Sterling falls against the dollar ahead of Trump’s May day January 27, 2017 Negotiations between Theresa May and Donald Trump will remain under wraps until this evening – but the UK is already losing out to the US in the currency stakes, with the pound falling in late morning trading. Having edged briefly above $1.26 earlier this morning, sterling fell as low as $1.2524 in late morning trading, [...]
Donald Trump’s wall prompts investor stampede for infrastructure January 27, 2017 Donald Trump’s promises to build a massive wall with Mexico as well as to revive oil pipelines have prompted an investor rush to gain exposure to infrastructure assets. Inflows into funds focused on investments in the infrastructure sector surged in the last week, according to data provider EPFR. On assuming the US presidency, Trump signed [...]
Fabulous Brexit, Chinese implosion: The feasible scenarios markets are ignoring January 27, 2017 The exquisite unpredictability of markets was on full parade in 2016, and investors are still breathless. Very few believed populist anger would lead to a Brexit or a President Trump, or that a crashing oil market would be rescued by a deal underpinned by Saudi altruism towards Iran. Indeed, markets are replete with occurrences which [...]
Saudi Aramco IPO: UK-based consultancy firm said to land role in mega-float January 26, 2017 A UK-based consultancy firm was reportedly hired for work on what is expected to be the world’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO). Gaffney, Cline & Associates (GCA), which is headquartered in Alton, Hampshire, was selected to assess Saudi Aramco’s crude oil reserves, the Wall Street Journal first reported. The audit is said to have now completed, [...]
Industrials firms are expected to make a comeback on Aim in 2017 January 26, 2017 Miners and oil and gas companies are expected to make a comeback on the junior flotation market in 2017, but realistic pricing and high quality prospects will be critical to their success, new research suggests. A much improved initial public offering (IPO) market is expected for industrials firms as commodity prices continue to rise, Alternative Investment Market [...]
Londoners invited to invest in Libya January 26, 2017 Libyan businessmen and governmental officials are in London today seeking investment in the country’s key industries. The Libya Reconstruction and Investment Forum is being held at Lancaster House, a government-owned mansion in St James’s operated by the Foreign Office. Oil, healthcare and infrastructure will be among the sectors where Libyans will be looking for foreign [...]
Europe’s Stoxx 600 hits highest point since December 2015 January 26, 2017 Stocks across Europe have risen as a cluster of mergers and a share in the Trump trade boosted investor sentiment. The Euro Stoxx 600, which tracks large companies from across Europe including the UK, hit its highest point in almost 13 months, after rising at its fastest rate since the day after Trump’s election on [...]
Novartis launches $5bn share buyback and mulls spin-off of eyecare business Alcon January 25, 2017 Novartis may spin off its struggling Alcon eye care business as it looks at ways to boost growth The Swiss drugmaker also plans to buy back up to $5bn (£4bn) of shares over the next year in a bid to return to growth by 2018. Alcon has slumped to a $120m loss as fourth-quarter sales dipped. Novartis could consider floating, [...]
The Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 20,000 for the first time as the Trump trade continues January 25, 2017 The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has broken through the 20,000-point mark for the first time ever, crossing a symbolic line only a year after falling below 16,000. The index has surged over 2016, with the election of Donald Trump prompting a massive increase in US share prices in the last two months of 2017. [...]
This Aim-listed x-ray firm is set to raise £21m January 25, 2017 Aim-listed radiation detection tech firm Kromek has raised £21m through a conditional firm placing and open offer. The firm placing of 100m shares at 20p apiece was over-subscribed with new and existing institutional investors in the company taking part. At the time of writing, Kromek's share price rose by nearly seven per cent. Kromek provides digital colour x-ray [...]