Pearson sells US school textbook arm for $250m February 18, 2019 Pearson announced the $250m (£194m) sale of its US school textbook division today as it pursues a simplification strategy as it doubles down on digital. Read more: Pearson's shares fall amid declining US revenues The education publisher expects to net $25m today and the full sum over the next three to seven years from the [...]
Mobile network industry calls for security scrutiny amid Huawei spying claims February 15, 2019 Europe needs a security testing programme to oversee the rollout of 5G in order to combat distrust of providers, according to the mobile network industry. Industry body the GSMA, which represents 800 operators, has called on governments and the private sector to collaborate on setting up such a scheme. Read more: Huawei boss: US has [...]
Spain calls snap election after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ‘s budget proposals rejected February 15, 2019 Spain called a snap election for 28 April today after its national budget was rejected. The socialist government’s budget proposal was defeated on Wednesday when politicians in favour of Catalan seceding joined right-wing parties in voting it down. Read more: Germany narrowly avoids recession as GDP stagnates in the fourth quarter It means Spain will [...]
RBS raises dividend on booming profits, but warns on cost of Brexit February 15, 2019 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) boosted its dividend today on the back of doubling profits, but warned that Brexit could hit the bank’s recovery. The bank said it would return £1.6bn to shareholders, including almost £1bn to the government, which holds a 62 per cent stake in RBS following its financial crisis bailout. Chairman Howard [...]
Premier Foods abandons Ambrosia sale, blaming business climate February 15, 2019 Premier Foods has abandoned plans to sell off its Ambrosia brand, it told investors today, blaming the current business climate. Talks began with potential buyers in November, and since the new year Premier Foods had narrowed interest down to a “small group” of possible bidders, but nobody has made an acceptable offer. Read more: Premier [...]
Commuters face severe delays on District Line as rush hour misery strikes February 15, 2019 Commuters are facing rush hour misery this morning with severe delays affecting the District Line. Read more: Rush hour blues: Commuters contend with severe delays to three Tube lines Severe delays have hit trains between Ealing Broadway and Richmond to Earl’s Court after a signal failure at Turnham Green. Minor delays are running between Earl’s [...]
Sterling slumps ahead of May’s crunch no-deal Brexit vote as Bercow chooses amendments February 14, 2019 Sterling has taken a tumble as fears grow that Theresa May will be defeated in parliament this evening by the hard Brexiters among her party. The pound fell from 1.287 this morning to as low as 1.278 against the dollar this afternoon as investors grew scared that the Prime Minister may not win a vote [...]
So Moneysupermarket: Price comparison site grows profits as chairman steps down February 14, 2019 Moneysupermarket’s chairman is set to step down after five years in the hotseat, as the price comparison website grew both profit and revenue in a bumper 2018. Bruce Carnegie-Brown will also step down from his non-executive director position at the company’s annual general meeting in May after serving as chairman since 2014. Read more: Ofgem [...]
Chinese demand for medicines helps Astrazeneca return to growth February 14, 2019 Strong growth in Chinese demand for new medicines helped Astrazeneca return to growth in 2018, it said today. The figures Product sales grew four per cent in 2018 compared to 2017, to hit $21bn (£16.35bn) in revenue. Fourth quarter revenue grew to $5.77bn, up five per cent year on year. Read more: Bristol-Myers Squibb to [...]
Easyjet confirms talks over possible bid for struggling airline Alitalia February 14, 2019 Easyjet confirmed it is in talks over a possible acquisition of struggling airline Alitalia this morning. The British budget flyer may launch a consortium bid for the airline with Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Delta Air Lines for the company. Read more: Flybe directors give shareholders ultimatum over takeover bid Easyjet said the trio wanted [...]
