Creative monetary policy alone won’t spur sustainable economic growth November 18, 2019 The latest decision from the European Central Bank to reactivate quantitative easing to revitalise the comatose Eurozone economy has been met with scepticism — this time even by central bankers in the Eurozone. The doubters within the central banking community are now openly voicing their disagreement with such monetary policy tools. Monetary policy in the [...]
To tackle the challenges of our age, UK and EU finance firms must work together November 18, 2019 The economy is a hot topic this election campaign, but one issue which is attracting little attention so far is the value and significance of financial and professional services. According to new data from the Office for National Statistics, the UK exported £82bn of financial services last year, up £4bn on 2017. This gives us [...]
Gousto investor MMC Ventures reveals £100m scaleup fund November 18, 2019 MMC Ventures has today revealed the close of its first fund for re-investing in its own portfolio of mature companies at £100m. The Scaleup Fund will provide capital to current firms in MMC’s roster that have outgrown the firm’s other funds, such as Interactive Investor and Safeguard Global. MMC, which was an early investor in [...]
Number of manufacturing companies going bust at highest level in five years November 18, 2019 The number of manufacturing businesses entering insolvency has reached its highest level in five years in the last 12 months, rising 7 per cent to 1,466 from 1,373 in the previous year. Research from global accountancy firm Moore found that a combination of uncertainty over Brexit and a slowdown across Europe was responsible for the [...]
Economic insecurity ‘new normal’ as Brits fear for living standards November 18, 2019 Economic insecurity has become the “new normal” for Brits as millions fear their living standards will fall over the next decade, the boss of a top charity is set to warn. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), will today argue that changes in the [...]
Dividend growth slows in third quarter as profit slowdown bites November 18, 2019 Dividend growth has slowed globally, according to figures published today by asset manager Janus Henderson. The trend began in the second quarter and continued into the third. Dividends have still continued to grow, but at a slower pace than previously. Payouts rose 2.8 per cent on a headline basis to reach a third-quarter record of [...]
Fewer home sellers in November as general election ramps up uncertainty November 18, 2019 The number of new sellers advertising their properties for sale slumped by the largest amount in a decade this month, as a Brexit deadline and a looming general election spooked prospective sellers. According to the latest research, the number of new sellers dropped 14.9 per cent – the largest year-on-year fall since August 2009 – [...]
London’s fintech boom helps drive record year for US investment November 18, 2019 US venture capital firms have pumped record amounts of money into London and UK companies this year as flourishing fintech firms continue to charm investors, new data has revealed. American investors have been involved in $4.4bn (£3.4bn) worth of deals into UK firms so far in 2019, with London businesses accounting for more than three-quarters [...]
Zizzi owner Azzurri shrinks losses despite sector challenges November 18, 2019 Azzurri, the owner of casual dining restaurants Ask Italian and Zizzi, reported shrinking losses this year despite the challenges facing the sector in the UK. Azzurri reported a loss before tax of £16.3m in the 12 months to 30 June, compared to a loss of £23.4m last year, and said it remained confident despite “ongoing [...]
UK’s top restaurants swing to £93m loss November 18, 2019 The UK’s top 100 restaurants swung to a loss this year as they struggled to stay afloat under the increasing pressure of rising overheads and falling sales, which are taking their toll on the casual dining sector. The industry has plunged to a £93m loss in the last 12 months, in a year that has [...]