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News Corp share slide almost 6% on phone hacking arrest News Corp share slide 7.6% on phone hacking arrest
(about 2 hours later)
Shares of News Corporation, the company owned by Australian billionaire Rupert Murdoch, have dropped almost 6% to a two-year low. Shares in News Corporation, the company owned by Australian billionaire Rupert Murdoch, have dropped by 7.6% to a two-year low.
The slide comes as an investigation into phone hacking in the UK has widened and a key figure was arrested. Shares touched A$13.65, their lowest point on the Australian Stock Exchange since July 2009.
News Corp owns the two newspapers at the heart of the scandal, The Sun and the now closed News of the World. They later recovered slightly, to stand 3.79% down at A$14.21. Its shares have lost almost a fifth of their value since the start of July.
In afternoon trading in Sydney, the shares were down 5.5% at 13.91 Australian dollars (£9.20). The slide comes as an investigation into phone hacking in the UK widens.
Its shares have lost almost a fifth of their value since the start of July.
Analysts say the events of the past few days have caused major damage to the company, as 19% of its total value has evaporated.Analysts say the events of the past few days have caused major damage to the company, as 19% of its total value has evaporated.
"You're now looking at [about] 10 billion dollars wiped off the value since the peak," said Stephen Mayne, director of the Australian Shareholders' Association."You're now looking at [about] 10 billion dollars wiped off the value since the peak," said Stephen Mayne, director of the Australian Shareholders' Association.
Widening probeWidening probe
News Corp is the parent company of News International, which runs The Sun, the News of the World, The Times and Sunday Times. News Corp is the parent company of News International, which runs The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times. Their sister paper, the News of the World was shut down earlier this month as a result of the phone hacking scandal.
On Sunday, ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks was arrested by police in the UK on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and on suspicion of corruption.On Sunday, ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks was arrested by police in the UK on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and on suspicion of corruption.
Mrs Brooks has denied wrongdoing and was released on bail at midnight (2300 GMT).Mrs Brooks has denied wrongdoing and was released on bail at midnight (2300 GMT).
In another twist, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson stepped down for his part in the phone hacking scandal.In another twist, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson stepped down for his part in the phone hacking scandal.
Sir Paul, Britain's most senior police officer, was criticised for hiring former News of the World executive Neil Wallis - who was questioned by police as part of the probe into hacking - as an adviser.Sir Paul, Britain's most senior police officer, was criticised for hiring former News of the World executive Neil Wallis - who was questioned by police as part of the probe into hacking - as an adviser.
Leadership change?Leadership change?
Today's drop has fuelled the debate over whether there needs to be a management shakeup at News Corp. News Corp's share price drop has fuelled the debate over whether there needs to be a management shakeup at the company.
Mr Mayne says independent directors at the company have been discussing a change in leadership. Mr Mayne says independent directors at the firm have been discussing a change in leadership.
"The shareholder pressure, particularly today's tumultuous fall on Australian markets after the amazing developments over the weekend, is clearly showing that this is a gathering storm." "The shareholder pressure, particularly today's tumultuous fall on Australian markets after the amazing developments over the weekend, is clearly showing that this is a gathering storm," he said.
Although some reports suggest this may not be the case.Although some reports suggest this may not be the case.
Tom Perkins, who is on the board of News Corp, denied that any such discussions were ongoing in an emailed response to Reuters news agency. Tom Perkins, who is on the board of News Corp, denied that any such discussions were taking place in an emailed response to Reuters news agency.