North America

U.S. appeals court judges on Wednesday appeared skeptical of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's claim that it can require an idled oil refinery in the U.S. Virgin Islands to obtain a costly new pollution permit before restarting operations, Reuters reported. During oral arguments in St. Croix, a three-judge panel of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned whether the federal Clean Air Act allows the agency to require Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation LLLP, the refinery's owner, to obtain the permit, since they are typically only necessary for new projects.

Analysts from Goldman Sachs & Co and XP Investimentos are betting a fresh bout of dollar weakness can fuel gains in the Mexican peso, the world’s best performing currency, Bloomberg reported. The bullish calls come after the currency — dubbed the “super peso” because of its astounding rally — gave up some of its gains amid political noise at home and a global selloff amid U.S. debt-ceiling talks. Despite recent losses, the peso is still up 9.5% against the dollar this year, the best major currency in the world in that span.

A group of over 200 shareholders of Credito Real, a troubled Mexican payroll lender, this week issued a legal letter demanding the company hold a general assembly within the next 15 working days in their latest bid to recoup billions in losses, Reuters reported. Credito Real defaulted on a 170 million Swiss franc ($175.98 million) bond last year, kicking off a commercial liquidation process in Mexico criticized by shareholders for lacking transparency.

On 21 April 2023, the English High Court handed down its written reasons for sanctioning the Adler Group restructuring plan proposed under the new Part 26A regime of the UK's Companies Act 2006, which raised questions regarding the jurisdiction of the Court, cross-class cramdowns, pari passu issues and competing valuations, Mondaq reported. Following the introduction of a new restructuring regime in the Cayman Islands this analysis delves into the ramifications of the recent Adler Group decision and its potential impact on further revisions to the Cayman Islands' Companies Act.

The Mexican peso staged a strong rebound from its recent lows on Wednesday after inflation data spurred expectations that monetary policy would need to stay tight, while the Brazilian real rose to a one-week high, Reuters reported. The peso, the best performing currency in Latin America this year, was up 0.8% against the dollar, snapping a six-day losing streak. Data showed consumer prices in Mexico fell more than expected in the first half of May, with 12-month headline inflation reaching 6.00% — the lowest level since September 2021.

Bankrupt rocket company Virgin Orbit is shutting down after selling its facility leases and equipment to a trio of aerospace companies in an auction, the company confirmed on Tuesday, CNBC reported. “As Virgin Orbit embarks on this path, the management and employees would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders,” the company said in a statement. Spun out of Virgin Galactic  in 2017 by founder Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Orbit reached rarefied air by flying multiple missions.

If the debt crisis roiling Washington were eventually to send the U.S. crashing into recession, America’s economy would hardly sink alone, the Associated Press reported. The repercussions of a first-ever default on the federal debt would quickly reverberate around the world. Orders for Chinese factories that sell electronics to the U.S. could dry up. Swiss investors who own U.S. Treasurys would suffer losses. Sri Lankan companies could no longer deploy dollars as an alternative to their own dodgy currency. “No corner of the global economy will be spared” if the U.S.

Venator, the Huntsman spinoff that holds the family-owned business’s former titanium dioxide activities, has filed for protection from creditors under U.S. Chapter 11, Chemanager Online reported. The company, which is U.K.-registered but managed from the U.S. state of Texas, said it hopes to exit chapter 11 within approximately two months. CEO Simon Turner said Venator has reached agreement with the “overwhelming majority” of its lenders and noteholders on the terms of a comprehensive recapitalization plan that would equitize nearly all of its funded debt and strengthen its balance sheet.

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. will buy U.S. M&A advisory firm Greenhill & Co Inc. for $550 million including debt, the companies said on Monday, as Japan's No. 3 lender eyes a bigger share of the world's largest investment-banking fee pool, Reuters reported. The $15-per-share offer represents a premium of 121% to Greenhill's last closing price. Its shares had dropped nearly 40% over the 12 months till Friday's close as high interest rates weighed on dealmaking activity.