FTSE up despite hit for UK housebuilders from budget reforms – London Report July 8, 2015 A RALLY in Barclays after a management shake-up helped Britain’s top share index gain yesterday, but housebuilders took a hit from reforms introduced by finance minister George Osborne. The FTSE 100 closed 0.9 per cent up at 6,490.70 after posting its lowest close since mid-January in the previous session. However, London-exposed housebuilders and estate agents [...]
Return of the Mack: How Barclays chairman John McFarlane earned his reputation as “Mack the Knife” July 8, 2015 John McFarlane has barely been in situ three months as Barclays’ chairman, but this morning he claimed his first scalp: Antony “nicest guy in banking” Jenkins, the man appointed three years ago to bring out Barclays’ cuddly side, will step down at the end of next week. Read more: From the Libor scandal to the [...]
Summer Budget 2015: Barclays, HSBC, RBS share prices rise as Osborne reveals levy will be ditched July 8, 2015 Banks share prices lifted this afternoon as George Obsorne confirmed the levy would be phased out over the next six years. In a move widely seen as looking to sway HSBC, Standard Chartered et al from leaving the UK, Osborne's first all-Tory Budget confirmed that the levy would be cut gradually until 2022. Instead [...]
Antony Jenkins fired from Barclays: Here’s what people are making of it July 8, 2015 It might not be the best day for Antony Jenkins, but Barclays investors seem pretty happy with the news that he's been ousted. Barclays share price leapt 2.7 per cent at the open, rising to 3.2 per cent in mid-morning trading, comfortably leading the FTSE 100. The board has praised Jenkins for his work [...]
Antony Jenkins: His time at Barclays from the Libor scandal to the time he tried to ban free banks July 8, 2015 Barclays today revealed it has fired chief executive Antony Jenkins after three years at the helm, saying the bank needs a new leader, with a new set of skills, to take it into future growth. The move is widely seen as being instigated ahead of John McFarlane's arrival as executive chairman the middle of [...]
July Budget 2015: FTSE rises ahead of George Osborne’s announcement July 8, 2015 After a disappointing few days in the wake of the Greek crisis, this morning the FTSE 100 woke up in a more optimistic mood, rising 0.52 per cent in early trading in anticipation of encouraging announcements from George Osborne during today's summer Budget. Read more: July Budget – Here's what to expect Sterling was 0.23 [...]
Good news for housing market: Galliford Try expecting record results again July 8, 2015 The figures Construction group Galliford Try is expecting record results once again, according to a trading update released today. The housebuilder expects pre-tax profits for the full year to the end of June to be in the “upper range” of analysts’ range, while net debt will fall to less than £20m. Completions in its housebuilding arm [...]
SABMiller appoints Domenic De Lorenzo as new finance chief July 8, 2015 SABMiller has appointed Domenic De Lorenzo as its new chief financial officer . De Lorenzo has been acting chief financial officer for the beer giant since February – his permanent appointment was announced in a statement this morning. The company’s chief executive Alan Clark called De Lorenzo an “outstanding candidate”. He has quickly made a positive impact [...]
Barclays share price climbs after board sacks Antony Jenkins in favour of boss with “new set of skills” July 8, 2015 Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins has been sacked, with the bank's board saying it seeks a leader with "a new set of skills". Jenkins – who some dubbed the "nice guy of banking" – will leave the business on 17 July, when John McFarlane picks up the reins as executive chairman. A search [...]
Marks & Spencer AGM: Setback for M&S as clothing sales slide off hanger July 7, 2015 Investors and retail observers allowed themselves a small sigh of relief in April when Marks & Spencer brought 14 consecutive quarters of falling general merchandise sales to a halt. After efforts to improve the quality and style of its clothing and to win back disillusioned customers, it seemed to have broken a spell. [...]