ECB sells Steinhoff's bond after scandal The European Central Bank has sold its bonds of scandal-hit South African retailer Steinhoff, data showed on Monday, potentially suffering a loss of up to 55% on that investment. Steinhoff, the owner of more than 40 multinational retail brands including Conforama, Mattress Firm and Poundland, revealed "accounting irregularity" last month along with the immediate departure of its chief executive. Its latest bond was worth as little as 45 percent of the value at which it was issued late last July, when the ECB bought it as part of its stimulus programme. – Nampa/Reuters BAT sees boost from US tax change British American Tobacco said yesterday that new US tax rules would boost its earnings per share by 6% in 2018, all other things being equal, supporting its commitment to high-single digit earnings growth.