Donald Trump’s return to the White House as the projected winner of the 2024 US election has caused significant market movements.The dollar has experienced noteworthy gains, rising by 2% against the euro and 1.8% versus the yen, thanks to investor confidence in Trump’s economic policies.Stock markets in London have seen a surge, with the FTSE 100 up by 1.3% and the FTSE 250 gaining 1.8%, led by US-facing stocks.US financial markets are predicted to continue their upward trend, with S&P 500 and Dow futures indicating over 2% gains as trading commenced.Bitcoin has surged to a record high, marking an 8.5%…
Author: Dave Antrobus
Winking Studios, a major gaming firm from Singapore, plans to list on London’s AIM market.Held in high regard, Winking Studios ranks third in Asia and fourth globally in revenue.The company boasts nine offices across Asia, collaborating with top-tier global game developers.CEO Johnny Jan sees the UK as a strategic choice due to its understanding of the gaming industry.£23.1m cash reserves will support European and North American expansions, enhancing AI capabilities.Winking Studios, a prominent name in the gaming industry based in Singapore, has announced its intention to list on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market. This move is strategically aimed at…
A campaign spearheaded by concerned farmers has highlighted growing discontent towards supermarkets accused of ‘farmwashing.’ Over 11,000 letters have been dispatched to MPs, challenging these misleading practices.The ‘Farmers Against Farmwashing’ campaign, initiated by supporters of sustainable agriculture, is voicing strong opposition to what it terms as deceptive supermarket practices. The term ‘farmwashing’ refers to the use of fictitious farm brands and national symbols, such as British flags, to mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing local, family-farmed products. However, the campaign alleges that the reality is starkly different, claiming much of this produce is sourced from large-scale, industrial farms, including…
The UK government has committed £500 million to improve broadband and mobile services in rural areas, a move expected to bolster economic growth and connectivity.This funding supports ongoing projects such as Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, aiming for extensive gigabit and 4G coverage by upcoming deadlines.Connectivity enhancements are anticipated to benefit rural businesses, encouraging them to relocate from crowded urban centres and embrace flexible working arrangements.The investment is also a step towards achieving Labour’s vision of universal gigabit and 5G access by 2030, though fund allocation concerns need addressing.Stakeholders stress the importance of reliable internet for a resilient…
The Court of Appeal recently upheld a decision that cleared two former directors of a law firm of breaching their duties in preparing to establish a rival firm.In a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal reinforced an earlier decision that two former directors of a law firm did not breach their fiduciary duties while preparing to launch a competing firm. The judgement, delivered by Lord Justice Phillips, supported the initial findings of His Honour Judge Bever, who concluded that the actions of the directors remained within legal boundaries.The individuals in question, Tom Blanchfield, former finance director, and Mark Montaldo, ex-head…
M&S is tackling a £60m rise in National Insurance costs without raising prices.The recent Budget has seen M&S hit with an additional £60m National Insurance bill.CEO Stuart Machin is intent on absorbing these costs through internal savings.M&S aims to maintain its market position by preserving value perception.The retailer has seen profit growth despite new financial pressures.M&S finds itself confronting significant financial challenges following the latest Budget changes, which introduce an extra £60m to its National Insurance obligations. CEO Stuart Machin emphasises the company’s commitment to managing these cost increases internally, rather than burdening customers with higher prices. Machin states, ‘We…
Pandora has reported impressive growth as their strategic focus on personalisation boosts profits.Profits rose by 6.8% to £110 million in the third quarter, with sales increasing by 9.5% to £682 million.The company has effectively rebranded itself as a full jewellery brand, attracting a wider consumer base.Personalisation services, particularly engraving, have proven highly successful, doubling in growth during the quarter.CEO Alexander Lacik expresses confidence in capturing untapped opportunities for further growth.Pandora’s recent financial performance highlights the company’s successful adaptation to market demands. Profits increased by 6.8% to £110 million in the third quarter, while sales climbed by 9.5% to reach £682…
Pandora has reported a notable rise in profits for its third quarter, largely driven by its strategic shift towards becoming a comprehensive jewellery brand.The company saw its EBIT increase by 6.8% to reach £110 million, while sales spiked by 9.5%, hitting £682 million.A key factor in this growth is the surge in demand for personalisation services, with engraving services seeing a remarkable 100% increase.Pandora’s leadership changes, including a new UK boss hired in March, are part of its ongoing transformation efforts.The company’s president, Alexander Lacik, expressed satisfaction with these achievements amidst challenging economic conditions.Pandora has experienced a significant boost in…
Frasers Group raises concerns over Boohoo’s latest executive decisions, questioning the appointment process and asset management strategy.Frasers criticises Boohoo for allegedly rushing the appointment of Dan Finley as CEO to succeed John Lyttle.The call for Boohoo to avoid asset disposals without shareholder consensus highlights Frasers’ dissatisfaction.Frasers insists that any asset sale must be fair and supported by independent analysis to ensure protection of shareholder interests.Amid challenging market conditions, Frasers stresses the need for transparency and thoughtful strategy from Boohoo.Frasers Group has issued an open letter, expressing strong dissatisfaction with Boohoo’s latest executive decisions and strategy concerning asset management. The letter,…
As Christmas 2024 approaches, retailers are unveiling their festive adverts, each with unique themes and familiar faces.M&S Food brings back Dawn French as the voice and face of their Festive Fairy, guiding a perfect holiday gathering.Sainsbury’s features the BFG and a real-life worker, Sophie, in a tale of making Christmas magical.Greggs introduces its festive menu with celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, marking its first Christmas advertisement.Aldi continues the adventures of Kevin the Carrot, who embarks on a mission to revive the Spirit of Christmas.As the holiday season nears, a slew of Christmas adverts have started to appear across various platforms, featuring…