Exclusive: ‘Omicron is a reminder the world is only as good as the weakest link in the vaccination chain,’ says abrdn exec January 11, 2022 Ongoing inflationary shocks, questions around interest rates and the emergence of the new Omicron Covid variant are all making navigating uncertainty more challenging. Nonetheless, when we look beyond the headlines, there remain some reasons for optimism going into 2022, according to Richard Dunbar, head of multi-asset research at global investment giant abrdn. Square Mile-based Dunbar [...]
How natural language processing helps investors January 11, 2022 | City Talk Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, natural language processing (NLP) – for several years, we’ve heard how these technologies will transform investment management. Firms have invested untold capital in research in hopes of converting these trends into added revenue. Yet for many of us, these technologies and what they can bring to the investment [...]
Global tech stocks show signs of recovery after sharp sell-off January 11, 2022 Global tech stocks have shown signs of a rebound following a sharp sell-off in recent days.
London’s Looop snapped up by SoftBank-backed ed-tech firm for $20m January 11, 2022 London-based corporate learning company Looop has been snapped up by SoftBank-backed education technology firm 360Learning for some $20m. Looop, which works with fintech giants Klarna and Monzo, as well as retail heavyweight Asos, is 360Learning’s first-ever acquisition. “Now as learning and development grapples with the triple hit of remote work, the Great Resignation, and the [...]
Pharma firms shares plunge after pausing marketing of Covid-19 test January 10, 2022 A Covid-19 lateral flow test has been found to be less effective at detecting the Omicron variant, which has prompted companies to pause its marketing. Rapid test developer Abingdon Health and biopharmaceutical firm Avacta announced this morning that their AffiDX lateral flow has “reduced sensitivity”, which prompted investors to duck out of the stock. [...]
Bill Gates-backed fund invest $15bn in clean tech as aviation industry eyes ‘green’ fuels January 10, 2022 Bill Gates-backed fund Breakthrough Energy Capital (BEC) has tabled plans to invest $15bn into clean technology projects in the US, EU and UK. The eye-watering sum will be pushed towards green hydrogen, aviation fuel, energy storage technology and cleaning polluted air. “We are actually trying to demonstrate which technical path is most effective,” BEC managing [...]
Common cold helps protect against Covid-19, London study finds January 10, 2022 The common cold can help protect people against Covid-19, a new study has found, due to the high levels of T cells found in sufferers. The “important discovery” by Imperial College London researchers could help vaccine makers in developing new vaccines which grant longer immunity – even against future variants. Though the London scientists urged [...]
Technip Energies to join revolutionary tyre-recycling project in Sunderland January 10, 2022 A potentially revolutionary tyre-recycling plant in Sunderland has taken the next step towards reality with the appointment of Technip Energies as the project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner. Owned by Norwegian waste recycling company Wastefront AS, the project will also see Dutch energy giant Vitol acquire a 5 per cent stake. The £100m plant, [...]
Fintech PrimaryBid on verge of £110m Softbank backed round January 8, 2022 Fintech company PrimaryBid is close to finalising the details of a $150m (£110m) funding round led by SoftBank's Vision Fund II according to weekend reports.
Online meal maker Gousto raises $150m fresh funding January 7, 2022 Online meal company Gousto has raised a fresh funding led by the Japanese technology investment giant SoftBank.
