FTSE 100 close: London index kicks off new week softly ahead of expected Bank of England rate hike January 30, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 kicked off a new week in soft style today, with gains held lower by investors sweating over a string of big central banks raising interest rates this week. The capital’s premier index jumped 0.25 per cent to 7,784.88 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the [...]
Hambro SPAC ditches merger talks with biotech firm January 30, 2023 Hambro Perks Acquisition Company (HPAC), a pioneering special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), has abandoned plans for a merger with biotech firm Istesso. HPAC, which became the first SPAC to float in London in November 2021 after regulators overhauled UK rules, had been in talks with Istesso over a planned merger. Istesso is part-owned by London-listed [...]
UK investors facing dividend drop-off as inflation squeezes profits January 30, 2023 Investors in UK firms are facing a drop-off in dividends this year as rising costs cause firms to rein in their payouts following a bumper 2022, according to new data.
London £4 trillion stock market sees profit warnings hit financial crisis levels January 30, 2023 Profit warnings issued by companies on London’s £4 trillion stock market surged over the last year, propelled by swelling costs squeezing margins, a new report out today reveals. Against a backdrop of skyrocketing energy prices and slowing demand amid cost of living crisis, businesses have had to tell shareholders to brace for profits to come [...]
BP vulnerable to takeover as London bargain hunt continues, top analyst predicts January 29, 2023 UK oil and gas firms could be on the receiving end of a wave of takeovers this year as investors swoop on historically cheap London-listed companies, a top analyst has predicted.
Week ahead: FTSE traders eye Shell and BT results as Bank of England prepares for another rate hike January 29, 2023 London traders are gearing up for a big week of corporate results, with UK giants Shell, BT Group, Glencore, GSK and Vodafone Group updating markets. Shell is due to announce their final results for 2022 on Thursday and are expected to post record profits as oil giants continue to benefit from the global energy boom. [...]
FCA to take swift action against firms flouting consumer duty rules, lawyers warn January 29, 2023 The Financial Conduct Authority is expected to take swift action against firms that fail to comply with new rules to protect savers and retail investors, City lawyers have warned. The City watchdog announced a major overhaul to consumer regulation last summer in the new Consumer Duty, which is set to shift greater onus onto companies [...]
FTSE 100 close: Wizz Air nosedives while JD Sports and 3i shine in London January 26, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 jumped today, led higher by private equity firm 3i soaring after it dropped a strong crop of results, prompting traders to pile into its shares. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.22 per cent to 7,761.55 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which better reflects the health of the UK economy, leapt [...]
Bank dealmaking slumped to a five year low in 2022 – will it rebound this year? January 26, 2023 Mergers and acquisitions involving Europe’s top lenders slumped to their lowest level in five years last year as aggressive moves by central banks spooked dealmakers, new research has revealed.
FTSE 100 close: Barclays, HSBC and Easyjet shine on otherwise poor day in London January 25, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 today gave up morning gains to finish lower before stronger-than-expected retail earnings provided a balm against recession fears. The capital’s premier index fell 0.22 per cent to 7,740.34 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, slid 0.38 per cent to [...]