At the close: Just as things settle down Carney makes sure everyone’s still on their toes June 30, 2016 Just as the political situation had stolen the limelight from the markets in the aftermath of the UK's vote for Brexit, Mark Carney grabs it back. Carney, the governor of the Bank of England (BoE), told markets earlier this afternoon to expect a cut in interest rates as he warned the economy was in for a period of [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open June 30, 2016 The Fed's stress tests were failed by two European banks further buffeting stocks hit by the Brexit vote, while Wall Street lenders have announced share-buyback plans. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 2:30pm London time. Futures are pointing down ahead of the open, with the S&P off by 0.16 per [...]
HSBC won’t be moving its HQ away from London post-Brexit June 30, 2016 HSBC has confirmed for the first time since last week's referendum that the UK vote to quit the European Union will not lead to the bank moving its headquarters from London. Speaking at a conference organised by lobby group The City UK, HSBC's chairman Douglas Flint repeated comments from February this year that the referendum result would not trigger another [...]
Trade groups call for taskforce to safeguard UK’s Brexit negotiations June 30, 2016 Business groups are mounting pressure on the government to take action following the UK’s vote to quit the European Union. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called for the creation of a business taskforce to “ensure business priority issues form a key part of both domestic policy and EU exit negotiations”. The proposals were [...]
What now? The UK and the EU Single Market June 29, 2016 Now the UK has voted to leave the European Union, the focus on what kind of relationship we should forge with the trading bloc has taken on a new intensity. We are no longer talking hypothetically and the debate over whether we should have “access to” or be “in” the Single Market is more than semantic. [...]
Lower costs and Christmas cheer up Wilko as sales swell to £1.46bn June 29, 2016 Hardware and household goods retailer Wilko has reported sales through to end of January of £1.46bn, up 1.4 per cent on the previous year. The privately-owned company recorded an operating profit of £23.6m, up from £2.9m the previous year after paying an outstanding loan of £22m six years ahead of schedule. Wilko finished the year [...]
Sky launches bundle to give Netflix the chills June 29, 2016 Broadcaster Sky is moving into direct competition with streaming upstarts like Netflix with a contract-free online TV, internet, and phone bundle. Sky’s digital service, Now TV, was launched in 2012 and has recently come under pressure from Netflix and Amazon’s TV and movie streaming service Prime Video. Netflix works on a rolling monthly subscription, while [...]
General Mills’ revenue slides as customers choose fresh options June 29, 2016 US food giant General Mills most recent quarter revenue decline was less steep than analysts had expected. General Mills, which makes Haagen-Dazs ice cream and Cheerios cereal, is trying to get into shape as consumers opt for healthier food. The company reported a profit of $379.6m (£282.6m) over the past three months, up from $186.8m [...]
Buyout giant raises £5.7bn for European fund June 29, 2016 European private equity firm Cinven has raised €7bn (£5.7bn) from investors for its sixth fund. The fund was raised in four months and was oversubscribed for its original target of €5.5bn. Cinven’s last raising put together a fund of €5.7bn in December 2014, and led to investment in 17 companies, and 40 acquisitions. Over 90 [...]
Fintech boss Rajesh Agrawal named as deputy mayor for business and enterprise June 29, 2016 Fintech entrepreneur Rajesh Agrawal has been named as the new deputy mayor for business and enterprise. Agrawal, chief executive of Rational FX and online money transfer platform Xenday, was named to the position by London mayor Sadiq Khan earlier today. Khan has tasked Agrawal with protecting jobs and growth while trade negotiations with the European Union and other countries take place. Agrawal said: Having run my [...]