Profit warnings by UK retailers at the highest level since Global Financial Crisis January 20, 2019 The number of UK retailers issuing profit warnings reached a ten year high last year as the sector endured a torrid twelve months, according to data from accounting giant EY. Data showed that 38 per cent of FTSE general retailers issued profit warnings in 2018, a 50 per cent increase on the previous year and [...]
FTSE risers and fallers: US-China breakthrough gives markets a pre-weekend boost January 18, 2019 The FTSE soared upwards today as China signalled it would be willing to break the impasse in relations with the US. The markets reacted well to reports that the country was offering to go on a six-year buying spree to ramp up US imports to over $1tn a year. Officials made the offer, which would [...]
Rio Tinto rises as iron output grows two per cent in line with expectations January 18, 2019 Rio Tinto showed its metal this morning as iron shipments increased two per cent in line with the company’s 2018 guidance. Shares in the FTSE 100 miner had risen around one per cent by the early afternoon to 2,937p as the company reported that copper output had rocketed 33 per cent, ahead of expectations. However forecasts [...]
China could turn to Indonesian imports as coal mines shut after accident which left 21 dead January 18, 2019 A collapsed coal mine which left 21 dead in China’s Shaanxi province could force the country to ramp up coal imports as production is shut down in two counties. Coal mining has been halted for at least a month in all private mines in Shenmu county where the roof collapsed at the 0.9m tonnes per [...]
FTSE 100 index rises on hopes of US – China trade war breakthrough January 18, 2019 The FTSE 100 is up more than one per cent this morning on hopes of a breakthrough in trade talks between the US and China. The index was boosted by hopes of progress in the trade war, which were sparked by news reports suggesting that the US is considering reducing tariffs on Chinese imports. Read more: Markets lift [...]
Uber, Lyft, Airbnb: Unicorn IPOs are coming in 2019 January 18, 2019 | City Talk 2019 is set to be an exciting year for IPOs. Some of the biggest floats in history are planned over the coming months. But the problem with IPOs is that the excitement wanes quickly, as 2018 proved. Here’s a look at some of the most hotly anticipated stock market debuts planned for 2019 and the [...]
DEBATE: Are falling house prices in London a good thing? January 18, 2019 Are falling house prices in London a good thing? Daniel Hegarty, founder and chief executive of digital mortgage broker Habito, says YES. Provided it stops at a pricing correction and doesn’t go further, the drop in house prices is good news. London’s sky-high prices have left the average 34-year-old first-time buyer needing to borrow 13 times [...]
The stock markets that look ‘cheap’ at the start of 2019 January 18, 2019 | City Talk 2018 was a rumbustious year for stock markets, with things really coming to the fore in harrowing fashion in the latter stages. With investors having grown accustomed to an unusual oasis of calm over recent years, volatility was back with a bang. However, as the dust settles, there is a silver lining. Even before the [...]
Lots of minuses for Plus500 as shorters dig in their heels January 17, 2019 Four funds have upped their short positions against online trading platform Plus500 so far this month, despite the firm’s upbeat ending to 2018. Twelve funds overall are betting that the Israeli firm’s share price will fall, with stakes worth hundreds of millions against it. Together, around 12.4 per of the firm’s shares are declared as [...]
City law firm Fieldfisher acquires Mayfair boutique in bet on London’s hedge fund sector January 17, 2019 City law firm Fieldfisher has acquired a specialist Mayfair boutique in a bet London’s hedge fund sector will thrive post-Brexit. The City firm has acquired West End boutique Cummings Law and hired two senior partners from rival firms to launch Cummings Fisher, which will specialise in funds, derivatives, financial services regulation and fund formation work. [...]