Car dealers confident for coming year as Brexit fears dwindle February 25, 2020 An overwhelming majority of UK car dealerships are confident about the outlook for their business, despite a challenging 2019 for the motor industry. A new survey by Close Brothers Motor Finance shows that 98 per cent of dealers were optimistic about the future, with almost two-thirds (63 per cent) describing themselves as “very confident”. The [...]
Lekoil receives stay of execution as operator delays payment deadline January 21, 2020 Investors in embattled Lekoil, which was last week embroiled in an extraordinary saga involving a fake investment fund, could breathe a sigh of relief today the operator of the Nigerian oil field the fake loan was meant to support said it would delay the deadline of Lekoil’s payment of $9.6m for costs. Optimum, which operates [...]
The BBC’s new boss must win back British audiences January 20, 2020 Tony Hall’s decision to step down as BBC director general has created a vacancy for one of the most prestigious and influential jobs in UK media — if, that is, anyone is brave enough to take it. Speculation is already mounting about who will take up the mantle (there’s a good chance the corporation will [...]
Coronavirus jeopardises Airbnb stock market listing March 2, 2020 Airbnb’s much-anticipated float could be in danger following the outbreak of the rapidly spreading coronavirus. Airbnb has been working towards floating on the stock market this year and was looking to start the process in March or April, according to Bloomberg sources. It could now be pushed back as consumers and businesses cancel travel plans [...]
Arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn’s wife issued in Japan January 7, 2020 Japanese prosecutors have obtained an arrest warrant for Carole Ghosn, wife of the former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, for alleged perjury. Prosecutors said in a statement on Tuesday they had obtained the warrant on suspicion Carole Ghosn had made false statements during testimony to the Tokyo district court in April. Read more: Going, going, Ghosn: [...]
IPOs – no sure thing? November 26, 2019 IPOs always attract plenty of attention, particularly when they are of highly-recognised companies. But are they a wise destination for investor cash? IPOs offer plenty of glamour, a change from the usual stocks in an index, and there have been plenty of new entrants to the UK stock market over the past ten years. Some [...]
Credit Suisse admits to spying on second executive December 24, 2019 The Credit Suisse spying saga continues as the Swiss bank admitted to having undertaken surveillance of a second senior executive. Following surveillance of the firm’s former wealth management chief, bank blamed former chief operating officer Pierre-Olivier Bouee for hiring detectives in February to track former human resources head Peter Goerke. Read more: Credit Suisse cuts [...]
Woodford Patient Capital Trust accused of stretching rules on unquoted holdings October 2, 2019 The biggest holding in Neil Woodford’s Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) is listed on an obscure stock exchange where its shares have only been traded once since it listed in February, it has emerged. Investec analysts have questioned whether Rutherford Health should be treated as a listed holding by WPCT, given that its shares have only [...]
SocGen profit slumps amid major restructuring November 6, 2019 Societe Generale has posted a steep drop in profit for the third quarter of this year, missing analyst expectations amid a major restructuring effort. The bank reported net profit of €854m (£734m) for the three month period, dropping almost 35 per cent when compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expected a net income [...]
Superdry boss takes swipe at Black Friday as he launches brand revamp December 12, 2019 Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton today blasted the “madness” of blanket Black Friday discounting, vowing to reduce his company’s reliance on the sales bonanza next year. Dunkerton, who founded the struggling fashion chain in 2003, took a swipe at his rivals’ practice of slashing prices on their core ranges. Read more: Superdry swings to a £4.2m [...]