How the FTSE 100 has changed in 10 years: Banks and oil fall from grace, while tobacco and beverages make gains June 2, 2016 The banking sector’s influence in the FTSE 100 has nearly halved in the last 10 years, a new study suggests. Oil’s stake in the blue-chip index has also declined heavily since 2006, with tobacco and beverages experiencing the biggest growth. The AJ Bell research looked at the composition of the FTSE 100 by market capitalistions, dividing [...]
Construction PMI hits new low with building on hold until after EU vote June 2, 2016 Another PMI. Another disappointing score. Another sign that the UK economy is slowing down. This morning it was the turn of the construction industry to post the latest weak score on the purchasing managers' index (PMI), as the industry experienced the first fall in new orders in three years and edged dangerously close to slowdown territory. [...]
Iran says it won’t support a production cap as tensions mount ahead of Opec meeting June 2, 2016 Tensions are mounting ahead of today's meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), as Iran and Saudi Arabia look set to battle it out over a proposed new cap on oil production. According to Opec sources, Saudi Arabia will propose a new output ceiling at today's meeting in Vienna, in an attempt to [...]
To IPO or not to IPO? Four things tech companies must consider June 2, 2016 Technology continues to be an agent of change and the explosion in size and complexity of technology-driven businesses has been reflected in their global growth and reach. With alternative sources of private funding increasingly available, and potentially higher valuations being achieved privately, the motivation to IPO may well be reduced. However, there will likely come a point in [...]
Revealed: The UK’s thriftiest small companies – from Match.com to the Royal Collection Trust June 2, 2016 Dating site Match.com, White Dark – the artistic company of sculptor Anish Kapoor, and the Royal Collection Trust, have all been named as some of the UK's thriftiest small companies. The research, carried out by company intelligence provider DueDil, named 156 companies in the UK with positive net assets and a turnover between £30m-£50m, and who hold [...]
Reducing net migration could mean the state pension age goes up and annual payments come down June 2, 2016 Hitting the government’s net migration target would put an £8bn hole in the public finances, and could lead to lower state pensions or higher taxes. New analysis, out today, from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (Niesr) found that reducing immigration to the "tens of thousands" would hit tax revenues by £3bn a year by [...]
Tom Watson’s call to ban private exit polls shows that even Labour’s moderates are too far to the left June 1, 2016 Such is the state of Labour's front bench these days that deputy leader Tom Watson is considered markedly centrist, a throwback to an era when the top positions were not occupied by unreformed Marxists. But last night Watson reminded us that even the party's so-called moderates have an instinct for blunt, authoritarian interventionism, and policies [...]
Liam Fox and Remain campaigners clash over Brexit’s impact on housing June 1, 2016 Campaigners on both sides of the EU referendum debate are set to clash today over the impact of Brexit on the housing crisis. In a speech at Vote Leave's offices today, former defence secretary Liam Fox will blame immigration for high housing costs in the UK. Meanwhile, Britain Stronger in Europe will hit out at Fox, [...]
Tom Watson calls for ban on hedge funds commisioning private Brexit polls June 1, 2016 Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has called for a ban on hedge funds to commission private exit polls for the EU referendum. Watson claimed that hedge funds "stand to gain millions" by knowing the outcome of the EU referendum through their private polls and called on Prime Minister David Cameron to ban them from approaching pollsters. Watson [...]
Hikma Pharmaceuticals replaces Inmarsat in FTSE 100 index June 1, 2016 Hikma Pharmaceuticals is set to enter the FTSE 100 index as satellite firm Inmarsat drops to the FTSE 250. The changes will take effect on June 20, London Stock Exchange said today. Hikma Pharmaceuticals's promotion to Britain's blue chip index comes after its shares surged 45 per cent since mid-March. The company expects its full year group revenue to [...]