Reactions to BT-EE merger: Telco rivals TalkTalk and Vodafone lash out after Competition and Markets Authority waves through £12.5bn merger deal January 15, 2016 Telco rivals have lashed out furiously, after the UK’s competition watchdog waved through BT and EE’s £12.5bn merger, which was given the final green light early this morning. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the takeover was unlikely to cause “significant harm to competition or the interests of consumers” as the UK mobile market is so [...]
BT’s share price climbs as it names the date for EE deal completion after CMA gives £12.5bn deal green light January 15, 2016 BT has named the date for the completion of its £12.5bn takeover of mobile phone firm EE after being given the green light by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) this morning. The CMA said although the deal would create the largest telecoms business in the country, it was not expected to result in "substantial [...]
Renault’s share price recovers slightly after car giant explains emissions probe; Fiat Chrysler suspends trading after claims it is faking sales figures January 14, 2016 Renault shares recovered slightly after the French energy minister said tests conducted on Renault cars had not found any emissions cheating software. Segolene Royal said tests had been carried out to establish whether vehicles on its roads were equipped with software similar to that used by scandal-engulfed Volkswagen in the United States to trick emissions tests. "There is no fraud at [...]
BT’s EE takeover set to get a green light from Competition and Markets Authority January 14, 2016 BT’s £12.5bn takeover of rival EE is expected to get a thumbs up by the UK’s competition watchdog as the two prepare to merge in March. Anything other than a green light would be highly unexpected as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) prepares to announce its final decision on the deal at 7am tomorrow, [...]
Competition and Markets Authority launches market study into the legal services sector to examine concerns about affordability and standard of services January 13, 2016 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced that it had launched a market study into the legal services sector. The study will examine concerns relating to affordability and standard of services offered to consumers and small businesses. In particular, the CMA is reviewing how able consumers are to make informed purchasing decisions and whether adequate [...]
China’s weakened yuan: Experts warn the country is heading for a second Asian currency crisis as pressure on renminbi continues January 12, 2016 China's weakened yuan sent Asian share prices to their lowest level in four years yesterday, as investors panicked over the currency’s future direction. Ripples of bearish sentiment also hit the South African rand, which suffered its biggest one-day drop in seven years to reach a record low against the dollar. The sell-off continued a difficult start [...]
European Commission: Belgium’s €700m dollar tax breaks were illegal January 11, 2016 The European Commission today ruled that Belgium's tax scheme, which handed out tax breaks worth around €700m (£522m) to companies, was illegal. Belgium's tax scheme favoured multinational companies by exempting them from paying tax on so-called excess profits. The Belgian tax authorities could lower the tax base by deducting excess profit for certain companies, on the basis that a [...]
George Osborne: Tracey McDermott ruled out for FCA chief executive role January 7, 2016 UPDATE: Acting Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief executive Tracey McDermott has confirmed that she took her name out of the running to be the regulator's permanent boss in early December. "I have been at the FSA/FCA for 15 years and I remain extremely committed to, and passionate about, the important work we do. It has been, and [...]
Homeward bound HSBC, City Hall race and oil glut make a busy 2016 January 7, 2016 Forecasting events in the City is frequently a fool’s errand but one thing’s clear from the first week of 2016: it is going to be a tough year for much of corporate Britain. Here’s where I think most of the action will be. 1. Among the first big decisions of the year will be delivered when [...]
iPhone 6, 5s and 6s: Best-selling UK phones of 2015 reveals Britain’s love affair with Apple continues with Samsung Galaxy S6 slipping behind January 3, 2016 The UK’s best-selling mobile phones of 2015 have been revealed, and the top of the list is all Apple, Apple, Apple. Tim Cook will be pleased to learn that the country’s love affair with his company’s products shows no sign of letting up, as different versions of the iPhone make up no fewer than six [...]