Dubai purchases shares in Sony Corp.


According to reports from Bloomberg, Dubai International Capital has purchased an unknown number of shares in Sony Corporation, estimated to be worth as much as USD 500 million.

While financial details are being kept under wraps, the company previously stated that it had been looking to invest USD 500 million in its first Japanese-based firm on November 19.

In a statement issued this week, Dubai International Captial CEO, Sameer al-Ansari, revealed that the firm has now acquired a “substantial” stake in the Japanese electronics giant.

"The combination of Sony's truly global brand, its leadership position in product design and its global footprint will spur the business' medium term growth", said al-Ansari.

In related news, the move has boosted Sony’s share price by a total of 4.6 per cent to JPY 5500 (USD 50.6), eclipsing the Nikkei average, which rose 1.7 per cent largely attributed to strong US retail sales following the Thanksgiving period last week.

via psu

Should we worry?

No, they are investing in the company. The United Arab Emirates where Dubai is located is one of the richest countries in the world and an investment like that can boost the value of the company and encourage growth. Plus they still dont own majority in the company, meaning they can only influence decisions so much.

... see, this DOES worry me ..

How does that worry you? If they dont have majority they dont make the decisions. I dont see how that can worry you.

... because, as YOU yourself stated, "they can can only influence decisions so much." ... inferring that they could, at least somewhat, influence decisions ...

... we're talking $500 mil. USD, yes ... that's a lot of influence, whether Sony or the Govt of Dubai admits it publicly or not ... and yes, I'm paranoid ...it's kept me in front of the bulldozer my whole life, rather than under it

Sony has a market share of over $61 billion. I dont think that $500 million is that much of an influence.

And either way, who cares if they have any influence or not? What is so bad in them investing?

"and the rich eat you!"

... how would you feel if (insert your country of origin here) dropped mega-millions into a corporation? What do they have to gain?

... we'd all better brush up on our Arabic and Chinese; I see a grim future ahead

Edit:

WOW, I just noticed your sig ... a "proud American" should be worried; remember the fervor (warranted or not) caused by the Emir of Dubai trying to buy up our ports?

... just some food for thought

The country itself didnt invest in Sony. An investment firm there did, which is the same as an investment firm anywhere. Plus thats what happens in a corporation, anyone can buy shares.

Youre statement about Arabic/Chinese is absurd. Sony is Japanese and you dont see us talking Japanese....

The Arab Emirates does not equal terrorists or in any relation to the war going on over there. They actually oppose it (terrorism) very much. On top of that, plenty of people from other countries including the US are investing in the new properties and things being done over in the Emirates now.

Wow, you're right.

Sorry for wasting your time

Thanks so much for setting me on the right path, I'll pray for you at temple tonight.

well i'm currently working here in dubai and it is really the fastest growing city in the world... dubai is a very wonderful place (except for the scorching heat during th summer ) and with the lots of construction happening, it would become one of the hottest tourist place and also one of the biggest in the business industry...

Not only that but theyre doing some crazy stuff with all the man made islands and that Burj Dubai tower which will be the tallest in the world.

Might I ask where you come from since you said you are currently working in Dubai.

It won't be long before they're trying to censor everything sony puts out, including video games for the PS3/PSP. And Sony will cave because they're morons.

What are you honestly talking about?
1. Why would they want to censor anything
2. They dont have enough shares to do such a thing anyway even if they wanted to, which they surely dont.

$500 million out of $65 billion is only 1/130th ownership.

wow,,,dubai is jus amazing,,,i went there before lots of times,,no doubt they got shares at sony,,thx for the info dude