Oil prices reach fresh 2019 high as US tightens sanctions on Iran April 22, 2019 The price of crude oil climbed over three per cent today following the announcement by the US government that it will end exemptions from Iranian oil sanctions that it granted to countries such as China, India and Japan. Read more: Oil prices reach new 2019 high as tensions rise in Libya Secretary of state Mike Pompeo [...]
Up in smoke: Is it time to stub out your exposure to tobacco stocks? June 25, 2019 “Blow in her face and she’ll follow you anywhere.” That was how one advert tried to sell cigarettes back in the 1960s. More than half a century later, the glamorous, seductive veneer of the cigarette industry has gone up in smoke. Gone is the attractive packaging, which has been replaced by ugly images of tarred [...]
Wray of light: serial investor on why small firms are the ‘spice of life’ February 5, 2019 Westminister can be a little sleepy over the weekend – the politicians, civil servants, lobbyists and other politicos drifting off to the shires. But the weekend of 30 March will be different. For starters the Saturday is the day after the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union. It seems unlikely the country will ‘go [...]
Patisserie Valerie exodus continues as deputy chairman steps down January 17, 2019 Patisserie Valerie has been burned further this morning by the walkout of its deputy chairman. Lee Ginsberg – a non-executive director at the beleaguered cafe chain, which is caught in a devastating alleged fraud – would resign with immediate effect, the company said in an update. Ginsberg had been chair of the audit committee at [...]
Bitcoin value drops for a second day after falling below $5,000 November 20, 2018 The value of bitcoin fell seven per cent today as it continues to slide after hitting a 13-month low yesterday. Monday's 14 per cent plunge saw the world’s largest cryptocurrency drop below $5,000 for the first time in more than a year to its lowest level since October 2017. The currency, which sank to $4,382 [...]
Debenhams names new finance boss August 22, 2018 Debenhams has named Rachel Osborne as its new chief financial officer at a crucial time for the retailer amid the crisis on the high street. Osborne is currently finance boss of Domino's Pizza Group, but announced a sudden departure in June, sending the company's shares down five per cent. She was the third CFO of Domino's in [...]
The view from the slopes: This year’s Davos was stuck in aspic January 25, 2019 Leading up to Davos, all the talk was about the notable absentees. As high-profile delegates fell like dominoes, this year’s World Economic Forum looked in danger of becoming a damp squib. But something has been here, and people have been trying hard to pretend it isn’t. It’s the elephant, or even elephants, in the room. [...]
Debenhams could close dozens of stores as it looks to cut costs October 21, 2018 Debenhams is expected to announce further store closures on top of the 10 it already has planned, as it presents its full-year results on Thursday. The beleaguered retail giant, which has issued three profit warnings and has lost two-thirds of its share price since the start of 2018, is looking to save £30m by axing [...]
Chilango offers big investors a free burrito every week as it launches crowdfunder to help fund five new London restaurants October 11, 2018 Chilango is offering investors the chance to get a free meal a week, as it looks to raise £1m from its new ‘Burrito Bond’. The Mexican restaurant chain plan to add five more establishments to its 10 in London by 2020. Read more: Protein powerhouse Glanbia shakes things up to buy Slimfast for $350m It [...]
Sharks circle Kier Group despite construction giant’s ‘future-proofing’ plans November 19, 2018 Five funds have raised their bets against Kier Group so far this month, as traders predict the construction giant will be the next big outsourcer to have its shares tumble. Funds including Blackrock and George Soros-backed SFM UK have raised their short positions in Kier recently, even after the company unveiled a plan in late September [...]