Full List Of Stories
Tuesday newspaper round-up: House prices, Facebook, Deutsche Bank, gambling
House prices are falling in almost half of all London postcodes, according to new figures showing the most widespread collapse in property values across the capital since the 2008 financial crisis. The latest signs of distress will stoke concerns that sliding prices are far from confined to the most expensive homes in central London, with the figures showing a ripple effect spreading into the suburbs. - Guardian.
Sunday share tips: Fevertree Drinks, Conviviality, Merchants Trust
Fevertree Drinks shares are now one to 'avoid' said the Sunday Times' Inside the City column, having increased almost 2000% from its flotation four years ago at 134p. Co-founder Charles Rolls sold a 2. 6% stake last week, which saw the share price drop 5% to 2,807p. The company therefore has £3. 2bn market cap, but turned over £170. 2m in 2017 and generated £56. 4m in profit.
Sunday newspaper round-up: Brexit, Aviva, Rio Tinto, Hammerson, Facebook
The autumn Budget could be delayed if MPs are successful in pushing for an independent economic forecast of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. MPs from across the House of Commons have called for the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to offer its verdict on how leaving the EU will affect the UK economy, based on the exit terms set to be agreed between the UK and EU in late October, production of which would have to be combined with work on costing the Budget.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Tariffs, Pfizer, Facebook, Cambridge Analytica
America and the European Union have pledged to reach an agreement on President Trump’s steep steel and aluminium tariffs “as rapidly as possible”. Donald Tusk, the European Council president, expressed “cautious optimism” that the EU would persuade the US to offer an exemption from the duties. “Everything will be clear tomorrow,” he said. - The Times.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Consumers, Amazon, UK tourism, Facebook
The most important driver of UK economic growth is likely to slow further this year as PWC predicts that consumers will continue to scale back their spending in the face of higher inflation and squeezed incomes. The accountancy giant has forecast that consumer spending growth will slow to 1. 1 per cent this year, down from 1. 8 per cent in 2017, before edging up only slightly to 1. 3 per cent in 2019. - The Times.
Monday newspaper round-up: FOBTs, advertising, crypto, RBS
The Gambling Commission is to recommend that the government reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), known as the “crack cocaine of gambling”, to £30 or less. However, in a move likely to come as a relief to bookmakers, the watchdog will not explicitly back a maximum £2 stake, instead suggesting measures to combat the risk of harm. - The Times.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Trade deals, pennies, BT, Aviva, cars
Britain will be free to sign trade deals during the Brexit transition period without permission from the European Union after a climbdown by Brussels, The Times has learnt. EU negotiators have accepted the UK’s demand that it should be able to pursue an independent trade policy while remaining inside the customs union and single market.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Hiring, cryptocurrencies, Qualcomm, Melrose backed
Hiring confidence among British companies has reached its highest level in more than a year and recruitment is set to pick up as businesses shrug off downbeat economic projections, according to a closely watched study. Low unemployment and strong demand for more workers means companies are increasingly forced to pay joining bonuses of 15pc or 20pc of salaries to entice new recruits. The poll of 2,102 employers across nine different industry sectors by the recruitment firm ManpowerGroup is used by the Bank of England as an early indicator for changes in the jobs market.
Kroger profits match expectations but stocks fall
US retailer Kroger published strong fourth-quarter growth that matched analyst predictions but its 2018 forecast disappointed investors and sent its stock tumbling.
Apple finds serious labour and environmental violations as audits expand
Apple has announced on Wednesday that it has found serious violations of labour and environmental policies after expanding its audit into staff conditions at its manufacturing activities.
Thursday broker round-up
Britvic: Morgan Stanley upgrades to overweight with a target price of 870p.
Many local councils running out of cash as social care demands surge
One in 10 local councils could run out of cash in the next three years as they cope with increased demand for social care and government funding cuts of 50% since 2011.
UK to guarantee Gibraltar it won't be excluded from Brexit deal by Spain
Ministers are guaranteeing Gibraltar that it will not be left out of any Brexit deal struck with the European Union after the divorce and that they will refuse to "choose" between the Rock and a trade deal.
Next faces £30m equal pay claim from shop-floor workers
More than 300 Next employees are claiming up to £30m in total in back pay from the clothing retail over the thousands of female staff they say are paid less than male counterparts.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Airlines, trade, TV ads, water companies
Philip Hammond has stressed the urgency of securing an implementation deal between Britain and the EU by the end of this month, warning that without it airlines will not know if they can safely schedule flights for spring 2019. The chancellor told a parliamentary committee that it was in the interests of both sides to agree to the terms of the transition period at the March EU council meeting. - Guardian.
Sunday share tips: Assura, Sky, Augmentum Fintech
Shares in Assura were a 'hold' for Questor in the Sunday Telegraph, the property group with a £1. 4bn market value from investing in GP surgeries. However, the stock trades for 22. 5 times current-year forecast earnings and a premium to net asset value, which does mark an ideal entry point for new investors, though a 4% dividend yield is more attractive.
Sunday newspaper round-up: Brexit, trade war, Rolls-Royce, Interserve
The European Union is set to reject Theresa May’s plan for a soft border in Northern Ireland, Ireland’s deputy prime minister said on Sunday. The prime minister suggested on Friday that a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic could be avoided through technological solutions and by exempting small businesses, which account for 80 per cent of cross-frontier trade, from checks. - Sunday Times.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Brexit, Scottish bank, gas prices, Sky
Britain will refuse to pay its multibillion-pound Brexit divorce bill until Brussels backs down on attempts to keep Northern Ireland subject to European Union rules, David Davis warned last night. In an uncompromising letter sent to Tory MPs, the Brexit secretary said that Britain would not finalise financial payments to the EU until “all the issues” of concern to Britain had been addressed. - The Times.