Bumper Persimmon fails to shake off uncertainty March 5, 2019 | City Talk Despite the housebuilder's £1 billion profit and generous dividend, Persimmon shares are under a cloud. Just when investors thought it was safe to go back into mortar, the government's reported review of the Help to Buy scheme has dealt another blow to the sector. Persimmon (LSE:PSN) 6% share price decline represented the brunt of the blow, [...]
John Laing’s diverse portfolio drives global expansion at green-focused infrastructure firm March 5, 2019 Infrastructure investment company John Laing’s shares rose this morning as it announced strong growth in net asset value per share over the course of 2018. The group said it had resisted the global climate of political and economic uncertainty which has stymied infrastructure investment in some regions by maintaining a diverse portfolio. Share rose one [...]
Asset management firm Invesco lobbies US Securities and Exchange Commission over Mifid II implementation March 4, 2019 Global asset management firm Invesco is lobbying for the US financial regulator to allow it to implement Mifid II rules on paying for investment research. The firm attended a meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last year to push for changes to rules which ban brokers from receiving research payments unless they are [...]
Leading UK charities call for legal guidance on ethical investments March 4, 2019 Leading UK charities have called on the government to provide legal guidance on ethical investment. In an open letter, signed by charities such as Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the RSPB and the Quakers, the group also asked for specific guidance on whether they should invest in companies that contribute to dangerous climate change. Read more: [...]
More than half of UK private investors say Brexit will provide opportunity, according to a new survey March 4, 2019 More than half of UK private investors believe Brexit will provide an opportunity for investment, according to a new survey. A total of 15 per cent of investors surveyed by Master Investor said that the UK’s departure from the European Union would be a “disaster” while 51 per cent said it would be an opportunity. Read [...]
‘Turbocharged’ IAG rides out airline storms March 4, 2019 | City Talk BA owner International Airlines Group continues to impress, helped by a "turbocharged" dividend yield. The British Airways parent International Consolidated Airlines Group (LSE:IAG) has produced an outstanding performance, which is particularly impressive given the difficulties being faced elsewhere in the airline industry. The company has, for some years, been concentrating on driving its business by [...]
Ebay launches strategic review after activist investor pressure March 1, 2019 Ebay has given into pressure from activist investors Elliott Management and Starboard Value to launch a strategic review of the company. The online auction website will appoint two new board members and review the company’s Stubhub and Ebay Classifieds Group. Read more: Ebay shares spike as activist investor Elliott reveals $1.4bn stake Jesse Cohn of [...]
Hipster investor The Craftory leads $30m funding round in vegan startup March 1, 2019 New “hipster” investor The Craftory has led a $30m (£22.59m) funding round in artificial intelligence meat substitution company Notco. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ family office Bezos Expeditions and existing investors Kaszek Ventures and Indiebio also took part in the round. Read more: New 'hipster' firm is investing $300m in challenger consumer brands Notco produces plant based replacements [...]
New solutions needed for defined benefit pension schemes March 1, 2019 | City Talk The Cass Pensions Institute says new solutions are needed in stressed defined benefit pension schemes to prevent intergenerational inequities. The Institute has responded to the Department of Work and Pensions Green Paper, Security and Sustainability in Defined Benefit Pension Schemes. The Greatest Good 2 paper follows up and reconfirms the findings of an 2015 Pensions [...]
Advertising outlook clouds picture at ITV March 1, 2019 | City Talk There's excitement over plans for BritBox, but advertising trends at ITV still make uneasy viewing. ITV (LSE:ITV) has a strategy which is delivering the required results, even though in the very near term the company's own outlook is more guarded. The inevitable culprit is Brexit, as advertisers become less willing to commit to an expensive, [...]