Taylor Wimpey shares dip as costs weigh on property giant April 25, 2019 FTSE 100 developer Taylor Wimpey posted a record sales rate this morning, but higher building costs weighed on the property giant's profit margins. Taylor Wimpey’s share price dipped more than five per cent in early morning trading, with the firm revealing it had seen a bigger-than-expected rise in costs in the first few months of [...]
UK stocks 2020: Which shares are City A.M. staff backing in the new year? December 30, 2019 The UK stock market looks set to end the year on a high after the Tories’ election win and progress in US-China trade talks alleviated the uncertainty that has weighed on markets for months. But the road ahead is far from clear, with the looming Brexit date of 31st January and various upcoming trade negotiations [...]
WPP sells 60 per cent stake in Kantar to value it at $4bn July 12, 2019 Advertising giant WPP is set to sell 60 per cent of its stake in analytics division Kantar to a private equity house as it raises cash for a turnaround strategy. Read more: WPP loses big name clients, sending sales on a steep decline Bain Capital has agreed to snap up the stake in a deal [...]
On the block: Goals goes up for sale in wake of £12m fraud accusations August 29, 2019 Embattled five-a-side football operator Goals has put itself up for sale this morning, following a torrid six months that has been clouded by accusations of tax fraud. Goals Soccer Centres, which is part owned by retail magnate Mike Ashley, has said today that it is inviting offers for both the business and the assets belonging [...]
WPP to sell stake in sports marketing firm Chime Communications June 30, 2019 Advertising group WPP is set to sell its stake in sports marketing agency Chime Communications in its latest move to slim down the business. WPP will sell its 25 per cent stake in Chime to US investment firm Providence Equity Partners, which holds the remaining 75 per cent, for £50m. Read more: WPP confirms sale [...]
Don’t let the socialists win the argument – capitalists have solutions to inequality too September 13, 2019 Inequality is a hot topic, yet those of us who support free markets are often dismissive of the issue. We (rightly) point out that the most important thing is economic growth – the key driving force behind increasing prosperity for everyone. However, free-marketeers are wrong to see concerns over inequality as the preserve of those [...]
Bovis Homes shares climb as it signals progress on shareholder returns May 22, 2019 Shares in housebuilder Bovis Homes opened higher this morning after it issued an upbeat trading statement ahead of its annual general meeting today. Read more: Housebuilder Bovis's profits reach record high as it keeps customers happy The company said it has seen its average private sales rate rise 17 per cent over the first five months [...]
Housebuilder Berkeley Group defies Brexit jitters with ‘robust’ London performance September 6, 2019 Housebuilder Berkeley Group has enjoyed a period of “robust” market conditions in London and the south east of England, despite a weak sector backdrop driven by Brexit uncertainty. The London-listed firm said forward sales remained above £1.8bn and set a pre-tax profit target of £3.3bn for the next six years. Profit should be between £500m [...]
Coronavirus: Sterling plunges as investors flock to dollar safe haven March 12, 2020 Sterling has plunged to its lowest level against the US dollar (GBP/USD) since October last year on the back of global coronavirus-related uncertainty. The pound crashed as low as 2.36 per cent against the dollar today to fall to just $1.2517, as traders flocked to the greenback. By 5.35pm it stood 1.63 per cent down [...]
DEBATE: Is the obsessive focus from politicians on increasing home ownership misguided? June 26, 2019 Is the obsessive focus from politicians on increasing home ownership misguided? Clive Docwra, managing director of McBains, says YES. Politicians are obsessed with home ownership, including both contenders for Prime Minister. Jeremy Hunt has put a new “right to own” policy at the heart of his bid, while Boris Johnson has backed replacing Help to [...]