Barratt’s £2.5bn merger with Redrow now hinges on sale of 10 houses August 8, 2024 A £2.5bn merger between housebuilders Barratt and rival Redrow now hinges on the sale of 10 houses after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the deal could create local competition issues. In a ruling issued this morning the watchdog said the deal, announced in March 2024, could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” [...]
FCA: Pension schemes to be rated on new traffic light system in bid to boost returns August 8, 2024 The plans will see schemes rated publicly on a range of metrics, including investment performance and service quality, rather than just focusing on costs and charges.
Is the real Airbnb hell about to begin? August 8, 2024 A site called airbnbhell.com, a rabbit hole of “uncensored” stories of host and guest experiences, reveals detailed anecdotes ranging from pet problems and parties, to discrimination and fraud. It is no longer an active site but the holiday home rental app had a hell of its own on Wednesday when shares plunged 16 per cent [...]
Vodafone launches next stage of £3.4bn shareholder value return plan August 7, 2024 Vodafone has launched the next stage of its share repurchase programme worth up to €500m (£430m). In March, the firm said it would return €4bn (£3.4bn) to shareholders as part of a broader capital allocation review in an attempt to appease jittery shareholders following asset sales. It kicked off the return in May with an [...]
Renewi: Waste disposal firm gets green light to sell garbage UK arm to Biffa August 6, 2024 Waste management firm Renewi said it had been given the green light by regulators to sell its UK Municipal business to Biffa. In a statement to markets, Renewi said it had obtained approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for the £125m deal, which was announced in May and is expected to increase the [...]
Vodafone-Three £15bn merger delayed further as CMA extends probe August 2, 2024 Vodafone and Three will have to wait longer before finding out if a £15bn planned merger has the seal of approval from the UK’s competition regulator.
Virgin Money lending dips in run-up to Nationwide takeover August 2, 2024 Virgin Money's lending to customers dropped by one per cent last quarter as the group prepares to be taken over by Nationwide imminently.
The Notebook: If Reeves wants the City onside, she must be clear on her vision July 31, 2024 Where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today, it’s Lucy McNulty, editor of the Following the Rules podcast, with the pen, talking Treasury-City relations, buy now, pay later, and her pick of the podcasts The City needs a clear vision The decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to create a Treasury unit focused on [...]
CMA warns major corporate travel takeover could hike prices and worsen service July 30, 2024 Amex GBT, the largest travel management company in the UK, announced a £444m deal to takeover rival CWT in March.
FCA to strip back red tape after conceding consumer duty ‘overlap’ July 29, 2024 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will strip back red tape from the City and “streamline” its regulatory rulebook after conceding that its stringent consumer duty rules were overlapping with swathes of existing regulation.