YAMAHA MOTOR'S OPERATING INCOME RISES 38%

IWATA, Japan, Feb. 9, 2016 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --
 

- Even Further Growth Forecast for 2016 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) announced on February 9 that operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, soared 38.0 percent to 120.4 billion yen and net sales rose 6.2 percent to 1,615.4 billion yen. http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=26194

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 25th Anniversary Offer: Save Up To 25% On 25 Sailings

SYDNEY, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering exceptional anniversary savings of up to 25% on 25 select sailings across itineraries throughout the Mediterranean, Baltic Capitals, Classic Europe and beyond to celebrate 25 years at the forefront of the luxury cruise sector.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the leader in all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising - featuring highly personalised service; all-suite accommodation; complimentary fine dining, fine wines and spirits; an exclusive Monte Carlo style on-board casino offering blackjack, roulette and poker; free unlimited shore excursions in every destination; a variety of exceptional entertainment and more.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1214909

A.M. Best Briefing: Bank Of Japan's Introduction Of Negative Interest Rates Further Challenges Insurers

HONG KONG, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The introduction of the negative interest rate by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) should put pressure on insurers' balance sheets and operating performances, according to a new A.M. Best briefing.

The Best's Briefing, titled, "Bank of Japan's Introduction of Negative Interest Rates Further Challenges Insurers," states that the BOJ's application of a negative interest rate of -0.1% on a portion of the excess reserves it holds will drive Japanese government bond (JGB) yields lower and increase volatility. This should put increasing pressure on insurers' profitability and capital management going forward, especially for life insurers, given their high exposure to JGBs. The JGB balance held by the life insurance sector reached about 43% of total invested assets at the end of November 2015. A.M. Best expects the extent of the impact from a further decrease in rates to be partly offset by insurers' efforts, including diversification of businesses and a reduction of asset risks.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1214333

NTT COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHES NEW ULTRA-LOW-LATENCY CONNECTIVITY SERVICE BETWEEN JPX & SGX

—Unprecedented 63.5 millisecond latency will improve investors’ agility in high-frequency trading—
 

TOKYO, Feb 10 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), the ICT solutions and international communications business within the NTT Group (NYSE: NTT), announced today that it has added a new ultra-low-latency connectivity service between the Japan Exchange Group (JPX) and Singapore Exchange (SGX). This new connectivity service will offer the telecom industry’s lowest-latency level for international leased lines that directly connect the colocation facilities of JPX and SGX.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=26183

Northrop Grumman Highlights Global Security Capabilities At Singapore Airshow

SINGAPORE, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will highlight its broad range of global security capabilities at the Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest aerospace and defence event. The biennial event is Feb. 16-21 at the Changi Exhibition Centre, near Changi Airport. Northrop Grumman's Chalet is No. CD01.

"The Asia Pacific region is extremely important to Northrop Grumman, particularly as we broaden our global focus," said Brian Kim, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Korea. "We will continue working closely with our partners in the region by providing the most advanced long-term solutions to help meet their defence and security needs."
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1214312

Spending At Merchants On General Purpose Payment Cards Projected To Reach $48.670 Trillion By 2024 According To The Nilson Report

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Worldwide purchases of goods and services generated by credit, debit, and prepaid cards is projected to reach $48.670 trillion by 2024 according to the annual report Global Card Spending in the current issue of The Nilson Report, the top trade journal covering the card and mobile payment industries. These card-present and card-not-present type payments were initiated by credit, debit, and prepaid cards with American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Mir, RuPay, UnionPay, Visa, and PIN-based EFT system brands.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1214304

HOTEL OKURA TO OPEN LUXURY PROPERTY IN PHNOM PENH

TOKYO, Feb 10 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced today that it signed a contract with TEHO Development Cambodia Pte Ltd. to develop and manage The Okura Prestige Phnom Penh, a luxury hotel to be opened in Cambodia’s capital in 2019. Hotel Okura will be the first Japanese hotelier to enter the luxury market in Cambodia, a rapidly growing market for both business and leisure travel.

The new hotel will position Hotel Okura to better serve this robust market and aid in Hotel Okura’s push to expand its group portfolio past 100 hotels worldwide. By 2018, the company plans to open Okura Hotels & Resorts’ hotels in Cappadocia and Manila, as well as Nikko Hotels International’s hotels in Taizhou and Bangkok.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=26186