Last Week in the City: Stiff competition in funerals? June 1, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (28 May to 1 June 2018). Shares in listed funeral director Dignity slumped after the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it will examine the pre-paid funeral sector, a move that could see tougher regulation. [...]
Berry Bros & Rudd boss Dan Jago interview: Uncorking Britain’s oldest wine merchant September 3, 2018 The flagship shop of Berry Brothers & Rudd has remained unchanged for over 300 years. Famous customers, from Byron to Churchill, have stepped through the doorway and left St James’s Street behind for a wood-panelled room replete with bottles of top-notch plonk. In the back room, one of the walls has been repurposed after previously [...]
Sainsbury’s (SBRY) share price soars after confirming Asda merger proposal will lead to price cuts of around 10 per cent April 30, 2018 Sainsbury’s this morning provided more detail on its plans to merge with Asda, after reporting a return to growth with full-year profit before tax up 1.4 per cent to £589m. Shares in the supermarket soared in early trading after the tie-up proposal was confirmed, up more than 16 per cent in early trading. The combination [...]
A Punch in the face: The CMA opens its investigation into Heineken’s Punch Taverns takeover February 16, 2017 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an initial investigation into Heineken's £403m deal to snap up British pub operator Punch Taverns. The UK watchdog will consider whether the deal would reduce competition and choice for customers and whether it needs to launch an in-depth investigation into the takeover. The deadline for the decision is 24 April. Pub landlords [...]
Competition regulator launches probe into Comparethemarket home insurance pricing September 26, 2017 Britain’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into price comparison website Comparethemarket over allegedly unfairly priced home insurance deals. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) revealed details of the probe as part of its findings following a year-long in-depth investigation into online comparison websites. Watchdog concerns centre on “most favoured nation clauses”, exclusive deals agreed [...]
Just Eat’s Hungryhouse takeover is nearly good to go as competition watchdog gives provisional clearance October 12, 2017 The competition watchdog has provisionally paved the way for Just Eat to gobble up Hungryhouse, saying the merger does not raise concerns. Shares in Just Eat rose nearly five per cent in morning trading as investors chewed over the good news. Just Eat paid £200m for Hungryhouse, which it bought from Delivery Hero, back in [...]
Open Banking could provide a £1bn boost to the UK economy, says Cebr and Truspilot research, as banks are forced to compete February 26, 2018 The UK’s new Open Banking initiative could provide a £1bn boost to the country’s economy, research indicates. Since customers can now make their financial data available to third parties such as challenger banks, this should increase competition in the marketplace according to a new study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and [...]
21st Century Fox £12bn takeover of Sky has been referred to regulators Ofcom and the CMA by culture secretary Karen Bradley March 16, 2017 The bid by Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox to take over Sky has been referred to regulators by the culture secretary. Karen Bradley confirmed her decision this morning after already announcing she was “minded” to do so. Broadcast regulator Ofcom will examine “public interest considerations” and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) “jurisdiction issues”. Read more: Sky takeover [...]
Should the 21st Century Fox bid to take over Sky go ahead if Sky News is made independent? February 15, 2018 Should the 21st Century Fox bid to take over Sky go ahead if Sky News is made independent? YES – Liz Duff, head of media and investment at Total Media. This is something of a no-brainer. The Murdochs’ control of the news media in the UK was the main concern from the CMA – and [...]
CMA approves McColl’s acquisition of 298 Co-op stores December 20, 2016 Don't you love it when the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) clears something just in time for Christmas? The CMA has given the green-light to McColl's acquisition of 298 Co-op stores. McColl's intention to take on the stores was first announced back in July, and now that the CMA has approved the deal, McColl's expects [...]