Manx Telecom on track to hit targets as it launches hearing loss technology January 16, 2019 Isle of Man mobile and broadband provider Manx Telecom today said it is on track to meet its expectations for revenue growth in 2018. The telecoms firm said it delivered “good” revenue growth, driven by an improved performance in its mobile business. Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation are also in line with [...]
Consumer spending feels the pinch amid Brexit uncertainty January 16, 2019 Enduring political uncertainty was to blame for weak consumer spending over Christmas, according to figures released today. Consumer spending fell by one per cent in December compared to the same month in 2017, research from Visa and IHS Markit reveals, its biggest monthly drop since April. Read more: UK car sales decline for the second [...]
FTSE 250 engineering firm Diploma appoints new chief executive January 16, 2019 Specialist equipment and engineering firm Diploma has announced it has hired a new chief executive, Johnny Thomson, with shares dipping slightly as markets opened. The FTSE 250 company, which provides specialist products to the life sciences sector, said Thomson would take over the executive responsibilities from interim executive chairman John Nicholas on 25 February. Read [...]
Business titans tell ministers ‘next six months are critical’ in post-Brexit vote conference call January 16, 2019 Some of the UK’s highest-flying executives reportedly lashed out at the government after its historic defeat on Theresa May’s Brexit deal in parliament yesterday. The bosses of Balfour Beatty, Amazon and Tesco confronted cabinet members who failed to rule out a no-deal Brexit following the government’s massive defeat in a heated conference call immediately after [...]
Pearson sees shares hit by declining US revenues as profits remain on track January 16, 2019 Publisher Pearson saw its share price fall this morning after reporting a decline in its US business, despite cost savings keeping profits on track. The education group said it expects operating profit of £540m to £545m, within its guidance of £520m to £560m, and an increase in profits from the year before. Read more: Murdoch's media empire [...]
Parent trap: the child benefits system has ended up punishing the very people it was designed to protect January 16, 2019 For high-flying parents who earn more than £50,000 a year, the child benefit system will seem ridiculous. You go through the effort of applying for the benefits (over the course of a year, this amounts to £1,000 for the first child, and £700 for each additional child), only for the money to be clawed back [...]
Reckitt Benckiser CEO announces plan to retire at the end of 2019 January 16, 2019 Reckitt Benckiser chief executive Rakesh Kapoor is set to retire at the end of 2019, the firm announced today, leading it to launch a formal search for its next boss. The maker of Nurofen and Clearasil said it is looking at both internal and external candidates to succeed Kapoor, as shares dropped by three per [...]
Billionaire Reuben Brothers check out of hotel group Belmond in $300m deal January 16, 2019 The billionaire Reuben Brothers have sold their shares in New York-listed hotel company Belmond in a deal that could net them more than $300m (£236m). Belmond was acquired last month by Paris-based LVMH, which owns luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, in a $3.2bn deal, seeing off competition from private equity buyers. [...]
London fintech startup Jaja Finance picks up £5m with a boost from Celeres January 16, 2019 Credit card fintech startup Jaja Finance has today confirmed the final close of its £3.5m crowdfunding round, boosted by an additional £1.5m from Celeres Investments. The £5m intake adds to an earlier £4.4m raised in seed funding last year, backed by Blystad Group and Pollen Street Capital among others. More than 1,000 private investors took [...]
Westminster impasse over Brexit has come at just the wrong time January 16, 2019 Ongoing political turmoil surrounding Brexit has been harming the UK economy for at least a year, with data pointing towards a significant squeeze on growth in recent months. City AM recently called on MPs to consider this impact seriously when pondering their actions during the current constitutional crisis. So much for that. Investment decisions put [...]