Build, build, build, stop! September 30, 2021 | Sponsored Ernst Hemingway once wrote that bankruptcies happen gradually, and then suddenly. Such words seem appropriate to describe the fate of Evergrande, one of China’s largest real-estate developers, that appears set to default on debt interest repayments. It had been known for months that the giant Asian firm was experiencing severe difficulties caused by a slowdown [...]
Pound plunges to January depths September 29, 2021 Pound sterling plummeted to its lowest level against the dollar since January today driven by traders gearing their portfolios toward safer assets. The pound lost ground on the greenback, dipping 0.06 per cent to buy $1.3527. The pound tends to move in line with global equity markets. Stocks suffered heavy hits yesterday, driven by investors [...]
FTSE 100 climbs as London markets shake off inflation fears September 29, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 jumped during opening exchanges today driven by investors in the capital shaking off inflation concerns that rattled global markets yesterday. The capital’s premier index added 0.74 per cent to reach 7,079.97 points in the first hour of trading today. Global markets sold off yesterday as investors rejigged their portfolios in preparation for [...]
Exclusive: 300 UK financiers provide £40bn in deforestation funds, claims WWF September 29, 2021 Around 300 City and UK-based financiers are directly providing £40bn in funding to companies that threaten Brazilian and Indonesian rainforests, according to nature charity WWF. The funding is provided through both investments and loans, the organisation told City A.M. in an email. Most of the companies are involved in the production of beef, palm oil, [...]
‘Alpha-Flation’: A Private Market Syndrome September 28, 2021 | City Talk In private equity (PE), there are more ways to calculate the alpha of a portfolio or fund than any other asset class. And in no sector other than private markets does investing in the average fund seem to go so poorly. Should it be this way? Is the average private market fund a bad fund [...]
Bailey’s hawkish tilt drags FTSE 100 down September 28, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 dipped during the moring session today driven by investors sentiment souring on governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey signalling rate hikes will come sooner than expected. The capital’s premier index lost 0.40 per cent to fall to 7,035.23 points during the first hour of exchanges. In a speech last night, [...]
Why capex is key to solving the supply chain issues hampering the economy September 27, 2021 | City Talk There are many incentives for capital expenditure (capex). Companies may invest in new technologies that help boost productivity and allow them to become more efficient. Or there may be inflationary pressures that companies want to offset with less waste, or through new equipment that will allow them to become more productive but will also help [...]
FTSE 100 dips as investors mull BoE’s hawkish tilt September 24, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 dipped during afternoon exchanges today driven by investors fearing the Bank of England’s hawkish tilt could be a looming headwind for markets. The capital’s premier index dropped 0.22 per cent to 7,062.47 points heading into the final session of the week. Retail and property stocks led the blue-chip index lower today. The [...]
Planes, trains and automobiles – how is Europe’s transport sector curbing its emissions? September 24, 2021 | City Talk Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by 3.8% in 2019, according to the European Environment Agency, bringing them to 24.0% below the levels seen in 1990. However, the EU is targeting a 55% reduction by 2030 (compared to 1990) with the aim of reaching net zero by 2050. There is still a long way to [...]
FTSE 100 extends rally as investors eye MPC meeting September 23, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 continued its rally today as investors mull whether the Bank of England will follow the US Federal Reserve’s example and signal bond buying will taper this year. The capital’s premier index added 0.50 per cent to reach 7,119.04 points during the first hour of trading. The blue-chip index has recovered from heavy [...]