Culture and creativity will drive a new golden era for the UK and China December 6, 2018 The strength of Britain’s technological and creative industries, combined with the longstanding value of its archetypal brands, has given rise to a growing desire among Chinese companies to invest in the UK. This follows on from the strong trade ties between the two nations. The UK exported £22bn worth of goods and services to China [...]
Private equity giant Bain Capital drops out of race to buy FTSE 250 plastic-maker RPC December 3, 2018 US private equity giant Bain Capital has dropped out of the race to buy FTSE 250-listed plastic maker RPC. RPC said this morning that the pair had “mutually agreed to terminate discussions”. Discussions with Apollo Global Management “remain ongoing”, RPC said this morning. RPC's share price fell 4.1 per cent to 687p this morning. According to takeover [...]
Profit slips at private equity takeover target RPC November 28, 2018 Plastics maker RPC today announced a slight dip in profit ahead of a deadline for its US private equity suitors to make firm bids for the business. RPC said its adjusted profit before tax fell two per cent to £188.9m in the six months to September 2018. Revenue for the six months was £1.892bn, a [...]
Entrepreneurs should be selective with their investors November 27, 2018 It’s not a secret that London is the fintech capital of Europe. Startups and tech entrepreneurs can flourish here because of the concentration of world-class financial services, and the access available to funding from a variety of key players. However, the nature of investment in tech startups is undergoing a process of significant and positive [...]
KPMG faces tribunal for its work for mattress firm Silentnight November 22, 2018 Audit firm KPMG and one of its partners face a tribunal over work for mattress firm Silentnight, the accountancy watchdog said today. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) today delivered a formal complaint against the firm and restructuring partner David Costley-Wood. The FRC alleged that KPMG and Costley-Wood acted for Silentnight “in circumstances where their professional judgment [...]
Restaurant Group shareholders voice anger over £600m Wagamama price tag November 20, 2018 Nervous investors have raised concerns over the price of the Restaurant Group’s (TRG) proposed £600m acquisition of Wagamama as a major shareholder announced its intention to vote against the deal. Columbia Threadneedle, which owns 7.7 per cent of TRG, will oppose the proposal at a shareholder vote next week, it announced today. Frankie and Benny’s owner [...]
Europe’s real estate investors dominate central London commercial market November 19, 2018 European buyers dominated Central London’s commercial property market in the third quarter of 2018, according to a new Knight Frank survey which underlines investor appetite from the continent. Accounting for almost 40 per cent of Central London’s market share by price, buyers from across Europe are on course to exceed their 10-year average levels of [...]
HSBC and China Investment Corporation in talks over £1bn fund to invest in UK November 15, 2018 Global bank HSBC and the China Investment Corporation are in talks to create a £1bn fund which will be used to invest in British companies that have links with China. Private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners is in talks with both parties to manage the fund. HSBC said in a statement: “China Investment Corporation, HSBC and [...]
Six reasons you should care about share buybacks November 15, 2018 | City Talk Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, recently hit the headlines with the announcement that he plans to spend almost $1 billion buying back shares in his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway. This practice has been increasingly common over recent years, with major implications. Buybacks have fundamentally altered the investment landscape over recent years. However, this is not [...]
The Restaurant Group prepares to raise £315m for Wagamama deal despite criticism November 12, 2018 The Restaurant Group (TRG) pushed ahead with a rights issue to raise £315m to finance its acquisition of Wagamama today, despite concerns from analysts and investors. The rights issue to raise cash for the takeover will be underwritten by JP Morgan Securities, TRG said this morning, in a deal valuing the chain at £559m. “This a transformative deal [...]