‘Feeding time’: Why one retail group is on the hunt for distressed operators June 4, 2023 A business group which rescued upmarket chocolatier Montezuma from collapse has said it is looking to continue on its acquisition spree – noting that the current tough trading climate is “feeding time” for stronger players in the market. “In recent years, there have been so many distressed businesses that we have been able to pick [...]
Simply Be and Jacamo owner hopes for a rebound after bumpy few months June 4, 2023 Investors in online retailer N Brown will be looking for signs of recovery in its full year results this week after the firm paid out a hefty legal settlement and has struggled amid a broader slowdown in consumer spending. N Brown, which owns brands such as Simply Be and Jacamo, reported a 7.6 per cent [...]
Wizz Air to report heavy losses after fuel price spike – but is a recovery on the horizon? June 4, 2023 Analysts expect Wizz Air to report a net loss of nearly half a billion pounds this week as soaring jet fuel costs weigh the budget airline down. Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said while a strengthening Euro offered some relief to rising fuel costs, “these still rose by north of 60 per cent [...]
Cost of insurance against UK debt default has more than doubled over last year June 2, 2023 The cost of insuring the UK’s debt against default has more than doubled in the past year, as rising rates, increased borrowing and a deteriorating economic environment spooked investors. According to exclusive data from reinsurance firm Chaucer, the cost of a credit default swap (CDS) on the UK’s debt has increased 131 per cent. A [...]
Government preparing for legal fight with Covid inquiry (it set up) over Boris Johnson WhatsApp messages June 2, 2023 Ministers are preparing for a high-profile legal battle with the Covid-19 inquiry as the Government seeks to challenge the request for Boris Johnson’s unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks. Bereaved families and opposition parties hit out at the Government after the Cabinet Office took the highly unusual step of seeking a judicial review of inquiry chairwoman [...]
Durex-maker Reckitt shakes up top level with new hire June 1, 2023 Durex-maker Reckitt has shaken up its top level management announcing the appointment of new presidents of its health and nutrition divisions. The new hires come two months after the cleaning-products-to-sexual-health company welcomed the appointment of Kris Licht as head of global business – with Licht taking over the role later this year. Patrick Sly, who is [...]
Prospective buyers hit with fresh blow as mortgage approvals continue to fall June 1, 2023 Prospective buyers continue to suffer setbacks as fresh data reveals that mortgage approvals fell during April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases fell from 51,500 in March to 48,700 in April, figures from the Bank of England show, with experts predicting that the figure could fall further following the central bank’s decision to hike interest [...]
FTSE reshuffle: British Land booted off premier index while Ocado dodges demotion June 1, 2023 Online grocer Ocado has dodged relegation from London’s FTSE 100 while property firm British Land lost its coveted spot among the blue-chip stocks. Fashion retailer Asos also faced demotion from the FTSE 250 ranks, according to the annual review by data firm FTSE Russell. Ocado was expected to drop off the UK’s top index after [...]
HSBC launches £15bn SME fund amid cost of living crisis with £3bn available in London June 1, 2023 HSBC has launched a £15bn fund dedicated to financing the survival and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. The £15bn fund, which equals the largest SME fund HSBC has launched, is available to businesses across the country, with £3bn put aside for SMEs in London. Across sectors, £2bn will be allocated [...]
Over a third of Londoners now travelling into the office more frequently as strikes fail to deter commuters May 31, 2023 Rail strikes have failed to stop Londoners heading into the office this year, new data shows. Almost two in five Londoners (38 per cent) are commuting more frequently than they were at the start of the year, according to new data from Virgin Media’s O2 Business Mover Index, covering January to March. Wednesday was the [...]