State of the Union hints at Obama’s lame duck term January 22, 2015 There has been a growing trend in the State of the Union address the President gives each year. He stands before Congress and begins to alternate between populist appeals, personalised stories, and non-starter policy proposals. This year was no different, although there is a possibility that a couple minor changes may be made. Little of [...]
The future is now: Investors spotting futuristic themes have been able to get ahead April 23, 2015 THEMATIC INVESTING Most savvy investors have a portion of their portfolio given over to emerging markets. Investors have revelled in the future potential of these economies, with their rapid pace of urbanisation and their burgeoning young populations. Whether you know it or not, investing in the future of emerging markets is a form of [...]
City Moves for 08 December 2014 | Who’s switching jobs December 7, 2014 BNP Paribas Real Estate James Max has been appointed UK board adviser to the property advisory firm. He joined in January 2014 as a senior advisory director. Max is a media personality and has also held roles at DTZ, Morgan Stanley, and Doughty Hanson. Addleshaw Goddard The law firm has announced the appointment of Katie [...]
Ringing the changes: Why Britain’s retail bond market has life in it yet February 17, 2015 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Order Book for Retail Bonds (ORB) today. The trading platform enables retail investors to buy and sell corporate bond issues. Corporate bonds should be an important asset class for retail investors. They generally offer higher interest rates than many bank and building society [...]
Seedrs co-founder Jeff Lynn talks risk, investor expectations and the future of crowdfunding March 4, 2015 In 2014, the fastest growing subsector of Britain’s alternative finance market was equity-based crowdfunding, according to figures from EY and the University of Cambridge. It grew by a whopping 420 per cent, with volumes totalling €111m (£80.5m). But such fast growth makes it increasingly vital that would-be investors have access to information about the industry. [...]
City Moves for 22 December 2014 | Who’s switching jobs December 21, 2014 LEBC Simon Turner has been appointed director of business planning at the IFA, pensions and employee benefits consultancy. He was previously regional head of financial planning for the northern region at Grant Thornton. Turner has 25 years’ experience in financial services. Jones Day The law firm has announced the appointment of 42 partners, with three [...]
Hester says RSA recovery is on track but premiums dip by £1bn November 6, 2014 Insurance firm RSA saw its shares decline by almost five per cent yesterday as it reported premiums of £5.68bn for the first nine months of 2014, down nine per cent from £6.74bn last year. The company said profit for the third quarter was “strong”, due to £198m gains from its disposals of Noraxis and its [...]
Friends Life and Aviva started merger talks months ago November 26, 2014 Insurance firm Aviva has been in talks about a potential merger with Friends Life for a number of months, City A.M. understands. Discussions began when Aviva chief executive Mark Wilson contacted his opposite number at Friends Life, Andy Briggs. But it was only on Friday when Aviva was forced to confirm the talks due to [...]
City Moves for 10 December 2014 | Who’s switching jobs December 9, 2014 Lambert Smith Hampton The commercial property consultancy has appointed Kenneth Hogg as a director in its London valuation team. He has 24 years’ experience in commercial property, and joins from Davis Coffer Lyons. TSB Craig Bundell has been appointed head of credit cards at the bank. He joins from Mastercard, where he held the position [...]
Autumn Statement 2014: What free marketeers want from George Osborne and what they’re likely to get November 24, 2014 With the Autumn Statement just a week away, George Osborne is already being inundated with suggestions on how to boost growth and cut the deficit. The CBI has already weighed in with its suggestions, including raising the threshold for employee National Insurance Contributions and cutting business rates. Britain's unemployment rate may have dropped like a [...]