Geopolitical risks upend gold’s glittering demand dynamics April 29, 2026 Gold’s glittering run has upended demand dynamics, as rising prices amid the Iran war led investors to plough into a diversified range of assets. Total gold demand in the first financial quarter hit 1,231 tonnes, a modest two per cent year on year increase from 2025. But the humble increase coupled with gold’s staggering price [...]
London named share buyback capital of the world April 27, 2026 The UK has jumped up the leader board to be named the share buyback capital of the world, as companies looked to capitalise on low valuations and improved investor sentiment. Nearly 60 per cent of UK large cap companies bought their stock back in bulk in the last 12 months, according to the latest research [...]
Big Four giant KPMG downgrades equity partners April 24, 2026 Big Four giant KPMG has begun demoting UK senior equity partners – members who hold a stake in the firm and share its profits – and instead offering them lower status salaried partner roles. KPMG, which last year paid its equity partners on average £800,000 each a year, has reportedly been inviting the partners for [...]
‘Wake-up call’ for UK financial firms as internal control failures drive £1bn fines April 24, 2026 UK financial services firms, which faced £1bn worth of fines since 2021 for internal control failings, should be “seriously concerned”, says the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA). More than half of the 97 Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) enforcement cases analysed by CIIA relate to firms “not getting the basics right”, with many linked [...]
AJ Bell inflows surge after record customer growth April 23, 2026 One of the UK’s largest investment platforms recorded a surge in net inflows in its latest trading update after attracting an influx of new customers. AJ Bell reported a 42 per cent rise in net inflows during the second quarter of the financial year, jumping from £1.9bn in 2025 to £2.7bn. Gross inflows also hiked [...]
Pension ping pong: Now government backtracks on mandation powers April 22, 2026 The government has been forced to water down controversial mandation powers in the Pension Schemes Bill after prolonged uproar from the pensions industry and opposition MPs and peers. Pensions minister Torsten Bell has tried to push through the bill with a clause that gives ministers the power to force funds to invest in UK infrastructure [...]
Aberdeen leans on Interactive Investor as assets under management plunge April 22, 2026 Asset manager Aberdeen reported a drop in assets under management and advice in the first financial quarter, after the performance of Interactive Investor failed to combat outflows and market volatility. Assets under management and advice (AUMA) slipped from £556bn to £547.7bn, amid weaker markets, the disposal of its financial planning business and net outflows of [...]
Mike Ashley appeal case confronts ‘unjust’ trademark claims April 21, 2026 Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley‘s company, Sports Direct, is back before the court today as it seeks to challenge damages awarded in a trademark infringement claim. The appeal follows a long-running dispute between Sports Direct and the Beverly Hills Polo Club brand, owned and managed by Lifestyle Equities, which claimed Sports Direct had infringed its trademark through products [...]
Investment risk misunderstandings fuel cash hoarding April 21, 2026 Brits’ confusion over investment risk warnings has kept people clinging to cash and damaged economic growth, according to recent findings. Nearly 35 per cent of savers admitted the fear of losing money was holding them back from stepping into the stock market, according to the latest research from Barclays, with only 12 per cent expecting [...]
As private equity booms, law firm partner moves hit record high April 21, 2026 Partner moves in London’s private equity market are hitting a new high, according to a report that revealed last year’s numbers doubled those of 2024, marking a record for the City’s legal sector. New data from legal search boutique Macrae shows there were 50 movements of partners with practices in the private equity sector in [...]