Wizz Air launches €500m debut bond January 14, 2021 Wizz Air today said that it had sold €500m in three-year bonds at an interest rate of 1.35 per cent. The budget carrier said that the bonds, which are due in 2024, are part of plans to raise €3bn from its euro medium-term note programme. The Hungarian flier said that proceeds from the sale would [...]
Telegraph owner Sir David Barclay dies age 86 January 13, 2021 David Barclay, the billionaire co-owner of the Daily Telegraph, has died aged 86 after a short illness. Late last night the newspaper announced that Barclay, who took over the Telegraph with his brother Frederick in 2004, had died. The twin brothers built up a business empire encompassing hotel ownership, shipping, and retail. They moved into [...]
Dr. Martens gearing up for stock market float January 11, 2021 Dr. Martens is readying itself for an IPO, and hoping to trade on the main market of the London Stock Exchange after more than 60 years in business. The iconic footwear brand has engaged Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as join global co-ordinators, and Barclays, HSBC, Merrill Lynch and RBC Europe as joint bookrunners in [...]
Investors to push HSBC to pull out of fossil fuel investments January 10, 2021 A group of investors is reportedly urging banking giant HSBC to reduce its financing of fossil fuels such as coal. According to the Sunday Times, the coalition, which includes European fund manager Amundi and London-listed hedge fund Man Group, is aiming to table a resolution on the issue at April’s AGM. The campaign is being [...]
FTSE 100 roars to highest closing level since early March January 6, 2021 The FTSE 100 charged higher today as the blue-chip bourse closed at its highest levels since before the Covid-19 pandemic beared down on the UK in early March.
The three Cs driving WFH and their impact on global cities January 5, 2021 Investors in the office sector face a divergent picture due to the working from home (WFH) trend, says fund manager Tom Walker. Recent encouraging news regarding a Covid-19 vaccine means many of us are looking forward to resuming our “normal” lives. Getting out of the house will be top priority for many, particularly those of [...]
FTSE 100 off to strong start to 2021 but Wall Street slips from record highs January 4, 2021 The FTSE 100 got the year off to a strong start today, bursting through the 6,600 point mark this morning, before closing the day up 1.8 per cent. However, Wall Street slipped back from record highs as the world’s markets got 2021 off to a fast start. In the first session of the new year [...]
Charles Schwab UK fined £9m for failing to protect client assets December 21, 2020 The UK’s financial watchdog has fined investment firm Charles Schwab £9m for failing to adequately protect client assets and making a false statement to the regulator. Schwab’s breaches occurred between August 2017 and April 2019 when it moved client money from the UK arm to a US business. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) today said [...]
FCA fines fall by half in 2020 as Covid takes hit on enforcement December 21, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority handed out £183.6m worth of fines this year, more than half the total bill in 2019. The number of fines has fallen too, from 21 to just ten. Lawyers believe the slowdown is due to the pandemic disrupting enforcement activities, not least the FCA’s ability to conduct witness and suspect interviews. [...]
How activist investors will circle in on UK corporates in 2021 December 20, 2020 As companies plan for their post-pandemic future there are signs that they will have to contend with a new threat: activist investors. Activists have so far been biding their time. The usually vocal Edward Bramson paused his campaign against Barclays boss Jes Staley at the start of the year. Bramson has repeatedly called for the [...]