IMF chief Christine Lagarde found guilty in negligence trial December 19, 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, has been found guilty of negligence in relation to her handling of a controversial payout to a French tycoon during her time as the country's finance minister. However, the judges did not hand down any sentence in the case. The IMF chief was facing charges linked to [...]
A calendar of potential investment shocks on the horizon December 2, 2016 The vote for Brexit and the victory of Donald Trump in the US election have been seen by some as an anti-establishment backlash and a vote against the economic status quo. Like Brexit, the implications of Donald Trump’s presidency remain unclear. The market’s response to both events has been to fluctuate wildly. While investing [...]
A calendar of potential investment shocks on the horizon December 2, 2016 The vote for Brexit and the victory of Donald Trump in the US election have been seen by some as an anti-establishment backlash and a vote against the economic status quo. Like Brexit, the implications of Donald Trump’s presidency remain unclear. The market’s response to both events has been to fluctuate wildly. While investing for [...]
François Fillon defeats Alain Juppe in the French conservative primary November 27, 2016 François Fillon was voted the presidential candidate of the French centre-right party and will likely be the main challenger to far-right leader Marine Le Pen in next year's election. Votes from over a third of 10,228 polling stations were counted showing Fillon winning with 68.6 per cent of the vote compared with 31.4 per cent for Alain Juppe, [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell: Brexit not the only uncertainty worrying businesses November 21, 2016 Sir Martin Sorrell has said today current levels of uncertainty are hurting businesses, but Brexit was far from the only problem. Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry annual conference, the WPP group chief executive said of the Brexit negotiations: "What business wants is more certainty but, given the different objectives of both parties (businesses and government), [...]
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy bows out of race for Republican party candidate spot November 20, 2016 Nicolas Sarkozy has tonight conceded defeat in the race to become the country's Republican party's Presidential candidate, as France's next general election looms. Sarkozy, who was French President between 2007 and 2012, bowed out as the final votes for the centre-right party's primary were being counted up. Former prime ministers Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe will now most likely go [...]
Spanner in the works for HSBC chairman search, as Henri de Castries eyes French government role November 13, 2016 HSBC may have to reconsider its options for who it wants to replace chairman Douglas Flint, as a top candidate eyes up a post in politics. It has been speculated for some time that Henri de Castries, who joined the bank's board as a non-executive director this March, is the front runner for the role. However, the Sunday [...]
French banks in for a bumpy ride, but they’re still better than the ones in Germany and Italy October 20, 2016 French banks are weathering the negative interest rate storm better than their Eurozone rivals, thanks to healthier balance sheets and more sustainable business models. France’s three leading banks – Societe Generale, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole – have outperformed the continent-wide Euro Stoxx banking index over the past year, and even with economic growth set [...]
The Maserati GranTurismo isn’t without its problems, but learn how to treat it and this Italian beast is one hell of a drive September 6, 2016 I got a few weird looks unloading my soiled wellies from the back of a Maserati as I checked into Monaco’s Hermitage Hotel. Where on earth had I been, the valet must have thought. Some 48 hours earlier I was ankle deep in what Uncle Monty would have described as “beastly mud and oomska” at [...]
Amber Rudd has stressed her commitment to British borders in Calais, even as another sceptic looks set to join the French presidential race August 30, 2016 Home secretary Amber Rudd has further backed current British border checks in Calais, as a French minister who warned Brexit would see the deal "threatened" looks set to enter the presidential race. Rudd visited Paris today in her first foreign trip as home secretary, and issued a joint statement with her opposite number, interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, [...]