The best (and weirdest) new gadgets from CES 2020 January 9, 2020 As difficult as it is to believe, 2019 has actually ended, slinking out of time’s backdoor like a scolded cat and into the history books under a chapter titled ‘Bloopers and Outtakes’. Of course, the annual changing of the calendar guards heralds many things – reflection, resolution, vegan steak bakes – but it’s also a [...]
Total value of UK M&A deals rises by £15bn in 2019 January 9, 2020 The total value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals completed by the UK financial services industry rose almost £15bn in 2019, even though the number of such deals dropped considerably. According to data from Big Four auditor EY, financial firms completed £39.8bn worth of deals last year, up from £24.9bn in 2018. Read more: Financial [...]
Takeaway shareholders approve Just Eat acquisition January 9, 2020 Takeaway.com shareholders have approved its £5.9bn acquisition of UK delivery platform Just Eat. The Dutch food ordering company said its plan for an all-share merger received the backing of investors at an extraordinary meeting in Amsterdam today. Read more: Just Eat board rejects Prosus offer in favour of Takeaway.com merger On 19 December Takeaway.com, which [...]
Government ‘minded to intervene’ in Daily Mail’s i newspaper takeover January 9, 2020 The government today said it was “minded” to intervene in the Daily Mail owner’s £50m takeover of the i newspaper. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) warned the deal, which was agreed with current i owner JPI Media in November, could raise public interest concerns. Read more: Watchdog gives hold separate order [...]
Marks & Spencer shares slip as clothing underperformance weighs on Christmas trading January 9, 2020 Marks & Spencer’s Christmas performance was weakened by poor sales in its menswear business, after the retailer ordered too many skinny jeans in the wrong sizes. The high street chain said it over ordered skinny and slim-fit mens’ trousers, under-bought regular fit jeans and had too many small sizes and not enough medium and large. [...]
Credit card giant Newday set to buy finance platform Deko January 9, 2020 Credit card issuer Newday has reportedly agreed to purchase retail finance platform Deko in a bid to boost its tech credentials. Newday has reached a deal to acquire Deko for up to £40m, depending on the tech provider’s performance, Sky News reported. Read more: ‘Worst year on record’ for retailers in 2019 If the purchase [...]
How exactly can Prince Harry and Meghan become financially independent? January 9, 2020 For most people the term “financially independent” means looking for a job after finishing high school or university in a bid to stop leeching off their parents. However, for 30-something-year-old Royals the reality is starkly different. Read more: Queen ‘disappointed’ with Prince Harry decision to step away from senior Royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle [...]
PM Johnson urges Iranian President Rouhani to ‘end hostilities’ January 9, 2020 Boris Johnson told his Iranian counterpart there must be “an end to hostilities” during a phone call between the pair this morning. The Prime Minister spoke with Hassan Rouhani for around 20 minutes, to discuss the aftermath of the US killing of Qasem Soleimani late last week. “The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s continued commitment [...]
Northern Rail franchise on course for financial collapse in ‘a number of months’ January 9, 2020 The crisis-stricken Northern Rail franchise is on course for a full-scale financial collapse within months, according to transport secretary Grant Shapps. In a statement citing the franchise’s most recent financial information, Shapps said the franchise could only continue to run for “a number of months” before the government stepped in. Read more: Arriva-run Northern Rail [...]
Can the UK pull off a Brexit trade deal? The key dates for 2020 January 9, 2020 After nearly four years, today will see the UK take its first real step towards leaving the EU before negotiating a tricky Brexit trade deal. The Commons is set to vote for Boris Johnson’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) after the Prime Minister emerged victorious from the December election with an 80-seat majority. But what happens [...]