Global turmoil? Four things the Bank of England could still do if we were plunged back into a financial crisis February 11, 2016 UK stocks have hit a three-year low, the economy has lost steam, and concerns are growing that, should things go pear-shaped, interest rates are so low the Bank of England has run out of ammunition. Whatever your view on whether we're about to be plunged back into the misery of a full blown financial crisis, here's [...]
Boardroom battle between Electra and Sherborne Investors boss Edward Bramson continues October 26, 2015 The boardroom cat-fight between Edward Bramson and Electra rumbles on, with yet more letters when Electra released its full year results yesterday. Electra reported net asset value (NAV) per share return of 25 per cent in the year to September 30, with £259m realised from the portfolio. NAV per share return (the best measure of [...]
P2P lending: Four predictions for 2016 February 4, 2016 After a decade of bold leaps, 2016 is the year that peer-to-peer (P2P) lending will finally come of age. It has built a loyal following of investors, but remains something of a niche asset class. This year it will launch itself as a true mainstream investment option. Why? The Innovative Finance Isa In the 2015 [...]
As challenger banks, fintech and digital payments take off, here are four reasons why 2016 will be the year banks are on the run January 20, 2016 Until recently, managing your money meant dealing with a bank. For both businesses and individuals they were pretty much the only game in town. But that’s no longer the case. Thanks to digital challengers, tech startups and the ongoing fallout from the financial crisis, banks face huge competition in all areas of their business. Each [...]
Wada’s report on Russian athletics shows it’s been too easy to corrupt current anti-doping system November 10, 2015 The long-awaited independent commission report of an investigation into allegations first revealed in a German TV documentary shocked but does not surprise those who remember state institutionalised doping of the 1970s. The documentary itself was controversial, alleging doping practices, bribery and corruption in the Russian national anti-doping system involving national doping control officers, laboratory scientists, [...]
Shares in Pets at Home slide as it warns of living wage cost November 24, 2015 Shares in Pets at Home closed down 2.3 per cent after the company warned of higher costs due to the introduction of the National Living Wage next year. The company, which has 405 shops as well as 353 veterinary practices and 191 grooming salons, said George Osborne's new wage of £7.20 per hour, which is being [...]
As Christmas adverts battle it out, Google Android beats Disney, Budweiser, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief to become the most shared advert of 2015 November 19, 2015 John Lewis and Sainsbury's might be battling it out over who will take the number one spot for this year's Christmas advert, but the two retailers are barely on the radar when it comes to the most popular advert of the year so far. That honour goes to Google Android's Friends Furever campaign, featuring some surprising animal friendships. [...]
Google’s Alphabet is free to be evil as the company ditches “don’t be evil” motto October 6, 2015 Google’s parent company is finally free to be evil. When Google became Alphabet, it rather ominously decided to leave its motto “don’t be evil” behind. And while Google employees still have to promise not to be evil. But that code of conduct doesn’t apply to its new parent company, after Google’s transition to Alphabet was [...]
P2P lending: These are the nine key trends in alternative finance April 13, 2016 How will P2P lending fare in a downturn? Can the industry improve securitisation practices? Why did growth slow last year? Is China really the most exciting market? What will consolidation mean for the industry? These are just some of the questions thrown about at LendIt USA. With over 4,000 attendees, including the world’s leading platforms [...]
The Mog effect? Sainsbury’s share price climbs as grocer outperforms Tesco, Asda and Morrisons as Kantar supermarket figures December 15, 2015 Could it be the Mog effect? Sainsbury's has beaten Tesco, Asda and Morrisons to become the best performing supermarket among the Big Four. In fact, Kantar Worldpanel figures show that Sainsbury's was the only grocer among the top spots to post a growth in sales for the 12 weeks to 6 December, up 1.2 per cent. Tesco and Asda had [...]