Merger Monday: Big deal developments spark hopes of M&A pick-up this autumn August 22, 2016 Global deals valued at nearly $65bn (£49.5bn) cleared a series of major hurdles yesterday, amid hopes of a renewed drive in worldwide mergers and acquisitions next month. US pharmaceutical company Pfizer agreed a $14bn deal for San Francisco-based Medivation, which specialises in cancer treatments. It came as a welcome boost to the pharma giant whose [...]
Theresa May’s Olympic praise sheds light on her industrial strategy vision August 22, 2016 Theresa May returns to Downing Street this week after a walking holiday in Switzerland, a reminder to anyone still basking in the sun with a bottle of rosé that autumn is now upon us. Unlike the rest of us mortals who spend the first day back in the office clearing out the inbox, the Prime [...]
Emerging markets funds hot, China not, for investors this summer August 22, 2016 Investors have turned away from China-only funds this summer, according to one online retail investment platform. But emerging markets funds have proved popular. Rplan.co.uk said that between 1 June and 15 August, it recorded a 75 per cent increase in flows to emerging markets funds compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, China-only funds experienced [...]
For the love of bags: Jardine of London founder Mary Jardine talks music cases, the Queen, Brexit, and why she’s on the hunt for a partner August 22, 2016 "It felt like I’d always been the spectator. It dawned on me that I wanted to be the one taking part; the one driving something forward.” Mary Jardine, founder of handbag startup Jardine of London, was approaching her fiftieth birthday when she decided she was going to set up her own business. Jardine of London isn’t [...]
British Airways set to gain access to Chinese domestic market August 19, 2016 British Airways is gearing up for access to China's domestic market as it launches a new partnership with China Eastern Airlines. Through the partnership with the Shanghai-based carrier, customers in the UK will be able to fly to regional Chinese destinations. Read more: Yep, a weaker pound has hit British Airlines owner IAG Alex Cruz, [...]
Rabobank mulls Brexit and US election uncertainty as profits dive August 18, 2016 Never mind Brexit – Rabobank revealed this morning it was also concerned about the impending US presidential elections and the Chinese economy, while unveiling a drop in its net profits and a fall in headcount. The figures The Dutch bank reported net profit of €924m for the first half of 2016, down 39 per cent compared with €1.5bn the [...]
Apple’s iPhone sales fall as Chinese brands gain ground August 18, 2016 Apple continues to lose ground to Chinese rivals in the global smartphone market, ahead of the highly-anticipated launch of its new flagship iPhone 7. People are buying fewer iPhones and increasingly turning to challenger smartphone brands from Asia, the latest figures from Gartner show, as Apple confirmed it plans to plough more cash into China. iPhone sales declined [...]
A new trade commission has warned the UK to treat China with “kid gloves”, and focus on attempts to secure deals with countries with “similar values” August 17, 2016 A group of global trade experts are calling on the UK to focus on negotiations with culturally similar nations, warning the UK to treat China “with kid gloves”. The new, independent special trade commission will operate through think tank Legatum, and features former advisers to both President Obama and former President George W Bush. The [...]
China gives green light to latest stock market tie-up August 16, 2016 Investors will soon be able to tap in to China's fledgling tech sector with the latest flagship international stock-market tie up set to be launched later this year. The Chinese premier signalled today the long-awaited Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect had been given the green light by the country's state council, meaning international investors will be able [...]
Forging closer ties with booming India will unlock vast opportunities for Britain August 15, 2016 On the eve of Indian independence on 15 August, 1947 (whose anniversary was celebrated yesterday), the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said that “the achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us.” India’s independence was not even 70 years ago, yet the [...]