Saudi Aramco shares surge 10 per cent in $25.6bn stock market debut December 11, 2019 Saudi Aramco’s shares jumped 10 per cent today, as the kingdom’s state-run oil company started life as a public company on Riyadh’s Tadawul stock exchange. The rise took the oil behemoth’s market value to nearly $1.9 trillion (£1.45 trillion), meaning it is now comfortably the world’s most valuable listed firm. Read more: Institutional tranche of Saudi [...]
Supercuts secures rescue deal December 11, 2019 Budget hair salon chain Supercuts has secured a rescue deal, in a move that will save more than 1,000 jobs. Bushell Investment Group, owned by entrepreneur Lee Bushell, supported a management buy-out of the business and assets of Supercuts owner Regis UK. Around 60 sites are expected to close as part of the deal, with [...]
JD Sports shares drop after top investor Pentland slims down stake December 11, 2019 Shares in JD Sports fell as much as nine per cent this morning following reports majority shareholder Pentland has slimmed down its stake in the company. Read more: Competition watchdog ploughs ahead with investigation into JD Sports Pentland, a brand management firm and retailer, is said to have offloaded 24m shares priced at 740p each. [...]
Zara owner Inditex boosts profit as it doubles down on tech December 11, 2019 The owner of Spanish retail giant Zara has posted a sharp rise in profit as increased focus on its online platform helped cut costs. Inditex today reported a 12 per cent rise in net profit to €2.7bn (£2.3bn) in the nine months to the end of October, while revenue was up 7.5 per cent to [...]
HSBC signs global deal with City fintech startup Bud December 11, 2019 HSBC is to ramp up its efforts on Open Banking, following a global partnership agreement signed today with London fintech startup Bud. The banking giant took a significant stake in Bud earlier this year, after the startup helped HSBC launch mobile banking app Artha through its First Direct challenger brand. The deal will initially see [...]
Amazon strengthens dominance of UK e-commerce market December 10, 2019 Online retail giant Amazon increased its dominance of the UK e-commerce market this year, according to the latest research. Amazon boosted its market share from 28.8 per cent in 2018 to 30.1 per cent this year, accounting for $30bn in sales. Read more: Amazon nets Champions League rights The next largest player in the UK, [...]
Online retailer Koovs on brink of administration after failing to secure £6.5m funding December 10, 2019 India-focused online retailer Koovs announced it has applied for administration this afternoon after its biggest shareholder Future Lifestyle Fashions refused to invest an additional £6.5m into the company. London-listed Koovs saw its shares suspended today after it announced had been unable to secure alternative funding. Read more: Koovs hangs hopes on 2020 growth despite drop [...]
German investor morale unexpectedly climbs December 10, 2019 German investors were much more upbeat than expected in December, a survey has shown, with recent economic data fuelling hopes for an uptick in Europe’s biggest economy. The index of economic morale from research institute ZEW picked up to 10.7 this month from minus 2.1 in November. The score was well above expectations of a [...]
Where Co-op will open 30 new stores before Christmas December 10, 2019 Co-op is aiming to open 30 new stores in the run-up to Christmas, as it invests £25m in sites at transport hubs, residential blocks and key city locations. The new stores are expected to create up to 500 jobs, bringing some festive cheer to the UK retail industry following a challenging year for the high [...]
Ted Baker share price crashes as bosses quit after profit drop December 10, 2019 Ted Baker’s share price plummeted to a 16-year low this morning after two executives quit, plunging the stricken retailer further into crisis as it slashed its profit forecast and suspended its dividend. Shares dropped as much as 35 per cent in morning trading following the departure of chief executive Lindsay Page and executive chairman David [...]