US competition watchdog follows UK and blocks Microsoft’s $68bn Activision swoop June 13, 2023 America’s competition watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has moved again to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Call Of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. The US regulator asked a court to temporarily block the $68.7bn (£54.7bn) merger, which it believes could significantly reduce competition in the market. In December, the FTC issued an initial legal complaint, saying, [...]
HSBC to wind down New Zealand wealth and personal banking arm as pivot to Asia picks up pace June 13, 2023 HSBC will be winding down its wealth and personal banking businesses in New Zealand as it continues its withdrawal from various markets around the world. In a statement the bank said “it has become clear that we can no longer justify investing into this business given the changing operating requirements in the market and scalability [...]
Crypto markets stabilise as investors wait for imminent inflation figures June 13, 2023 Bitcoin and Ethereum were showing signs of levelling out this morning following a week of disruption in the wake of SEC action.
British Gas owner facing shareholder showdown over chief’s £4.5m bumper pay June 13, 2023 British Gas owner Centrica has announced that the operating profits for its retail arm will be "significantly higher than in previous years."
Bank of England to hoist interest rates to 5.75 per cent as experts warn UK inflation is out of control June 13, 2023 The Bank of England will have to hike interest rates to their highest level since July 2007, the eve of the financial crisis, in a sign that markets think the UK has the worst inflation problem in the rich world. Traders ratcheted up bets on how high Bank Governor Andrew Bailey and the rest of [...]
FTSE 100 close: Miners lift London’s premier index despite high wage growth sending rate fears spiralling June 13, 2023 Commodity giants lifted London’s main indexes on Tuesday despite concerns that the Bank of England will have to hike rates higher and faster on the back of the latest labour market figures. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.3 per cent to 7,594.78 points, although the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with [...]
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after three killed in Nottingham ‘major incident’ June 13, 2023 Three people have been found dead in Nottingham in what police described as an “horrific and tragic incident”. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am on Tuesday. A third man was found dead in Magdala Road, Nottinghamshire [...]
Wages jump at fastest pace outside of Covid-19 but inflation erodes finances for 18th straight month June 13, 2023 Workers in Britain have pocketed the largest pay increases on record outside of the Covid-19 pandemic, but inflation is still sharply eroding their finances, official figures out today reveals. Numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the average worker in the UK received a 7.2 per cent wage increase in the three months [...]
Brasserie Blanc eyes major pub expansion plan for 60 sites while creating 1,500 jobs June 13, 2023 Brasserie Blanc restaurant chain has revealed a major revamp which will see the hospitality group expand into the pubs with rooms market. Last year, Brasserie Bar Co was snapped up by private equity group Alchemy Partners for an undisclosed sum, and will now be renamed as Heartwood Collection, as part of its new makeover. The [...]
Bellway on track after strong spring selling period but uncertain rate environment poses challenges June 13, 2023 FTSE 250 Bellway is on track to meet its guidance for the full year after a strong spring selling season even as sales remain well below last year. From the beginning of February to 4 June, the reservation rate averaged 190 homes per week compared to 253 in the same period last year, a fall [...]
