The key US dollar three-month Libor rate rises above one per cent for first time since 2009 January 4, 2017 The key benchmark interest rate for banks to lend to each other has risen above one per cent for the first time since May 2009, in a long overdue sign of recovery in banking sector lending. The three-month US dollar Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) rose to 1.00511 after being fixed at 0.99872 on Tuesday, [...]
Hammond becomes latest minister to visit Gulf in UK’s Middle East charm offensive January 4, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond has become the latest government minister to visit the Middle East as part of the UK's ongoing charm offensive aimed at Gulf states. Hammond will visit Kuwait, UAE and Qatar, following in the footsteps of a several senior figures in Prime Minister Theresa May's regime. May, herself, visited Bahrain in early December [...]
“Alexa, what’s an annuity?” Insurance company Aviva is using Amazon Echo January 4, 2017 "Alexa, what's an annuity?" Now your Amazon Echo can tell you the answer to burning questions about insurance and guide you through the unfamiliar jargon of the industry. The Insurance giant Aviva has developed a so-called skill (like an app for smartphones) for the voice activated speaker which proved a big hit for Amazon over Christmas. Read more: [...]
Investment banking fees plunged in 2016, but analysts predict 2017 pick-up January 4, 2017 Global investment banking fees fell seven per cent last year, with the UK’s plunging even further, thanks to a decline in flotations, equity raisings and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. However, the decline was less marked in the second half of 2016, and analysts are predicting a recovery this year. Thomson Reuters found global investment banking [...]
Titanic struggle between mobile data allowance and user demand is settled January 4, 2017 | City Talk It’s the quintessential 21st Century dilemma: you’ve just spotted Leonardo DiCaprio outside an Edinburgh café and snapped the best celebrity selfie of your life. But can you risk a Facebook Live broadcast? Just how much mobile data do you have left? Then you remember you’re in Scotland’s capital where, since the end of November 2016, [...]
Natural disaster insurance payouts double after highest losses for four years January 4, 2017 Devastating earthquakes and powerful storms meant insurance firms forked out $50bn (£41bn) to settle disaster claims in 2016. The settlements were almost double the $27bn paid by insurers in 2015, according to an annual review by reinsurance behemoth Munich Re. Globally, an average of just 30 per cent of losses were covered by insurers meaning total losses for [...]
Hilton Food Group’s share price jumps after a joint venture is formed with Portugal’s leading food retailer January 4, 2017 Hilton Food Group's share price increased more than five per cent to an all-time high of 695p in morning trading after it announced a 50/50 joint venture agreement with Portugal's leading food retailer. This extends the UK-based retail meat packing company's presence to a total of 15 countries. The meaty deal with Sonae Modelo Continente will allow Hilton to supply a range of packaged beef, [...]
Middle Eastern investor buys up Sullivan & Cromwell’s European HQ January 4, 2017 A Middle Eastern investor has snapped up 1 New Fetter Lane, the European headquarters of international law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. UBS Triton Property Fund sold the Grade A property, which is located just south of Holborn Circus, for £69m. Sullivan & Cromwell recently agreed a new lease on the building which will end in 2026. Read [...]
Nisa bags a nicer Christmas trading period January 4, 2017 Convenience store chain and wholesaler Nisa Retail bagged a sales boost in the lead-up to Christmas, with like-for-like sales increasing 2.2 per cent. Total sales grew 2.7 per cent in the 10 weeks to the 1 January, reaching £235.6m, as compared to £229.5m during the same period last year. Read more: Christmas come early: CMA [...]
Top London chefs reveal food trends for 2017: British-grown, plankton and vegan January 4, 2017 Restaurant menus in 2016 were marked by the rise in avocado and gluten free foods. Starting to wonder what this year's food trends will be? Wait no longer. Top London chefs have revealed to Bookatable which trends are set to shake the restaurant market in 2017. Here are a few stand-out predictions. Plankton and charcoal will grace our menus Apparently, [...]