Number of listed firms on London’s stock market shrunk faster than European rivals November 17, 2020 The tally of companies choosing to list on the London Stock Exchange contracted sharply over the last decade as companies increasingly choose to raise money through private equity deals, a trend also seen in the wider European market. The London Stock Exchange lost 378 companies on net between 2010 and 2018, a 21 per cent [...]
Asda sales growth slows but grocer forecasts bumper online Christmas November 17, 2020 Asda’s sales growth slowed in the third quarter as lockdown restrictions lifted and hospitality businesses reopened, the supermarket announced this morning as it said customers are already stocking up for a “very different” Christmas this year. The grocer’s like-for-like sales excluding fuel were up 2.7 per cent in the three months ended 30 September, compared [...]
Balancing the books: Murdoch’s News Corp tables bid for Simon & Schuster November 17, 2020 Rupert Murdoch’s media empire is said to have tabled a bid for Simon & Schuster, the publishing giant behind best-selling authors including Stephen King and Dan Brown. Simon & Schuster was put up for sale by its owner, US media conglomerate Viacom CBS, following a strategic review in March. Murdoch’s News Corp has now entered [...]
Budget carrier Easyjet posts first ever full year loss November 17, 2020 Easyjet today fell to the first loss in its history as the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic was revealed. The low-budget carrier posted a reported loss before tax of £1.2bn for the year ending 30 September after the worst crisis in aviation history. Passenger numbers halved over the course of the year, falling from [...]
Brexit: UK not expecting trade deal to be closed this week November 17, 2020 Boris Johnson is not expecting to close an EU trade deal this week, with the UK's Brexit negotiators aiming for a final breakthrough at some point next week.
Vaccine could accelerate the return to the office, survey finds November 17, 2020 News that a vaccine could be rolled out as early as next month has been hailed as transformative and could see a return to the offices sooner than most think. A survey of 700 UK employees by Publicis Sapient show 47 per cent of employees would feel more comfortable to get back to the office [...]
Evgeney Lebedev wine collection to go under the hammer November 17, 2020 Recently ennobled Evgeney Lebedev is selling part of his wine collection in an online auction. Lebedev, the politically connected socialite and son of a former KGB spy, whose elevation by Boris Johnson to the House of Lords drew accusations of cronyism earlier this year, built up a wine collection that demonstrates his love for rich and rare reds. It consists [...]
Watchdog lambasts accountants for ‘basic’ cash flow mistakes November 17, 2020 The Financial Report Council (FRC) has lambasted the accountancy industry for basic errors in cash flow statements. The watchdog said it continues to identify errors in cash flow statements, and as a result has published a review on the subject that examines many of the issues faced in their preparation, and provides information on how [...]
Intermediate Capital Group accelerates fundraising after ‘exceptional’ period November 17, 2020 Alternative fund manager Intermediate Capital Group has accelerated its fundraising timetable after an “exceptional” first half. ICG raised €2.6bn in the six months ended 30 September, resulting in assets under management (AUM) of €46.1bn and said it expects fundraising of €6bn for the full year. The firm, which invests in private debt, equity and infrastructure, [...]
UK and US sign aviation agreement to protect vital travel links November 17, 2020 The government has today signed a deal with the US ensuring that aviation links can continue unchanged after 1 January. The new Air Services Agreement will replace the existing EU-US deal, which will cease to apply to the UK deal when the Brexit transition period ends. The transatlantic air travel market is one of the [...]
