At the close: FTSE 100 index rises on pharmaceuticals December 2, 2015 The FTSE 100 index closed up last night, buoyed by pharmaceuticals that were given a boost from a Morgan Stanley note supporting AstraZeneca. The UK’s top blue-chip index closed up 0.4 per cent, at 6,420.93 points. Shire led the pack higher, closing 2.35 per cent up at 4,745p per share, while GlaxoSmithKline ended the session [...]
Saga’s share price slumps after its largest shareholder sells 13 per cent stake December 2, 2015 Saga's share price flopped in mid morning trading after it was announced its largest shareholder was selling a stake in the company. Stock in Saga sank 5.28 per cent to 201.05p per share, making it the second biggest faller on the FTSE, behind Moneysupermarket, which fell 6.88 per cent. Shares in Saga dropped after Acromas Bid [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: The government must simplify pensions and cut fees so the over-50s can properly plan for retirement November 25, 2015 The UK’s retirement landscape has changed radically over recent years. While the reforms that have been introduced recently are designed to make life better for those approaching and at retirement, they have yet to have the desired effect right the way across the board. Some of today’s announcements in the Autumn Statement should go some [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: When it comes to tax credits, it’s heartening to see George Osborne perform a u-turn, even at the cost of looking weak November 25, 2015 In the run-up to the Autumn Statement and Spending Review, the biggest question was what George Osborne was going to do about tax credits. He couldn't u-turn fully, because there was nowhere else to find his £12bn of welfare cuts needed to generate a £10bn surplus by 2020—or so ran the conventional line. Therefore people [...]
Villains of finance: How the world’s most infamous crooks tricked investors – and the tell-tale signs of ponzi schemes November 19, 2015 Victims of the biggest ever Ponzi scheme – Bernie Madoff’s $65bn (£43bn) fraud – are finally getting their money back after seven years, as another tranche of payouts is approved by US courts. The saga is not over yet, as an upcoming film called “Wizard of Lies” will shine a light on the story, starring [...]
From The Pinnacle to 22 Bishopsgate: A short history of the City of London’s next skyscraper November 17, 2015 The City's next glass-and-steel megalith, now known as 22 Bishopsgate, has been given planning approval by unanimous vote at a City of London planning committee. It's the latest chapter in a saga which stretches back to 2006, when the original curved glass design of The Pinnacle building was given planning permission. The eye-catching design earned it the [...]
Candy Crush creator King Digital Entertainment sees revenue fall seven per cent in third quarter November 4, 2015 Revenue for King Digital Entertainment has taken a knock for its third quarter results, revealed today, dropping seven per cent to $480m (£312m), compared to $514m for the same period in 2014. The mobile phone games developer highlighted falling sales in its popular Candy Crush franchise as one of the reasons behind the drop in [...]
Eva Carneiro set to file individual legal claim against Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho November 2, 2015 The storm engulfing Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has intensified after it emerged that the club’s former doctor Eva Carneiro intends to file an individual legal claim against the Portuguese. Mourinho is set to be served legal papers this week as part of a separate, but connected, twist to the saga which has seen Carneiro’s lawyers bring action [...]
Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro seeks constructive dismissal claim October 29, 2015 Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro has instructed her lawyers to pursue a claim of constructive dismissal against the club after being banished from her duties by manager Jose Mourinho.. The serving of legal papers on the club this week could trigger an employment tribunal next year should an out-of-court settlement fail to be agreed. The [...]
Whatever chancellor George Osborne does next on tax credits he should set it out as clearly as possible October 27, 2015 The Conservative voter who berated energy minister Amber Rudd on Question Time became something of an overnight sensation. Michelle Dorrell was visibly upset as she said life would become very difficult for her and her family if the government was to proceed with its reductions in tax credits. But just a day or two later, [...]