Barratt Redrow merger given greenlight by competition watchdog October 4, 2024 The competition watchdog has given its final clearance for the merger of housebuilders Barratt and Redrow. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the proposed £2.5bn deal in June after it was first announced in February. The deal was completed in August without regulatory approval after the CMA suggested there were reasonable grounds to believe [...]
SSP Group: Upper Crust owner reports ‘significant increase’ in profitability October 3, 2024 The travel food specialist behind Upper Crust SSP Group has reported a boost in revenue, with UK sales supported by demand for air travel and easing rail disruptions. Revenue grew by 17 per cent for the year to 30 September, with full-year operating profit expected to be £210 to £220m, up around 30 per cent [...]
Vodafone and Three hit back at regulator’s concerns in merger battle September 30, 2024 Vodafone and Three have pushed back against the regulator’s concerns over their proposed £15bn merger, insisting that “outstanding issues can be resolved,” following the latest findings from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). In a response published today, the telecom firms said they “remain confident” in the deal, which would combine two of the UK’s [...]
The Notebook: City bosses need to get honest about corporate culture September 30, 2024 Corporate culture remains riddled with problems. It's time for an honest conversation, writes Lucy McNulty, editor of Following the Rules, in today's Notebook.
Clearbank eyes flurry of new products amid ‘huge demand’ for fintech September 30, 2024 ClearBank is eyeing up a string of new business lines after hitting profitability and taking its first steps towards international expansion.
With London IPOs on the wane, the private equity market needs to stay competitive September 27, 2024 Private equity deals have gone through a rocky patch but there is still plenty of capital looking for a home, says Edwin Richards Whilst popular in decades gone by, the age of the conglomerate has long been over. Most investors want to decide which sectors they invest in and want to be associated with champions [...]
CVS: Vet probe weighs on profit but fundamentals ‘strong’ September 26, 2024 Veterinary group CVS has said that a competition probe into the vet sector, plus cost of living pressures and a cyber attack, negatively affected its performance over the last year. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a formal probe into the sector in May. CVS shares plunged 20 per cent after the announcement, and [...]
‘Intense’ consumer duty rules driving up regulatory pressure on City, KPMG says September 26, 2024 The Financial Conduct Authority's "intense" supervision of its flagship consumer duty regime is driving an increase in regulatory pressure felt by City firms, according to KPMG.
Bank of England mulls ‘further steps’ to boost City’s global competitiveness September 26, 2024 The UK's banking regulator is mulling "further steps" to boost the City's international competitiveness as one of its top brass hailed a "broadly welcoming" response to its softening of bank capital rules.
Good riddance Woke Capitalism. We can get back to business now September 26, 2024 The era of ESG and DEI finally seems to be waning, thank god! So why can't Britain also let Woke Capitalism go, asks Fred de Fossard.