Investec reinstates dividend despite plunging profits November 19, 2020 Investec has reinstated its interim dividend even after a “difficult and volatile” year for markets which saw its profits plunge. The Anglo-South African firm declared an interim dividend of 5.5 pence per share, down from 11 pence. It halted dividend payouts on the guidance of UK and South African regulators amid the pandemic. Total operating [...]
Bottoms up: Naked Wines revenue soars on lockdown boom November 19, 2020 Naked Wines’ first-half revenue has soared thanks to an increase in home delivery orders amid lockdown. With pubs and bars shut from March, Naked Wines recorded an 80 per cent surge in sales to £157.1m, compared with £87.5m a year earlier. It also narrowed first-half adjusted loss before interest and tax from £4.5m a year [...]
Compare the Market handed £17.9m fine by competition regulator November 19, 2020 Price comparison website Compare the Market has been stung with a £17.9m fine from the regulator after breaching competition law. An investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) concluded that the website had prevented home insurers from listing lower prices on rival comparison sites between December 2015 and December 2017. Compare the Market had [...]
UK and Canada ‘on the brink’ of agreeing a trade deal November 19, 2020 The UK is reportedly close to signing a trade agreement with Canada to replace the existing deal it has through EU membership. An announcement could come as early as Thursday, according to a Bloomberg report. Without it the two countries would face tariffs from 1 January once the Brexit transition period ends. The UK currently [...]
CMC Markets posts record results as pandemic fuels trading activity November 19, 2020 CMC Markets enjoyed a bumper start to the year after more than doubling its income in the first half, capitalising on market volatility amid the pandemic. The trading platform reported a record £230.9m in net operating income for the six months ended 30 September, up from £102.3m in the same period last year. CMC, whose [...]
Regulator issues warning on fintech Lanistar for unauthorised services November 18, 2020 Update: 9:07pm Friday 20/11: The FCA have withdrawn their warning after changes by Lanistar. The Financial Conduct Authority has accused the much-hyped fintech Lanistar of offering unauthorised financial services. Founded by Gurhan Kiziloz, Lanistar this week launched an influencer campaign claiming to be the “world’s most secure card”. But the regulator today has warned that [...]
London startup Arrival valued at $5.4bn in US listing through Spac deal November 18, 2020 Electric vehicle startup Arrival has merged with a blank-check company to go public in the US at a listing valued at around $5.4bn. The London-based company, which was founded in 2015, has agreed to merge with Nasdaq-listed CIIIG Merger Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company (Spac). This year there has been somewhat of a frenzy [...]
Bitcoin breaks through $18,000 to near all-time high November 18, 2020 Bitcoin has reached a three-year high after breaking through $18,000, with analysts predicting it could climb higher. The leading cryptocurrency has seen value surge 160 per cent this year, climbing 70 per cent since September alone. Bitcoin has rallied to $18,123, nearing the $19,763 all-time high it reached in December 2017. This surge takes the [...]
Pandemic wipes £1bn off British Land’s portfolio as retailers take a hit November 18, 2020 The pandemic has wiped almost £1bn off commercial landlord British Land’s (BLND) portfolio after retailers were forced to close and offices lay empty. The FTSE 100 firm said the value of its portfolio of offices and shops had fallen from £11.2bn in March to £10.3bn by the end of September. The structural challenges in retail [...]
Halfords doubles profit after lockdown cycling boom November 18, 2020 Retailer Halfords more than doubled its profit in the first half of the year after capitalising on the lockdown cycling boom. The FTSE 250 firm, which sells motoring and cycling products, reported pre-tax profit of £56m in the six months to 2 October, up from £25.9m in the same period last year. There has been [...]
