Social media’s failings have made regulation almost inevitable February 8, 2021 The GameStop saga has thrown light, once again, on the power of social media. Having dramatically increased the stock price of a loss-making video game retailer, the two-million strong subreddit r/WallStreetBets has shown that with enough will, a single group can take on even the powerful world of hedge funds–and make itself some money in [...]
Drax invests £226m in biomass power ahead of coal plant closure February 8, 2021 British power company Drax will buy major Canadian biomass fuel producer Pinnacle for £226m, as it prepares for the closure of its coal power stations next year. Once the biggest polluter in the UK, the firm will cease burning coal at its two North Yorkshire units in March this year and will eventually close the [...]
Slow vaccine rollouts cause eurozone investor morale to slip February 8, 2021 Investor morale in the eurozone unexpectedly dropped in February as lockdowns left their mark on the economy, a survey showed on Monday. Attempts to suppress Covid-19 left the eurozone trailing behind other regions in the world, as countries such as the USA showed a strong recovery. Sentix, who surveyed more than 1,250 investors, said that [...]
The City View with pubs boss Emma McClarkin February 8, 2021 City A.M. Acting Editor Andy Silvester sits down with the British Beer & Pub Association’s Chief Executive Emma McClarkin, who tells all about the difficulties her members are facing as a result of the pandemic – and what can be done to solve them as the UK gradually reopens. Andy also talks to CMC Markets’ [...]
Astia launches $100m venture fund for growth companies with women at the helm February 8, 2021 Astia has launched a $100m early-stage venture fund that will invest globally in high-growth companies that have at least one woman in an executive, equity-holding position. The fund was created to help to address the disparity in funding for companies that include women in founding or executive roles. Mastercard is the fund’s main investor. Astia [...]
UK to see six new offshore windfarms in drive toward net zero February 8, 2021 Britain’s first major auction of offshore wind farm leases in over a decade has seen Orsted, RWE, BP and Total awarded contracts, the Crown Estate said this morning. With six projects, the venture will represent nearly eight gigawatts (GW) and could provide enough power to fuel around 7m homes. Chief executive of The Crown Estate [...]
HIG joins private equity pack circling KPMG’s restructuring arm February 8, 2021 HIG Europe has joined a pack of private equity bidders vying to buy the UK restructuring arm of KPMG. HIG is one of four parties shortlisted to acquire the business, which was put up for sale last year, Sky News first reported. It is understood Intermediate Capital Group is another private equity business interested in [...]
Around 2,450 high street jobs lost as Boohoo buys Arcadia brands at ‘discount price’ February 8, 2021 The sale of Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton to Boohoo has put 2,450 jobs at risk, as all of the Arcadia brands’ physical stores are set to close. Deloitte, which was appointed as administrator to Sir Philip Green’s collapsed retail empire, announced today that Boohoo has bought the brands’ digital assets for £25.2m. All 214 [...]
TDR Capital aims for bullseye with £540m Arrow offer February 8, 2021 Private equity firm TDR Capital has made a fourth offer for European investor and asset manager Arrow Global. The offer stands at a price of 305 pence per share, TDR said on Monday. Shares in Arrow rose 29 per cent to 298 pence following the bid, which would value the company at around £540m. The [...]
Begbies Traynor buys chartered surveyors as acquisition spree continues February 8, 2021 Professional services firm Begbies Traynor has bought London-based chartered surveyors Hargreaves Newberry Gyngell (HNG), in a deal worth £1m. HNG employs 13 staff, who will all integrate with Eddisons, Begbies Traynor’s property advisory and transactional services division. The acquisition is for an initial cash consideration of £0.4m on a cash free, debt free basis. Contingent [...]
