Fidelity Top Stories
US personal incomes fall sharply in April, inflation picks up
Personal income growth in the States slowed sharply last month, but only on account of comparison with the previous month, when the Biden administration's mammoth $1. 9trn American Rescue Plan Act kicked into effect.
Bitcoin mine found in UK during police raid
A massive bitcoin mine was found in the UK this week following a police raid on a suspected cannabis farm.
Aviva Q1 life premiums flat; pledges cash returns to shareholders
UK insurer Aviva said new life business premiums were flat year on year in the first quarter with growth in savings & retirement as it pledged to return cash to shareholders from asset sales.
Jefferies sounds 'bullish' note for FTSE 100
Analysts at Jefferies sounded a confident note on the outlook for London's top-flight index, despite Chinese economic data recently losing "some" of their sparkle.
Bitcoin 'time to buy' ads banned in UK for being misleading
A bitcoin ad campaign urging the UK public to buy the crypto was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority which branded it as irresponsible and misleading.
M&S to close 30 stores as pandemic pushes retailer to £209m loss
Marks & Spencer said it was closing 30 stores after posting a heavy annual loss as it felt the full impact of the coronavirus lockdowns on clothing sales, but expected to return to profitability this year.
Softcat lifts annual guidance after strong Q3
IT provider Softcat on Wednesday upgraded annual earnings guidance after reporting double-digit revenue growth in the third quarter.
Biden to meet Putin on 16 June in Geneva
US President Joe Biden will meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on 16 June in Geneva, the White House announced on Tuesday.
US new home sales surprise sharply to the downside in April
New home sales surprised to the downside in April, in part as demand driven by the Covid-19 pandemic waned.
China launches probe into country's biggest housing broker KE
China's markets regulator has opened an investigation into the country’s biggest housing broker KE over suspicions of anti-competitive practices.
Made.com kicks off IPO as it aims to raise £100m
Online furniture retailer Made. com on Tuesday said it planned to list at least 25% of its shares on the stock market, as it aimed to raise an extra £100m in new cash.
UK's CMA to probe $39bn AstraZeneca-Alexion deal
Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is looking into AstraZeneca’s $39bn acquisition of America's Alexion Pharmaceuticals over concerns the deal could harm competition in the UK.
Hill & Smith revenues rise as markets bounce back
Infrastructure and road safety group Hill & Smith said revenue had risen rose 10% in the first fourth months of the current fiscal year.
Aveva sees trading in line after second half recovery
Industrial software company Aveva said trading had normalised in most of its markets from the impact of Covid-19, adding that the outlook remained in line with expectations.
Restaurant Group sees 'encouraging' sales recovery as Covid curbs eased
Wagamama owner Restaurant Group said it had seen an encouraging recovery in sales since Covid-19 restrictions had been lifted in the UK.
Iran - IAEA agree to extend monitoring agreement one month
The United Nations nuclear watchdog (The International Atomic Energy Agency) and Iran agreed on Monday to extend their monitoring agreement by one month.
HSBC boss unconvinced about 'volatile' Bitcoin
The turmoil surrounding Bitcoin intensified on Monday after HSBC said it had no plans to start offering the cryptocurrency to investors.
Peter Rabbit helps Cineworld hop to bumper reopening weekend
Movie theatre chain Cineworld reported a strong opening weekend in the UK after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, led by the success of Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway and popcorn-munching patrons.
HICL renegotiates £400m credit facility based on ESG targets
London-listed infrastructure investment firm HICL has renegotiated its £400m revolving credit facility (RCF) used to support the acquisition of new investments, the company said on Monday.
LondonMetric buys two warehouses for £13.5m to become dark kitchens
LondonMetric said it had bought two London warehouses for £13. 5m which will be converted into “dark kitchens” serving the food delivery market.