Astrazeneca share price tumbles on $400bn megamerger talks August 3, 2026 Astrazeneca’s share price slumped sharply on Monday as investors baulked at a potential $400bn megamerger with US rival Bristol Myers Squibb. Shares in the UK drugmaker slid six per cent in early trading to 11,866p after the Financial Times reported it has been holding talks regarding a potential tie-up with the US group in recent [...]
Schroders profits surge as assets hit record £868bn July 30, 2026 Schroders said its profit nearly doubled in the first half of the year as assets under management hit a record high of £868bn. The FTSE 100 money manager, which is in the process of being acquired by US funds group Nuveen, said assets under management (AUM) jumped 12 per cent to £867.8bn, up from £776.6bn [...]
Record Interactive Investor inflows drives profit rise at Aberdeen July 29, 2026 A surge in inflows at Interactive Investor helped wealth firm Aberdeen achieve rising profit in the first half of the year. The investment platform signed up tens of thousands of new customers, growing customer numbers by 14 per cent to 525,000 over the period, as the firm won out against rivals in the battle to [...]
Pension funds pledged a private investment splurge. Three years on, has anything changed? July 15, 2026 When 11 of the UK’s largest pension providers signed a deal to pump billions into unlisted companies in July 2023, the mood at Mansion House in the City was celebratory. Then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hailed the signing a “great personal triumph” for then Lord Mayor, Sir Nicholas Lyons. If the remainder of the UK defined [...]
Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East boost Cohort’s order book July 15, 2026 The rise in global conflicts boosted Cohort’s order book as NATO nations continue to hike their defence spending. The defence technology group recorded a 13 per cent rise in revenue over the financial year to £306.4m, up from £270m. The jump reflected its surging order intake, which jumped 10 per cent to £314.2m. Its order [...]
Streeting tax policies could cost the Treasury nearly £8bn June 29, 2026 Adopting Wes Streeting’s plans to hike capital gains tax could cost the Treasury billions of pounds and lead to a reduction in retail investment, new analysis suggests. Last month, Streeting, who is reportedly in the running to succeed Rachel Reeves as Chancellor should Andy Burnham enter No 10, proposed that capital gains tax (CGT) should [...]
FCA looks to check power of investment trust boards after Saba uproar June 26, 2026 The City watchdog is looking to restrict the power of some investment trust board members after criticism of its response to Saba Capital’s campaign against a group of UK funds. The Financial Conduct Authority has proposed a series of amendments to the UK listing rules for close-ended investment funds, better known as investment trusts, in [...]
Ares Management flagship private credit fund slammed with withdrawal requests June 25, 2026 Ares Management was plagued by investors attempting to pull out over $1.5bn from one its flagship private credit funds in the second financial quarter, as wealthy individuals continue to flee the asset class. The firm’s Ares Strategic Income fund, which holds roughly $11bn (£8.3bn), said it has received redemption requests worth 14.4 per cent of [...]
Babcock predicts global government defence spending spree after hit to profit June 22, 2026 Babcock said it had suffered a £140m financial hit due to delays in a contract with the Royal Navy but reiterated its financial targets for the next year, predicting high spending as global governments plough cash into defence. Profit before tax slumped to £267.2m from £339.4m in the prior year after problems with its Type [...]
AllianzGI chief executive warns of AI ‘socialism’ as investors lean on chatbots June 18, 2026 The chief executive of one of Europe’s largest asset managers has urged investors to avoid being over-reliant on general online chatbots to manage their portfolios, as it increases the risk of losses. Speaking at AllianzGI’s media day in Frankfurt, Tobias Pross, chief executive of AllianzGI, warned that relying on public online models, such as Claude, [...]