The European Court of Justice has dealt a blow to George Osborne’s banker bonus cap challenge November 20, 2014 The European court should reject George Osborne's challenge to the EU's cap on banker bonuses, according to one of its senior advisors. Niilo Jääskinen, an advocate general at the European Court of Justice's (ECJ), has said that all the UK’s pleas should be dismissed and that the action should be scrapped. He said that the [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell leads cheers for Harvey Soning’s big night at Claridge’s November 19, 2014 Veteran property legend Harvey Soning, chairman of James Andrew International, stood at the entrance of Claridge’s Ballroom last night, shaking the hands of some of the biggest names in the property world who flocked to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his firm (and his belated 70th birthday). Sir Martin Sorrell (absent from WPP-owned Finsbury’s bash) [...]
Ukip? SNP? WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell warns Conservatives could find any new coalition partner “more difficult” November 19, 2014 WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has warned of “clouds on the horizon” for the Conservatives, even if they win the 2015 election, noting that a coalition with untested parties such as Ukip and the SNP is likely. Sorrell – who gave the keynote speech at the City PM Awards last week – tipped the [...]
Captain Euro teaches David Cameron the virtues of a federal Europe November 18, 2014 The EU hasn't got a great track record PR wins, having to withdraw a £106,000 promotional video that was widely seen as racist back in 2012. But on the softer side of EU promotion is the delightful Captain Euro, a cartoon character who runs the twelve-star organisation that defends "the security of Europe and uphold [...]
Mario Draghi: ECB could start buying government debt November 17, 2014 European stocks were buoyed yesterday as European Central Bank (ECB) chief Mario Draghi said the ECB was prepared to buy government bonds. The ECB has only bought private sector bonds thus far but buying government bonds offers any stimulus programme a much larger scope. “Other unconventional measures might entail the purchase of a variety of [...]
David Cameron warns voters not to abandon Tories ahead of 2015 general election November 17, 2014 David Cameron has done an about-turn on the economy, Labour’s Ed Miliband said yesterday. The Prime Minister, Miliband continued, was getting his excuses in early about the state of the UK’s finances, having spent months shouting about the strength of Britain’s recovery. About-turn or not, building on the “there is still more to do” [...]
FTSE buoyed as Draghi speech reverses trend – London Report November 17, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index turned positive late yesterday after European Central Bank president Mario Draghi said unconventional monetary policy measures could include buying sovereign bonds. Draghi also told the European Parliament the ECB will continue to do “whatever it takes” within its mandate to save the euro and that the single currency was irreversible. The [...]
Ed Miliband tells David Cameron he is “getting excuses in early” with global economy warning November 17, 2014 Ed Miliband has accused the David Cameron of “getting his excuses in early” with warnings of “red lights flashing on the global economy”. The Prime Minister wrote in the Guardian today that in the midst of a global slowdown, the UK must stick to the government’s long-term economic plan which he said has seen [...]
How to destroy Islamic State: What Obama could learn from Wall Street November 17, 2014 TWENTY years ago, I sat on Wall Street as an expectant, newly-hired investment banker, being trained in the arts (although there was some science involved) of corporate finance, bond maths, and company valuations. One phrase from a shouty lecturer remains imprinted on my mind to this day. “Life’s just a stream of cashflows,” he bellowed [...]
Is Mark Carney right that clawback may need to cover all bankers’ pay, not just bonuses? November 17, 2014 Alex Edmans, a finance professor at London Business School and Wharton, says Yes. Pay packages should ensure that executives act in the long-run interest of their firms. Short-run bonuses incentivise bankers to boost near-term earnings at the expense of long-run value – such as writing subprime loans or manipulating rates. Clawbacks will deter myopic actions, [...]
