SSE’s merger with Npower gets the provisional green light from UK competition watchdog August 30, 2018 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given provisional clearance to the proposed merger between energy firm Npower and the retail arm of SSE. A further inquiry by the CMA was set up in April after initial concerns were raised as to whether the merger might impact the prices of standard variable tariffs (SVTs), the most [...]
Is the UK market ripe for stock pickers? August 23, 2018 Being a UK equity fund manager may seem a somewhat depressing occupation these days. As the spectre of the country’s exit from the European Union looms large, there are plenty of doomsayers taking the view that investing money in UK stocks is a foolish thing to do. Why would anyone bother evaluating UK investment opportunities [...]
The CMA has officially launched a probe into the Sainsbury’s Asda merger August 23, 2018 The competition watchdog has officially launched an investigation into the proposed mega-merger between supermarkets Sainsbury's and Asda. Pricing, quality and the range of products at both businesses will come under scrutiny as the competition and markets authority (CMA) tries to determine if a tie-up will have a negative effect for UK consumers. The regulator will [...]
Sweet deal under scrutiny as watchdog probes Refreshers maker’s sale August 22, 2018 The competition watchdog is investigating a merger between the maker of Rowse Honey and one of the leading independent confectioners Tangerine Confectionery, the maker of Dip Dabs and other household brands, was put up for sale in February by its owner the private equity giant Blackstone. Earlier this month, Rowse Honey owner Valeo confirmed that it had [...]
RBS announces interim chief financial officer as Ewen Stevenson prepares to depart August 17, 2018 The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) said today it is to appoint deputy chief financial officer Katie Murray as interim CFO in October, replacing outgoing CFO Ewen Stevenson, who is set to join HSBC. Stevenson will step down after four years in the role on 30 September and will be placed on gardening leave until the end of November. Stevenson [...]
Turf war: Law firm bosses see Big Four as ‘threat’ as they aggressively expand into legal sector | City A.M. August 8, 2018 The City’s top law firms are keeping a wary eye on the Big Four accountancy giants as the beancounters expand into the $600bn (£465bn) global legal services market. Managing partner of City law firm Fieldfisher Michael Chissick said: “They have very ambitious plans, that isn’t in doubt, audit is in decline and it is low [...]
London’s audit giants are muscling in on law firms August 8, 2018 The City's top law firms are keeping a wary eye on the Big Four accountancy giants as the beancounters expand into the $600bn (£465bn) global legal services market. Managing partner of City law firm Fieldfisher Michael Chissick said: “They have very ambitious plans, that isn’t in doubt, audit is in decline and it is low [...]
Financial Conduct Authority launches ‘global fintech sandbox’ August 7, 2018 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has joined financial regulators from around the world to create a new global network to boost fintech innovation. The Global Finance Innovation Network (GFIN) will aim to provide a more efficient method for innovative fintech firms to interact with regulators. The City watchdog has launched a consultation on the main [...]
MPs call for social media tax to cover costs of data misuse following fake news inquiry | City A.M. July 28, 2018 MPs have called on social media companies such as Facebook to be taxed to cover the costs of investigating incidences of data misuse, a leaked report has revealed. The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee has been investigating the phenomenon of fake news spread through social media following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which [...]
‘Thinking Fast and Slow’: Two big lessons for investors July 27, 2018 On The Value Perspective blog, we aim to extol the merits of value investing, the art of buying shares that are unloved by the market for no good reason. The summer holidays – and this guest column on City AM – offer an opportunity for us to highlight investing books that can help keen students [...]