M&A is finally finding a way out of last year’s doldrums as pace of deals picks up October 3, 2023 There are signs of M&A green shoots with pace of dealmaking picking up after rising interest rates, market volatility and geopolitical tensions
Regulation set to challenge the ‘dominance’ of tech giants Google, Amazon and Facebook April 25, 2023 Plans to toughen up UK regulation of some of the world’s largest tech companies will go before MPs for the first time, with the competition watchdog’s dedicated digital unit set to be given sharper teeth. New laws to regulate big tech firms, such as Google, Amazon and Meta, have been long awaited, with MPs last [...]
We are not rip-off retailers, says Sainsbury’s July 6, 2023 Bosses at Sainsbury’s have said they are “not rip-off retailer” or “profiteers” as they defended the profit made by the retailer amid scrutiny related to food inflation over the past year. The company also defended increased pay packages for its senior executives at its annual general meeting in London, despite the continued cost-of-living crisis. It [...]
Game Over? CMA block of Activision deal to set the tone for other regulators April 26, 2023 The UK competition regulator today blocked Microsoft’s $70bn bid for the video game publisher, Activision Blizzard, citing concerns over competition in a fledgling cloud market. The move by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to scupper the deal — Microsoft’s largest acquisition — comes as a blow to the tech giant, which has already announced [...]
Rivals raise eyebrows over BT’s Openreach price cuts December 14, 2022 BT’s Openreach has said it plans to offer cheaper rates to its wholesale clients like Sky and TalkTalk as it tries to push Brits from copper to full fibre. The move will benefit big internet providers that do not have their own fibre networks, but has raised eyebrows amongst the firm’s biggest rivals. The main [...]
Morrisons one step closer to watchdog green light for McColl’s takeover October 10, 2022 The competition watchdog has said it is minded to accept proposals from Morrisons that would alleviate any concerns over higher prices for consumers amid its takeover of McColl’s. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had raised competition concerns regarding a small number of areas amid the supermarket’s £190m takeover of the beleaguered convenience store chain. [...]
Half of UK logistics firms to make acquisitions despite volatile market October 5, 2022 Almost half of UK logistics firms is set to make an acquisition in the next year despite challenging market conditions. Data published today by Barclays Corporate Banking reported that 45 per cent of UK businesses were considering the move as a way to achieve economies of scale and expand services. This is the highest figure [...]
Election 2024: What are Tories, Labour and Lib Dems pledging on sport? July 3, 2024 With the General Election just a matter of days away, we assess the approach that the major parties have taken when it comes to sport in their respective manifestos and what the potential consequences may be for the future of sport. Football Governance Bill The Football Governance Bill was one of the major legislative casualties [...]
Pfizer and Flynn Pharma to appeal £70m fine for price hiking October 27, 2022 Pfizer and Flynn Pharma have filed an appeal against the UK’s competition watchdog over its decision to fine the firms £70m for hiking the price of a life-saving epilepsy drug. Pharma giant Pfizer and privately-owned neuroscience specialist Flynn are appealing the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) £70m fine, after the two firms previously forced the [...]
Avast operating profit sink ahead of £7bn takeover August 9, 2022 Antivirus software giant Avast’s operating profit has sunk so far this year, as it looks set for a takeover by fellow cybersecurity heavyweight NortonLifeLock. Operating profit plunged by $54.2m (£44.8m), from $226.7m (£187.6m) to $172.6m ($142.8m), which bosses said had been driven by higher exceptional and other costs. While revenue inched 0.2 per cent higher [...]