The Avanti Group is advising clients on opportunities in Apache Corporation, after the troubled oil and gas company agrees to sell a significant stake of its Egyptian operations to Sinopec.

Chuo, Tokyo -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/19/2013 -- The Avanti Group the equities research house based in Tokyo, providing professional trading and investment research solutions to institutional and private investors across the globe have recently drawn their investor's attention to developing news within the Apache Corporation.

Shareholders in Houston based Apache Corp, have seen welcome news with the entry of the giant Chinese oil company China Petrochemical Corp. (Sinopec) into the fray, Apache has spent a turbulent year in which it has struggled to divest itself of assets in attempts to raise $4 billion to put toward key restructuring projects. The Sinopec deal will see the company acquire its much-needed cash yet retain profitable revenue streams in the joint venture with China's largest oil refiner.

The deal will see Sinopec, which has seen profits surge after its cost cutting and own restructuring drive, buy a 33 percent stake in Apache's Egyptian oil and gas operations for $3.1 billion. It is expected that the day-to-day business model will be managed as a joint concern between the two companies, something that Sinopec has done with other large stake holdings in resource providers.

"There had been a lot of concern for the final outcome of Apache's efforts, not so much as to whether or not they would raise the required funds and achieve their restructure goals, but more on the question of how much the company would have to lose in assets. There were a lot of sharks in the water, but this deal with Sinopec has put them firmly back on dry land again," commented Andrew Taylor Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at The Avanti Group.

The position in Apache's Egyptian operation has been a profitable ongoing concern since its inception and has remained untroubled by political events in the country over recent years. Production figures for 2012 show that the fields provided 100'000 barrels of oil and 354 million cubic feet of natural gas per day with figures expected to increase further with planned infrastructure additions.

"Sinopec has a well-earned reputation for bringing long-term and profitable strategy to its joint ventures, between this and their own commanding performance in China this year they have given a well need stamp of confidence to Apache and the market has taken note. Sinopec does not make rash decisions, they fully expect their concerns to increase in value and have proven themselves repeatedly.

We are closely monitoring this sector and advising our clients appropriately as to best place their current positions," concluded Andrew Taylor Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at The Avanti Group.

The Avanti Group is an equity research house providing research and analysis outsourcing solutions for institutional financial traders worldwide, founded in early 2003.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Avanti Group comment on developments at Carrefour as the retail giant expands into Africa.

Chuo, Tokyo -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/03/2013 -- The Avanti Group the equities research house based in Tokyo, providing professional trading and investment research solutions to institutional and private investors across the globe have recently drawn their investor's attention to Carrefour SA the dominant player in the European retail market as they make announcement regarding their long expected plans to push forward with expansions in Africa.

The French based retailers has had a record year to date under its new CEO Georges Plassat with share value surging 72% in spite of tough economic conditions faced by the retail sector. The company has undergone major restructuring over the last two year, exiting markets that have failed to deliver either market share dominance or meet the company's strict self-imposed bottom line on operating margins. After their departure from Colombia and Greece, Carrefour have spent time consolidating their French market which still accounts for over 55% of the company's annual turnover.

"They have played out their long term strategy well by pulling back from their weakest markets and re-capitalizing in their strongest, placing themselves ideally for growth. The company's plans for Africa show that a lot of thought has gone into this venture, especially in regards to the potential obstacles faced by retailers in such markets," said Andrew Taylor Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at The Avanti Group.

Carrefour SA's partner in their African venture will be CFAO SA, the French distributer whose supply network on the African Continent is the largest. CFAO, who along with their majority shareholder Toyota have spent many years in building their African supply chain, access to which will give Carrefour an invaluable lead over major competitors such as Walmart Inc who have also been examining plans for Africa. Their partnership of which CFAO will hold 55% plans to have their first and already under way project in Abidjan, Ivory Coast operational by 2015.

"Overall it's been a very smart move for Carrefour by partnering with CFAO, they have been playing very conservatively and profiting from this strategy. By utilizing such a well developed and managed supply chain they have given themselves an advantage that is hard to match, let alone beat. From an investment view point Carrefour offers a lot of benefits and we will be monitoring their growth closely and strategizing the best formula to include our investors," concluded Andrew Taylor Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at The Avanti Group.

About Avanti Group
The Avanti Group is an equity research house providing research and analysis outsourcing solutions for institutional financial traders worldwide, founded in early 2003.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Avanti Group are advising clients on the increasing demand for gold, as Japanese increase their purchasing volumes to compensate for weakening yen, potentially putting strain in the country’s holdings.

Chuo, Tokyo -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/05/2013 -- The Avanti Group the equities research house based in Tokyo, providing professional trading and investment research solutions to institutional and private investors across the globe have recently drawn their investor's attention to the increasing demand in gold sales throughout Japan.

"There's a big consensus from individual investors in Japan that are looking to introduce larger quantities of gold into their investment portfolios as an asset as well as security for the future, with an increase in investors wanting to use gold partly to hedge against their yen-based assets such as stocks and properties," said Andrew Taylor Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at The Avanti Group.

Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K., is Japan's largest trader in bullion, are confident that sales to Japanese investors may surpass purchases this year for the first time since 2004 as the yen's deflated value and low gold price give rise to buying interest. The decline into a bear market in April encouraged demand for jewelry and coins around the world and physical demand increases for wedding seasons and religious festivals in Asia, including India and China, the biggest buyers throughout the second half of the year.

Following unprecedented monetary stimulus as part of Japan's efforts to end deflation 'Abenomics' the yen depreciated 14 percent against the U.S. dollar. Gold purchased in U.S. dollars dropped 27 percent whilst the commodity fell 15 percent in yen this year resulting in an increase in gold imports to Japan that more than doubled to 7,686 kilograms in January to May, from 2,994 kilograms a year earlier, according to finance ministry data.

"Whilst global investors are taking advantage of the weakening yen, investing in sound cheap positions within Japan, locals investors within Japan are looking to place their money into solid tangible investments, currently gold with the added benefits exchange ratio to investment," concluded Andrew Taylor Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at The Avanti Group.

About The Avanti Group
The Avanti Group is an equity research house providing research and analysis outsourcing solutions for institutional financial traders worldwide, founded in early 2003.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm