London IPO fundraising slumps to 30 year low July 4, 2025 IPO fundraising has slumped to a 30-year low in London in the latest warning sign on the health of the UK’s capital markets. Just £160m was raised from five listings on the London markets in the first six months of the year, the lowest-first half since 1995, according to data from Dealogic shared with the [...]
FTSE 100 pay revolts double as race with US rivals heats up July 4, 2025 Shareholder rebellions against FTSE 100 executives’ bumper paydays more than doubled in the first half of 2025 as companies boosted pay in a battle to compete with US giants. Pay revolts were up 120 per cent in the first six months of the year as the likes of Melrose, British Gas-owner Centrica and Univelever faced [...]
Why did Santander buy TSB? July 3, 2025 Santander might have hoped its takeover of TSB would make waves across the banking industry, but analysts have dubbed it a more modest splash. The deal, which is set to be worth £2.9bn when closed in 2026, will add TSB’s five million customers, £34bn in mortgages and £35bn in deposits to Santander’s portfolio as well [...]
M&A volumes jump as US bidders snap up UK tech July 2, 2025 US private equity firms are continuing to swoop for UK tech companies leading to a jump in merger and acquisition (M&A) volumes. Giants from across the Atlantic have taken a heightened interest in UK stock, which analysts pegged to the “cheap and undervalued” nature of equities. UK public M&A activity almost tripled in the first [...]
UK on track for biggest year of takeovers since 2021 July 2, 2025 The UK is on course for its biggest year of takeovers since 2021 as more and more companies exit the London stock market after being snapped up by private equity. As much as £74bn in offers was made to UK firms in the first half of the year, according to an analysis by Peel Hunt, [...]
Exclusive: Revolut, Octopus mull joining Pisces July 2, 2025 Revolut, Octopus and Oaknorth are among billion-pound businesses weighing joining the new Pisces private stock market after being courted by prospective operator London Stock Exchange Group, City AM can reveal. The fast-growing firms were part of a group of around two dozen major businesses who attended a private conference hosted by LSE boss Julia Hoggett [...]
Astrazeneca chief ‘wants to shift London listing to US’ July 1, 2025 The boss of Britain’s most valuable company, Astrazeneca, has reportedly voiced his preference to move the firm’s stock market listing to the United States. Sir Pascal Soriot, who has been at the helm of the pharma juggernaut since 2012, is said to have spoken privately about his desire to abandon the UK listing in favour [...]
FCA ‘concerned’ over number of takeovers leaked to press July 1, 2025 The UK’s financial watchdog has expressed its concern after fresh figures found nearly two in five takeovers were reported in the press before being formally announced. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned the leaks, which can constitute a breach of market abuse rules, were triggering “price moves…caused by financial analysts or the media correctly predicting [...]
Polar Capital: Profit jumps as boss departs June 30, 2025 Asset manager Polar Capital reported a surge in profit for the latest financial year but a tough final quarter and the threat of market volatility lingered over results. The London-listed firm recorded a 27 per cent jump in core operating profit to £56.7m for the year ending March 31 2025. Pre-tax profit dipped six per [...]
Ex LSEG boss slams London stock market ‘gimmicks’ June 29, 2025 The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)’s former boss Xavier Rolet has blasted stewards of UK capital markets for focussing on “gimmicks and quick headline-grabbing fixes” to liquidity levels. Officials at the London Stock Exchange and at the Treasury have mooted possible reforms to savings as part of a bid to revive capital markets. London Stock [...]