Markit and IHS in $13bn merger to create “global information powerhouse” March 21, 2016 UK based analytics and market data firm Markit has agreed to a merge with US rival IHS in an all share deal to create a $13bn heavyweight. The new company will be called IHS Markit and will be headquartered in London. IHS shareholders will own 57 per cent of the company while Markit’s will hold 43 [...]
Ladbrokes treats champion jockey Frankie Dettori to a little Mayfair glamour as he becomes the brand’s ambassador March 21, 2016 Champion jockey Frankie Dettori has been working hard in Mayfair. Earlier this month, The Capitalist joined Dettori at travel firm Palatinate's 10th anniversary lunch at Sexy Fish, but the Italian jockey was dragged from his table mid-starter by his manager to have a covert chat with Ladbrokes PR boss Mike Dillon. A week later, we spoke to the firm's bookies in Cheltenham [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Official start to campaign kicks off as poll reveals Labour’s Sadiq Khan ahead of Conservatives’ Zac Goldsmith March 21, 2016 The campaign proper for the London mayoral election kicks off today, as official nominations can be made and a host of candidates join the race. While Labour's Sadiq Khan and the Conservatives' Zac Goldsmith have engaged in fierce and tense debates since they each won their party's nomination, it is only now that official nominations that [...]
Scottish election 2016: Nicola Sturgeon accused of being arrogant by Labour’s Kezia Dugdale as new poll reveals SNP on for huge victory March 21, 2016 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of being "utterly arrogant" by the Scottish Labour leader after declaring victory in the Scottish election before the vote has been cast. Kezia Dugdale said the upcoming election was the "most interesting, exciting and important we have ever faced" and that new devolved powers meant Scottish voters would be able [...]
We have no idea how much it costs to run our home – and those in their 70s and 20s are the worst at estimating bills March 21, 2016 A huge proportion of us just don't have a handle on how much it costs to run a home, massively underestimating the cost of their monthly direct debits, including utilities bills and even rent or mortgage. Over a third of Britons have no idea how much it costs, new research by Zoopla suggests, while one in [...]
Shiver me timbers: Boaty McBoatface coming first place in internet poll to name this new, £200m polar research vessel March 21, 2016 The somewhat unlikely Boaty McBoatface has overtaken the competition in an internet poll to find a new name for a £200m polar research vessel. The frontrunner for the state-of-the-art ship has overtaken suggestions such as Shackleton, Falcon, Endeavour and David Attenborough in the bid to publicly source a name for the new National Environment Research Council (NERC) ship. The [...]
These are the 15 companies more powerful than most countries: Walmart, ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Apple and Glencore top the list by Foreign Policy March 21, 2016 We live in a world of multinational corporations – effectively "stateless" companies that select where they are domiciled based on tax laws, red tape and ease of carrying out business. Some of the biggest companies in the world now employ more people than entire populations of countries – others have higher revenues than major world [...]
Fully charged: Dyson profits up 19 per cent as turnover reaches record £1.7bn and company announces it will invest £1bn in new battery technology March 21, 2016 Dyson's turnover in 2015 was up 26 per cent to £1.7bn, while its profits rose by 19 per cent to £448m over last year, the company announced today. The vacuum cleaner, fan and electrical device specialist saw its growth in China triple, where it leads in floorcare and humidifiers, while its business in Asia Pacific grew [...]
Lloyds bondholders head to the courts over bank’s attempts to buy back bonds at face value March 21, 2016 Lloyds bondholders head to the Supreme Court today, as they attempt to stop the bank from compulsorily purchasing bonds back at face value. The bondholders, who won the right to have their appeal one day before the repurchase was due to take place in February, argue that the bank should pay a premium for the bonds [...]
Easter travel is going to be a headache, thanks to engineering works on the Tube and National Rail affecting Gatwick Express, London Midland, Southern, Southeastern and Virgin Trains March 21, 2016 Thinking of travelling by Tube or train over the Easter break? You might have to think again. There is going to be plenty of engineering works disrupting swathes of the networks this weekend starting from Good Friday on 25th March to Easter Monday on the 28th March. National Rail is planning "one of the biggest Easter investment programmes to [...]