Astrazeneca beats estimates in strong third quarter October 24, 2019 Astrazeneca raised its full-year product sales forecast for the second time today, as it was boosted by strong demand for new cancer treatments and 40 per cent growth in China. The drugmaker beat market expectations for both profit and sales in the third quarter, with sales hitting $6.13bn (£4.75bn), outstripping a consensus estimate of $5.86bn. [...]
Competition watchdog to examine £500m Ovo Energy-SSE deal October 24, 2019 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said today it was looking into whether Ovo Energy’s £500m acquisition of energy supplier SSE’s retail arm will harm competition. SSE’s retail energy business supplies around 3.5m households in the UK. The watchdog said it was inviting comments on the transaction from interested parties until 6 November. Alistair Phillips-Davies, [...]
Slater & Gordon boss talks life after Quindell October 23, 2019 Slater & Gordon’s new UK boss is keen to put the past behind him. On Monday the law firm settled a long-running fraud claim against insurer Watchstone, drawing a line under a turbulent period that threatened to consign the world’s first listed law firm to the history books. Slater had accused Watchstone – formerly Quindell [...]
Tech is top priority for UK’s leading law firms October 23, 2019 Technology is the key strategic priority for the UK’s leading law firms, a report published today showed. A survey of the UK’s top 100 law firms found more than four fifths (81 per cent) said technology was the most important area of strategic development for their firm. After technology investment, 41 per cent cited overseas [...]
KPMG in exclusive talks to sell pensions arm to private equity firm for more than £200m October 23, 2019 KPMG today confirmed it is in exclusive talks to sell its pensions advisory arm to private equity firm Exponent. The Big Four firm is in discussions to sell its pensions unit to the former Quorn-owner for more than £200m, Sky News reported. Read more: KPMG launches £100m cost-cutting programme The division has more than 20 [...]
Goals Soccer Centres: Sports Direct says ‘skulduggery’ wiped out shareholders October 23, 2019 Retailer Sports Direct has today blasted the management of Goals Soccer Centres after the five-a-side football firm delisted from Aim after an accounting scandal. Goals suspended shares in March after saying its financial results contained a misdeclaration of VAT, leaving a black hole in its accounts of more than £12m. Read more: Goals Soccer Centres [...]
Peugeot maker PSA Group boosts revenue despite sales slip October 23, 2019 Peugeot maker PSA Group today reported higher revenue for the third quarter, even as its sales slowed globally. The French carmaker was boosted by higher demand for its more expensive sports utility vehicle (SUV) models. PSA said revenue from the three months ended September rose one per cent to €15.6bn (£13.5bn). Read more: Peugeot maker [...]
Audit watchdog calls on firms to improve reporting on climate change issues October 22, 2019 Businesses are falling short of investors’ expectations for clearer reporting on climate-related issues, according to a report published today by the audit watchdog. A report from the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said that “while reporting on climate change is an evolving practice, expectations are changing rapidly”. Read more: Eco-friendly product sales surge on climate change [...]
Number of companies entering administration leaps by a third in the third quarter October 22, 2019 The number of companies entering administration jumped by more than a third during the third quarter of the year, analysis published today showed. A study of notices in the London Gazette by accountancy firm KPMG showed a total of 417 companies went into administration between July and September 2019, compared with 310 in the previous [...]
Activist investor Cat Rock tells Prosus not to interfere with Takeaway.com bid for Just Eat October 22, 2019 Activist investor Cat Rock has warned investment firm Prosus not to interfere with Takeaway.com’s bid for rival food delivery service Just Eat. Prosus launched a £4.9bn all-cash offer for Just Eat today, representing a 20 per cent premium to Takeaway.com’s all-share offer which has been negatively impacted by the Dutch businesses’ falling share price. Read [...]