Sterling hits fresh four-month low as Tories turn on May’s Brexit deal May 22, 2019 The pound has fallen to a fresh four-month low today as political crisis over Brexit mounts in Westminster. Read more: May loses support for Brexit deal after offering vote on second referendum Sterling had fallen 0.4 per cent against shortly before 12.30pm to buy $1.265, its lowest price since the start of January. Investors sold [...]
Ofcom boss Sharon White chosen as next John Lewis chair June 6, 2019 Ofcom boss Sharon White is set to replace Sir Charlie Mayfield as the next chair of John Lewis, taking on the role as the retailer battles to recover from a recent plunge in profits and tough trading conditions on the high street. White, who is currently chief executive of the UK’s communications regulator, is set [...]
Bank of America reports 25 per cent rise in consumer banking revenue April 16, 2019 Bank of America posted a 25 per cent revenue increase in its consumer banking division in the first three months of this year. Net income across the whole business rose six per cent to $7.3bn in the first quarter of the year, driven by strong operating leverage, while diluted earnings per share increased 13 per [...]
With or without a Santa Rally, the FTSE 100 looks a sick man compared to its peers December 18, 2017 Over the past 25 years global markets have become accustomed to what is affectionately known as the Santa Rally in the final weeks before Christmas. This year, however, the FTSE 100 appears unlikely to have its spirits lifted by Christmas joy. In 18 of the past 25 years, the FTSE 100 index has rallied by [...]
Brexit will not impact the ability of companies to raise debt, survey says April 15, 2019 Brexit is not a big concern for companies when it comes to their ability to raise debt, a survey published today showed. A survey of senior treasury and finance executives at Ftse 250 companies showed 74 per cent did not think Brexit would have an impact on their ability to raise debt. One Ftse 100 [...]
US officials head to Beijing to resume trade talks as deadline for tariff war looms February 11, 2019 Asian markets finished with mixed results this morning while the FTSE 100 had an early rise, as investors looked forward to the reopening of trade talks between the US and China this week. A delegation of US officials, including Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, head to Beijing today for the next round of negotiations, but investors’ [...]
Chinese retail giant JD.com hits record quarterly profits to beat expectations May 10, 2019 Chinese e-commerce behemoth JD.com exceeded estimates for its first quarter earnings this year, up 20.9 per cent on the same period in 2018 with record-breaking quarterly profits. The tech giant recently cut staff and wages in a bid to increase profitability and saw revenue grow to Rmb121bn (£13.8bn) for the quarter up until 31 March 2019. [...]
Bank of America Merrill Lynch creates new UK investment banking top job March 11, 2019 Bank of America Merrill Lynch has created a head of UK investment banking role in a vote of confidence in the country amid political uncertainty. Former UBS head of UK advisory James Robertson and Peter Luck, who joined the company in 2013, have been appointed to the role. Read more: Bank of America Merrill Lynch edges [...]
London markets lower as squalls hit Tory leadership contest June 24, 2019 Sterling and stock markets were lower this morning as the race for leadership of Britain’s governing Conservative Party was plunged into turmoil. Three years exactly since the UK woke up on Midsummer Day 2016 to learn that it had voted to leave the European Union, the prospects for an orderly Brexit are overshadowed by serious [...]
Tesco shares: Reasons to be cheerful June 18, 2019 Early selling following this Q1 update attracted bargain hunters. Our head of markets explains why. Tesco (LSE:TSCO) recovery from the dark days of having taken its eye off the ball in the UK continues apace. The radical overhaul which the business has undergone has seen Tesco’s shares rise by 50% over the last three years. More [...]