Business
EA Stocks: EA to go private in $55 billion buyout: Silver Lake, PIF, and Affinity Partners lead historic deal; ends 36-year public listing | Business – The Times of India
Electronic Arts (EA), the creator of globally popular video games including “Madden NFL,” “Battlefield,” and “The Sims,” is poised to exit public markets after agreeing to a $55 billion acquisition. The deal, one of the largest leveraged buyouts ever, will transfer EA into private ownership, giving the company room to restructure without the scrutiny of public investors.The transaction will see private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affinity Partners — led by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law — pay $210 per share to EA stockholders. This surpasses the $32 billion privatization of Texas utility TXU in 2007, AP reported.EA has been publicly traded for 36 years. Founded by former Apple employee William “Trip” Hawkins, the company went public seven years after its inception, closing its first trading day at a split-adjusted 52 cents per share. CEO Andrew Wilson has led the company since 2013.The buyout is part of a recent flurry of high-profile technology deals involving Silver Lake. The firm is also involved in a joint venture with Oracle to manage US operations of TikTok, though full details of that transaction remain undisclosed. Silver Lake has a history of taking major tech companies private, including Skype in 2009 for $1.9 billion and Dell in 2013 for $24.9 billion, which later returned to public markets in 2018.By going private, EA can reorient its operations without the pressure of meeting quarterly targets. The company’s revenues have remained steady over the past three fiscal years, fluctuating between $7.4 billion and $7.6 billion, even as its games maintain a loyal fan base.Competition in the gaming sector has intensified in recent years. Microsoft acquired rival Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion in 2023, and mobile gaming companies like Epic Games have expanded rapidly. Analysts suggest that privatization could allow EA to invest in innovation, streamline operations, and strengthen its market position.While privatizations often lead to layoffs, EA has not indicated any immediate workforce reductions. After trimming 5% of its staff in 2024, the company had 14,500 employees as of March 2025 and carried out further, limited layoffs in May.The acquisition is expected to provide EA the flexibility to restructure, enhance efficiency, and pursue long-term growth strategies without the constraints of public market expectations, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the global gaming industry.
A cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) cost it nearly £200m, the company has announced.
The UK’s largest car manufacturer said it has “made strong progress” in recovering its operations at pace since the attack.
JLR stopped production across its UK factories for five weeks from 1 September after being targeted by hackers a day earlier.
All of the group’s manufacturing sites – including factories in Solihull, West Midlands, and Halewood, Merseyside – restarted operations last month.
JLR has revealed it swung to an underlying loss of £485m over the second quarter of the year as earnings were knocked following a severe cyber attack.
The British luxury carmaker had made a profit before tax and exceptional items of nearly £400m over the same period in 2024.
It also reported a £134m loss for the six months to the end of September, from a £1.1bn profit the prior year.
JLR’s chief executive Adrian Mardell said the company’s financial performance was “impacted by significant challenges, including a cyber incident that stopped our vehicle production in September and the impact of US tariffs”.
The manufacturer revealed costs of £196m relating to the cyber attack.
The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover is thought to have been the UK’s most economically damaging hack and is estimated to have cost the country £1.9bn.
Research from the Cyber Monitoring Centre indicates that around 5,000 businesses nationwide have been hit by the fallout.
Its experts analysed the incident’s broad impact across the economy and supply chain to arrive at the figure.
Jaguar Land Rover halted production at its UK factories for five weeks from 1 September after being targeted the previous day.
This disruption led to warnings from suppliers that many faced collapse without rapid trading resumption or financial aid.
Business
Forget Hot Stock Tips: These 2 Money Habits Alone Can Help You Build Wealth Up To Rs 2 Crore
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Many investors focus on equities and the stock market, often overlooking a crucial component that should be part of every investment portfolio
Nitin Kaushik said that instead of chasing returns, people should focus on their behaviour, investment ratios, and discipline. (Representative/Shutterstock)
Social media is flooded with ‘quick riches’ advice and flashy stock tips, yet few ever see real results. Wealth creation, experts say, is far simpler than these trends suggest. Cutting through the noise, a chartered accountant has now shared a clear, practical mantra for building wealth, a formula he says works no matter one’s income is, whether it’s Rs 1 lakh or Rs 10 lakh.
Chartered accountant Nitin Kaushik took to X to explain that wealth stems from good habits, not just high returns.
In his post, he wrote, “Two money habits can make you rich quietly, while others stay busy chasing investments.” He believes real wealth is built through calm, consistent actions—small monthly investments, a clear budget, and periodic rebalancing.
According to Nitin Kaushik, the real problem is that most people lack a system. Whether someone earns Rs 100,000 or Rs 10 lakh, money disappears quickly if it isn’t directed with purpose. “Becoming rich doesn’t start with earnings, but with intentions,” he noted, emphasising that wealth depends more on mindset and discipline than on income.
Habit 1: Compound Interest
The first habit Kaushik highlighted is the power of compound interest, which he called “a force of nature.” Kaushik explained that investing Rs 25,000 a month at a 12% annual return can grow to about Rs 20 lakh in five years, but the same habit maintained for 20 years can build roughly Rs 2.4 crore. He advised that one should start as early as possible to let compounding work in thier favour.
Habit 2: Portfolio Rebalancing
The second habit is portfolio rebalancing. This involves adjusting investments periodically to maintain a balance between equity and debt (stocks and bonds).
He explained, “If you initially hold 70 percent equity and 30 percent debt, but as the market rises, the ratio becomes 85:15, rebalancing helps bring it back to the correct level.” Kaushik added, “It’s like pruning a tree. Pruning is not done to harm it, but to make it stronger.”
Kaushik summed up his thoughts in one line: “Compound interest builds wealth, rebalancing preserves it. One rewards your patience, the other secures your growth.” He added that instead of chasing returns, people should focus on their behaviour, investment ratios, and discipline, as these are the factors truly within their control.
Why Is It Important To Invest In Debt Funds?
Most people invest in equity funds or the stock market, but debt funds are often overlooked, even though they should be an essential part of every investment portfolio. Debt funds are mutual funds that invest in government bonds, corporate bonds, treasury bills, and other fixed-income securities. In simple terms, these funds lend money to companies or the government and earn income through interest.
The benefits of debt funds include:
- Stable returns and lower risk: Debt funds carry less risk and offer steady, predictable returns, making them a safer option for those wary of stock market volatility.
- Diversification: Debt funds balance a portfolio by providing stable returns when equities fall, maintaining overall balance and stability.
- Liquidity: Many debt funds allow for easy and quick withdrawals, unlike fixed deposits with lock-in periods, making them ideal for sudden cash needs.
- Tax benefits: Long-term debt fund investments (over 3 years) offer indexation benefits, reducing tax burdens and making them more tax-efficient than fixed deposits.
- Protection and opportunities from interest rate fluctuations: Debt funds can provide good returns when interest rates fall, as the value of older high-interest bonds increases, offering opportunities for investors.
- Ideal for new investors: Debt funds are a great entry point for those new to mutual funds, helping build investment habits with less risk.
Disclaimer:Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
November 14, 2025, 17:49 IST
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Jaguar Land Rover has plunged to a heavy loss after booking almost £200 million in costs linked to a major cyber attack which saw the firm shut its factories for more than a month.
The UK’s largest car manufacturer said it has “made strong progress” in recovering its operations at pace since the attack.
JLR stopped production across its UK factories for five weeks from September 1 after being targeted by hackers a day earlier.
All of the group’s manufacturing sites – including factories in Solihull, West Midlands, and Halewood, Merseyside – restarted operations last month.
However, it saw revenues plummet by more than £1 billion, around 24%, to £4.9 billion for the quarter to September.
It also swung to an underlying loss of £485 million over the quarter, sliding from a profit before tax and exceptional items of nearly £400 million over the same period in 2024.
In the update, it booked £196 million of extra costs linked to the cyber attack and £42 million related to voluntary redundancies.
The company said its performance was also impacted by US tariffs and a planned wind down in the production of previous Jaguar models.
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