Last Week in the City: Markets Trumped by trade fears June 22, 2018 | City Talk The week was dominated by trade war fears as Donald Trump said he would slap further tariffs on Chinese goods should there be any retaliatory measures. Despite this, Nasdaq hit a record high, although the Dow Jones Industrial Average erased all its gains in 2018 so far. The FTSE 100 fell 0.5% over the week [...]
Brexit vote two years on: seven charts that tell the story June 22, 2018 | City Talk On 23 June 2016, the UK public voted on whether or not to stay in the European Union (EU). Many expected the UK to remain in the EU, but by a majority of 52% to 48% the Leave campaign won. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU at 23:00 UK time on 29 March [...]
Willis Towers Watson completes £85m buy-in deal for Aliaxis Defined Benefit Pension Scheme June 21, 2018 London-based insurer Willis Towers Watson today announced that it had agreed a buy-in deal for £85m of the Aliaxis UK Defined Benefit Pension Scheme with Just Group. The payments were completed in two tranches, split between a £35m sum in November 2016, and a £50m payment last December. The deal covers 350 of the scheme's [...]
Will a new cocoa cartel force up chocolate prices? June 21, 2018 | City Talk Chocoholics and biscuit-lovers have been upset by the concept of "shrinkflation". This is where manufacturers reduce the size of people’s favourite treats without bothering to shrink the price. Consumers are getting less for their money – and this recent mooted changes in the cocoa market could end up handing more power to growers. Will this [...]
These have been named the 10 top chief executives in the UK by employees June 20, 2018 Sky Betting and Gaming's Richard Flint has been crowned the top chief executive in the UK in job site Glassdoor's employee choice awards. The list compiles the top bosses in the UK based on the input of staff providing anonymous feedback reviewing their chief executive's leadership, along with insight into their job and work environment [...]
Can slowing money growth stall markets? June 19, 2018 | City Talk It’s fashionable for central banks to be more cautious in the West. TheFederal Reserve is busy putting up interest rates. Many forecast a move up from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent this year and a further move to 3.25 per cent next year. Meanwhile, the US central bank is also reducing its own [...]
Can the UK economy cope with sustained house price falls? June 19, 2018 | City Talk Brexit uncertainty is far from over. Indeed, as we approach the crunch point in negotiations over the summer, we expect rhetoric of hard Brexit and a cliff edge to reach a crescendo, before a final deal is agreed in September or October. Meanwhile, business and consumer confidence are likely to continue to suffer, causing decisions [...]
Oil and gas add to current market worries June 18, 2018 | City Talk Recent rises in the oil and gas price worry some in the markets. Will they trigger more inflation? Will there be supply interruptions given the US wish to sanction Iran, given the troubles in Venezuela, and the growing hostility of the West towards Russia? We think there are stresses, but not ones which need become [...]
Worldpay founder welcomes Fox’s fintech investment drive June 17, 2018 The founder of Worldpay has welcomed the government's drive to increase investment in the UK's fintech sector. International trade secretary Liam Fox launched the initiative towards the end of London Tech Week, saying it will put technology "at the heart" of the UK's future growth. Nick Ogden, founder of Worldpay and ClearBank, told City PM: [...]
City Moves for 15 June 2018 – who’s switching jobs at Grayling, Ashfords and Investcorp? June 15, 2018 Today's City Moves covers communications, legal eagles and alternative investments. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Grayling Grayling, the integrated global communications company, in partnership with Citigate Dewe Rogerson, Quiller and other companies in the Huntsworth PR Group, have recruited one of the world’s leading trade and competition lawyers, Shanker Singham, as a [...]
