At the open: European markets tumble, but the pound prances on May 3, 2016 European markets opened down this morning as traders consolidated positions ahead of a glut of corporate results this week. The FTSE 100 shot up by 16 points as bank holiday weekend trades become official, but then immediately plunged to stand down 0.4 per cent at 6,214 within the first hour of trading. Over in Germany, [...]
Rich people live longer than poor people … and the gap is widening May 3, 2016 "Money can't buy you happiness," some poor fellow once said. It can, however, purchase an extra few years of good health, according to a new study from Cass Business School out this morning. Read more: The North-South life expectancy divide Researchers found that the difference in life expectancy between those of us who live the [...]
The activist mindset is invading the boardroom May 3, 2016 Activist investors boost the financial performance of the businesses they take aim at, according to a new study from S&P Global Market Intelligence, released today. Research into US companies listed on the S&P 1500 showed that those which were part-owned by an activist investor outperformed their rivals over both the short and medium-term. Read more: [...]
Forget Brexit: The real drivers of corporate decision-making lie way beyond Britain’s borders May 3, 2016 There has, understandably, been a great deal of attention paid to the EU referendum debate, both in the UK and in many other economies with an interest in sterling. But while the referendum is certainly a highly significant constitutional event, and one which warrants the attention it has been receiving, it is just one of [...]
Week ahead: Data and results set to keep UK investors busy as PMIs and supermarket results come thick and fast May 3, 2016 First quarter earnings season as well as a constant flow of economic data is set to keep investors busy all this week. The FTSE is coming off the back of a disappointing session after it closed down 80.51 points at 6241.89 on Friday following underwhelming results from some of the UK’s top banks. This week that [...]
Why are car-makers getting the cold shoulder from investors? Well, why not? May 3, 2016 What is the most unloved sector in the global equity market? First off, you might think of oil, which is beset by huge oversupply imbalances despite the recent bounce inspired in great part by bullish financial speculators. Possibly you might plump for banks, which are seeing their net interest margins scythed by increasingly desperate central bankers [...]
One more survey that shows the living wage and Brexit fears are hitting hiring May 3, 2016 Brexit fears and the introduction of the national living wage are holding down pay and stopping firms from taking on staff, the latest jobs report from Adzuna suggests. The online recruiters said that advertised salaries for vacancies in the UK stood at £33,815 in March — down two per cent on last year — while [...]
Businesses rattled as latest survey points to an economic slowdown May 3, 2016 Business confidence has plummeted during the last few months due to severe volatility on the financial markets, the approaching EU referendum and the introduction of the national living wage, according to a new survey out today. The latest confidence monitor from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Grant Thornton, fell [...]
London mayor’s office lacks powers to maintain capital’s status as world-class city, AECOM warns May 3, 2016 The London mayor's office lacks sufficient power to keep up with the capital's rapid expansion and deliver the housing and infrastructure needed to keep its status as a world-class city, a leading engineering company has warned. In a statement ahead of Thursday's mayoral election, AECOM claims that London has “outgrown” its traditional jurisdiction, which is defined by Greater London [...]
Draghi lashes out at hawks and defends low interest rates in Europe during Asian Development Bank speech May 2, 2016 The president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, lashed out at hawks today and argued there is no current alternative for low interest rates. In a speech given to the Asian Development Bank, Draghi acknowledged that low interest rates are not harmless, as they put pressure on the business model of financial institutions by squeezing [...]