Households could be automatically switched to cheaper energy tariffs December 13, 2020 Households could find themselves automatically switched onto cheaper energy tariffs under new government plans set to be released this week. The proposal is an attempt to crack down on energy suppliers which move customers onto higher “default” deals after their initial contracts end. The BBC reported that the plan would be unveiled as part of [...]
EU banks losing appetite for exposure to Brexit Britain December 12, 2020 Banks in the European Union may be losing their appetite for exposure to Britain, the EU’s banking watchdog said yesterday. There are concerns in the bloc that a no-deal Brexit, which is looking increasingly likely, could disrupt financial markets. Britain will stop having full access to the EU after 31 December, and many banks in [...]
Pound slumps as no-deal Brexit gloom hangs over markets December 11, 2020 The pound has fallen sharply against the dollar as markets react to the growing chances of a no-deal Brexit, with increasingly pessimistic noises coming from the UK and EU. Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday said there was a “strong possibility” the two sides would fail to reach a deal. Ursula von der Leyen, president of [...]
Green bonds: ESG, sustainable or impact investments? December 11, 2020 | City Talk In this article, we provide an updated estimate for the green bond premium (“greenium”) in the Euro (EUR) market. We validate the common hypothesis that green bonds tend to trade a tighter spread (lower yield) than comparable “brown” bonds, and we offer some conclusions on green bond investors. The first green bond was issued in [...]
FTSE 100 slips as no-deal Brexit comes into focus December 11, 2020 The FTSE 100 opened lower as investors digested the prospect of a tighter lockdown in London and a no-deal exit from the EU transition period. London’s blue-chip index fell 0.1 per cent to 6,594 points in early trading. The FTSE 250 of slightly smaller firms dropped 0.2 per cent. The pound – which has been [...]
Stunning Airbnb market debut drives valuation past $100bn in biggest IPO open of 2020 December 10, 2020 Shares of Airbnb soared in its stock market debut today, valuing the firm at $101.6bn and marking the biggest US floatation of 2020. Shares open at $146 on the Nasdaq, far above the initial public offering (IPO) price of $68 apiece. The stock then hit a high of $165, rising 142.6 per cent after the [...]
Oil prices top $50 for the first time since pandemic declared December 10, 2020 Global oil prices today rose above $50 for the first time since the world went into lockdown back in March as traders welcomed the start of coronavirus vaccination programmes. Worldwide standard Brent Crude rose 3.5 per cent today to trade at $50.60, its highest levels since the first week of March. US benchmark West Texas [...]
AIM-listed Reabold finds largest onshore oil field in UK in 50 years December 10, 2020 A London-listed oil firm has today said it believes it has found the largest onshore oil field discovered in the UK since 1973, sending its shares soaring. Reabold Resources said that drillers at the West Newton site in east Yorkshire had found a new 62 metre oil reservoir, taking the total hydrocarbon column to 118 [...]
City regulator confirms mini-bond marketing ban December 10, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority has today confirmed its permanent ban on the marketing of mini-bonds to retail investors amid concerns over losses. It comes after a series of scandals involving unregulated bonds, including the collapse of London Capital & Finance (LCF) last year. The confirmation follows a temporary ban introduced in January after the regulator [...]
Pound sterling sinks lower on no-deal Brexit jitters December 10, 2020 The Brexit-battered pound extended its losses against the dollar and the euro this morning, on no-deal Brexit concerns.