London house prices set to slide as caution lingers in the UK property market November 8, 2018 Fears of flat activity in London’s housing market were underlined by a new closely-followed survey this morning, which suggested property prices will continue to sink as buyer caution looms over the capital. According to data released today from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 41 per cent more respondents have predicted a further fall rather [...]
Talktalk stalls on £1.5bn deal to roll out full-fibre internet to UK homes November 7, 2018 British telecoms network Talktalk has put discussions with Prudential-owned investment vehicle Infracapital on hold amid a valuation dispute on a £1.5bn deal to roll out full-fibre broadband to millions of homes across the country. Sky News reported tonight that the two parties have reached an impasse on the joint venture, which was announced in February. [...]
Citibank fined over $38m by US markets watchdog November 7, 2018 Citibank has been fined more than $38m (£29m) by markets watchdog the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for abuse in handling American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to brokers. The SEC’s investigation into the matter concluded that Citibank had provided US securities that represent foreign shares, or ADRs, to brokers in thousands of transactions prematurely, without [...]
Facebook founder Zuckerberg rejects invitation to appear before UK MPs November 7, 2018 Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was today revealed to have refused an invite to appear before an “international grand committee” by Digital, Culture and Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee chairman Damian Collins The 27 November hearing would have debated the social media giant’s role in perpetuating so-called fake news. Collins had joined forces with his [...]
Theresa May invites ministers to preview draft EU deal November 7, 2018 Theresa May has invited Cabinet ministers into Downing Street to catch a glimpse of the UK’s draft deal with the European Union. The deal being discussed is not the full withdrawal agreement and crucially does not contain the protocol on Northern Ireland, which Downing Street said was still to be finalised as negotiations were ongoing. The [...]
Lloyds invests in new digital banking platform November 7, 2018 Lloyds Banking Group said today it had invested in a fintech company whose tech it plans to roll out next year, in the bank’s latest bid to enhance its digital presence. Lloyds has invested £11m for a 10 per cent stake in Thought Machine, which is building a new cloud-based platform aimed at replacing current [...]
Solar-energy giant Lightsource BP expands US business November 7, 2018 Lightsource BP, Europe’s biggest solar energy developer, has signed deals for two new solar projects in the US, the company announced today. The UK-based company, which specialises in the development, acquisition and long-term management of large-scale solar projects and smart energy solutions, will build the 16 megawatt (MW) Wildflower Solar plant in California and a 9 MW solar [...]
Shareholders at Randgold Resources vote to back merger with Barrick Gold November 7, 2018 Shareholders at Randgold Resources overwhelmingly backed the miners proposed $6bn (£4.6bn) merger with Barrick Gold today. At an extraordinary general meeting in Jersey today 95 per cent of voters backed the tie-up which has been agreed in September, clearing the required hurdle of 75 per cent. On Tuesday Randgold reported a 25 per cent profit [...]
Barclays economists predict orderly Brexit and boost to UK stock markets November 7, 2018 An orderly Brexit is on the cards and could ultimately make UK stocks “more investable” to global investors, Barclays analysts have predicted. The bank's European equity strategy division has predicted a Brexit deal will be agreed by the end of the year accompanied by a rebound in the pound. But it said the relative performance [...]
Irish Prime Minister casts fresh doubt on chances of reaching November Brexit deal November 7, 2018 Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has said hopes of reaching a Brexit deal later this month are fading, echoing comments by the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier that "we are not there yet". Speaking at a conference while on a visit to Helsinki, Finland, the Taoiseach said: “I do think that, with every day that passes, the possibility [...]