Could Eurozone stock markets be set for a bull run? June 10, 2016 Over the past 12 months, Eurozone equity markets have underperformed US stocks by around 11 per cent in local currency – or nine per cent in dollar terms. There are a number of different reasons for this – but could the equity markets be about to catch up? Slow and steady European hard data suggest that the domestic economy [...]
Melons and pineapples? Who cares? It will take more than that for supermarkets to fight off AmazonFresh June 10, 2016 Tesco’s current ad features a couple debating whether or not to drive to their local branch to exchange a melon for a pineapple. “We need an excuse,” says the husband. “What? Like I’m long-sighted and I mistook it for a large grape?” replies the straight-thinking wife. The commercial highlights the supermarket’s “No Quibbles” policy. Bought [...]
Twelve reasons Britain is better off remaining a member of the EU June 10, 2016 I studied the process of European integration in some detail at the College of Europe in Bruges where I also became a teaching assistant for a year. I then had the pleasure of doing my PhD thesis at the European University Institute in Florence. So it is probably no surprise that I have a bias on the [...]
Is fintech the new black? Lower trust in disruptors gives banks reason to cheer June 10, 2016 Digital innovation – and more specifically the impact of fintech – is currently the most intensely debated topic in the financial services sector. Two years ago hardly anyone outside the industry had heard of fintech. Now it’s the hottest investment class globally for VCs. PwC recently produced a report claiming that over 20 per cent [...]
Sadiq Khan’s pledge to crack down on Uber smacks of the worst of crony capitalism June 10, 2016 In the fight to succeed Boris Johnson as mayor of London, one thing that did not attract much attention was that both candidates attacked the ride-sharing app Uber. Sadiq Khan did so first, threatening a crack-down on the service in response to a black cab driver who called into a radio show, and Zac Goldsmith, no profile [...]
As Amazon Fresh launches in London, does it pose a real threat to UK supermarkets? June 10, 2016 Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, says Yes. The last thing that the traditional British supermarkets want is another challenge to their model – they’re still busy fending off the shock of Aldi and Lidl’s sharp pricing model. Online grocery sales are growing well ahead of the overall market, so it’s [...]
Sadiq Khan’s key campaign pledge hits the buffers June 9, 2016 Shouting was never Zac Goldsmith’s style but if he were moved to raise his voice it would probably be at the revelation that his former opponent (and new mayor of London) has already abandoned a key campaign pledge. Sadiq Khan hasn’t just distanced himself from a flagship promise to freeze rail fares; he’s practically forgotten that [...]
Why an England Euro 2016 defeat will wipe billions off stock markets June 9, 2016 After a disappointing 2014 World Cup, the nation is eagerly awaiting the start of Euro 2016. With a 100 per cent record in the qualifiers, and currently priced at 8/1 fourth favourites, England are quietly confident that they can at least emulate their semi-final appearance 20 years ago. But it shouldn’t only be football fanatics [...]
Don’t believe the myth that Londoners oppose a vital new runway at Heathrow June 9, 2016 As MPs from different parties representing different parts of London, it’s not often we find ourselves unambiguously agreeing. But it is clear that to seize the opportunity for Londoners that comes from being at the heart of the global economy, we urgently need a government decision on airport capacity. And we need it to be [...]
Losing the EU financial services “passport” would be a disaster for the UK economy June 9, 2016 I read with real concern that the Leave campaign does not think that the “passporting” afforded by the EU is worth much to the City. “Such rubbish,” Vote Leave campaigner Andrea Leadsom called it recently. Her statement shows a tragic lack of understanding of what modern financial services need. Thanks to the EU, a UK [...]