Why did TfL strip Uber of its licence and what did it do to get it back? June 26, 2018 After months of deliberation, Uber was today granted a 15-month licence after persuading Westminster Magistrates' Court that it had changed its ways and was now a "fit and proper" operator in the capital. City A.M. looks back at why TfL took the dramatic decision last year and what Uber did to try and win it [...]
Form alliance with Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore to boost City after Brexit, Shanker Singham argues in new report May 4, 2018 The City should forge alliances with other major financial hubs to strengthen and boost its position in the post-Brexit world, a new report by influential trade wonk Shanker Singham argues. According to Singham and co-author Catherine McBride, both of whom left Legatum to join the Institute of Economic Affairs in March, the UK should use [...]
Markets brace for the latest Bank of England interest rate decision May 1, 2018 Following a decade without so much as a hint of a rate rise, expectations are high for the UK’s second increase in just seven months. Most economists expect the Bank of England to raise the base rate to 0.75 per cent this month, up from the current 0.5 per cent. The UK’s economic picture is [...]
Kicking off: War of words between former boss Bob Mackenzie and car insurance giant AA rolls on May 1, 2018 Former AA boss Bob Mackenzie has found himself in the spotlight once again, following allegations that he hushed up a street fight which left him unable to deliver presentations to major City investors. The legal battle between Mackenzie and the roadside assistance giant ramped up yesterday after court filings of the AA’s defence were revealed [...]
AA looks to get back on track with encouraging full-year results April 15, 2018 Breakdown cover firm AA is expecting to get back on the road with some positive results when it releases its annual report on Tuesday. For the year-end, estimates from Liberum reckoned that AA’s trading EBITDA will be around £392m, as sales will go up slightly to £964m from £933m in 2017. Earnings in 2019 have [...]
AA share price leaps as rating agency surprises on “terminal” debt pile April 13, 2018 Troubled breakdown firm AA was today delivered a huge boost by a leading credit rating agency. Facing a prospect of a downgrade which could be “terminal” for shareholders, S&P refrained lowering its opinion of the AA. Shares leapt almost five per cent after credit decision was announced. Weighed down by almost £3bn of corporate bonds [...]
Provident Financial share price falls after completing a £331m rights issue April 10, 2018 Doorstep lender Provident Financial has completed a £331m cash call from investors, it announced this morning. A deadline for rights issue acceptances passed yesterday at 11am with 96.3 per cent of shareholders backing the capital raise. The success of the rights issue will come as little surprise to many traders as almost three-quarters (73.4 per [...]
Death of the deposit: A new type of rental model is emerging, but could it be the next PPI scandal in the making? April 10, 2018 Most renters will be familiar with the drama that surrounds deposits. The average deposit in London is an eye-watering £1,765, according to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. But saving up hundreds of pounds is only half of the battle. Recouping all of your cash at the end of your tenancy is often a huge headache, and [...]
Financial Conduct Authority cuts back on new initiatives as Brexit prep will cost £30m April 9, 2018 The City watchdog said today it was limiting the number of new initiatives it takes on for the year ahead, saying Brexit is “inevitably the priority” in its business plan published today. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also set out seven other areas of focus including tackling financial crime and firms’ culture and governance. [...]
House of Fraser’s lenders call in advisers EY as high street crisis continues March 24, 2018 House of Fraser has become the latest household name to send out warning signals, as its lenders have appointed EY as advisers to check its ongoing viability as a business. In a year that has already seen the collapse of Toys R Us and Maplins, a syndicate of banks acting as lenders to House of [...]