London businesses optimistic for future economic growth, KPMG says August 18, 2025 The vast majority of private business owners in London have recorded rocketing optimism about their growth prospects, but concerns surrounding the impact of inflation remain, according to the latest KPMG private enterprise barometer survey. Following a challenging first financial half of the year, with businesses hit with tariff turmoil and ongoing geopolitical tensions, confidence in [...]
What will the Trump-Putin meeting mean for the global market? August 15, 2025 US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this evening for their first face-to-face meeting in six years. The Ukraine war is set to top the meeting agenda, with the world watching to see if Trump can get his wish to pursue talks on a potential ceasefire and peace deal. [...]
Klarna’s losses worsen as provisions jump ahead of IPO August 14, 2025 Buy now, pay later giant Klarna reported a surge in losses for the second quarter as provisions for possible bad loans climbed higher. The Swedish fintech unicorn posted a 64 per cent jump in provisions to $174m (£128m), up from $106m for the same period in 2024. This helped offset revenue growth of 20 per [...]
‘IPO jungle drums starting to beat’: City grandees eye autumn flurry August 14, 2025 Global equities climbed to a record high on Wednesday, aided by yet another day in the green for the FTSE 100 that has sparked a rare bout of optimism among City grandees that life could be breathed into the Square Mile’s beleaguered IPO market this autumn. Stock markets in London, New York and across Europe [...]
Demand for passive funds drives assets under management to record highs August 13, 2025 The UK investment management industry reached “record highs” in 2024, boosted by demand for low-cost products and overseas interest in UK assets. Tracker net sales surged for the third consecutive year, as investors increasingly look towards low-cost products and passive investments. In contrast, active sales tumbled, according to the latest report from the Investment Association [...]
Mood towards global economy remains sour August 11, 2025 Fund managers are expecting inflation to rise over the next year as the mood towards the global economy coarsens. Over 40 per cent of fund managers believe the global economy is set to weaken over the next 12 months, with US economic policy and weaker consumer demand seen as the largest forces dragging it down, [...]
UK investors eye opportunities in emerging markets August 11, 2025 UK retail investors are eyeing opportunities to enter emerging markets as they look to sidestep domestic economic problems. Growing economies across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe are enticing investors away from placing all their capital into developed markets in search of higher returns overseas. Larger, more mature economies are suffering the consequences of Trump’s [...]
Flutter: Paddy Power owner books record quarter August 8, 2025 Online betting giant Flutter hiked its full-year profit guidance for 2025 after a record quarter driven by business in the US. The world’s largest online sports betting operator recorded a 16 per cent rise in revenue to $4.2bn (£3.12bn) in the three months to June 30. Meanwhile, earnings jumped 25 per cent to $919m. FanDuel [...]
KKR pushes for Assura to ditch PHP deal amid bidding war August 8, 2025 The bidding war between private equity giant KKR and retail investor Primary Health Properties (PHP) has heated up after KKR pushed for Assura to ditch an already recommended takeover offer from the latter. KKR’s investment vehicle Bidco – which is also by fellow US private equity Stonepeak – said on Friday it has held discussions [...]
London hit with a slowdown in mid-market deal activity August 6, 2025 Mid-market private equity investment in London suffered a fall in the first half of this year, as economic uncertainty and wider geopolitical issues affected investment activity. According to fresh analysis from professional services giant KPMG, the volume of mid-market private equity investment fell 14 per cent in the capital, with just 168 deals completed. KPMG’s [...]