11th October 2021
How brands are primed to thrive in a post-Covid world
Brands and retailers alike have emerged from a highly challenging period carrying valuable lessons, having repeatedly adapted digital and selling strategies over the past 18 months.
Written by: Vladi Shlesman
Website: Business Reporter
TruckLabs Raises $15M in Series A Funding
The round was co-led by returning investors Calibrate Ventures, Autotech Ventures, and Uncork Capital.
Website: FINSMES
4th October 2021
UCL professor resigns from Science Museum board over oil and gas cash
Professor of Climate Science Chris Rapley CBE resigned this weekend from the Science Museum’s Advisory Board over the issue of fossil fuel sponsorship and the museum’s willingness to accept money from major oil and gas companies, including Shell.
Written by: Michiel Willems
Website: City AM
Monzo abandons U.S. banking licence bid
The bank said it was still committed to growing its U.S. venture – which it launched in 2019 – and would invest further in Britain.
Written by: Lain Withers
Website: Reuters
13th August 2021
CBI chief warns government against more corporate tax hikes
In a speech addressing the Alliance Manchester Business School on Monday, Tony Danker, director general of the CBI, also called for an end to business tax hikes and incentives to encourage businesses to invest.
Written by: Angelique Ruzicka
Website: Capital.com
Dutch court rules Uber drivers are employees in fresh blow to firm
Dutch labour union FNV took Uber to court in December, saying that taxi drivers and Uber shared a labour agreement and Uber drivers often earned less than the minimum wage.
Written by: Frank Prenesti
Website: Sharecast.com
6th August 2021
Asia’s race to net-zero carbon: $12.4 trillion and counting
We look at the different forms of transport that will play a part in a net-zero carbon future and how they offer very different opportunities and costs.
Written by: Robert Carnell
Website: ING
Successful digital transformations need a focus on customer experience
Capturing your customers’ complete truth is essential if you expect to be fully informed by whatever insights they give you.
Written by: Ross Wainwright
Website: Business Reporter
30th August 2021
Issa brothers may open 300 Asda convenience stores at petrol stations
The billionaire Issa brothers are planning to synergise their two-decade-old fuel retail business with the grocery vertical they recently entered.
Website: Eastern Eye
Whoop Raises $200M in Series F Funding at $3.6 Billion Valuation
The round, which brought the valuation at $3.6 Billion, was led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 with participation from IVP, Cavu Ventures, Thursday Ventures, GP Bullhound, Accomplice, NextView Ventures and Animal Capital.
Website: FINSMES
23rd August 2021
UK rejects industry demand for EU truck driver visa
It comes after two of the UK’s largest business groups, Logistics UK and British Retail Consortium (BRC) penned a letter to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy urging them to take action.
Written by: Patrick Dunne
Website: Retail Sector
Banking industry takes further steps to protect access to cash
The group (also known as CAG) was formed earlier this year and is chaired by Natalie Ceeney, author of the Access to Cash Review.
Website: UK Finance
16th August 2021
Oil Prices Fall as Traders Fear Chinese Economic Slowdown
The data are a concern for commodity traders because China is the world’s largest importer of oil and a huge consumer of other raw materials such as copper.
Written by: Amrith Ramkumar
Website: The Wall Street Journal
CCD closure could lead to £100m losses, says Provident
Sub-prime lender Provident Financial has recorded a statutory loss before tax increase of more than £10m in the first six months of 2021 – going from £28.1m to £44.2m.
Website: Credit Strategy
9th August 2021
Investment bank Jefferies raises pay for analysts
The new pay scale, reported earlier in the day by the Wall Street Journal, has been in effect since July 1 and follows similar moves by major Wall Street firms.
Written by: Niket Nishant
Website: Reuters
UN Report Issues “Code Red” On Climate Change
Every region faces increasing changes as climate change is intensifying rapidly, the report said.
Written by: Tsvetana Paraskova
Website: Oilprice.com
2nd August 2021
HSBC first-half profits more than double to £7.8bn as economies rebound from pandemic
HSBC bounces back from a weak performance last year and exceeds analysts’ expectations, leading to an uptick in the bank’s shares in early trading.
Website: Sky News
Amazon slapped with €746m fine marking largest GDPR penalty in history
The fine, first reported by Bloomberg, was disclosed in Amazon’s recent quarterly earnings report and has been strongly contested by the retailer.
Website: Charged
Written By: Ben Stevens
26th July 2021
Zopa hires JPMorgan to advise on £100 million funding round
Investors who have been approached about the raise told Sky News that Zopa was targeting a post-money valuation in excess of £500m.
Website: Finextra
Heathrow’s Pandemic Losses Near £3 Billion
Back in 2019, the London airport saw four million passengers through its door in just 18 days. Now the airport has warned that its passenger numbers for 2021 could come in even lower.
Website: FinanceMonthly
19th July 2021
UK SMEs brace for rise in employee costs
As today marks ’Freedom Day’, employers expect to face a flurry of extra costs such as an increase in employee salaries and expenses.
Written by: Jade Burke
Website: Reward Strategy
HSBC reopens all branches and offices in England from today
In contrast to their counterparts, HSBC has been conservative about asking employees to return to the office.
Written by: Papa Kuranchie
Website: City A.M.
12th July 2021
BlackRock in talks to acquire IGIS Private Equity for ESG investment
IGIS Asset Management confirmed Monday that negotiations are underway with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, to acquire IGIS Private Equity (IGIS PE), which specialises in investments in eco-friendly infrastructure.
Website: Private Equity insights
Helium One Global sees further helium gas shows in Tai-1 well
The Tanzanian well encountered significant and unexpected gas shows in a zone above its primary target, prior to a drilling set-back which will now require a sidetrack to be drilled.
Written by: Jamie Ashcroft
Website: Proactive investors
5th July 2021
Promoting Digital Growth Through a Hands-on Approach to Data & Analytics
By now it has become clear that all businesses should embrace data to make their organisation as efficient and profitable as possible.
Written by: Polly Jean Harrison
Website: The FinTech Times
Betting and Gaming Council calls on Government to establish a gambling ombudsman
The move comes as ministers continue the Gambling Review, which was launched last December, with ministers expected to produce a White Paper at the end of this year.
Website: Politics Home
28th June 2021
Binance banned in City watchdog crackdown on major cryptocurrency exchange
The financial regulator has banned one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges from operating in the UK, but has not outlined its reasons for doing so.
Website: Sky news
Auditors for Greensill Capital and Gupta lender face investigation
PwC and Saffery Champness will be investigated by the accountancy watchdog over their roles in auditing Greensill and Wyelands Bank’s accounts.
Website: LBC
21st June 2021
Goldman Sachs bats off competitors with first UK transaction bank
The global investment bank expanded its transaction bank business after launching in the US last year, while it eyes steadier revenue sources beyond its investment division.
Written by: Millie Turner
Website: City A.M.
KKR invests $625m to buy controlling stake in Vini Cosmetics
KKR has invested $625 million to acquire the stake in the group that is led by Darshan and Dipam Patel and Sequoia Capital.
Website: Private Equity Insights
14th June 2021
The AI and automation revolution in financial services
Firms are taking stock of the impact of Covid-19, and many look set to drive up investment in these technologies.
Written by: Caroline Winch
Website: UK Finance
Financials, energy stocks boost FTSE 100 ahead of reopening decision
London’s FTSE 100 index climbed on Monday, helped by gains in heavyweight financials and energy stocks, while investors awaited the government’s decision.
Website: Reuters
7th June 2021
‘Britcoin’: Bank of England seeks views on economic impact
There was much excitement when, in April, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the launch of a new taskforce between the Treasury and the Bank of England to co-ordinate exploratory work on a potential central bank digital currency.
Written by: Ian King
Website: Sky News
G7 agreement means Ireland’s 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate is under threat
After this weekend’s agreement among G7 finance ministers, there is no doubt that the corporate tax issue is now coming to the boil after years of talking.
Written by: Cliff Taylor
Website: The Irish Times
31st May 2021
Generali aims to cement home market leadership with $1.4 billion Cattolica bid
Italy’s biggest insurer Assicurazioni Generali on Monday said it would launch a 1.17 billion euro ($1.4 billion) buyout offer for smaller rival Cattolica to further strengthen its domestic market leadership.
Written by: Gianluca Semeraro
Website: Reuters
US Sets Next Stage For $250bn Bill To Counter China Tech
The Senate sought to pass the bill, which has bipartisan support, last Thursday, but Republicans delayed passage over the time allocated to consider amendments.
Written by: Matthew Broersma
Website: Silicon.co.uk
24th May 2021
Bitcoin’s crash wasn’t about Elon or China – it was about inflation
The risk then is that an asset like bitcoin – which thrives on the money-printing/debasement narrative, but also in an environment in which everyone is enamoured with tech – becomes a lot less appealing.
Written by: John Stepek
Website: MoneyWeek
Six pubs have vanished every week since the pandemic began
Data compiled by real estate adviser Altus Group has revealed that 384 pubs have been demolished or converted for a different use over the past 14 months.
Written by: Henry Goodwin
Website: The London Economic
17th May 2021
Water Companies Pledge Thousands Of Jobs In Green Covid Bounce-Back Plan
Ofwat said it had greenlit £850 million of new investment projects across the country’s water networks.
Written by: August Graham
Website: Pm Today
Food group Granarolo eyes M&A in U.S. after buying British unit
The food group on Monday said it had taken complete control of its British distributor, Granarolo UK, adding this deal would open the way to further M&A activity in the coming months.
Written By: Francesca Landini
Website: Reuters
10th May 2021
UBS’s $40k extra associate bonus raises the bar
Juniors in investment banks are already well paid, but as banks compete ruthlessly to hire and retain junior banking staff, compensation is creeping ever-higher.
Written by: Sarah Butcher
Website: efinancial Careers
CommBank forms Big Data joint venture
Commonwealth Bank of Australia has formed a joint venture company with data science.
Website: Finextra
3rd May 2021
CFOs Keen to Invest in Digital Transformation To Recover From Covid Pandemic
Eighty per cent of CFOs globally put digital transformation within their list of top priorities. While 71 per cent see investment into this as key to their company’s success.
Website: The FinTech Times
Exxon Earns $2.7B in First Quarter
The figure compares with a loss of $610 million in the first quarter of last year. Results included unfavourable identified items of $31 million, or $0.01 per share assuming dilution.
Written by: Andreas Exarheas
Website: Rigzone.com
26th April 2021
Pearson says its underlying sales came in 5% up in the first quarter
In a recent announcement, the London-based firm said it wanted to reorganise five of its businesses – English, higher education, workforce skills, virtual learning, and assessment and qualifications.
Written by: Wajeeh Khan
Website: Invezz.com
How 8 start-ups tackle plastic pollution
A new virtual event in May features eight startup companies that will showcase technologies to combat plastic pollution and waste, through innovation.
Website: Waste Management World
19th April 2021
Revolut funding could value company at $10bn
The London-based financial technology startup, chaired by former Standard Life Aberdeen co-CEO Martin Gilbert, is being advised by FT Partners, a US-based fintech-focused investment bank.
Written by: Terry Murden
Website: Daily Business
Citi promotes European investment bank head Drury to lead new tech unit
The head of Citigroup’s investment bank in Europe is relocating to San Francisco to lead a major new push to capitalise on technological disruption.
Written by: Paul Clarke
Website: Financial News
12th April 2021
Canada scraps export permits for drone technology to Turkey, complains to Ankara
Canada on Monday scrapped export permits for drone technology to Turkey after concluding that the equipment had been used by Azeri forces fighting Armenia in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, Foreign Minister Marc Garneau said.
Website: Reuters
Government orders independent inquiry into Cameron lobbying
Mr Cameron, who has insisted he hasn’t broken any lobbying rules, did say that he should have contacted ministers through “formal” channels.
Written by: Helia Ebrahimi
Website: Channel4
5th April 2021
Deliveroo IPO dubbed “worst in London’s history” as billions wiped off its value
Deliveroo ended its first day of trading down 26 per cent at £2.87 per share, giving it a market capitalisation of £5.6 billion.
Website: Charged Retail
Credit Suisse ousts top execs and scraps bonuses amid Archegos and Greensill fallout
Chief risk and compliance officer Lara Warner will relinquish her role effective immediately, while investment bank CEO Brian Chin will step down from the executive board by the end of the month.
Written by: Kristen McGachey
Website: Portfolio Advisor
29th March 2021
Japanese bank Nomura and Switzerland’s Credit Suisse, have warned they face heavy losses after US hedge fund Archegos Capital reportedly defaulted
Written by: Camilla Canocchi
Website: Thisismoney.co.uk
Suez Canal: Ship causing logjam ‘could soon be refloated’ vessel’s owner says as US offers help
At a press conference on Friday, the president of Shoei Kisen, Yukito Higaki told local media that 10 tugboats had been deployed to dredge the banks and canal bottom.
Written by: Suban Abdulla
Website: Yahoo Finance
22nd March 2021
State Street makes senior appointment in alternatives business
State Street has a strong history of innovation in the alternatives industry and is committed to supporting alternatives clients with best-in-class expertise, processes and technology.
Website: HedgeWeek
Hedge Funds Kicked Off 2021 With $49 Billion Sale of Treasuries
The Cayman Islands, seen as a proxy for hedge funds and other leveraged accounts, dumped $49 billion of U.S. sovereign bonds.
Written by: Stephen Spratt
Website: BNN Bloomberg
15th March 2021
Top German companies pension liabilities topped €407bn at end of 2020
German companies listed on the DAX 30 has pension liabilities of €407bn at the end of 2020, up from €389.9bn at the end of 2019, according to Mercer.
Written by: Natalie Tuck
Website: European Pensions
Credit Suisse bonuses skewed away from high earners
While UBS and DB paid bumper-payouts to their highest earners and best performers, Credit Suisse cut bonuses for everyone, but cut bonuses and total compensation for its highest earners the most.
Written by: Sarah Butcher
Website: efinancial careers
8th March 2021
Deliveroo app users, riders to get slice of London IPO pie
Deliveroo, the holding company of Roofoods Ltd, on Thursday last week had said it picked London for a potential listing, set to be the biggest in a flurry of initial public offerings.
Website: London South East
Xero makes second acquisition in eight months with Planday
Danish staff rota software provider Planday, which claims more than 350,000 employee users across Europe and the UK, is selling up to the fintech for €183.5 million.
Written by: Ruby Hinchliffe
Website: FinTech Futures
1st March 2021
Walmart recruits Goldman Sachs’ consumer head to run fintech startup
The news of Ismail’s departure was reported by Bloomberg on Sunday. He is taking one of his top lieutenants, David Stark, with him to the new venture.
Website: Finextra
Bank of Ireland to close 103 branches in Ireland and NI
Bank of Ireland said there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of today’s decision to close branches nationwide.
Website: RTE
22nd February 2021
All Bar One owner reveals cash burn of £30m to £35m a month
The dire warning came as the company announced the formal launch of a £351 million fundraising exercise to prop up its balance sheet, calling it “critical for the continued operation of the group
Written by: Simon Neville
Website: AOL.
EU agreed to pay €870 million for supply of AstraZeneca vaccines by June, contract shows
The publication of the contract, signed on 27 August, 2020, unveils confidential details about the price and the timetable for deliveries agreed by AstraZeneca.
Written by: Reuters
Website: eureporter
15th February 2021
Big Four boss tells consultants to stop whining about hours.
Hedge funds now hiring from Reddit instead of Harvard.
Written by: Daniel Davis
Website: efinancialcareers
Ubben seeks $8 billion for new hedge fund amid talks with Exxon – sources
This would be the first fund Ubben has amassed since he launched his new firm, Inclusive Capital Partners, last summer.
Written by: Svea Herbst-Bayliss
Website: Reuters
8th February 2021
24 Year-Old Founder of Hedge Funds Pleads Guilty of a $90M Crypto Scam
An Australian man, founder of two multi-million crypto funds in New York, pleaded guilty on a crypto scam charge. The Ponzi scheme used a trading algorithm, taking advantage of price differences.
Written by: Zhelyazko Zhelyazkov
Website: Cryptopotato
The Real Reason Robinhood Froze GME Buying – and Why It Matters
Congress and regulators, who always seem to be late to the party, are making more noise than ever
Written by: Shah Gilani CIS
Website: Money Morning
1st February 2021
A Hedge Fund Bet In Favor Of GameStop And Made Away With $700M In Reddit-Fueled Rally
“When it started its march, we thought, something’s percolating here,” said Mashaal — adding, “But we had no idea how crazy this thing was going to get.”
Website: Yahoo Finance
Hedge Fund Superstar Pierre Andurand Sets His Sights On Clean Energy After 154% Gain
Last February, commodities trader Pierre Andurand was sitting at a dinner in London with some of the oil market’s biggest players. It was International Petroleum week.
Website: Forbes
25th January 2021
The inefficiency of Bitcoin for hedge funds and their managers
As more hedge funds pile into cryptocurrencies, market inefficiencies and price dispersion are bringing fresh arbitrage opportunities for managers.
Written by: Hugh Leask
Website: Hedgeweek
Gibraltar extends its guidelines for digital asset exchanges
As warnings intensify about the need for regulation of digital assets across the UK and Europe, Gibraltar is adding to its already regulated digital ledger technology (DLT) framework.
Website: Hedgeweek
18th January 2021
Blackstone appoints former university chief as head of its Alternative Asset Management
Blackstone Group, the world’s biggest hedge fund investor, is bringing in a former endowment chief at Brown University as the co-head of its Blackstone Alternative Asset Management unit.
Written by: Svea Herbst-Bayliss
Website: Reuters
Asian Hedge Funds buy Chinese sanctioned telecommunications
Asia hedge funds including Long Corridor Asset Management bought shares of sanctioned Chinese telecommunications operators, trading against a market sell-off.
Written by: Bloombers
Website: SCMP
11th January 2021
Covid-19 creates new credit opportunity and strategy for Marathon
New York-based Marathon Asset Management is zeroing in on a broad range of special situations opportunities arising from the coronavirus pandemic fallout with the launch of a new distressed strategy.
Written by: Hugh Leask
Website: Hedgeweek
Former Sloane Robinson CIO resettles in Kepler, along with familiar faces
The team join Kepler at an exciting time for the business and will be responsible for managing the KLS Emerging Markets Fund that was originally launched in partnership with Sloane Robinson in 2017.
Website: Hedgeweek
4th January 2021
Is oil volatility the new income for hedge funds?
Most of the funds’ gains came in March (up 63.5%) and April when energy prices collapsed amid the covid lockdowns. That made it not only the best performing commodity fund, but also one of the year’s best-performing hedge funds across all products and sectors.
Written by: ZeroHedge
Website: Oilprice.com
CTA’s end 2020 in spectacular style as managed future hedge funds
Trend-following hedge funds and managed futures strategies enjoyed a storming finish to what was ultimately a turbulent and unpredictable year for the sector.
Written by: Hugh Leask
Website: Hedgeweek