European companies could face upsurge in activist raids February 10, 2020 European companies could face an upsurge in activity from activist investors, analysis released today showed. One in 20 European companies with a market capitalisation of over $250m (£193m) have been targeted by activist investors in the past five years. This is half the rate (one in 10) for similar size companies in the US. The [...]
Just Eat bags deal to deliver McDonald’s January 28, 2020 Just Eat today became the second UK delivery firm to partner with McDonald’s after signing a multi-million-pound deal with the fast food chain. The delivery giant, which is set to enter a £6bn merger with Dutch firm Takeaway.com, said the partnership will hit the road later this year. It comes as a blow to rival Uber [...]
Comcast hikes dividend as broadband boost pushes up revenue January 23, 2020 Comcast today said it had ramped up its dividend after reporting a rise in both revenue and profit in the fourth quarter. The US media titan posted revenue of $28.4bn (£21.6bn), up two per cent on the same period last year, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose three per cent to $8.4bn. [...]
Don’t run for the hills over alignment – the big question is where and when to diverge January 19, 2020 As we approach the 50-day point in Boris Johnson’s premiership, questions are still being asked about what kind of leader he will be, and how different the country will become under him. Londoners in particular are used to certain amount of showmanship in the Johnson approach to politics. As mayor, he was a high profile [...]
Shares in Dechra Pharmaceuticals slump after slow first half January 16, 2020 Shares in Dechra Pharmaceuticals plummeted today, after it warned that full-year results would be more heavily weighted to its second half. The veterinary pharmaceuticals company published a note this morning to say its outlook for the year is in line with expectations, but that “the balance of trading will be more second half weighted than [...]
The best (and weirdest) new gadgets from CES 2020 January 9, 2020 As difficult as it is to believe, 2019 has actually ended, slinking out of time’s backdoor like a scolded cat and into the history books under a chapter titled ‘Bloopers and Outtakes’. Of course, the annual changing of the calendar guards heralds many things – reflection, resolution, vegan steak bakes – but it’s also a [...]
PMQs review: We’re in for a dismal ordeal for the foreseeable future January 9, 2020 The first Prime Minister’s Questions of the decade yesterday afternoon was the return of the unedifying spectacle of two men, neither of whom wanted to be there, both giving a performance so bad it made the new film Cats look watchable. Jeremy Corbyn, a blunt tool at the best of times, gave the newly emboldened [...]
All we want for Christmas is a pay raise — or an office cat December 18, 2019 At this time of year, many of us will have fond memories of writing festive wish lists in the fervent hope that we’d been good enough to receive a visit from the big man in red. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and while we still have wishes for the festive season, a few of these [...]
General Election 2019: Boris Johnson urges UK to ‘let healing begin’ December 13, 2019 This was a live blog, thank you for following along Read more: UK stocks and sterling surge as Tories triumph at pollsRead more: Election live: Who were the big MP casualties?Read more: UK housebuilders rejoice as shares rise after Tory win 04.30pm: Over and out! That’s it for today – we’re off to get some [...]
Takeaway extends Just Eat takeover offer as it secures a slice of the vote December 12, 2019 Takeaway.com today said it has secured support for its Just Eat takeover offer from a chunk of shareholders, as it flexed its muscles amid a frantic bidding war with Prosus. The Dutch food delivery firm has tabled an all-share offer worth roughly £4.3bn, which has been recommended by the Just Eat board. Read more: Just [...]