April 09, 2012

Euro crisis fears leave world's richest poorer by $9 bn

NEW YORK: The 20 wealthiest people on Earth lost a combined $9.1 billion this week as renewed concerns that Europe's debt crisis might worsen drove the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to its largest decline of 2012.


Mexican Carlos Slim's fortune fell by $1.5 billion during the week as shares of his telecom operator, America Movil SAB, dropped 2.2% through April 4. Mexican markets were closed on Thursday for the Holy Thursday holiday.

The 72-year-old remains the richest person in the world, with a net worth of $69.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

"This is a little bit of a reality check," Leo Grohowski, chief investment officer for New York-based BNY Mellon Wealth Management, said in a telephone interview.

"The super wealthy are among the most cautious investors in the world. Skepticism is still high, and they are feeling very, very nervous."

Global markets retreated this week as demand fell at a Spanish bond auction and minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting indicated that it isn't ready to provide more monetary stimulus.

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 0.7%, to 1398.08, its third weekly decline of 2012.

Li Ka-Shing, Asia's second-richest person, lost $144 million during the week.

Shares of his port operator, Hutchison Whampoa, dropped 1.1% in Thursday's Hong Kong trading, leading the Hang Seng Index to its fifth decline in six days. Li, 83, ranks 15th on the index with a $23.8 billion fortune.

Brazilian Eike Batista's net worth fell $574.4 million this week as shares of OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes dropped 3% during the week.

On April 4, International Business Machines, the world's largest computer-services provider, bought a 20% stake in Batista's technology unit, SIX Automacao.

The two companies will set up a technology center to serve customers in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru.

Batista, whose fortune rose $7.2 billion last week after the 55-year-old sold a 5.6% stake in his commodities empire, ranks 10th on the index. His net worth of $33.5 billion is up 49% year to date.

Stefan Persson, 64, chairman of Swedish clothing giant H&M, fell four spots to rank 17th on the Bloomberg index as his fortune fell $1.4 billion to $23.2 billion.

H&M shares declined by 3.8% during the four-day week shortened by the Good Friday holiday.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, 56, is second on the index with a net worth of $63.2 billion, down $558.1 million for the week.

Warren Buffett, 81, is third with $45.2 billion. The world's three richest people have gained a combined $17.2 billion year to date.

indiatimes.com

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