888 Holdings shares soar as punters move to online gambling March 24, 2020 Shares in online gambling firm 888 Holdings jumped more than 30 per cent after it said average daily revenue in 2019 was up 18 per cent. 888 said there had been evidence of increased customer activity in the group’s casino and poker products amid the coronavirus outbreak, which may compensate for the sports betting disruption. [...]
GSK beats expectations with strong first quarter performance April 29, 2020 Pharmaceuticals giant Glaxosmithkline (GSK) beat analysts’ expectations with its first quarter results today, and said it remained on course to fulfil its 2020 guidance. The performance, which the firm labelled “strong”, was founded on high demand for its shingles treatment shingrix and higher sales of pain medications during the coronavirus crisis. GSK shares were flat [...]
Privacy laws and blockchain December 9, 2020 The very nature of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) raises some interesting issues around privacy laws and their application to DLT. It is important for industry participants to understand this important area of law and its application to their business. Blockchain is a technology that enables the secure validation, recording, and sharing of data. The data [...]
Global goods trade slows as coronavirus expected to dent growth February 17, 2020 Global trade in goods is set for further weak growth this year and will potentially be made even worse by the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China. World Trade Organization’s (WTO) goods trade indicator fell to a reading 95.5 this month, down from 96.6 in November. A reading of 100 or above is a sign of [...]
COVID-19, the perfect storm for women: Work, trade and immigration November 24, 2020 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been profound. Economies around the world are in a state of extreme distress, and businesses in all sectors and of all sizes, are to reimagine if not transform their traditional work practices. Many are struggling with changing regulations or reduced demand, whereas others are wrestling with remote-work and [...]
Shaun Bailey: What will London look like when we leave the EU? January 30, 2020 We are leaving the EU tomorrow and, despite the mixed feelings surrounding this new chapter, there is much to be cheerful about. Business leaders are already expressing a newly-restored confidence in London. A raft of new information — such as the latest Deloitte CFO optimism survey, key PMI figures, household and consumer confidence data — [...]
Third of retailers issue profit warnings in ‘bruising’ year for UK high street January 19, 2020 A third of retailers issued a profit warning last year following a “bruising” year for the UK high street. For the second year in a row, a third or more of the FTSE retailer sector warned on lower profits over the course of 2019. The number of profit warnings fell from 36 in 2018 to [...]
Why we should stay optimistic as markets navigate uncertainty February 24, 2020 It’s not long since warnings of an upcoming slowdown dominated the British news agenda. But with a Brexit deal in hand and signs of a thaw in the global trade war, uncertainty has lessened and the fear of recession receded. So it is smooth sailing from here? Hardly. New uncertainties are likely to emerge just [...]
New car sales continue downward slide as consumer confidence remains fragile November 5, 2019 New car registrations fell 6.7 per cent in October, figures released today showed. Private demand plunged 13.2 per cent, while fleet demand remained stable, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The SMMT said 10,348 fewer cars were registered than in October last year, which it said reflected a tough [...]
Business travel will still matter in a post-pandemic world May 6, 2020 The outcome of the Government’s review of lockdown this week may provide a glimpse of the steps necessary for economic recovery. Yet, the business community is fully aware that recovery will be a gradual process. There will be no magic panacea. Recovery requires long and careful planning and for many industries to work closely together. [...]