Friday newspaper round-up: Diageo, Amazon.co.uk, Russia

24th Jul 2015 07:18

(ShareCast News) - The British distiller of Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka has been asked for information from US financial regulators about the shipping of its drinks in the country. Diageo confirmed that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had made inquiries regarding its distribution in America. - The TimesAmazon surprised investors with an unexpected quarterly profit that sent shares in the online retailer up around 17% in after-hours trading. The company said profits in the second quarter jumped to $92 million, up from a loss of $126 million this time last year. - The TimesRussia has fallen into full-blown depression and faces a mounting fiscal crisis as oil and gas revenues plummet.Output from country's state-owned gas giant Gazprom has collapsed by 19pc over the past year as demand shrivels in Europe, falling to levels not seen since the creation of the company at the end of the Cold War.- The Daily TelegraphLadbrokes, the beleaguered gambling company, has agreed a £2.3bn merger with Gala Coral to create Britain's biggest bookmaker. The deal creates a company with £2.1bn of revenues and the country's largest estate of betting shops. The combined business, which will be listed on the stock exchange and called Ladbrokes Coral, will have a market capitalisation of £2.3bn. Both brands will be retained. - The Daily TelegraphGreece and its bail-out creditors will begin their long-awaited final push towards completing a new €86bn rescue when negotiators return to Athens today for the first time in months in the hope that a deal can be concluded in just matter of weeks. - Financial TimesThe European Commission served formal charges against Sky and six Hollywood studios over alleged illegal agreements to stop EU consumer from accessing pay-TV services available in the UK and Ireland. - Financial Times