Insolvencies at ‘jaw dropping’ level as debt industry warns UK economy ‘is not out of the woods yet’ April 18, 2023 More companies in England and Wales entered insolvency during March than at any point since monthly records started three years ago, according to official data that showed a 16 per cent increase on a year ago. The Insolvency Service reported 2,457 corporate insolvencies last month, up from 1,784 in February. The rate of companies falling into insolvency [...]
Cineworld can’t find buyer for operations outside UK, US and Ireland as creditors set to take over April 18, 2023 Cineworld will halt efforts to sell its business outside of the UK, US, and Ireland after it failed to find a buyer. The London-listed firm — which filed for bankruptcy in the US last August — said that it had received offers for its “Rest of World” business but they “did not meet the value [...]
Home REIT: Scandal-stricken firm extends ‘put up or shut up’ deadline for takeover April 13, 2023 Scandal-stricken social housing investor Home REIT has further delayed a ‘put up or shut up’ deadline for a takeover today as it mulls a bid from potential suitor Bluestar.
Cineworld shareholders to be wiped out under new restructuring plan April 11, 2023 Shares in Cineworld tanked over 30 per cent this morning after the embattled cinema chain revealed that it would be forced to wipe out shareholders as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy. The London-listed firm, which filed for bankruptcy in the US last autumn, said today that it has filed a “plan of reorganisation” [...]
Credit Suisse: Swiss regulator defends UBS rescue takeover as ‘best option’ April 5, 2023 The head of the Swiss financial regulator has defended the rescue of Credit Suisse through a takeover by rival bank UBS as the solution with the least risk of creating a wider crisis and damaging Switzerland’s standing as a financial centre. The merger was “the best option” and one that “minimised risk of contagion and [...]
Premier League to ban potential owners on human rights grounds March 30, 2023 The Premier League has announced tougher rules for anyone looking to buy one of its clubs, including incorporating human rights in its new owner’s and directors’ test (OADT). English top-flight clubs unanimously approved the changes, which will take effect immediately, at a shareholders’ meeting today. Potential owners could now be banned from purchasing clubs if [...]
Cath Kidston: Next looks set to pick up troubled vintage staple March 28, 2023 High street giant Next is reportedly in talks to pick up the vintage-inspired Cath Kidston chain. According to reports from Sky News’ Mark Kleinman late on Monday evening, Next – which has been on an acquisition spree in recent months, picking up Made.com and Joules – is set to add the brand to its growing [...]
Exclusive: Home REIT’s biggest tenant dished out £1.2m to bosses before bankruptcy March 27, 2023 The three bosses of Home REIT’s now-bankrupt biggest tenant pocketed over £1.2m last year even as the firm struggled to pay rent and slumped to a multi-million-pound loss, City A.M. can reveal. Gurpaal Judge, the chief of Wolverhampton-based social housing provider Lotus Housing, hiked his own and two directors’ pay to £1.2m in 2022 – [...]
Bank of England confirms AT1 bondholders priority over shareholders as it proclaims UK banks ‘safe and sound’ March 20, 2023 The Bank of England confirmed the pecking order in which investors would be paid out if a bank went bust as it sought to reassure markets about the stability of the UK’s financial system. In a statement released today, the UK central bank confirmed that alternative tier 1 (AT1) bondholders would be prioritised over shareholders [...]
HSBC won’t ‘smother’ Silicon Valley Bank after rescue deal, says chief March 19, 2023 The boss of HSBC has said the bank will not “smother” the former UK arm of Silicon Valley Bank or overhaul its operations after it swooped in with a £1 rescue deal last week. The UK subsidiary of the California-based start-up lender was snapped up by HSBC just before market open on Monday in a [...]