% of adjusted earnings a share. Revenue also declined 1%, to £1.6B ($2.22B), which the company said was "due to the lack of a big football tournament" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 2/26).
REVENUE RISE: Telefónica predicted a 4% rise in revenues this year and "vowed to hold its core profit margin stable," after falling to a €1.83B loss in the final quarter of '15 "on the back of restructuring charges in its home market." The Madrid-based group announced it would pay a cash dividend of €0.75 ($0.82) this year -- "assuring investors that it intended to keep the payout at that level for the next five to 10 years." Telefónica unveiled full-year results that were marked by a €2.62B "restructuring charge" in the last quarter of '15. Fourth-quarter revenues were "unchanged from the year before" at €11.88B. Operating income before amortization and depreciation -- "a widely used measure of profitability in the telecoms sector" -- fell 88% to €401M. Telefónica is "trying to focus on a smaller number of key markets" and has "ramped up spending" over the past year -- including the acquisition of pay-TV rights for Spain's La Liga (FINANCIAL TIMES, 2/26).
BRIEFLY ...
Le Sports announced the company has contributed $10M as a lead investor in Chinese online sports lottery company 8win "which has just completed Round B fundraising." Under the partnership, the two sides will "work together on sports gaming services." Le Sports will set up Chinese Super League betting on its website from March 3 when the top-tier tournament in China "kicks off." In addition to CSL betting, 8win will help Le Sports design and launch products for other sports events, "focusing mainly on basketball and e-sports" (YUTANG SPORTS, 2/26).
Australian Football League club Greater Western Sydney Giants made a A$341,000 ($243,440) loss in '15 "despite the league tipping in more" than A$21M ($15M) into the "fledgling team, accounts lodged with the corporate regulator show." The accounts showed the Giants made a net loss of A$341,139 in '15 from A$35.8M ($25.6M) revenue, "during a season in which the side finished 11th on the AFL ladder." It made a A$529,000 loss in '14. The club said that it had made an operating surplus of A$10,597 for '15 prior to depreciation and provisions. It said that its sponsorship revenue was up 11% from '14, membership income rose 3% and ticket sales were up 11% (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/29).
