
Amundi CEO says UniCredit accounts for about 100 billion euros in assets under management
PARIS, April 30 (Reuters) - UniCredit (CRDI.MI), opens new tab accounts for roughly half of Amundi's (AMUN.PA), opens new tab assets under management (AUM) in Italy, as the leading distributor for the French asset manager in its biggest foreign market, Amundi CEO Valérie Baud said.
KEY QUOTE
"The UniCredit networks ... represent around 100 billion euros out of our more than 2,250 billion euros in outstanding (AUM) today," Baudson said.
The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here.
"We organised around 3,000 meetings with UniCredit group advisers ... and we launched almost 30 funds for UniCredit in 2024 too. So that shows the extent of our relationship and, moreover, the customer satisfaction... (is) excellent."
WHY IT MATTERS
The distribution accord between UniCredit and Amundi, which runs out in 2027, could become either a bargaining chip or a bone of contention, with Amundi's parent company Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA), opens new tab set to play a key role in UniCredit's takeover plans for Banco BPM (BAMI.MI), opens new tab.
Credit Agricole CEO Philippe Brassac said on Wednesday the French bank "would decide in a few weeks" whether to tender its BPM stake under the bid.
CONTEXT
Credit Agricole became a BPM investor in 2022 after a previous aborted takeover attempt by UniCredit and is now its biggest shareholder, with a near 20% stake.
The French bank is keen to protect its commercial partnerships in Italy, which include the UniCredit contract struck by Amundi in 2017, when it paid 3.6 billion euros to buy the Italian bank's fund business.
BY THE NUMBERS
Amundi had 198 billion euros in AUM in Italy at the end of March, one fifth of its total in France and down from 208 billion euros at the end of 2024.
($1 = 0.8809 euros)
Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; Writing by Valentina Za; Editing by Kirsten Donovan
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
10 hours ago
- Metro
Virgin orders 12 new high-speed trains in biggest challenge to Eurostar yet
Virgin has cranked up its game in the race to end Eurostar's decades-long monopoly of Channel Tunnel rail services. Sir Richard Branson's company has signed a deal for 12 high-speed Avelia Stream trains with Alstom, the French train manufacturer. Virgin will use the rolling stock for journeys from the UK to mainland Europe by 2030, if it secures a sought-after deal to run services through the Channel Tunnel. The plan was revealed in the company's submission to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for permission to run services on HS1, the high-speed line from London St Pancras to Kent and on through the Tunnel. According to these documents, Virgin wants to launch routes in the next five years, with trains from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, with potential for additional destinations in Germany and Switzerland. If successful, this would put Branson's brand in direct competition with Eurostar. The submission, which suggests that Virgin is the only applicant that has secured funding and trains, is the first significant challenge to Eurostar's dominance of the Channel Tunnel since it began operating in 1994. Virgin first announced plans to take on Eurostar in January. Then in March, a spokesperson said there were 'no more major hurdles to overcome' in its bid to offer an alternative for travellers. This came after the ORR confirmed that Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot could be used by other operators. The depot, where trains are maintained and stored, is crucial for other operators to compete. Alongside improving choice for passengers, Metro understands that Virgin's aim is to inject some joy into their journey across the Channel, which suggests the onboard experience itself will be a priority for the firm. In an effort to win over Eurostar customers, they'll also be sweetening the pot, with bookings connected to its Group-wide rewards programme, Virgin Red. But Branson's iconic brand is not the only one with ambitions. In April, a new potential rival emerged in the form of Italy's national state-owned railway company. Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) said it will launch a new high-speed rail service between London and Paris by 2029 that would compete with Eurostar. The group, which is a co-owner of Avanti West Coast, could extend the route to Marseilles, Lyon and Milan, and is also looking at a possible reopening of Ashford International in Kent. Eurostar stopped calling at the station March 2020 due to Covid. Gemini Trains has also confirmed plans to launch a fleet of 10 trains from the UK to Europe. Other players include London St Pancras High Speed (which recently rebranded from HS1) and Spanish start-up Evolyn. Fares on the rail link between the UK and France have soared since the pandemic, but all of this moving and shaking suggests passengers can soon look forward to a change in the game. More Trending 'Any competition is good competition, and a new player would obviously help to bring rail fares down,' Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, previously told Metro. She says it's high time that the UK levels up its rail services, both at home and abroad. 'When you think back 30 years ago when we first got Eurostar at Waterloo, you should have been able to move to Manchester at the same speed – that never happened,' she notes. 'The rail industry hasn't done what they were supposed to be doing.' Virgin Group Gemini Trains Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Evolyn London St Pancras High Speed Uber Trains MORE: We swerved a beach honeymoon for a European city break — we're itching to go back MORE: I've been to 175 countries – but I always go back to these underrated gems MORE: I stumbled across the best bar ever in Europe's newly-crowned 'safest city'


Press and Journal
15 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Riccardough's Pizza Kitchen to bring a slice of Italian heritage back to Oban
Oban is set to welcome Riccardough's, a new food business with a whole lot of history behind it. And one that promises to serve up a taste of authentic Italian pizza, many locals will remember fondly. Riccardough's Pizza Kitchen, a newly refurbished and eye-catching mobile pizza van, will soon be hitting the streets of Oban and surrounding villages. Behind the venture is 61-year-old Riccardo Pacitti, the son of the late Luigi and Dorina Pacitti, who ran the much-loved Luigi's Pizzeria and chip shop in the town for many years. Luigi's chip shop in Oban was a local institution. Known for its authentic Italian pizza and classic fish and chips, it became a community favourite. For years, locals and visitors alike queued for its fresh flavours and the warm, family-run atmosphere that made it a much-missed part of the town's food scene. The Pacitti family were pioneers of authentic Italian pizza in Oban, introducing freshly made bases and traditional toppings to customers long before the trend took off in Scotland. 'I was working in the chip shop at the time and people just loved it,' said Riccardo. 'We were the first in Oban to serve real, fresh Italian pizza. It's something I've always been proud of.' After leaving the family business, Riccardo spent 22 years working at sea. He returned home to Oban in 2020 due to health reasons and the impact of the Covid pandemic. Since then, he has been looking for a way back into the food trade — but finding a restaurant premises proved difficult. 'I was never thinking about a van,' he said. 'But my daughter Natalie and her partner David encouraged me to give it a go.' Natalie runs a successful beauty business Oro Rosa, in the shop premises her grandparents once owned, and David MacPhee runs a digital marketing company, Digital Minded, and the This is Oban website. 'They've really helped me get this off the ground,' Riccardo said. The result is Riccardough's Pizza Kitchen — a fully renovated pizza van that has been in the works since March and has just received a striking new wrap from Impact Branding. Riccardo grew up steeped in Italian cooking, learning recipes and techniques from his parents. He says Riccardough's will allow him to share that heritage with a new generation of customers. Riccardough's Pizza Kitchen will serve at lunchtimes in Oban town centre near Tesco, before moving on to villages such as Connel, Dunbeg and others in the evenings. The van will also be available for parties, weddings and events, with Riccardo working on a set schedule so people know when and where to find it. As for the menu, Riccardo is keeping his cards close to his chest. 'I'm keeping the recipe and flavours under my chef's hat for now,' he said. 'But let's just say they'll be familiar to anyone who remembers Luigi's Pizzeria.' With the final touches being put in place, Riccardough's Pizza Kitchen is expected to open very soon. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, curated by Oban-based reporter Louise Glen, for top local stories and community highlights. 👉 Subscribe here Join the chat on Facebook: West Coast Chat


Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
New 129-day cruise launched from Sydney to London with 'unlimited food and drink'
Oceania Cruises has announced the newest route in its 2027 Around The World line-up: a 129-day voyage from Sydney to London designed to explore the wonders of Asia, the Mediterranean and beyond A major cruise company has launched a new trip from Sydney to London—lasting over four months. The 'Kangaroo Route' will span 129 days and is set to depart for the first time in 2027. According to Oceania Cruises, this new route will allow travellers to 'journey along the magnificent coastlines of Australia before spending more than two months exploring the cultural and natural wonders of Asia '. The voyage will include 'iconic cities and hidden gems of the timeless Mediterranean' before concluding in London. The trip will depart from Sydney on February 26, 2027 and arrive in London on July 5, 2027. In between, the ship will visit more than 80 ports across 34 countries and four continents. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. The itinerary includes Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, as well as European hotspots including the shores of Greece and Italy, as well as medieval cities in Croatia and Spain's Costa del Sol. The itinerary also features overnight stays in locations including Cairns, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Mumbai, Luxor and Bordeaux. The cruise company, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line, said guests will have access to 'the most spacious standard staterooms at sea', which are 291 square feet, complete with verandas. The ship accommodates 1,200 passengers but comes with a steep price tag. Tickets start at £44,039 (promotional price) for a French Veranda room to £156,439 (brochure price) for an Owner's Suite. Unlimited beer, wine and spirits are included as part of the trip or passengers can opt for a shore excursion credit instead. Exclusive shoreside events are also included, as well as free luggage delivery and a visa package. The voyage will take place aboard the Oceania Vista, which features 11 dining venues, including the Polo Grill Steakhouse, the pan-Asian Red Ginger and the French restaurant, Jacques. Oceania will also offer immersive Culinary Discovery Tours ashore and hands-on cooking classes in the ship's Culinary Centre. Guests can enjoy onboard experiences in the ship's eight bars, lounges and entertainment venues, or unwind at the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Centre. There will also be onboard enrichment in the form of art classes and guest lectures. This Kangaroo Route is the newest addition to Oceania Cruises 2027 Around The World cruise portfolio. Other routes include a 180-day trip from Miami to London, a 244-day trip from Miami to New York, and a 127-day cruise from Miami to Doha. Oceania Cruises chief luxury officer Jason Montague said: 'Our new Kangaroo Route, crafted from the epic 2027 Around the World cruise, is much more than a voyage – it's a rare invitation to experience a vast part of the world with the comfort, warmth, sophistication and exceptional cuisine that Oceania Cruises is renowned for. 'We're thrilled to offer this immersive new journey of exploration in 2027, aboard Oceania Vista, spanning four and a half remarkable months. 'Our guests crave enriching journeys, and this itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to effortlessly blend diverse continents, vibrant cultures and authentic cuisines into one utterly unforgettable experience.'