US jobs growth data beats expectations despite trade war concerns December 7, 2019 The US economy added 266,000 jobs last month despite economists’ expectations of a slowdown. It was the highest number of jobs added to the economy in 10 months, aided by striking GM workers returning to work and a rise in healthcare posts. The unemployment rate also reduced slightly from 3.6 per cent to 3.5 per [...]
German factory slump: Is the European powerhouse heading for recession? December 6, 2019 Germany has reported a “disastrous” fall in factory production, sparking fears the country could be dragged back towards recession. New figures from Germany’s work ministry revealed industrial output slumped 1.7 per cent month-on-month in October, well below analysts’ expectations and the quarterly average. On an annual basis, the figures marked the biggest drop in factory [...]
New Octopus Renewables trust smashes target in £350m float December 6, 2019 Octopus Renewables’ new infrastructure trust smashed investor expectations this morning, successfully raising £100m more than its original target of £250m. The £350m launch makes the launch the second biggest initial public offering for an investment company this year. Read more: Octopus launches new renewables trust The net proceeds of the opening issue after costs will [...]
FTSE 100 opens higher as China tariff waiver raises hopes of trade truce December 6, 2019 The FTSE 100 bounced back in early trading today as China’s decision to roll back tariffs on some US exports raised hopes of a pre-Christmas trade war truce. London’s blue-chip index was up roughly 0.8 per cent to 7,195.1 points this morning as traders reacted to developments in Beijing. Read more: Global growth to pick [...]
Primark set to drive another year of growth for ABF December 6, 2019 Associated British Foods (ABF), the British multinational which owns Primark, reiterated its outlook for the new financial year ahead of this morning’s AGM. The new financial year will see Primark expand its selling space, with the most new stores being added in France and Spain. Read more: Primark bounce helps offset sugar slump at ABF [...]
Permanent job appointments fall due to political uncertainty December 6, 2019 The number of permanent job appointments dropped again last month as growth in the demand for staff fell to a ten year low due to political uncertainty heightened by the upcoming General Election. November’s drop in permanent appointments stretched the length of the decline to nine months, the longest period of contraction since the financial [...]
Glencore threatened with class against lawsuit that could run into the billions December 5, 2019 Mining and commodities giant Glencore could be hit by a class action lawsuit running into the billions, a law firm said today. Glencore confirmed today that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) had launched a bribery investigation into its activities. Read more: Glencore shares tumble on Serious Fraud Office bribery investigation US law firm Boies Schiller [...]
Tax cut promises ‘at odds’ with Tory manifesto, think tank says December 5, 2019 Boris Johnson’s claims that he would deliver a tax-cutting Budget in the first 100 days of a new government “are at odds with his party’s manifesto”, a think tank has said. The Prime Minister last night laid out his priorities for government, saying chancellor Sajid Javid would hold a Budget that cut taxes for families [...]
Drop in European private equity exits via IPOs as tough conditions bite December 5, 2019 The number of European private equity exits executed via listings is declining as sponsors seek alternative routes amid challenging market conditions, new figures show. Of the European private equity exits that have taken place so far this year, just 1.4 per cent were initial public offerings (IPOs), according to Mergermarket data. Read more: Saudi Aramco [...]
Hybrid law firm and funds adviser MJ Hudson targeting December float December 5, 2019 Hybrid law firm and fund adviser MJ Hudson is lining up a mid-December listing on London’s junior market. The firm has appointed broker Cenkos Securities to advise on the float and has issued a schedule one document as a first stage in the listing process. The firm was founded by former SJ Berwin private equity [...]