IP-O2: Mobile operator strongly considering stock market float May 22, 2016 O2 is strongly considering a stock market flotation, City A.M. understands. An initial public offering (IPO) is one of a number of options being looked at by the mobile operator following its failed merger with Three. However private equity firms are understood to be planning bids for O2, owned by Spanish company Telefonica, which could be [...]
Chappell facing High Court BHS suit May 22, 2016 Administrators for BHS are to launch a High Court suit against the retail chain's former backer. City A.M. understands that Duff & Phelps will file a suit on Monday, targeting Dominic Chappell and arguing that the businessman has not co-operated with its investigation into the retailer's collapse. Chappell owns a 90 per cent stake in Retail [...]
Former Pizza Express owner Cinven weighing takeover of Frankie & Benny’s owner Restaurant Group May 19, 2016 Frankie & Benny's owner Restaurant Group's share price jumped over six per cent after reports that Cinven is considering a bid for the group. The former owner of Pizza Express is thought to be considering a takeover bid for the struggling company, which operates Garfunkel's restaurant chain. Cinven is in the early stages of evaluating an [...]
EU referendum: Ryanair wants people to back Remain so much it’s offering cheaper flights home to vote on 22 and 23 June May 19, 2016 Ryanair has made no secret of the fact it is one in a vast number of companies that wants the UK to remain in the EU. But it turns out the company wants the UK to reject Brexit so desperately that it's going to be selling cheaper flights back to the UK on the 22 and 23 June [...]
Queen’s Speech 2016: What to expect today, plus where to watch it May 18, 2016 From Brexit to Islamic extremism, prison reform and driverless cars, the Queen's Speech is expected to set out a whole raft of new measures from the government. The Queen's Speech is expected shortly after 11:30am, as the centrepiece of the State Opening of Parliament, a tradition that dates back to 1536. The proposals are expected [...]
London Eye Finnish-ed? Helsinki gets world’s first giant ferris wheel with sauna cabins May 17, 2016 Finland’s Skywheel Helsinki is set to steal London Eye’s thunder with the launch of SkySauna, the world’s first sauna cabin mounted on an observation wheel. Due to launch next month, each cabin will carry up to five people who’ll be able to bask in temperatures of up to 94F (90C). Visitors on the two-and-a-half-minute ride [...]
Property prices are continuing to soar – and it’s not just because of stamp duty May 17, 2016 There's yet more evidence that the government's stamp duty changes forced house prices up in March – but experts are warning that a chronic undersupply of housing will continue to push prices up overall. UK house prices increased by nine per cent in the year to March 2016, up from 7.6 per cent in the year to [...]
Brokers ICAP to become NEX Group later this year after Tullet Prebon deal May 15, 2016 Trading firm ICAP is to change its name to NEX Group later this year, in an announcement set to be made on Monday, according to Sky News. ICAP is an electronic broker which specialises in wholesale trading for the likes of financial institutions rather than individuals. The name change signifies a shift in strategy for the [...]
Warren Buffett has been linked with a group that is looking to bid for Yahoo May 15, 2016 Warren Buffett, the legendary investor, is backing a consortium that is bidding for the core internet assets of Yahoo, according to reports. The head of Berkshire Hathaway, also known as the Sage of Omaha, is reportedly among a group that includes Dan Gilbert, the billionaire founder of Quicken Loans. US news reports and the Financial [...]
These are the 18 highest-paying jobs in London’s finance sector May 13, 2016 If you're thinking of moving into the finance sector, chances are the salary is going to be one of your main reasons. But which roles offer the megabucks? Salary benchmarking site Emolument.com has crunched the numbers – and found that with an average salary of £178,000 and a bonus almost as high, at £148,000, bankers in [...]