Coronavirus: Police accused of ‘overzealous’ crackdown on Easter eggs March 30, 2020 Convenience stores selling Easter eggs have faced a crackdown from “overzealous” enforcement of the government’s coronavirus lockdown, according to the sector’s trade body. Newsagents and off-licences have been allowed to stay open during the lockdown as the government has deemed them to be essential retailers, along with supermarkets and pharmacies. Any shops deemed non-essential are [...]
UK banks likely to review dividends amid coronavirus crisis March 30, 2020 British banks are likely to want to review their dividend plans for this year given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy, an industry body said today, as lenders come under increasing pressure to scrap dividends. “Given current uncertainties and the importance of finance providers being able to play their vital role in [...]
Coronavirus: Scottish flier Loganair confirms it will seek state aid March 30, 2020 Scottish airline Loganair has confirmed that it will join other UK carriers in seeking a government bailout, its chief executive has said. The regional carrier, which earlier this month agreed to take on a number of collapsed carrier Flybe’s routes, has recently suspended all of its passenger operations. Chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said this morning: [...]
Facebook unveils $100m support package for news industry March 30, 2020 Facebook today said it will invest $100m (£80.6m) to support the news industry as the coronavirus crisis decimates advertising revenue. The social media firm said $25m will be given as emergency grant funding for local news through the Facebook Journalism Project, while $75m will be granted as additional marketing spend for news organisations around the [...]
Rail operators awarded new contracts for Great Western and Southeastern franchises March 30, 2020 First Group and Go Ahead Group have been awarded new contracts to run the Great Western and Southeastern rail franchises respectively with just a day to go before the existing deals run out. The new contracts will run concurrently with the emergency measures the government put in place last week to protect the rail industry [...]
Coronavirus: Retail landlord Hammerson suffers drop in rent payments March 30, 2020 Retail landlord Hammerson received 37 per cent of the rent it was owed in the second quarter as its tenants suffered a drop in sales and forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. The shopping centre owner this morning said adjusted for rent deferred, switched to monthly payment and waived, it had received 57 per [...]
Tiger Global builds stake in Tiktok owner Bytedance March 30, 2020 Tiger Global Management is said to have built up a stake in Tiktok owner Bytedance as it looks to cash in on the growing popularity of the short-form video platform. The New York-based investment firm — also known as the Tiger Fund — revealed the stake in a letter to investors this week. Tiger Global [...]
M&G’s flagship bond fund faces £100m daily outflows March 30, 2020 M&G’s flagship bond has become the latest casualty of the coronavirus-induced market sell-off, as investors pull £100m a day from the fund. Investors have pulled £2.5bn from M&G Optimal Income since mid-February, according to the Financial Times, as the coronavirus outbreak pushed investors towards the safety of cash. M&G, which is run by Richard Woolnough, [...]
Daily coronavirus cases fall 10 per cent March 30, 2020 Daily coronavirus cases have dropped for the first time in weeks, according to the latest figures. Stocks rallied as the number of daily coronavirus cases fell 10 per cent on Sunday compared to the previous day. However, the gains were not sustained and the FTSE 100 is down 0.87 per cent this morning. The drop [...]
Hipgnosis secures music catalogue of Bon Jovi songwriter March 30, 2020 Music royalties investment firm Hipgnosis today said it has bagged the rights to the complete catalogue of Bon Jovi lead guitarist and songwriter Richie Sambora. The London-listed company said it has acquired all 186 songs inked by Sambora, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 alongside Jon Bon Jovi. [...]
