An uncomfortable truth? Tobacco shares are performing surprisingly well May 25, 2016 Earlier this week, Axa announced it will stop investing in tobacco shares on ethical grounds because of the "tragic" human cost of the cigarette industry. The world's largest insurer said it will sell its tobacco portfolio, valued at around €1.8bn (£1.4bn), in a move it also hopes will generate savings by resulting in fewer claims [...]
Why long-term investors shouldn’t fear Brexit: Alarming projections have emerged about the impact of Britain leaving the EU on sterling, stocks and bonds. But there are reasons not to expect the worst May 25, 2016 You’d be forgiven for thinking the investment industry is united against Brexit. Accompanied by alarming forecasts about the impact of a Leave vote on sterling or the risk to various sectors of the UK economy, repeated reports have painted the referendum as a choice between emotion and reason, with Remain the only sensible option for [...]
Will Axa’s decision to quit investing in tobacco have a negative impact on the industry? May 24, 2016 Jasper Lawler, a markets analyst at CMC Markets, says Yes. Axa stubbing out its £1.3bn in tobacco investments could have both short and long-term negative consequences for the industry – a physical overhang of shares, and setting a precedent among insurers. In the short term, pouring its holdings onto the market will create a supply of [...]
Axa has said it will sell its tobacco portfolio because of its “tragic” human cost May 23, 2016 Axa, the world's largest insurer, has announced it will stop investing in tobacco on ethical grounds, citing the "tragic" human cost of the industry. The group intends to sell its tobacco portfolio, valued at around €1.8bn (£1.4bn). Axa will also sell all of its equity holdings — worth about almost €200m — in the sector immediately. Incoming chief executive Thomas Buberl acknowledged [...]
Palantir founder hits out at claims unicorn startup is struggling May 8, 2016 A founder of one of the world's most highly valued startups has hit back at claims the company is struggling with the loss of clients and staff. Joe Lonsdale, a founder of the secretive startup Palantir along with PayPal pioneer Peter Thiel and others, which boasts the Bank of England as one of its clients, said it was [...]
Standard Life snaps up Axa’s Elevate May 4, 2016 Standard Life has today agreed to buy Elevate, Axa's wrap platform aimed at investors. The move will see Standard Life gain over 150,000 customers and £9.8bn worth of assets under administration. Standard Life will be purchasing the platform through subsidiary Standard Life Savings, using cash to acquire the entire share capital of Elevate, which is the trading name for Axa Portfolio [...]
Ardian raises $10.8bn to invest in secondary private equity funds and says “market has come of age” April 19, 2016 The second-hand private equity market has "come of age", Ardian declared as it announced new funding worth $10.8bn (£7.5bn). The private equity firm, which until 2013 was Axa Private Equity and is now largely employee-owned, said it has raised $27.4bn for secondary investment in the last five years. Ardian today announced it had fundraised $10.8bn for secondary [...]
HSBC’s chief executive Stuart Gulliver standing down in two years, with Axa’s Henri de Castries hotly tipped as new chairman April 17, 2016 Stuart Gulliver, the chief executive of banking giant HSBC, looks set to stand down from his role in two years. The bank revealed in a letter to its shareholders last month that the new group chairman, who will be joining once current chairman Douglas Flint steps down, will be heading up the search for a new [...]
Developers behind 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper win “rights to light” battle April 5, 2016 The developers behind City skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate have won a controversial battle with neighbouring landlords over the scheme blocking their "rights to light" after City planners used special powers to override opposition. Members of the City of London Corporation Planning & Transportation committee this morning voted overwhelmingly in favour of temporarily acquiring the site under a Section 237 agreement, so [...]
Flood Re: What you need to know about the reinsurance scheme that launched today April 4, 2016 It's something of a catch 22 – those who are most in need of a good home insurance policy are often those least able to afford it, thanks to insurers needing to raise premiums to adequately reflect the risk they expose themselves to, or simply refusing to cover some areas at all. That's precisely why government-backed [...]