Berkeley pays out ‘precautionary cushion’ to shareholders in £1bn scheme
Berkeley Group will pay its shareholders a nearly half a billion pound windfall as it doubles the money it plans to return to investors.
City
Venture capitalist Ophelia Brown launches new £142m fund
One of Britain’s top venture capitalists has launched her second fund as she tries to snap up a larger portion of the expanding European technology scene.
Travelex to relaunch some foreign money exchange after weeks-long blackout
Travelex has restored some of its systems after a New Year’s Eve cyber attack left customers unable to exchange foreign currency online at some of Britain’s biggest banks.
Flybe confirms it was given tax holiday by HMRC to avoid collapse
Flybe has confirmed it has agreed a financial arrangement to defer tax payments of “less than £10 million” with HM Revenue and Customs.
The Works boss quits after recent profit warnings
The Works boss Kevin Keaney has stepped down after nearly nine years at the helm just two months after a shock profit warning sent its shares tumbling.
Premier Inn owner warns of drop in business customers outside London
Premier Inn owner Whitbread said business customers using its hotels outside of London remains weak, although this was offset by a strong performance in the capital.
What is air passenger duty and why is it criticised?
The Government has announced that it will review air passenger duty (APD) on domestic routes among other measures in an effort to help struggling airline Flybe.
Flybe collapse averted after Government announces review of air passenger duty
Flybe’s collapse has been averted after the Government told the airline it would review air passenger duty (APD) and shareholders agreed to inject additional investment.
Ministers ‘delighted’ as Government grants Flybe rescue deal
Regional airline Flybe has secured a rescue deal with the Government that will allow it to keep operating, the Business Secretary said.
Lidl ‘outperformed’ every other supermarket at Christmas
Supermarket Lidl said it outperformed every rival on the high street over the Christmas period, with bosses revealing families switched £110 million of their spend to the discounter.
Bumper Christmas sends Ryanair soaring
Christmas hit the spot for Ryanair and the airline was able to upgrade its profit forecast, even as losses rose at an Austrian subsidiary.
Financial services paid record-breaking £75.5bn in taxes – report
British-based banks and financial services handed over £75.5 billion in taxes last year, accounting for more than £1 in every £10 paid to the Government, according to new figures.
Economy stagnates in December as service sector orders improve
The UK’s service sector flatlined in December as improving business order books helped to stop decline from the previous month.
Oil majors boosted by US drone strike on Iran
Global markets were dominated by the US air strike that killed one of Iran’s top generals as traders reacted to rising oil prices.
Average property value ‘grew by £12 per day in 2019’
Homes added £12 per day on average onto their value during 2019, according to a property website.
Bad weather deters Boxing Day shoppers with drop in footfall reported
Bad weather has deterred some Boxing Day bargain hunters, with footfall reportedly down 10% in high streets and shopping centres.
Environmental concerns expected to drive down post-Christmas sales spending
Britons are expected to spend £200 million less in the post-Christmas sales this year as environmental concerns drive down buying.
President of airline Emirates to retire
The president of Dubai-based airline Emirates will retire next June after 17 years at the helm of the Middle East’s biggest carrier, the company has confirmed.
Smart confirms EQ ForTwo and EQ ForFour prices
Smart has confirmed pricing for its upcoming all-electric EQ ForTwo and ForFour models ahead of sales commencing in January.
Woodford investors set for payout in January
Investors in troubled manager Neil Woodford’s flagship fund will see their first payouts as the fund winds up in the middle of January after it won permission from the Financial Conduct Authority.
City reaction to election: Businesses happy but Brexit warnings continue
Several business leaders and economists have called for more clarity on Boris Johnson’s plans for the future trading relationship with the EU following the Conservatives’ decisive election victory.
Wizz Air plans Middle East push in tie-up with Emirati firm
Budget carrier Wizz Air has teamed up with a state-run holding company in the United Arab Emirates to launch its first non-European airline.
FTSE 100 inches higher ahead of Fed update and election
The London markets were extremely cautious as traders were on tenterhooks ahead of the latest Federal Reserve statement and Thursday’s General Election.
Loungers says it has potential to triple site numbers after surging sales
Cafe-bar operator Loungers has said it sees the potential to more than triple in size after posting surging sales on the back of new restaurant openings.
Long-term report: Our Suzuki Swift Attitude proves to be the ideal town run-around
We all expect more from our cars now. We want our estate cars to be stylish, our sports cars to be usable on a daily basis, and our bargain models still to be loaded with kit.
Royal Mail shares plunge after delays in transformation plan
Shares in Royal Mail have dived after it warned that the company’s transformation programme is “behind schedule”, despite improving profits and revenues over the past six months.
Shop Direct given funding lifeline from Barclay brothers
Littlewoods and Very.co.uk group Shop Direct has secured a £75 million equity injection from owners, the billionaire Barclay brothers, as it looks to cover a hefty payment protection insurance bill.
Number of women in top roles at UK firms jumps but ‘step-change still needed’
The number of female directors at top UK companies has increased over the past year but a “step-change” in representation is still needed, according to a new report.
Shoppers stay away from stores as weather hits footfall
The number of people heading to the high street, retail parks and shopping centres is continuing to fall, new data has revealed.
Markets fall as President Trump pours cold water on trade talks
US President Donald Trump ended the week by disappointing global investors, sending shares down across Europe.