Watches of Switzerland: Why shares in Rolex seller are on the road to recovery December 5, 2024 Shares in Rolex seller Watches of Switzerland have surged to their highest value since January after the retailer revealed positive half-year results. The Leicester-headquartered group reported a revenue of £785m for the six months to 27 October, 2024, a four per cent rise. In a trading update issued to the London Stock Exchange, Watches of [...]
Vodafone and Three: What £16.5bn merger actually means for customers and prices December 5, 2024 After an almost 18-month battle the UK’s largest ever telecoms deal – which will see Vodafone and Three complete a £16.5bn merger – has been given the green light. Described by Vodafone as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the UK’s digital infrastructure”, the deal has now satisfied the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enough for [...]
Warpaint London to acquire fellow beauty specialist Brand Architekts December 5, 2024 Cosmetics firm Warpaint London has announced the acquisition of fellow beauty brand specialist Brand Architekts. Warpaint London, the company behind makeup brands W7 and Technic, told markets today it has reached an acquisition agreement for the entirety of issued and to be issued share capital of the Brand Architekts. The company said under the terms of [...]
Revolut crowdfunders in line for 400 times return on investment December 5, 2024 Some of Revolut’s earliest investors are in line for 400 times returns after taking a punt on a fledgling fintech that has grown into a banking titan. The British start-up’s early backers, including participants in two crowdfunding rounds, have been offered the chance to sell down their holdings in a secondary share sale. Brokered by [...]
Mark Kleinman: Tucker’s luck could mean handing over HSBC reins during a trade war December 5, 2024 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and is the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column. This week he tackles HSBC’s chair changeover, the FCA’s recent climbdown, and a mighty job at Mitie. Tucker’s luck could mean handing over HSBC reins during a trade war Just as one swallow doesn’t make [...]
Fancy coloured diamonds boosts sales at Boodles December 4, 2024 Revenue has increased significantly at Boodles, the historic jewellery retailer, thanks to a rise in demand for white and fancy coloured diamonds. The family-run business, which was founded in 1798, said revealed its trading in the year to 28 February, 2025, has so far been “encouragingly strong” and showing a “significant increase” in revenue and net [...]
How Games Workshop worked its magic to join the giants of the FTSE 100 December 4, 2024 Games Workshop is officially set to battle its way into the FTSE 100 later this month for the first time in its history, cementing its place as a titan of the City. The Warhammer maker is now the 85th biggest listed company in the UK, guaranteeing its spot in London’s main index and eclipsing household [...]
Gail’s Bakery to open 35 new locations amid £500m sale talks December 3, 2024 Gail’s Bakery is planning to open 35 new locations across England during its current financial year as it considers a £500m sale. The London-headquartered business opened 21 in its latest 12 months – a period which also saw its revenue surge from £181.7m to £231.7m. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House for the year to 29 [...]
Shein: Why the FCA is unlikely to block a blockbuster listing December 3, 2024 The boss of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has insisted he is not the regulator of “every aspect of corporate behaviour” amid growing concerns over plans for the fast fashion retailer Shein to float on the London Stock Exchange. Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said it is not within the regulator’s power to [...]
The City needs to fall in love with risk again December 3, 2024 Back in March, in a meeting room somewhere in the labyrinth of offices that makes up the Square Mile’s political headquarters at the Guildhall, the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and the Communications and Corporate Affairs Sub Committee met to consider a report on a potential area of focus for a potential new Lord Mayor [...]