Pandemic profiteers face tax hike on Covid winnings February 7, 2021 Companies that have cashed in a result of the coronavirus pandemic, including the likes of Amazon, will face a double tax raid under plans being draw up by the government. The government has summoned companies to discuss how an online sales tax would work, while plans are also being drawn up for a one-off “excessive profits tax,” the [...]
Klarna mulls London stock market float after post-Brexit listing revamp May 21, 2021 Klarna is weighing up a potential stock market float in London, but has said its decision will rest on changes to listing rules in the capital after Brexit. Chief executive Sebastian Siemiatkowski said London had the opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a global financial hub by attracting more fintech firms and banks. “As Brexit [...]
Sunday Times Rich List: Marcus Rashford tops the UK’s biggest givers May 21, 2021 Manchester United football player Marcus Rashford has become the youngest person to top The Sunday Times Giving List this year, which measures philanthropy among the ultra-wealthy. The list highlighted today that the UK saw more new billionaire’s during the pandemic than any other time over the list’s 33-year history. However, this year also saw a record amount of donations, exceeding £4bn [...]
Moonpig plans £1bn London float after lockdown boom January 8, 2021 Digital card company Moonpig is set to be the first British unicorn to go public this year as its private equity owners plan an IPO. Moonpig, which has been owned by Exponent Private Equity for four years, is set to outline plans for a £1bn flotation within the next fortnight, first reported by Sky News. [...]
‘Snotty tweets’: Amazon clashes with Elizabeth Warren over taxes and unions March 27, 2021 Amazon has become embroiled in a rare public row with US senator Elizabeth Warren over issues including its tax and employment practices. The dispute kicked off on Thursday when the Massachusetts senator posted a video accusing Amazon of “exploiting loopholes and tax havens to pay close to nothing in taxes”. The ecommerce giant replied saying [...]
The Analyst: Inflation is coming, and advertisers too September 6, 2021 Ian Whittaker has been a City analyst for more than two decades, and what he doesn’t know about media, advertising and the creative services industry isn’t worth knowing. Here’s his third monthly column for City A.M. Inflation is coming for you. Companies such as P&G, Unilever, Kelloggs and Nestle have highlighted the rising cost of [...]
New tech startup launches every half an hour during pandemic March 11, 2021 The tech sector has been one of the few winners from the pandemic with many entrepreneurs using the time to launch new companies. Between January and December 2020, 19,465 businesses were registered in the information and communication sector according to data from Tech Nation. It is equivalent to a new tech firm launching every half [...]
Manufacturing output on track for spring surge March 23, 2021 Manufacturing output hit its highest level in nearly two years in the three months to March in the clearest sign that a revival could be on the cards for the sector. Although still flat, the CBI’s monthly order book balance rose to -5 in March, the highest reading since April 2019 and up from -24 [...]
Apple hit with £1.5bn UK lawsuit over ‘excessive’ app store charges May 11, 2021 Apple is being sued for £1.5bn in a landmark UK class action lawsuit that accuses the tech giant of charging “excessive and unlawful” fees on its App Store. The claim, which has been filed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, alleges that Apple deliberately shuts out competition by forcing consumers to use its own [...]
Bridgepoint has taken the unusual step to plan an IPO – how does private equity go public? July 20, 2021 All eyes turned to Bridgepoint this month, after the private equity firm took the unusual step to plan an IPO on the London Stock Exchange. With over £23bn under management, the company hopes to raise over £300million as part of the initial public listing. It is the first-time in nearly three decades a UK-based private [...]