Asian markets edge up but US-China trade war uncertainty lingers November 22, 2019 Asian markets began to recover on Friday after hitting three-week lows the day before, but gains were subdued by investor caution over the chance of a US-China trade deal being struck. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.13 per cent by 7.30am UK time. The index had dropped as much as [...]
UK coronavirus battle plan: Businesses warned that a fifth of workforce could be absent March 3, 2020 Up to a fifth of the UK’s workforce could be made absent by coronavirus during its peak weeks, the government warned as part of its action plan published today. Downing Street is bracing itself for a reasonable worst-case scenario, warning that it is “more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected”. Up [...]
Neil Woodford points finger at ‘unfavourable’ markets for fund woes September 1, 2019 Neil Woodford defended his under-fire investment strategy over the weekend, citing “unfavourable” conditions and a momentum-driven market for the recent failures within his flagship fund. The former star stockpicker pointed the finger at “a narrow fixation on businesses that are seen as beneficiaries of a reflationary global growth scenario” for the underperformance of his own [...]
What really caused the FTSE 100 “wobble” February 15, 2018 Investment commentators clearly dusted off their thesauruses before they spoke to the media to describe the behaviour of financial markets over the last week. "Tumble", "pullback", "pause for breath"? "Shake-out", "setback", "wobble", "plunge"? "Breather", "sell-off", "rout", "correction"? Or perhaps you would prefer a good, old-fashioned "opportunity"? The explanations for the 'sell-off' have been equally as [...]
US stock markets jump after China hints at stimulus August 16, 2019 US stock markets have opened significantly higher after China sewed hopes of more stimulus and a rally in government bonds slowed down. Read more: FTSE 100 follows European stocks upwards after it reopens The tech-heavy Nasdaq index was the biggest climber, rising one per cent shortly after the opening bell. The S&P 500 had risen [...]
Fate of Brexit 50p coins in doubt as extension becomes more likely October 24, 2019 The future of a batch of commemorative Brexit 50p coins emblazoned with 31 October has been thrown into doubt as it becomes increasingly unlikely that Britain will leave the European Union before that date. Chancellor Sajid Javid had asked for three million of the coins to be in circulation and ready for 31 October, with [...]
Pearson CEO to depart as it sells $675m stake in Penguin Random House December 18, 2019 Pearson’s chief executive today announced that he plans to step down in 2020, triggering a search for a successor. John Fallon said he would retire from the role as the education publishing business sold its final stake in Penguin Random House today. Read more: Pearson bags Home Office contract for English language tests He will [...]
Micro Focus taps Goldman Sachs to lead review after share price crash September 15, 2019 Struggling software firm Micro Focus is said to be close to appointing advisers at Goldman Sachs as it ramps up its review into a potential sale of the business. Read more: Micro Focus issues revenue warning and embarks on strategic review Micro Focus, which helps to extend the life of old software businesses, could also [...]
Shell’s final quarter profit halves amid oil price slump January 30, 2020 Shell saw its final quarter income halve as the continued slump in global oil prices knocked the company’s full year profits. The figures Shell’s full year income attributable to shareholders for 2019 was $16.5bn (£12.7bn), a 23 per cent fall from last years $21.4bn. In the final quarter, shareholder income fell 48 per cent from [...]
British Land files legal challenge against Monsoon Accessorize CVA September 5, 2019 British Land has filed a legal challenge against Monsoon Accessorize’s recently agreed rescue plan, which will see the retailer slash rents across more than half its UK stores. The owner of Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre is aiming to block the retailer’s company voluntary arrangement (CVA) following its approval in July, Sky News reported. Read more: [...]