Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has continued its acquisition spree with a strategic investment into the Australian retail and distribution firm Accent. The London-listed retail empire snapped up a 14.65 per …
Estate Planning
Incoming HSBC boss weighs middle management shake-up
HSBC’s incoming chief executive is reportedly considering measures like removing layers of middle management in a sign that he wants to streamline Europe’s biggest bank. Georges Elhedery is mulling plans …
Prudential hopes sluggish first half won’t stand in the way of ambitious targets
Prudential reported a slowdown in new business in the first half of the year, but remained confident that it would meet its targets for the year. In the first six …
Naked Wines ‘in much better shape’ despite further losses
Online wine seller Naked Wines has reported a slump in profit and a higher loss despite “significant strides” made over the past few months to restructure the business. Total sales fell …
Pharma giants GSK, Pfizer and Sanofi granted supreme court hearing in Zantac cancer lawsuits
Delaware’s top court is set to hear an appeal from GSK and other pharmaceutical giants to throw out over 70,000 lawsuits alleging that the now-discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer. …
UK financial regulator to review pure protection insurance market
The City regulator has announced a probe into the sale of pure protection insurance products amid concerns that “competition is not working well in the market”. On Wednesday, the Financial Conduct …
Focusrite: Music tech firm’s bottom line hit by shipping and logistical woes
UK-based music software company Focusrite has reported that while demand for its products remains strong, shipping and logistics challenges are squeezing its bottom line. Revenue is expected to come in …
Higher price of milk warning issued by Cravendale maker Arla Foods amid shortage
Arla Foods, the maker of brands including Cravendale, Skyr and B.O.B milk, has warned that customers will face higher prices in the coming months amid a shortage of milk on …
Wood Group: Firm offloads two businesses as ‘strategic’ turnaround begins
Engineer Wood Group has sold two businesses for a total of $165m (£125m) after it revealed it slid into the red in the first half of the year. The London-listed …
Why rugby league’s Magic Weekend could return to Newcastle in 2025
Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian owners vetoed the club’s proposal to stage rugby league’s Magic Weekend at St James’ Park, but have indicated they may consider hosting the two-day event again …