Cash-poor UK firms lobby for looser rules on stock offerings March 25, 2020 Advisers to cash-strapped British firms are lobbying regulators to loosen rules governing new stock offerings, in the hope it could make it easier for struggling companies to raise funds. An industry body representing investment banks is asking the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to increase the maximum allowed discount for equity sales on the London Stock [...]
What’s happening to the AUD/GBP exchange rate? March 25, 2020 | City Talk A quick look at the performance of the Australian dollar in the FX market during the global pandemic The Australian dollar has been under pressure all year; as a commodity-based currency, it was among the first to struggle due to the impact of the coronavirus. Now, as the countries implement various forms of lock-down and [...]
How coronavirus is turning the spotlight on sustainable investing March 25, 2020 | City Talk It is difficult to start any article without referring to the threat presented by the coronavirus sweeping across countries. The human impacts are clearly devastating for anyone affected, even if the overall impact is at present relatively small in the context of major pandemics through history. The economic and financial impacts are also proving significant. [...]
Softbank hits back at Moody’s following double downgrade March 25, 2020 Softbank has demanded that Moody’s remove all of its bond ratings after the ratings agency downgraded the conglomerate’s debt by two notches and said it was reviewing the tech investment giant for a further downgrade. Softbank immediately hit back, accusing Moody’s of having based its decision on “its biased and mistaken views” and “excessively pessimistic [...]
London Stock Exchange to allow dividend delay over coronavirus disruption March 25, 2020 The London Stock Exchange is to allow companies listed on its market to delay the payment of dividends by up to 30 days as markets grapple with the impact of coronavirus. “As a result of market conditions and issuers implementing their contingency plans, the Exchange has received enquiries from issuers and their advisers regarding deferral [...]
IFISAs: Invest in British entrepreneurs and maximise your tax-free ISA March 25, 2020 | Sponsored Innovative Finance ISAs offer an exciting alternative investment channel, helping you diversify your portfolio and maximising your £20,000 tax-free ISA allowance — all while supporting high performing British entrepreneurs. Finding the right businesses for your portfolio without skimping on the details you need to make an informed investment decision has always been a challenge. Crowd2Fund [...]
Bring the actor’s craft to the boardroom March 25, 2020 The ability to think clearly under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations is a skill that many of us wish we could master. Business leaders are expected to give their best performance consistently, while leading in fast-paced environments with time pressures, and adapting their strategy to suit a continuously changing world. Such expectations and [...]
Fintech bank Revolut launches in the US March 24, 2020 Revolut has today made its digital banking services available in the US, following months of testing and preparations in the country. The fintech scaleup, which has 10m registered users in the UK and Europe, said it has “tens of thousands” of US customers already signed up to its platform. Starting today, US residents will be [...]
How coronavirus could change our working lives (and the climate) March 24, 2020 | City Talk financial markets. The epicentre of the shock is clearly being felt in travel related industries, as people cancel or put holiday plans on hold, and businesses cancel conferences and move to remote working. Remote working tools widely available As an investor looking at climate change trends, these changes in working practices are interesting in an [...]
Debate: Does the home-working trend caused by coronavirus herald the death of the office? March 24, 2020 As the world gets used to home-working, City A.M. asks whether this means the end for traditional office spaces. Yes – Andrew Johnson, managing director at PowWowNow With millions of people having to work from home worldwide, the future of the office as we know it will be transformed. Companies will have the technology, policies [...]
