PREMIER Finance Group (PFG) has embarked on a restructuring exercise which has resulted in the retrenchment of 25% of its employees.

THE reporting season gathered momentum this week with more than five companies publishing their financial statements.

ZIMRE Holdings Ltd (ZHL) is seeking new investors for its subsidiaries in a move meant to recapitalise its businesses.

NAMIBIA’S power utility company, NamPower, will next week send a delegation to Zimbabwe for discussions with the Energy ministry and Zesa officials, amid a proposal that Hwange Thermal Power Station should be decommissioned.

NATIONAL Foods Holdings (Natfoods) has partly blamed government’s waiver allowing duty free imports of basic commodities for its US$1,4 million loss before tax.

ZIMBABWE’S largest financial services group, Old Mutual, is starting a stockbroking firm which is going to be headed by former Zimbabwe Stock Exchange chairman Seti Shumba.

NEDBANK Ltd, MBCA’s major shareholder, is considering disposing its asset management firm, a move which market watchers said was meant to increase the group’s earnings.

THE head of the global financial lending body, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has said it is still not prepared to offer Zimbabwe any new loans, citing the ongoing political crisis in the country.

BUSI Matutu is fed up with cotton farming. The past year has not been as rewarding as she expected.

ALMOST two decades ago a handful of ambitious young men met and talked business. They decided to have an organisation representing them.

INDIGENISATION and Empowerment minister Saviour Kasukuwere published empowerment regulations compelling foreigners to “cede” 51% shareholding to blacks “prematurely” and did not have the cabinet’s nod to proceed, Industry minister Welshman Ncube has said.

BUSINESS magnate Oliver Chidawu has off-loaded his 32% stake in agro-implements manufacturer Zimplow.

BARCLAYS Zimbabwe Ltd became the first bank in the country to announce its full year 2009 financial results.

DAIRIBORD Zimbabwe Ltd (DZL)’s decision last week to divest from Interfresh could be seen a mile away but the wheels turned very slowly for an expectant market.

INCESSANT breakdowns at the country’s Hwange Thermal power stations have forced government to consider decommissioning the troubled power station, Industry minister Welshman Ncube said.

WHEN dual listed cement producer PPC announced that their stock was now fungible, the market had mixed reactions to the news.

WHEN the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) began trading last year, only one counter –– Apex –– traded. The economy had gone through transformation almost overnight.

WHERE is the National Incomes and Pricing Commission chairman Goodwill Masimirembwa when you need him?

GOVERNMENT is seeking about US$135 million from two African financial institutions to deal with the current electricity shortage that has resulted in increased power rationing throughout the country.

WORRIES over empowerment threats compelling foreign-owned companies to sell 51% stakes to blacks dragged the industrial index on local bourse down.