City bigwig Michael Spencer blasts ‘politically motivated’ regulators July 28, 2019 City grandee Michael Spencer has launched a scathing attack on “politically motivated” regulators after his firm successfully challenged a €15m (£13.5m) fine over the Libor rate-rigging scandal. The former Tory party treasurer urged banks to stand up to regulators after his brokerage firm Icap won its court battle against the European Commission earlier this month. [...]
Shazam’s ex-CEO Andrew Fisher joins Rightmove as chairman November 22, 2019 The old boss of music recognition app Shazam has been appointed Rightmove’s new chairman. Andrew Fisher will replace Scott Forbes when he retires from the board at the end of December after 14 years at the helm. Read more: UK house prices won’t catch sluggish inflation rate until 2021 Fisher, who was behind Shazam’s international [...]
Markets live: FTSE 100 rises as recovery hopes boost global stocks May 20, 2020 The UK’s FTSE 100 has closed higher after a choppy day of trading as hopes of a recovery from the coronavirus downturn offset dire economic data and doubts about a new vaccine. The blue-chip index rose 1.08 per cent to 6,067 points, aided by a surge in data firm Experian, which posted strong results. European [...]
The Friday interview: Gary Boom on wine, trading and virtual tastings July 3, 2020 Nothing has been immune from the disruption wrought by Covid-19 and the wine industry is no different. City A.M. talks to BI Fine Wine chief Gary Boom about Bordeaux tastings, the wine industry and the value of an alternative asset class. “Here’s your routine when you start: it’s nine o’clock first tasting, with seven wines. [...]
Ex-M&S clothing boss Jill McDonald appointed as Costa CEO November 20, 2019 Costa Coffee has appointed former Halfords and Marks & Spencer executive Jill McDonald as its new chief executive, to replace outgoing boss Dominic Paul next month. The coffee chain, which was sold by Premier Inn owner Whitbread to Coca Cola at the beginning of the year, said Paul will set down on 30 November, with [...]
M&S shares jump after Goldman Sachs hikes rating December 9, 2019 Shares in Marks & Spencer jumped this morning after investment bank Goldman Sachs hiked its stock rating following improvement in the retailer’s troubled clothing and home division. The company’s share price was up more than four per cent after Goldman Sachs issued a “buy” rating, from its previous “sell” recommendation, in a boost for the [...]
Ocado set to be crowned the FTSE’s most valuable tech giant December 17, 2019 Analysts have said Ocado has the vision to become the “Microsoft of Retail tomorrow” and transition into the FTSE’s most valuable tech giant. Once finalised, the decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to de-designate Ocado as a retailer in August will make it the largest listed tech company in the UK by valuation. [...]
FTSE 100 climbs as global markets rally on unprecedented stimulus measures March 20, 2020 The FTSE 100 has climbed back into the green as investors eyed a fresh wave of government support for companies coming under financial strain due to the coronavirus pandemic. The blue chip index added over five per cent just after the open but then pared back gains to stand at just over one per cent [...]
Physical? Hybrid? Virtual? Companies re-imagine AGMs for 2021 and beyond July 20, 2020 Could the annual general meetings (AGMs) of 2021 and beyond look and feel very different? As companies start to consider the future format of corporate set-piece events, so the possibility arises these often sparsely attended gatherings could begin to evolve into significantly more enlightening and engaging occasions. This year’s AGM season largely coincided with lockdown, [...]
AA skids off course in mid-cap promotion push as Marks & Spencer swerves blue-chip relegation May 29, 2018 British motoring darling the AA snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, as it is set to narrowly miss out on a return to London’s mid-cap index. Shares in the breakdown firm skidded over seven per cent today taking the firm out of contention for an automatic promotion back to the FTSE 250. Last week, [...]