Silk Road case: US agent investigating dark web drug site admits to $800,000 Bitcoin theft September 1, 2015 The drama surrounding the Silk Road case continues, after another US federal agent has admitted to laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Bitcoin during the investigation. Former secret service agent Shaun Bridges has pleaded guilty to Bitcoin theft, admitting to sending over $800,000 worth of the digital currency to his personal account while [...]
Rush to avoid higher stamp duty lifts estate agent Savills’ profits January 15, 2015 ESTATE agent Savills has hiked its profit guidance for 2014 after changes to stamp duty came into effect at the end of last year, sending shares surging 7.3 per cent. Revenue and profit exceeded forecasts in December after a sales boost from the rise in stamp duty for properties priced over £937,000 introduced in chancellor [...]
Chancellor and shadow duel ahead of big day November 30, 2014 CHANCELLOR George Osborne will give his Autumn Statement this Wednesday. It is the last chance before the election for both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to sneak in any crowd-pleasing announcements they want to include in their election leaflets. It will be tough for Osborne to offer much cheer though, with public finances worse [...]
Persimmon share price falls despite profits jumping 44 per cent February 24, 2015 The figures Persimmon, the UK's biggest listed housebuilder, said underlying pre-tax profit jumped 44 per cent to £475m for the fiscal year 2014, up from £330m a year earlier. Full-year revenue rose 44 per cent to £475m, up from £330m in 2013. Completions – the number of homes built – rose 17 per cent to 13,509 while [...]
Britain’s quiet FinTech revolution has begun – and we’re determined to back it March 9, 2015 Whisper it, but there is a quiet revolution going on in British banking. If you don’t work in the financial world, you may never even have heard of the UK’s burgeoning financial technology or “fintech” sector. And you almost certainly won’t know about the opportunities it offers. So what is fintech? For me, it is [...]
Heathrow decision delayed: Government confirms deadline has been extended until next summer December 10, 2015 The government has confirmed that it will delay making a decision on whether to expand Heathrow Airport until at least next summer. In an announcement that sparked outrage among business groups, the government said that it "accepted the case for airport expansion in the south-east and the Airports Commission’s shortlist of options for expansion" but "more work [...]
Northern Ireland eyes up new corporation tax powers as government concern over Scotland’s demands grows December 1, 2014 The coalition is embroiled in last-minute talks to determine whether Northern Ireland can be granted the power to set its own rate of corporation tax. Chancellor George Osborne is keen to signal his support for the move in tomorrow’s Autumn Statement, yet the government has been held back by concerns that Scottish leaders would subsequently demand the [...]
Savills share price surges on profit outlook upgrade thanks to Stamp Duty changes January 15, 2015 Estate agent Savills has upgraded its profit outlook for 2014 after changes to stamp duty came into effect at the end of last year, sending shares surging almost nine per cent in early trading. Revenue and profit exceeded forecasts in December after a sales boost from the rise in Stamp Duty for properties priced over [...]
Startup-friendly? What George Osborne’s Budget means for entrepreneurs March 22, 2015 Small businesses favour certainty over circus tricks, and the announcements made in last week’s Budget have received a generally positive response from entrepreneurs that I have spoken to – especially in the context of a growing economy. FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR Many will be happy that Entrepreneur’s Relief remained largely unchanged, providing a 10 per cent [...]
ICAP’s charity day competes with Osborne’s giveaways December 3, 2014 ICAP’S Michael Spencer went head-to-head with the Autumn Statement for column inches yesterday – holding his annual charity day, with the likes of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (pictured), Prince Harry, Damian Lewis, Lord Jeffrey Archer and Dame Helen Mirren all helping to raise money by making trades. The inter-dealer broker is supporting around 200 charities globally and [...]