UK private equity deals slump as firms hold out for bargains November 7, 2022 The number of private equity deals closed in the UK has slumped 20 per cent in the past year as firms sit on cash reserves in anticipation of tumbling valuations, according to new research.
UK minister travels to Taiwan in move that may inflame China tensions November 7, 2022 A UK minister will hold trade talks in Taiwan today in a move that may inflame fresh tensions with Beijing. Trade minister Greg Hands will meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen during the two-day trip to Taipei as the UK tries to close a post-Brexit deal with the island nation. The UK does not recognise Taiwan’s [...]
Hunt faces potential Tory backlash as he draws up plans to raise £50bn November 6, 2022 There are growing government fears about a potential Tory backlash against Jeremy Hunt’s fiscal statement as he looks to find ways to raise £50bn. Hunt will raise taxes and cut future real-terms spending in his 17 November autumn statement, with the chancellor looking at proposals to freeze Income Tax thresholds as a part of a [...]
Euro on course to stay below US dollar parity for some time, Goldman warns November 6, 2022 The euro is on course to stay below parity with the US dollar for some time if gas prices do not fall markedly, a top Wall Street bank has said. The currency used by the 19 countries that make up the eurozone is set to drop to $0.94, according to Goldman Sachs. The euro last [...]
Retailers bet on coronation boost after extra May bank holiday announced November 6, 2022 Retailers are hoping for a royally big boost next year after the government announces an extra bank holiday for King Charles III’s coronation. In an announcement today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the UK-wide holiday would fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May. “The Coronation of a new monarch is [...]
Sunak to raise imprisoned British citizen to Egypt’s leaders at Cop27 November 6, 2022 Rishi Sunak has vowed to “raise” the case of imprisoned British citizen Alaa Abd El-Fattah with Egypt’s leaders during next week’s Cop27 climate summit. The Prime Minister wrote to the family of the jailed writer, who is on a hunger and water strike, to tell them he was “totally committed to resolving [his] case” and [...]
Elon Musk fends off daily losses with jobs and ticks November 6, 2022 Musk’s Twitter shake-up continued at pace this weekend, with thousands of employees sacked and paid blue-tick verification firmly on the table for UK users. While Twitter has remained relatively quiet since the Tesla founder completed his $44bn (£39bn) takeover, the social media company confirmed that it would now allow users to buy blue-tick verified status. [...]
Bank of England watchers eye Pill and Ramsden speeches November 6, 2022 Bank of England watchers are in for a bumper week as several top rate setters provide hints on the trajectory of UK monetary policy after last week they said the economy is on course for the longest recession on record. Despite the bleak projections by the Bank, London’s FTSE 100 fared well last week, climbing [...]
Elliott backs Philip Morris’ sweetened £13bn bid for Swedish Match November 6, 2022 Swedish Match’s biggest investor Elliott Management has reportedly agreed to back Philip Morris International’s $15.7bn (£13.8bn) swoop for the firm. Sources told the Financial Times that the deal now had more than 80 per cent of shareholder acceptances, with more expected to be submitted tomorrow. Under Swedish takeover rules, PMI’s offer is conditional on gaining [...]
Whitehall launches investigation into ‘profiteering’ by energy firms November 6, 2022 Whitehall officials have launched a probe into alleged profiteering by energy firms, with claims they are not passing on the benefits of recent government interventions. The government last month launched a six-month energy price cap for businesses to help them survive the continued increases in global energy prices. The Sunday Times reports that the Department [...]