The UK needs to better insure itself against the cyber-terrorism threat December 2, 2015 In the week after the devastating atrocities in Paris, the chancellor announced that infiltration of our online infrastructure ranks alongside “guns, bombs and knives” as a terrorist threat against which the UK needs urgently to defend itself. Elevating cyber-terrorism in such a public manner, backed up with commendably generous financial resources for our security services, [...]
China has promised to curb steel capacity and “zombie enterprises”, US Treasury secretary Jack Lew says June 7, 2016 China has promised to curb its steel capacity and wind down "zombie enterprises", according to the US treasury secretary Jack Lew. China has come under fire for flooding foreign markets with steel exports, resulting in what many see as an escalating trade war between in and the US. The US has slapped tax hikes of [...]
Share price in Direct Line powers ahead as insurance company reveals boost to profits for its year ended December 2015, despite costs of over £100m from winter storms March 1, 2016 Share price in Direct Line rose today as the insurance company revealed a boost to profits before tax in its preliminary results despite costs of over £100m from winter flooding. The insurer, which owns the Churchill and Green Flag brands, reported profits before tax of £507.5m for its year ended December 2015, up 11.1 per cent [...]
iPhone 7 review: A brilliant handset but one that hints at even bigger things to come September 21, 2016 There were no queues around the block for the UK launch of the iPhone 7. Flash floods were a mitigating factor (plus the fact the annual pilgrimage has been on the wane for a couple of years), but I suspect it’s also because it looks so damn similar to the last one. The aluminium chassis [...]
Brent crude and WTI prices: European markets won’t be hit by a flood of Iranian oil anytime soon March 8, 2016 The sustained oil sell-off was one of the biggest shocks of 2015, and it also looks set to be one of the defining characteristics of the global economy in 2016. So it's easy to understand the panic when economic sanctions on Iran were lifted, allowing the country to export oil again, and adding yet more crude [...]
How artificial intelligence, peer-to-peer technology and blockchain are changing the insurance industry forever July 14, 2016 Just as fintech is transforming the banking world, “insurtech” has set its sights on the insurance industry. There are firms like Trov, which provides insurance on-demand and enables consumers to catalogue insured belongings. Buzzmove uses home removals data to create a new distribution model for insurance – people are more likely to renew or buy [...]
This exceptional house has come up for sale by The Solent with its own jetty and waterside cabin April 25, 2016 Calling all sailors to one of the most exceptional contemporary homes on the market, on one of the most sought after roads overlooking The Solent. River House is a remarkably modern home with lots of flexible space and promising outbuildings in the popular harbour village of Itchenor. And it’s only an hour and half away [...]
The case for buying emerging markets on dips May 10, 2016 The beautiful magnolia trees are blossoming, and we all know what that means. Bluer skies over London, happy dogs in the parks, and speculation picking up about whether we’ll see a repeat of the “sell in May” strategy. Last week ended with a thud after a much weaker-than-expected US April jobs report. As soon as [...]
Ladies who don’t lunch: Maike Currie talks to Christine Johnson about bonds, bubbles and being a rebel July 14, 2016 "I am definitely a bond person,” says Christine Johnson, head of fixed income at Old Mutual Global Investors. We’re having lunch at Spring restaurant in Somerset House and I am beginning to understand what Christine means when she says that as a fund manager you need to “live your job”. She likens her personality to [...]
Former Asda executive Paul Kelly faces prison over £180,000 flood victims fraud January 6, 2016 A former Asda executive could face time in prison after defrauding the supermarket's charity fund of £180,000. Paul Kelly, a former vice-president of corporate affairs at the Leeds-based firm, pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud at Leeds Crown Court on Monday after diverting money that was intended for assisting flood victims to support his partner's ballet company, Murley Dance, [...]