China’s greatest crisis since the 1980s promises more dark days ahead August 27, 2015 With more than $5 trillion wiped off global stock markets since 11 August, “Black Monday” this week saw declines of historic proportions, driven by concerns over the Chinese economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has subsequently cut interest rates and eased lending rules for banks in a much-anticipated move to stem the market [...]
City Moves for 27 August 2015 | Who’s switching jobs August 26, 2015 Nomura Asset Management Andreas Koerner has been appointed head of marketing and client relations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has worked for Nomura Asset Management Germany, where he is chief executive, for almost 12 years. ANV Underwriters The specialty insurance group has appointed Christina Lippert as underwriting manager, professional lines, commercial, Europe. [...]
Poundland’s share price soars as discount retailer gets greenlight for 99p Stores takeover August 25, 2015 Poundland's acquisition of (more) budget rival 99p Stores has been given the provisional go-ahead by the competition watchdog, sending the listed company's share price soaring. The Competition and Markets Authority this morning said the merger “may not be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition”. It said: "Along with Poundworld, [...]
Bowled over: Competition regulator topples merger or Original Bowling Company and Bowlplex August 17, 2015 Is the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about to force a split? The regulator has toppled plans for a merger between The Original Bowling Company and Bowlplex over concerns it would lead to less competition in the sector. Well. We're bowled over… The CMA said it had looked at six local areas where the pair [...]
London mayoral hopeful Andrew Boff’s radical plan for housing and transport August 16, 2015 London Assembly member Andrew Boff may be trailing in the polls behind his fellow Tory mayoral hopefuls. However, sitting down with City A.M. last week in his office in City Hall, the leader of the Greater London Authority Conservatives said he is confident he can win the open primary to be Tory candidate. “Of course [...]
As China’s yuan devaluation shocks markets, should the world fear a global currency war? August 13, 2015 Gabriel Stein is director of asset management services at Oxford Economics, says Yes Not because China wants to start one, but because the decision is not China’s. Ostensibly, the changes implemented over the past three days aim to give market forces greater influence over the currency. That is good news. But by announcing, on three [...]
Trade and status: China weakens yuan to gain advantage August 12, 2015 China plans to top the global hierarchy with its surprise move to devalue its currency China shocked the world yesterday when it devalued the yuan by nearly 2 per cent against the dollar. The surprise move brings its currency to a three-year low against the greenback and should help revive exports. The news [...]
Best of the Brokers for 12 August 2015 August 12, 2015 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com DAIRY CREST The Competition and Markets Authority’s welcome announcement this week indicating that it plans to accept remedies offered by Muller, the suitor of Dairy Crest’s liquid milk operations, has prompted Shore Capital to reaffirm its “buy” rating and target price of 603p [...]
China currency move pulls on mining stocks – London Report August 12, 2015 LUXURY goods firm Burberry was one of the hardest hit UK firms yesterday, after China devalued its currency, raising the costs of imports. The FTSE 100 closed down 1.1 per cent. Weakness in commodity stocks has contributed to recent declines in the index, which is now more than six per cent off April’s record high. [...]
China’s shock devaluation is more about reform than its authorities panicking August 11, 2015 In a surprise move, China weakened its currency yesterday by setting the daily fix for the RMB 1.9 per cent lower, in its most significant devaluation since 1994. This has fuelled a great deal of speculation as to the reasons for this move and the ultimate implications for the Chinese economy and the rest of [...]