Boris Johnson still ‘in charge of government’ from his hospital bed April 6, 2020 Boris Johnson is still in charge of government from his hospital bed and is continuing to receive his daily red box of briefing papers. The Prime Minister was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster last night due to “persistent symptoms” of coronavirus and “had a comfortable night”, according to an official Number 10 spokesman. [...]
Coronavirus squeezes mutual funds causing record fund outflows April 6, 2020 The coronavirus-induced market slump caused record fund outflows last month, with fixed income funds particularly badly hit. Investors redeemed a record £3.1bn of their fund holdings in March, according to global funds network Calastone. It represents almost three times the outflows recorded in the previous worst month in June 2016 when the UK voted to [...]
Apple to make 1m coronavirus face shields per week April 6, 2020 Apple has outlined plans to manufacture 1m face shields per week as it ramps up its efforts to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. Chief executive Tim Cook said the tech giant had so far sourced 20m face masks from its global supply chain to distribute to health workers around the world. Apple’s design and engineer teams [...]
Coronavirus: Banks ‘not stepping up to the plate’ in battle to protect business April 6, 2020 The London Chamber of Commerce has added its voice to calls for the UK’s banks to do more to help British businesses, saying lenders “are simply not stepping up to the plate” in the battle against coronavirus. Over the last week there have been major concerns that despite a hefty package of schemes implemented by [...]
Oil prices slip as investors doubt Saudi-Russia agreement April 6, 2020 Oil prices have fallen despite the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund saying Russia and Saudi Arabia are “very, very close” to a deal on supply cuts. Brent crude was down 2.5 per cent at $33.30 in a sign that investors are sceptical an agreement will be reached. US West Texas Intermediate was two per [...]
Coronavirus: The banks must step up to the plate April 6, 2020 It’s all down to the banks, now. Not necessarily a phrase to induce confidence a mere eleven years after the banking crisis, but it is true. The Chancellor has pulled out all the stops to provide support mechanisms for companies and employees during the Covid -19 crisis. His rapid actions in the first phase [...]
FTSE 100 rises with Europe set to ease coronavirus lockdowns April 6, 2020 The FTSE 100 has risen as investors are cheered by signs that the spread of coronavirus is slowing and as Europe prepares to ease lockdowns. London’s blue-chip index had risen 2.2 per cent to 5,532 points by midday. Last week, the FTSE 100 fell as data releases laid bare the damage coronavirus is causing to [...]
Coronavirus: BMW sales fall over 20 per cent due to retail closures April 6, 2020 BMW’s sales dropped over 20 per cent in the first quarter of the year due to the coronavirus outbreak, the German car giant said today. Due to the widespread closure of showrooms across Europe and the rest of the world, the automotive firm sold only 477,111 vehicles in the first three months of the year. [...]
Coronavirus: Housebuilder MJ Gleeson temporarily lays off 76 per cent of staff April 6, 2020 Housebuilder MJ Gleeson has temporarily laid off 76 per cent of its workforce after it was forced to close building sites and sales offices due to the outbreak of coronavirus. In total 456 employees will be furloughed in line with the government’s Job Retention Scheme, and will receive between 80 per cent to 95 per [...]
Invesco and Woodford protege Mark Barnett sacked by Perpetual Income and Growth April 6, 2020 Perpetual Income and Growth Investment Trust has sacked Invesco fund manager Mark Barnett for underperformance, ending months of uncertainty. Barnett, one of Neil Woodford’s former proteges, had run the trust for more than two decades. It is a further blow to the manager who was also sacked by Edinburgh Investment Trust at the end of [...]
