Greg Clark: Tariffs should remain in no-deal Brexit February 6, 2019 Tariffs would remain in a no-deal Brexit, business secretary Greg Clark said today after reports that fellow cabinet member Liam Fox would slash import duties in such a scenario. Speaking to the Business, energy and industrial strategy select committee this morning, Clark said he would examine such a policy but that it could have a [...]
They call it ‘the idiot box’ for a reason… June 11, 2019 The competition to become leader of the Conservative Party – and, by default, prime minister – is still in its early stages, yet has already been extraordinary. We peaked at 13 hopefuls, which has now been whittled down to ten registered runners, of whom five are members of the current cabinet (four of the others resigned [...]
Why did the US Navy sink its own vessel off the coast of the Cayman Islands? September 27, 2019 The sound of whirring rotor blades carries across the bay. I’m staring at a framed photo of Tom Selleck inside the office of Cayman Island Helicopters, while its proprietor, Jerome Begot, readies the chopper. Jerome is a Frenchman who, inexplicably, flew in the US Air Force decades ago, and Magnum PI is his hero. After [...]
DEBATE: Is the timing now right for a new centre party like the Independent Group to flourish? February 22, 2019 Is the timing now right for a new centre party like the Independent Group to flourish? Ben Kelly, commentator for Reaction, says YES. There is no doubt that the odds are stacked against a new centre party, but it’s a case of “if not now, when?”. The far left has completed a successful top-down takeover of [...]
Zoom and Pinterest test the IPO waters April 17, 2019 IPO season continues this week, but should you dip your toes in the water with the latest offerings on Wall Street? Zoom and Pinterest will price later on Wednesday and begin trading on Thursday. After Lyft’s travails of late, it will be an important test of investor confidence again, especially as it comes ahead of [...]
Tesla to buy battery firm Maxwell Technologies for $218m February 4, 2019 Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has agreed to buy energy storage firm Maxwell Technologies for $218m, as part of an all-stock deal to help Tesla build better batteries. Maxwell has developed tech that can help increase the driving range of electric cars while reducing the battery cost. Existing customers of the firm include General Motors and [...]
RPS blames Aussies for share price collapse July 3, 2019 By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. Profit forecasts slashed and rising debt threatening the dividend, will this crash attract bidders? A recovery for RPS Group (LSE:RPS) since an October profit warning has proved to be short-lived after Australia’s slowing economy derailed progress at the environmental consultancy. The latest warning sent shares in the Abingdon-based business crashing by as much as [...]
Revolut rival digital bank N26 lands $300m funding round, becoming Europe’s most valuable fintech startup January 10, 2019 Digital banking startup N26 has closed the biggest funding round in European fintech in recent years, valuing the Monzo and Revolut challenger at $2.7bn (£2.1bn). The Berlin-based fintech, which offers a current account and debit card through its mobile banking app, has raised $300m in a series D round led by US venture capital firm Insight Venture Partners. [...]
A food chain to get your teeth into August 8, 2019 By Rodney Hobson from interactive investor. McDonald’s is spending money on developing personalised apps after upgrading its burger beef. It made its name by being cheap and cheerful but food chain McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) has long had a keen eye for innovation and for enhancing the quality of its ingredients, both of which generate welcome publicity. The successful formula is still [...]
Christmas adverts 2019: Watch retailers from Argos to M&S and Amazon launch their festive ad campaigns November 8, 2019 We might only be a week into November but some of UK’s biggest retailers have already launched their 2019 Christmas advert campaigns, as firms race to make the most of the crucial festive trading period after a challenging year for the high street. In what has become a festive tradition, retailers have pulled out all [...]