Airbnb host management service Hostmaker closes $1m funding round to expand further into Europe September 20, 2016 Piggybacking on the success of the booming sharing economy, Airbnb hospitality management service Hostmaker has closed a $1.1m (£843m) funding round to "turbocharge" its international expansion. Hostmaker will use the funds, raised by Initial Capital, DN Capital and DSG Consumer Partners, to launch and design new technology for guest communication and to move into more European [...]
Marriott International’s takeover of Starwood Hotels & Resorts to close this week after Chinese ministry of commerce gives green light September 20, 2016 Marriott International’s takeover of rival Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is set to complete this week after China’s antitrust authority granted approval for the $13.6bn (£10.4bn) merger today. The Chinese ministry of commerce was the only regulator pending approval for the tie-up, after the hospitality giants secured premerger green lights from more than 40 other [...]
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc’s share price sinks as group calls halt to dividend breeding programme September 20, 2016 SeaWorld investors weren't having a whale of a time today as the company's stock sunk 6.15 per cent in pre-market trading after it slashed its dividend by more than half. In a statement yesterday, SeaWorld Entertainment Inc said its dividend payout was plunging in depth to 10 cents per share, down from 21 cents per share previously. Instead [...]
JD Wetherspoon, Pret a Manger, Leon and Zizzi nab prizes in the annual Peta vegan food awards September 20, 2016 JD Wetherspoon may seem to some like an unlikely candidate for a vegan award, but a meat and dairy-free twist on one of its signature dishes has just nabbed it recognition from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta). Those who want to both avoid animal-derived foods and join JD Wetherspoon's weekly curry club can [...]
English winemaker and crowdfunding veteran Chapel Down fizzes on US launch September 20, 2016 Leading English winemaker Chapel Down has uncorked a new partnership to send its sparkling wine to the US for the first time. The Kent-based producer has struck an agreement with luxury wine and spirit company ABCK Corp to distribute its wines to US bars, restaurants and retailers. Shipments totalling 10,000 bottles are planned between now [...]
This is why high-frequency traders need to trust their gut instincts September 19, 2016 It's always reassuring when research is published that proves what we all already knew, and the latest on traders is no exception. High-frequency traders that rely on their gut feelings do in fact have the ability to compete with the best machines, according to a new paper, as those who follow their hunches make more money [...]
Sugar prices hold on to gains and surge to more than four-year high September 19, 2016 Global sugar prices rose to a more than four-year high yesterday, adding to gains made in a rally on Friday. The sweet stuff was trading 1.25 per cent higher on Monday at 22.75 cents per pound on the benchmark InterContinental Exchange, as the effects of a lower-than-forecast cane crop in Brazil, the world's largest sugar producer, held firm. [...]
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate prices edge higher on talk of deal between Opec and non-Opec producers September 19, 2016 Oil prices edged higher today on talk a deal to curb oversupply between Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and outside producers. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was up two per cent to $46.84 a barrel after Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said a deal could be announced as early as this month to stabilise the world's oil [...]
Finsbury Food Group cooks up tasty 40 per cent profit growth with the help of artisan breads and Disney cakes September 19, 2016 Profits were up a tasty 40 per cent last year at cake and bread supplier Finsbury Food Group, as demand for premium breads and Disney celebration cakes pushed up growth. The figures Group revenue rose 25 per cent to £319.7m in the year ended 2 July, while adjusted operating profit grew 38 per cent to £17.1m. Finsbury [...]
These are the views from across the world Londoners most want to see from their windows September 19, 2016 Unless you're lucky enough to live in one of the capital's multi-million pound mansions or have nabbed a flat overlooking a royal park, there's a strong chance you'd like to upgrade the view from your bedroom window. In the latest piece of research that no one really asked for, one in seven homeowners in London have [...]
