FTSE 100 edges up as Europe rises on trade deal hopes November 27, 2019 The FTSE 100 climbed half a per cent this morning as European stocks rose on hopes of a US-China trade deal. London’s blue-chip index was up 0.49 per cent by 10.30am to 7,438 points with traders also awaiting a closely-watched election poll that is due to be published tonight. Read more: Boris Johnson promises sensible [...]
Mike Ashley hits out at competition watchdog over JD Sports probe October 30, 2019 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley has slammed the UK’s competition watchdog for its investigation into the merger between JD Sports and Footasylum, saying it has overstated Sports Direct’s share of the market. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether JD Sports’ £90m takeover of Footasylum could result in higher prices and reduced competition in [...]
Competition watchdog ploughs ahead with investigation into JD Sports’ Footasylum takeover October 1, 2019 Britain’s competition watchdog has decided to plough ahead with an investigation into JD Sports’ £90m takeover of Footasylum. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has referred the deal to an in-depth probe amid concerns that it could potentially result in higher prices and less competition. Read more: CMA warns that JD Sports deal with Footasylum [...]
Why M&S’ relegation from the FTSE 100 doesn’t mean the death of the High Street September 20, 2019 Marks and Spencer (M&S) is set to be relegated from the FTSE 100 after the close of business today. This will be the first time that the company has lost its blue chip status. The UK retailer was a founder member of the FTSE 100 and a stalwart of the UK High Street. But its [...]
Watchdog warns JD Sports’ £90m Footasylum merger could hurt competition September 19, 2019 The UK’s competition watchdog has warned that JD Sports’ £90m move for rival Footasylum may hurt competition on the high street, referring it for a deeper investigation. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will begin a second phase of scrutiny into the acquisition. Read more: Government intervenes in £4bn Cobham takeover on national security grounds [...]
JD Sports revenue growth defies high street gloom as it calls for ‘fairness’ on leases September 10, 2019 JD Sports has posted a sharp rise in revenue and profit for the half year, as it called for “fairness” on its leases amid gloomy conditions on the high street. Read more: Competition watchdog kicks off probe into JD Sports Footasylum acquisition The figures Revenue soared 47 per cent to £2.7bn in the 26 weeks [...]
Marks and Spencer set to be ejected from FTSE 100 for first time in 35 years September 3, 2019 Marks & Spencer is set to lose its place in the FTSE 100 list of the UK’s biggest companies tomorrow after 35 years, ending its long-held membership as one of 28 original firms. Read more: Marks and Spencer to shut seven stores for final time in restructuring The troubled retailer will drop down to the [...]
FTSE edges higher as relief over deflating trade war tensions sinks in August 30, 2019 Britain’s FTSE100 stock index nudged higher this morning as a relief rally over China deflating trade war tensions entered a second day. The blue-chip index was given a further boost by a continued slide in the pound’s value, which helped to boost exporters. China’s foreign ministry said this morning that it was continuing to hold [...]
FTSE 100 takes battering as trade worries shake global markets August 5, 2019 The FTSE 100 took its second battering in as many sessions today as trade tensions and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit put the fear of God into investors. The blue-chip index lost 183.21 points, or 2.47 per cent, to end the day at 7,407.06, after dropping more than 177 points on Friday. Only miner [...]
Competition watchdog kicks off probe into JD Sports’ Footasylum acquisition July 24, 2019 The competition watchdog has kicked off its probe into JD Sports’ acquisition of Footasylum. JD Sports bought the remaining shares in the footwear retailer in a deal worth £90m in March this year, with shareholders approving the sale the following month. Read more: JD Sports on track to meet profit expectations However, the Competition and [...]