Government and Bank of England urge banks to keep lending despite coronavirus uncertainty March 25, 2020 British banks must continue to provide loans during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that previously viable companies do not fail due to the crisis, the government and Bank of England said. In a joint letter to the chief executives of major banks, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and the interim chief [...]
The gender pay reporting rules have been waived due to coronavirus March 24, 2020 The annual reporting of gender pay gaps at UK businesses will not be required this year. The Equality and Human Rights Commission and Government Equality Office made the announcement as the country comes to terms with unprecedented restrictions to combat coronavirus. Last night, the Prime Minister announced wide ranging restrictions on social interaction to prevent [...]
In the brave new world, information is king March 24, 2020 Since the coronavirus pandemic struck us a fortnight ago – and that’s all it is since the World Health Organisation called it, two weeks – almost every conversation I’ve had with friends, colleagues, peers and connections has come round to the same thing: as business leaders, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and board directors, how do we [...]
Coronavirus: Could previously announced M&A deals fall over? March 24, 2020 Coronavirus: Could previously announced M&A deals fall over?
Coronavirus: FTSE 100 rises as Fed buys bonds and UK enters lockdown March 24, 2020 The FTSE 100 rebounded sharply today after the government imposed a UK coronavirus lockdown and the US Federal Reserve announced an unlimited bond-buying spree yesterday. Britain’s blue-chip stock index jumped 4.3 per cent higher in morning trading to climb back above 5,000 points to 5,206. The FTSE 100’s rise made up for the 3.7 per [...]
ECB intends to be ‘significant’ buyer in commercial debt market March 24, 2020 The European Central Bank intends to become a major buyer of commercial debt when it enters the market, according to ECB policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau. In an interview with French website Wansquare, Villeroy said the central bank plans to enter the market for commercial paper — a type of short-term unsecured debt issued by [...]
How coronavirus could change our working lives (and the climate) March 24, 2020 financial markets. The epicentre of the shock is clearly being felt in travel related industries, as people cancel or put holiday plans on hold, and businesses cancel conferences and move to remote working. Remote working tools widely available As an investor looking at climate change trends, these changes in working practices are interesting in an [...]
US Federal Reserve announces unlimited bond-buying to tackle coronavirus slowdown March 23, 2020 The US Federal Reserve has pledged to buy a potentially unlimited amount of government debt and ramp up lending support to businesses in its latest massive intervention in an economy ravaged by coronavirus. “Aggressive efforts must be taken across the public and private sectors to limit the losses to jobs and incomes and to promote [...]
Coronavirus: British companies rush to mothball results after City watchdog calls for delay March 23, 2020 British companies are rushing to delay the publication of their results following an unprecedented call from the financial regulator for results to be suspended due to the coronavirus crisis. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said late on Saturday that listed firms planning to report preliminary results in the next few days should mothball them for [...]
By trademarking her brand, Greta Thunberg has turned identity marketing on its head March 23, 2020 Greta Thunberg’s recent announcement that she had trademarked her name and the phrase that carried her global movement may have seemed an odd choice for a young activist so opposed to the status quo of capitalism. But this is in fact a savvy and necessary move to protect her message. The phrase is “skolstrejk for [...]