Prudential outlines demerger date as first-half profits rise August 14, 2019 Britain’s biggest insurer Prudential said this morning that its highly-anticipated demerger will take place later this year, as it also reported a double-digit rise in profits for the first half of 2019. Plans to separate the firm’s UK business, M&GPrudential, from its Asian and US operations were confirmed by the group’s management team this morning, [...]
UK train fares set for another substantial rise as inflation climbs August 14, 2019 UK train fares are set for another substantial rise in January 2020 after the inflation gauge they are based on climbed by a yearly rate of 2.8 per cent in July, according to official figures released today. Read more: UK wage growth hits 11-year high in first quarter despite shrinking economy Each January, train fares [...]
Hammond: No 10’s Brexit plans ‘a betrayal’ of referendum result August 14, 2019 The former Chancellor has blasted Boris Johnson’s team for paving the way for a no-deal Brexit, arguing it would be “a betrayal” of the referendum result in 2016 and “must not happen”. Writing in the Times this morning, Philip Hammond slammed “the unelected people” – thinly veiled code for Johnson’s closest adviser Dominic Cummings – [...]
Rail fares have risen twice as fast as wages over past decade, says union August 14, 2019 Rail fares have risen twice as fast as wages in the past decade, new analysis by the TUC trade union has found. The figures show that rail fares, which are pegged to the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation measure, have risen by 46 per cent since 2009, while nominal weekly earnings have only grown by [...]
Steinhoff to sell off assets in bid to cut debt pile August 13, 2019 Embattled global retailer Steinhoff said today that it will sell off assets in the wake of a $7bn (£5.8bn) accountancy scandal. In a bid to slash its debt pile, the troubled South African giant revealed plans to slim down into a retail-focused investment holding company. Read more: Restaurants eat into retailers’ high street share Chief [...]
Positive global income trends August 13, 2019 | Sponsored Ben Lofthouse, Fund Manager of Henderson International Income Trust, outlines some of the positive income trends from around the world, which the Trust has benefited from; and he explains how the Trust is impacted by the ongoing trade war.
Has the value comeback been postponed? August 13, 2019 | Sponsored Alex Crooke, Fund Manager for Bankers Investment Trust, explains why his predictions for the second half of the year have changed as political uncertainty continues to hamper business confidence. Alex also gives an update on asset allocation within the portfolio, particularly in light of the China-US trade war.
Rival Silvertown Tunnel bidder launches legal action against TfL August 13, 2019 A rival bidder for the proposed Silvertown Tunnel has launched legal action against Transport for London (TfL), preventing it from signing the £1bn contract. TfL awarded the contract to build and design the tunnel in East London to Riverlinx, a consortium that includes Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI), Cintra and Macquarie Capital. Read more: TfL awards [...]
Exxon Mobil prepares exit from the British North Sea August 13, 2019 Exxon Mobil it poised to end a decades-long love affair with the British North Sea, becoming the latest US oil major to pull back and re-group on home soil. The company has been sounding out fellow North Sea operators to find a suitable buyer for its assets in the basin, which could sell for up [...]