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Olympus retains listing but shares fall again | Olympus retains listing but shares fall again |
(1 day later) | |
Japan's scandal-hit camera maker Olympus has retained its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange but has seen its shares fall sharply again. | Japan's scandal-hit camera maker Olympus has retained its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange but has seen its shares fall sharply again. |
It filed five years' worth of reports on Wednesday, just three hours before a deadline set by the Tokyo exchange. | It filed five years' worth of reports on Wednesday, just three hours before a deadline set by the Tokyo exchange. |
However, Olympus's stock fell 20.8% on Thursday as investors worried that the company may be running short of cash. | However, Olympus's stock fell 20.8% on Thursday as investors worried that the company may be running short of cash. |
Olympus president, Shuichi Takayama, said it would consider tie-ups with other firms to strengthen its finances. | Olympus president, Shuichi Takayama, said it would consider tie-ups with other firms to strengthen its finances. |
"Capital adequacy ratio is a big problem, and we are considering how we can overcome it," he said in a press conference on Thursday. | "Capital adequacy ratio is a big problem, and we are considering how we can overcome it," he said in a press conference on Thursday. |
"We are considering various options, including a capital tie-ups and operational or sales tie-ups," he added. | "We are considering various options, including a capital tie-ups and operational or sales tie-ups," he added. |
Losses | Losses |
In November, the camera and medical equipment manufacturer admitted that it had been hiding losses of $1.5bn (£968m) over the last two decades. | In November, the camera and medical equipment manufacturer admitted that it had been hiding losses of $1.5bn (£968m) over the last two decades. |
And in its latest accounts for the six months to the end of September the company declared a loss of 32.3bn yen ($414m; £267m). | And in its latest accounts for the six months to the end of September the company declared a loss of 32.3bn yen ($414m; £267m). |
Mr Takayama blamed the latest losses on the economic downturn and Thai flooding. | Mr Takayama blamed the latest losses on the economic downturn and Thai flooding. |
In its revised accounts the firm admitted that its net assets were valued at just 46bn yen, down from a re-stated 225bn yen in March 2007. | In its revised accounts the firm admitted that its net assets were valued at just 46bn yen, down from a re-stated 225bn yen in March 2007. |
The firm's embattled president also said he would consider re-hiring former chief executive Michael Woodford. | |
Mr Takayama was on the board which voted unanimously to fire Mr Woodford after he questioned the firm's original accounts. | Mr Takayama was on the board which voted unanimously to fire Mr Woodford after he questioned the firm's original accounts. |
"On what will happen to Mr Woodford, it is certain that he is among the options," said Mr Takayama. | "On what will happen to Mr Woodford, it is certain that he is among the options," said Mr Takayama. |
However, Mr Woodford, who has called for the board to resign before choosing a successor, said he opposed tie-ups with other firms. | However, Mr Woodford, who has called for the board to resign before choosing a successor, said he opposed tie-ups with other firms. |
"I am very fearful of the current management working with parties to look for strategic alliances, which would mean in the end the loss of our independence," he said. | "I am very fearful of the current management working with parties to look for strategic alliances, which would mean in the end the loss of our independence," he said. |
Accounts | Accounts |
Mr Woodward has since returned to Japan to seek his re-appointment to the firm which fired him for raising questions about fees paid in the purchase of British medical equipment maker Gyrus Group in 2008. | Mr Woodward has since returned to Japan to seek his re-appointment to the firm which fired him for raising questions about fees paid in the purchase of British medical equipment maker Gyrus Group in 2008. |
The fees for financial advice and acquisitions were designed to keep losses off the company's books. | The fees for financial advice and acquisitions were designed to keep losses off the company's books. |
The Tokyo exchange may still de-list Olympus if it feels the firm's actions were sufficiently serious. | The Tokyo exchange may still de-list Olympus if it feels the firm's actions were sufficiently serious. |
The ensuing investigations have caused Olympus shares to fall and forced its chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa to step down. | The ensuing investigations have caused Olympus shares to fall and forced its chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa to step down. |
It remains unclear how much of the board will eventually resign. | It remains unclear how much of the board will eventually resign. |
Mr Takayama has said that he and fellow directors will make way for a new board to be elected by shareholders at a meeting in March or April. | Mr Takayama has said that he and fellow directors will make way for a new board to be elected by shareholders at a meeting in March or April. |
However, he said not all members may need to go and has refused to speculate over his own position. | However, he said not all members may need to go and has refused to speculate over his own position. |
"There is no need for those who are not found responsible (of wrongdoing) to resign," he said. | "There is no need for those who are not found responsible (of wrongdoing) to resign," he said. |
No one has yet been charged in the scandal. | No one has yet been charged in the scandal. |
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