Blackrock reports boosted earnings but ‘disappointing’ net flows October 16, 2018 Blackrock, the world's biggest asset management firm, has reported a rise in earnings in its third quarter results, but revealed net outflows of $3bn (£2.27bn). Assets under management were also up by 8 per cent from $5.97 trillion (£4.52 trillion) between July and September 2017 to $6.44bn trillion this year. Read more: Blackrock wins £30bn investment contract from [...]
UK M&A regime changes ‘too radical’, says former Office of Fair Trading boss John Fingleton October 16, 2018 The former head of the Office of Fair Trading (Oft) John Fingleton has slammed the government's "radical" merger and acquisitions (M&A) proposals. Fingleton, who was chief executive of the now closed government body between 2005 and 2012, said the revamp would create regulatory bureaucracy, put off foreign investment and be too influenced by politics. Read [...]
Mortgage approvals to first-time buyers hit highest level in more than a year October 16, 2018 The number of first-time buyer mortgage approvals hit 35,500 in August, reaching the highest level in more than a year. The figure was two per cent more than the previous month and peaked at the highest number since June 2017, according to UK Finance's Mortgage Trends Update. Read more: Foxtons closes flagship Park Lane office New lending to [...]
Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments’ share price falls as trading shows early signs of recovery October 16, 2018 Shares in Merlin Entertainments were down more than seven per cent this morning despite the Legoland owner reporting that 2018 forecasts were in line with market expectations. The group's Midway brands, which are driven by the London market and include Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, the Sea Life Centre and London Dungeons, have started to see early signs of [...]
Paddy Power fined £2.2m for failing to protect customers October 16, 2018 Paddy Power Betfair has been fined £2.2m by the gambling watchdog for failing to protect customers and stop stolen money being gambled. The betting site failed to adequately interact with customers who were displaying signs of problem gambling and to carry out anti-money laundering checks, an investigation by the Gambling Commission found. Read more: Rank [...]
Best foot forward: Shoe Zone reports boosted profits and revenues driven by out-of-town store expansion October 15, 2018 Shoe Zone has reported boosted profits and revenue driven by the expansion of the budget footwear retailer's 'big box' store format. The brand said it expects to report a revenue rise of 1.8 per cent to £161m and profit before tax of £11m in its full year results to 29 September. Read more: Claire's weighing up store [...]
Superdry shares plunge on profit warning blamed on hot weather and foreign exchange October 15, 2018 Shares in Superdry plunged this morning after the fashion retailer announced a £23m profit warning, which it blamed on hot weather and foreign exchange problems. The Cheltenham-based company saw shares drop as much as 20 per cent to 788p following the trading update, published ahead of its half-year results next month. Read more: Superdry hires former Tommy [...]
Allianz artificial intelligence fund passes £880m mark October 15, 2018 Allianz Global Investors' artificial intelligence (AI) fund has passed the €1bn (£880m) assets under management mark 18 months after its launch. The Global Artificial Intelligence Fund, which was launched in March last year, invests in companies developing AI systems in a bid to benefit from rapid advancements in disruptive technology such as Big Data analysis, machine learning, self-driving cars [...]
Entrepreneur loans Patisserie Valerie £20m as cake shop issues shares to cover financial black hole October 12, 2018 Patisserie Valerie today confirmed it needs an immediate cash injection of £20m to continue trading as it revealed that historical trading updates were incorrect. The news comes hours after a criminal investigation was launched into potential fraudulent activity at the beleaguered bakery. Read more: Patisserie Valerie finance director arrested as fraud probe launched The cake shop is proposing [...]
International Monetary Fund issues fresh warning to Italy over spending October 12, 2018 The head of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) European department has warned Italy to respect EU budget rules. Poul Thomsen said that the Italian Government should not target an increase in its budget deficit next year, a move that would breach EU spending rules. Read more: Italy fears subside as government reportedly plans to cut debt The [...]
