Emerging markets need more say on digital currencies like Libra, says Chinese official October 28, 2019 Governments in emerging markets should be given a greater say in the regulation of digital currencies such as Facebook Libra that could facilitate illegal capital flows and disrupt foreign exchange management, said a senior Chinese official. China has been moving to embrace financial technologies such as blockchain, and is preparing to launch its own digital [...]
Walgreens Boots Alliance profit hit by cost-cutting charges October 28, 2019 Walgreens Boots Alliance reported plunging profit in the fourth quarter as the owner of UK high street giant Boots took a hit from cost-cutting charges. Profit in the fourth-quarter plunged 55 per cent to $677m, compared to the same quarter in the previous year as the group closed stores. Read more: Big boots to fill: [...]
AT&T strikes deal with activist investor as TV challenges hit revenue October 28, 2019 US telecoms giant AT&T has unveiled a three-year plan to revamp its strategy as it bowed to pressure from an activist investor amid tough conditions in its TV business. Elliott Management, which holds a $3.2bn (£2.5bn) stake in AT&T, has been pressuring the board to overhaul senior management, cut costs and scale back expansion plans. [...]
Takeway.com tells shareholder Delivery Hero to abstain on Just Eat vote October 28, 2019 Takeaway.com, the Dutch food delivery firm eyeing a merger with Just Eat, has asked investor Delivery Hero to abstain from voting on the deal. Prosus, which is the largest shareholder in Delivery Hero, last week tabled a £4.9bn rival takeover bid for Just Eat, sparking a bidding war with Takeaway.com. Read more: Just Eat gatecrasher [...]
Samira Ahmed faces BBC in court over ‘600 per cent’ pay gap October 28, 2019 BBC presenter Samira Ahmed has today kicked off her legal challenge against the broadcaster over claims she was paid just “a sixth” of Jeremy Vine’s salary. The Newswatch presenter has said she was paid just £440 per programme, while Vine received as much as £3,000 per episode for his work on Points of View. Read [...]
Spotify finance boss behind streaming giant’s direct listing steps down October 28, 2019 The Spotify finance director who masterminded the streaming giant’s unorthodox stock market float is stepping down from the company. Chief financial officer Barry McCarthy will retire in January and will be replaced by Paul Vogel, who is currently the firm’s head of investor relations. Read more: Spotify fails to hit the right note as subscriber [...]
Retail stockpiling soars on Brexit uncertainty October 28, 2019 Retail stock levels in relation to expected sales soared to record levels this month as high street stores prepared for the crucial Christmas trading period and potential Brexit related disruption. The spike in stock adequacy, which reached the highest level since records began in 1983, came as retail sales declined for the six consecutive month. [...]
Children are dressing up as Boris Johnson for Halloween October 28, 2019 Two-thirds of Brits have named Boris Johnson as the “ghastliest figure of the 21st Century”, setting the scene for “hordes of mini Borises” this Halloween, according to the Beano. The survey, by children’s media company Beano Kids, also found that British children thought Boris Johnson was the second-scariest celebrity. Read more: EU scuppers Boris Johnson’s Halloween [...]
People’s Vote power struggle: Two senior figures forced out October 28, 2019 The sacked head of communications for the People’s Vote campaign has said he will still go into work today, despite being asked to leave his position. Tom Baldwin was sacked last night along with People’s Vote director James McGory in an escalation of an ongoing power struggle within the campaign. Read more: People’s vote campaigners [...]
EU grants full Brexit extension until 31 January 2020 October 28, 2019 The EU has granted a three month extension to the Brexit process, paving the way for a general election this side of Christmas. This morning European Council president Donald Tusk tweeted that the EU27 member states would “accept the UK’s request” for Article 50 to be delayed until 31 January. That means Prime Minister Boris [...]