Investment banks endure worst first quarter since financial crisis May 24, 2016 The world's 12 largest investment banks endured their slowest start since the financial crisis, in what's typically their most lucrative period. Their revenue fell 25 per cent in the first quarter from a year ago as a wave of volatility rippled through financial markets, according to research by industry analytics firm Coalition. European bank shares hit multi-year lows [...]
Are Apple’s glory days over? May 24, 2016 It has been among the most innovative companies in the world for decades, but Apple’s star has dimmed recently. It reported its first fall in sales since 2003 – before the iPhone even existed – and was overtaken as the world’s most valuable company again last week by Google’s parent Alphabet, after briefly surpassing it in [...]
Why it’s time to start taking Donald Trump seriously May 23, 2016 Despite his stunning victory in the Republican primaries, a new conventional wisdom has already settled around Donald Trump’s chances of winning the White House. He can’t do it, we’re told, because he’s an offensive show-off who has alienated women, the well-educated, and non-white voters. While not an inaccurate description, as so often, the conventional wisdom [...]
Steel crisis: Excalibur Steel expected to endorse Liberty House in Tata bidding process May 23, 2016 The management buy-out group Excalibur Steel, which is expected to bid for Tata Steel’s UK assets today, has effectively endorsed another bidder, Liberty House, for the sale. Mostly comprised of former Tata executives, Excalibur will voice its support for the group in its bid, City A.M. understands. This puts commodities investor Liberty House in a favourable [...]
As the US slaps a 522 per cent tariff on Chinese steel imports, should the world fear a new trade war? May 20, 2016 Eamonn Butler, director of the Adam Smith Institute, says Yes. Things could be much worse than they presently are. In the century to 1950, world tariffs averaged 20 to 50 per cent. Now they average 1 to 3 per cent. But protectionism ain’t dead yet. We’ve seen it aplenty from populist presidential hopefuls Donald Trump [...]
London’s iconic black cabs to come clean as Chinese owner raises $400m to electrify taxi fleet May 19, 2016 The Chinese owner of London’s iconic black cab has raised $400m (£273.8m) in a bid to introduce "clean taxis" on London roads. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. secured the funds to electrify black cabs through a green bond sale that is rumoured to have been oversubscribed by eight times. The company intends to use the funds for developing [...]
Tata bidders prepare for Monday deadline in race to save UK steel industry May 19, 2016 The seven bidders vying to buy Tata Steel's UK business are racing to finalise their bids ahead of Monday's deadline, City A.M. understands. Indian conglomerate Tata revealed last week that it would take seven bidders forward to the next stage of the buying process. It is unlikely that details of the individual bids will be made public once they [...]
US steel tariffs put UK market at greater risk says Labour May 19, 2016 Labour has clashed with the government over yesterday's hike in US steel tariffs, claimed that the change leaves the UK's steel producers further exposed. The US dramatically increased the cost of Chinese cold rolled steel yesterday, installing a new tariff, five times higher than its provisional charge. Speaking to City A.M. shadow business secretary Angela Eagle [...]
Chinese steelmakers hit out at US tariff hike May 19, 2016 Chinese steelmakers hit out at the US' decision to slap imports of their products with a five-fold tax hike, marking an increase in the ongoing trade war. Asked if China will appeal the US anti-dumping duties at the World Trade Organisation, Liu Zhenjiang, secretary general of the China Iron and Steel Association told Reuters: "There's too much trade [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open May 19, 2016 Markets are still reeling from the Fed's warning that they're not taking the possibility of a June interest rate hike seriously enough and ratings agency Moody's has downgraded US growth prospects. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 2:30pm London time. The pre-market is not looking strong this morning follow [...]