Early-stage businesses could rake in £25bn next year from retail investors, who want more risk and higher returns November 25, 2016 Early-stage companies could be raking in a combined £25bn from individual investors in 2017, a new report has estimated. Retail investors are planning to take more risks next year and may be looking to early-stage companies for higher returns, according to an analysis of the sentiment and expectations of 1,000 retail investors by crowdfunding platform SyndicateRoom. [...]
The City will remain at the vanguard of financial innovation post-Brexit November 24, 2016 A year ago, London Stock Exchange celebrated the first Green Bond from China to be listed internationally, a landmark renminbi and dollar issuance by the Agricultural Bank of China. I wrote here at the time how London was leading the world in financing the global shift to a low carbon economy – a transition endorsed [...]
City Moves for 24 November 2016 | Who’s switching jobs November 24, 2016 AEW AEW has appointed Hans Vrensen as European head of research and strategy. Hans, who will be based in London and oversee teams in London and Paris, will report to Rob Wilkinson, CEO of AEW Europe and will work closely with AEW’s global platform. Hans’ responsibilities at AEW will include advising the investment and asset management [...]
Here’s how the Autumn Statement will affect your local pub November 23, 2016 Without mentioning the pub industry directly, the Autumn Statement laid out a handful of policies that will affect the sector. Here are the industry's top concerns. Increasing the National Living Wage will hurt pubs Wages for over-25s will rise 30p to £7.50 per hour in April 2017, and the rates of National Minimum Wages will increase as [...]
Back in fashion? Austin Reed is braving a return to the high street months after collapse November 23, 2016 We only just heard the news that the UK high street was losing another retail name in office chain Staples, but Austin Reed wants to buck the trend with a return to bricks-and-mortar. The menswear retailer is coming back to the high street as part of a £100m three-year revival plan, according to the owner [...]
The National Living Wage increase fell short of expectations, moving up only 30p to £7.50 in April 2017 November 23, 2016 The National Living Wage fell short of forecasted expectations. The rate will rise 30p to £7.50 in April 2017, but experts predicted it would rise to £7.60. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the four per cent increase to wages for over-25s in his Autumn Statement Wednesday. This equals an increase of £500 a year to over a million full-time workers, Hammond said. [...]
Autumn Statement TL;DR? Here’s our at-a-glance guide November 23, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond spoke for around an hour while delivering today's Autumn Statement. If you don't have time for that, here's our at-a-glance overview of the announcements you need to know: Economics, public spending and politics The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast for growth increased to 2.1 per cent, up from two per cent, for 2016, but [...]
CMC Markets profit slumps 30 per cent in first half of the year on lack of trading activity November 23, 2016 Profits dropped almost 30 per cent in the first half at online trading group CMC Markets, the group revealed today, due to a lack of client trading activity. The figures Profit before tax dropped 29 per cent to £18.8m from £26.5m, while net operating income was down four per cent to £75.5m from £78.9m. Earnings per [...]
Strutt & Parker Research names six real estate trends making their way to the UK from across the pond November 21, 2016 The Coffice If don’t fancy signing an office lease but dread the local coffee house guilt, then perhaps a coffice visit is in your future? Using an app on your phone, reserve dedicated workspace at the local coffee shop that has designated office space built-in. It is cheaper than a co-working space contract, but a [...]
Helical sells £35m investment property November 21, 2016 Property developer Helical has sold an investment property in Hammersmith for £34.5m. The property, One King Street, was bought by Orchard Street Investment Management, providing a net yield of 4.85 per cent for Helical. Helical purchased the building in 2012 and has since refurbished it, adding an additional floor. The offices, combined with the retail [...]