Exclusive: Government adds employee tax break to Pisces May 15, 2025 The government has introduced legislation for the new ‘Pisces’ market designed to allow trading for private companies, extending share tax breaks for employees to the platform, City AM can reveal. Pisces—the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System—was devised by the previous government as part of an effort to revive UK capital markets. The platform [...]
Central London offices ‘top pick’ for UBS real estate analysts May 15, 2025 London office real estate investment trusts (REITs) like British Land are the “top pick” for UBS analysts, as interest in the capital has surged since the start of the year. As property investors seek to move away from the US to avoid the uncertainty created by president Donald Trump, the UK has been one of [...]
Exclusive: First AIM VCT in 18 years launches on London Stock Exchange May 15, 2025 The first AIM-focused venture capital trust (VCT) in 18 years has launched on the London Stock Exchange, City AM can reveal. Puma AIM VCT, run by Puma Investments, has launched on the market and already made its first investment in quantum science company Quantum Base, in one of AIM’s only IPOs of 2025. The authentication [...]
Aviva: Direct Line buyout ‘firmly on track’ despite CMA investigation May 15, 2025 Aviva expects its £3.7bn acquisition of Direct Line to be completed by the middle of this year despite a new investigation by the competition watchdog into the deal. In a trading update, the insurance giant’s CEO, Amanda Blanc, said the acquisition was “firmly on track,” and cash to pay for the takeover had been ring-fenced. Yesterday, the Competition [...]
Trade deals set to boost Indian equities say analysts May 14, 2025 A fragile ceasefire with Pakistan and trade deal with the UK has left analysts hopeful for a stock market surge in India, as the government seeks to take a bite of China’s electronic manufacturing industry. On Monday following the peace deal, India’s ‘Nifty 50’ blue chip stocks recorded their best day in four years, and [...]
UK IPO uptick offers hope for London Stock Exchange recovery May 12, 2025 A pair of UK companies have announced plans to list on the London Stock Exchange in a move which provides renewed hope that British capital markets can make a turnaround. Cobalt Holdings and Iforex have both confirmed their plans to list on the stock market, amid continued concerns over the falling number of IPOs (initial [...]
How Rachel Reeves could change the cash ISA May 12, 2025 News that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is preparing to launch a consultation on reforms to the ISA regime in the coming weeks has swept the City, re-kindling speculation of cuts to the cash ISA limit. In the Spring Statement earlier this year, Reeves confirmed that ISA reform was on the horizon, with changes to the regime [...]
Fund managers fear for the future of the London Stock Exchange May 12, 2025 Leading fund managers are warning that sentiment towards the London Stock Exchange is drastically low following a meeting with Downing Street to discuss the issue. Nick Lawson, chief executive of investment group Ocean Wall, described UK equity markets as being at “rock bottom” following a meeting with Varun Chandra, the government’s special adviser on business. [...]
Augmentum leads fundraise for Peel Hunt-backed Retailbook May 12, 2025 Investment platform Retailbook has secured a £4.5m fundraise as the Peel Hunt-backed firm attempts to survive a lacklustre spell for the UK’s capital markets. The business, which helps retail investors get access to share issues normally reserved for institutional investors, has seen investors such as Augmentum Fintech join its list of shareholders. Previous investors in [...]
Volatility boosts IG Group after Freetrade deal completes May 12, 2025 IG Group has upgraded its profit guidance for the financial year after increased trading from high market volatility around global trade uncertainty boosted its revenue. “Elevated volatility across a range of asset classes, particularly in April, has resulted in higher levels of client trading activity than expected in typical market conditions,” the firm said in [...]
