Regulators FCA and PRA clawback ruling welcomed as “step forward” in ending “rewards for failures” June 23, 2015 The decision to extend clawback rules around bankers' bonuses has been heralded as a way of ending "rewards for failures" – but some have said it could go even further. Regulators FCA and PRA are extending the amount of time bonuses can be clawed back from senior managers from seven to 10 years, while [...]
RBS AGM: Lender did not anticipate £10bn of penalties, says Sir Philip Hampton June 23, 2015 RBS’ outgoing chairman said today that the bank did “not anticipate” the £10bn of fines it’s been handed in recent years. At the bank’s annual general meeting today, Sir Philip Hampton, who is due to bow out as its chairman, said the regulatory fines, litigation charges and customer redress were completely unexpected. “The [...]
Neil Woodford’s Patient Capital investment trust slapped with a “sell” rating by broker Stifel June 23, 2015 Neil Woodford's Patient Capital Trust has been slapped with a "sell" rating by broker Stifel Funds, which warned its share price has leapt ahead of its net asset value (NAV), or the trust's underlying value. Stifel analyst Iain Scouller said the trust's share price had jumped by 16 per cent since May, but just 4.3 per [...]
Tesco shareholders encouraged to revolt at AGM over Dave Lewis’ pay, Philip Clarke’s golden goodbye and John Allan’s appointment as chairman June 23, 2015 Tesco shareholders are being encouraged to stage a revolt at the supermarket's AGM on Friday, with investor group Pirc advising they vote against key resolutions. Chief executive Dave Lewis' pay could come under particular scrutiny if Pensions and Investment Research Consultants – one of the largest investor groups in the UK – gets its [...]
Clawback extended to 10 years as UK regulators Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority mull negative bonuses June 23, 2015 Bonuses could be clawed back for as long as a decade under new rules published by City regulators today. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed they were pushing ahead with rules for a wider seven-year claw-back period but that an added three years is being considered for senior managers. [...]
Eurozone business growth accelerates to a four-year high in June June 23, 2015 Eurozone business growth accelerated to a four-year high in June, as factories and services firms reported stronger growth and hiring. The Markit Composite Flash Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 54.1 in June, up from 53.6 a month earlier, and in line with economists' expectations. PMI has now been above the crucial 50 threshold that separates [...]
Greek crisis: Four questions we still need answers to June 23, 2015 European stocks rallied again this morning, after it appeared negotiations between Greece and its creditors went well last night, with European Union President Jean-Claude Juncker saying he's "convinced" a deal will happen this week. But only the next act will show whether this was always going to be a Greek tragedy, or whether it was [...]
US Treasury secretary Jack Lew urges an agreement as Greek drama continues June 23, 2015 The United States has heaped on the pressure for a deal between Greece and its creditors with Jack Lew, the US treasury Secretary, holding phone calls with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to push for an agreement in a “delicate” situation. "The Prime Minister had a phone conversation with US Treasury secretary Jack Lew in [...]
Rising inequality, dampened growth and poor prospects: Why everything you thought you knew about Sweden is wrong June 23, 2015 Scandinavia: Home of advanced technologies, strong economies, happy people and the occasional murder, right? Wrong, according to a new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs, which claims that “contrary to popular belief” countries such as Sweden and Denmark are struggling from rising income inequality, declining economic prowess and low job creation. The [...]
Lloyds Banking Group share price dips as government slashes its stake June 23, 2015 Shares in Lloyds Banking Group dipped to 86.9p this morning after it emerged the government had cut its stake in the bailed-out bank to less than 17 per cent. This could be among the final tranches of shares sold to institutional investors: chancellor George Osborne has said the government was planning to wrap up its current [...]