US and China ‘agree tentative trade truce’ ahead of G20 summit June 27, 2019 China and the US have reportedly agreed to a tentative truce in their ongoing trade war, two days before crucial talks at the G20 summit this weekend. Details of the agreement, which would scrap plans for a further round of US tariffs on an additional $300bn (£236bn) of Chinese goods, will be laid out in [...]
Greene King posts robust sales growth despite fall in profit after summer washout June 27, 2019 Pub chain operator Greene King has posted a robust rise in sales for the full year, despite a slump in profit and the impact of unseasonable weather in the first eight weeks. The figures Group revenue rose 1.8 per cent to £2.2bn in the 52 weeks to the end of April. Pre-tax profit dropped 12.5 [...]
Calling the data doctor: How Chronomics wants to educate you about your epigenetics June 27, 2019 How old are you? A simple enough question, you may think, but not for Dr Tom Stubbs, co-founder and chief executive of epigenetic testing company Chronomics. Epigenetics is (to quote the Chronomics website) the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alteration in the DNA sequence. It’s essentially how environmental factors – from [...]
UK passes law to slash greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050 June 27, 2019 The UK has enshrined in law a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050, becoming the first major economy to legislate to curb its global warming contribution. That compares with a previous target to slash greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels. Read more: Is there any merit to [...]
H&M shares rise after spike in summer sales June 27, 2019 Shares in H&M jumped ten per cent this morning after the Swedish fashion group reported that summer collection sales were up. H&M, which is the world’s second biggest fashion retailer after Zara owner Inditex, said that sales in June rose 12 per cent, beating analyst expectations. Read more: H&M shares soar despite profit fall Sales [...]
Self-driving cars get first London test routes June 27, 2019 Self-driving cars have been granted their first ever London test routes in a major step forward for real-world driverless vehicle trials The testbed, which is a UK industry first, will consist of 26km of public road in Greenwich and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Read more: Uber’s self-driving unit raises $1bn ahead of [...]
Staffline seeks to raise £41m to ease debt fears June 27, 2019 Recruitment firm Staffline has this morning announced plans to raise up to £41m by selling off shares to private investors and current shareholders. The UK-based company is seeking to make £34m through a placing, with a further £7m to come from an open offer. Read more: PwC fined £4.5m for ‘lack of competence’ in Redcentric [...]
Pendragon CEO leaves after just three months in charge June 27, 2019 Car dealership Pendragon’s chief executive is stepping down less than three months into the job. Read more: Pendragon shares crash on ‘accelerating’ losses Mark Herbert will quit his post as CEO on 30 June by mutual agreement with the board, the firm advised today. Herbert, who only joined the company in April, was called a [...]
Superdry delays results after issuing profit warning June 27, 2019 Struggling retailer Superdry has delayed the publication of its full-year results after issuing a profit warning and undergoing recent management changes. The company’s results will be released on 10 July, six days later than originally planned due to the “complexity” of lease and store impairment charges in the accounts. Read more: Superdry appoints interim finance [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher appoints Carrefour exec as new boss June 27, 2019 B&Q owner Kingfisher today said it has appointed Thierry Garnier as its new chief executive as the home improvement chain looks to turn around its ailing fortunes. Garnier, who has held senior roles at French retail giant Carrefour over the last 20 years, will join the DIY group in the autumn. Read more: B&Q owner [...]