ICAS urges the UK Government to improve tax administration in ten key areas July 6, 2021 ICAS has published a new report, Tomorrow’s Tax Administration, setting out its top ten priorities for UK Government action to improve tax administration. Why does tax administration matter? Good tax administration is essential, even though it may not feature at the top of many political wish lists. It has a role to play in fulfilling [...]
US stocks reach record high after strong jobs report July 2, 2021 US stocks hit a record high on Friday after the Labour Department posted better than expected jobs figures. The blue chip S&P 500 gained 0.31 per cent, up to 4,333, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.43 per cent to hit 14,585, both record highs. US businesses embarked on a hiring spree last month as the [...]
On the prowl for a new global goal for nature: will the UN pounce on “nature positive by 2030”? July 2, 2021 20 years ago I gave a talk to a group of investors about why it was important to think about issues beyond profit in investment decisions. I gave an example of an oil spill. I showed them pictures of environmental damage, of polluted waterways, habitat destruction and oil-soaked birds. My talk bombed – they weren’t [...]
UK banks’ profits slashed by more than half June 28, 2021 Big UK banks’ profits have slid by more than half over the last year, according to a ranking of the world’s largest lenders published today. UK lenders included in The Banker’s top 1,000 World Banks 2021 experienced a 53 per cent drop in profits. Losses were attributed to the severe damage the pandemic has inflicted [...]
US stocks muted ahead of Fed Chair Powell’s testimony while FTSE climbs June 22, 2021 Wall Street was subdued at the open today as investors awaited Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for hints on how the central bank is balancing inflation risk with its promise to ensure a jobs market recovery. The Dow Jones Industrial average fell 0.3 per cent, while the S&P 500 lost 0.05 per cent. Meanwhile, [...]
Hong Kong races ahead of London and New York in bid to get bankers back in the office June 21, 2021 Hong Kong races ahead of London and New York in bid to get bankers back in the office
Change Starts Together June 16, 2021 The Lord Mayor’s appeal has launched a new storytelling campaign ‘Change Starts Together’ which aims to tackle the pressing issue of social mobility. Right now, Social Mobility has become a timely and important issue, as we see the huge impact the pandemic has had on those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. According to the Social Mobility [...]
Queen’s Birthday Honours: the full 2021 list June 12, 2021 Below the full list of names for this year ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) The Rt. Hon. Frederick Richard Penn Curzon, The Earl Howe. For political and parliamentary service. (Amersham, Buckinghamshire) ORDER OF THE BATH Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) [...]
Wall Street edges higher as inflation fears fade while FTSE jumps June 11, 2021 Wall Street’s main indexes opened higher today after inflation data calmed concerns over a long-term spike in consumer prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.2 per cent, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.15 per cent at the open. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq edged up 0.1 per cent after a week in which tech [...]
Worsening UK/EU relations over Northern Ireland ‘commanding attention’ of Biden June 10, 2021 America’s most senior diplomat in Britain has given Brexit minister Lord Frost a dressing down for Britain’s role in heightening tensions in Ireland and Europe. Yael Lempert, who was instructed by President Joe Biden, said she had been told to issue London with a demarche, a formal diplomatic reprimand and an uncommon move among [...]