Opinion-in-brief: The closing act of Partygate is embarrassing for everyone May 26, 2022 The report by Sue Gray on the parties held in Downing Street was finally released yesterday – and hell, it was damning. It concluded that the “senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility”. What was Boris Johnson’s defence? He “humbly” apologised and took responsibility, but urged everyone to “move on”. [...]
London-listed energy giants shake off windfall tax jitters May 26, 2022 London-listed energy firms shook off concerns over the impact of a looming windfall tax on their excess profits during opening exchanges this morning. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index edged 0.09 per cent higher to 7,529.53 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, [...]
Ex-Brexit chief David Davis boasts he forced previous PM out: “I knew my resignation would be the end for May” May 26, 2022 Former Brexit secretary David David claimed when he resigned from the cabinet in July 2018, “I knew that it would be the end” for Theresa May as PM. The veteran politician and Brexiteer hit out at the former leader, while also taking a swipe at the current resident of Number 10, reiterating his call for [...]
FirstGroup considers £1.2bn takeover bid from private equity I Squared May 26, 2022 Transport giant FirstGroup has announced it was considering a £1.2bn takeover bid from US private equity I Squared. FirstGroup told investors it was currently considering a 118p per share cash offer after receiving the firm’s latest unsolicited bid yesterday. “The board of FirstGroup notes the recent share price movement,” the group said in a note [...]
UK puts jobs and passengers at centre of post-Covid aviation recovery May 26, 2022 The UK Government has put jobs and passengers at the centre of its post-Covid plan for the aviation sector’s recovery. Launched today by aviation minister Robert Courts, the ‘Flightpath to the Future’ 10-point plan will focus on building back consumer confidence as well as supporting new jobs and the sector’s sustainable recovery to reach net-zero [...]
Johnson Matthey warns of economic uncertainty as it offloads bulk of battery unit in £50m deal May 26, 2022 Johnson Matthey has warned investors it expects its operating profits this year to fall into the lower half of market estimates amid supply disruption.
Benediction film review: A smart portrait of the fascinating Sigfried Sassoon May 26, 2022 Author biopics can be terribly dull, but then few authors have lived a life quite like Sigfried Sassoon. The British poet’s words became a chilling epitaph for so many in the First World War, but Benediction by director Terence Davies (Distant Voices, Still Lives) shows an uncompromising picture of the real man. Jack Lowden plays the [...]
‘Just in case’ logistics mindset boosts LondonMetric as portfolio value grows by £1bn May 26, 2022 LondonMetric’s property portfolio value has grown by £1bn over the past year, as the UK’s hot property market boosts the firm. The FTSE 250 real estate investment trust’s profit has also rocketed in the year to 31 March, increasing an eyewatering £477.2m, in comparison with the same period last year, to a total of £734.5m. [...]
Caledonia Investments unveils special dividend as net assets rise to an all time high May 26, 2022 Caledonia Investments has reported a 25.1 per cent boost in net assets this year, rising to an all-time high of £2.78bn.
Wickes maintain pandemic momentum ahead of AGM May 26, 2022 Wickes Group has consolidated the pandemic-driven boom in sales and has maintained its full-year guidance ahead of its AGM today.
