Asset managers await City watchdog’s final industry report after closing comments on interim recommendations February 20, 2017 The City watchdog today closed the consultation on its interim asset management market study report and will release its final recommendations in the second quarter of this year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its interim report in November, criticising weak price competition, transparency issues, conflicts of interests and sustained profitability of asset management companies. Read [...]
Three tips to help women start investing February 20, 2017 Some women never start investing. My research uncovered three main reasons why many women “sit on the fence” when it comes to investing: Some women aren’t interested in investing and don’t understand why it is important. Some are perfectionists and feel they do not know enough to begin. They think the world of investing is [...]
Politicians must tread carefully on M&A intervention February 20, 2017 It is common in business and politics today to talk about "signals". Brexit is either a signal of our desire to cut ourselves off from the world, or a sign that we’re set to become a kind of expansionist high-seas merchant. From immigration to Donald Trump, foreign policy to international aid, perceptions are increasingly being [...]
Three tips to help women start investing February 20, 2017 Some women never start investing. My research uncovered three main reasons why many women “sit on the fence” when it comes to investing: Some women aren’t interested in investing and don’t understand why it is important. Some are perfectionists and feel they do not know enough to begin. They think the world of investing is [...]
A victory for Marine Le Pen in France could spell the end of the European Union February 17, 2017 As the Brexit Bill’s passage through Parliament in the coming weeks appears a foregone conclusion, the UK’s timeline for invoking Article 50 has become clearer – but what remains unclear is the extent to which Brexit is mobilising voters in other EU member states. Indeed, from an economic standpoint, the UK’s inconsequential post-referendum performance poses a [...]
A Punch in the face: The CMA opens its investigation into Heineken’s Punch Taverns takeover February 16, 2017 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an initial investigation into Heineken's £403m deal to snap up British pub operator Punch Taverns. The UK watchdog will consider whether the deal would reduce competition and choice for customers and whether it needs to launch an in-depth investigation into the takeover. The deadline for the decision is 24 April. Pub landlords [...]
All about the price tag? Yahoo’s price Tumblrs by hundreds of millions as Verizon closes in on a deal February 16, 2017 Verizon is close to agreeing a discount of up to $350m (£280m) on its purchase of beleaguered tech giant Yahoo. The US telecoms giant agreed to pay $4.8bn for Yahoo last year, but has been trying to renegotiate the deal in the wake of two mammoth cyber attacks on the business. Sources told Reuters an updated [...]
Winning the battle for completely free trade post-Brexit will vastly increase UK prosperity February 16, 2017 Economists for Free Trade (of which I’m part) is launching today to make the case for the UK to run completely free trade once we leave the EU in 2019. Our aim is simple. We want Britain to lead the world on free trade. Our group has been formed to fight the battle which needs [...]
Electronic broker’s boss doesn’t know what is Nex after success of Trump rally February 15, 2017 Trumped-up earnings at Nex, the fancy new name of financial broker of Icap, were not enough to stop its share price from sliding over two per cent this morning. Group revenue was up 11 per cent in the three months to the end of December on a constant currency basis, meaning its nine month performance was [...]
The business secrets behind Real Madrid’s Champions League success (hint: it’s not just the galacticos) February 15, 2017 Any mention of Real Madrid and most would think of lavish transfer fees, “galáctico” celebrity signings, huge riches and — of course — a sparkling trophy cabinet stuffed with silverware. Madrid take on Napoli in the Champions League tonight ranked among the favourites to win the competition, a feat that would secure them both a record [...]