Budget 2016: Commercial stamp duty cut for small firms while large-scale buyers get hit March 16, 2016 Commercial stamp duty has been cut by the chancellor George Osborne in the 2016 Budget, while the government is set to go ahead with plans to increase a duty on buy to let properties and second homes. The stamp duty on commercial property will have a zero rate band on purchases up to £150,000; a two per cent rate on [...]
The new Porsche Macan road test: it’s all things to all men April 13, 2016 Subtlety is not my Porsche Macan Turbo’s strong suit. In fact, it feels rather out of place. I’ve driven it to the Goodwood Members Meeting, a rather exclusive affair reserved for owners of historic cars, experienced racers, and the tiny handful of civilians who managed to get their hands on tickets. The throngs that come [...]
NewRiver Retail shares boosted by record 217 per cent jump in profits November 18, 2015 NewRiver Retail said profits leapt by a record 217 per cent in the first half of the year, boosted by a frenzied acquisition spree that saw the retail and pub landlord’s assets under management hit £1bn for the first time. The company, which owns shopping centres including Regents Court in Leamington Spa, reported pre-tax profits [...]
Best of the Brokers for 27 November 2015 November 27, 2015 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com MARSTON’S The latest financial results for the big British brewer and pub operator showed profit before tax had risen ten per cent to £91.5m, above the expectations of analysts at Numis. However, the analysts maintained their “add” recommendation and their 180p target price. [...]
Battles over pensions force FT reporters to turn to the bottle January 13, 2016 NOW WE know that journalists and financiers are famous for their love of a lunchtime pint during the working week, but something tells us there might be more to the drinking habits of FT reporters than simple tradition. Last year, Japanese publishing giant Nikkei surprised the world by purchasing the Financial Times from former owner [...]
NewRiver Retail eyes a move from Aim to the main market after £54m Punch Taverns deal October 21, 2015 Retail and pub landlord NewRiver Retail said a recent acquisition spree helped assets under management to top £1bn in the second quarter, paving the way for a move from Aim to the main market next year. NewRiver, which owns shopping centres including Regents Court in Leamington Spa and The Martlets in Burgess Hill, said assets [...]
Friends, Dirty Dancing, a hatchback and £4,300 in savings: How do you compare to the average 30-year-old? November 30, 2015 The average 30-something has £4,300 saved in the bank, drives a hatchback, and will spend more than three years saving for a deposit. Sound familiar? A survey by Nationwide reveals 30- to 35-year-olds on average have around £343 a month in disposable income, which they splash on two meals out, two nights out, and one trip to the cinema [...]
Job interview questions from some of the UK’s top accountancy firms, including PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY January 20, 2016 If yesterday's banking interview questions left you in a tizzy, maybe accountancy is more your cup of tea. City A.M. went back on careers website Glassdoor.com to find out just what calibre of questions wannabe bean counters and spreadsheet drafters could expect from their potential employers. PwC Senior accountant: If you were to be re-incarnated as an animal, [...]
Write it down and start drinking mocktails: Seven ways to stay off the alcohol and stick to Dry January December 29, 2015 You may still be gearing up for a fairly heavy New Year's Eve, but that doesn't mean you can't start preparing yourself for Dry January. According to website dryjanuary.org.uk, some two million people last year cut down on their alcohol consumption in January 2015 – and even more people are expected to stay off the booze this year. Read more: 10 [...]
Smartphone batteries that last for a week could be available soon as Intelligent Energy strikes deal with manufacturer to add hydrogen fuel cells to handsets February 8, 2016 While smartphones have changed the world mainly for the good – constant access to Google makes winning arguments and pub quizzes that much easier – they don't match up to their brick-like predecessors in one very important way – battery life. While old faithfuls like the Nokia 3210 could last for days without having to be [...]