Spike in employer pension contributions could throw UK businesses into insolvency October 21, 2025 Rumours over potential spikes to employer pension contributions in the upcoming Budget has thrown UK companies into a frenzy, with some admitting it could put them at risk of insolvency. According to research from consultancy Barnett Waddingham, nearly 20 per cent of businesses fear they could become insolvent if an increase to employer pension contributions [...]
BGF: Investment giant eyeing up £500m in first external fundraise October 20, 2025 Investment giant BGF has revealed plans to raise external funds for the first time to tune of £500m. The organisation said the move would enable institutional investors the opportunity to invest in UK growth companies through BGF’s regional platform. Lazard has been appointed to advise BGF as it explores its options. BGF’s portfolio includes the likes of [...]
Government must increase financial education in order to boost investment, think tank warns October 20, 2025 The government must do more to encourage wealth building and increase financial knowledge as Brits continue to turn away from retail investing, a think tank has warned. According to the latest report from the Startup Coalition, only 50 per cent of adults invest in the stock market, leaving billions in low-yield accounts and cash ISAs, [...]
Oaktree Capital co-founder voice doubts that macroeconomic fears caused gold’s rally October 20, 2025 Howard Marks, co-founder of investment firm Oaktree Capital, has voiced his scepticism over gold’s rallying run, believing economic conditions have not caused the surge and there is “no intelligent way to assess the intrinsic value”. Speaking on The Master Investor podcast with Wilfred Frost, Marks attributed the precious metal’s long standing run to popularity, believing [...]
IG pockets £75m after disposal of future exchange platform to beef up crypto capabilities October 16, 2025 Investment broker IG has disposed of its future exchange platform, Small Exchange Inc, as part of a partnership with global crypto exchange Kraken. IG sold the Chicago-based company, which it purchased in 2023, to Payward Inc., the parent company of popular cryptocurrency platform Kraken, for $100m (£74.9m). The sale consisted of $32.5m in cash and [...]
Industry figures urge Reeves to go further with cash ISA reforms October 15, 2025 Financial industry figures have urged Rachel Reeves to go further on reforming the cash ISA, following speculation the Chancellor is looking to overhaul the system in the looming Autumn Budget. Reeves is understood to be reviving a plan to cut the tax-free limit on cash ISAs, in a bid to get people to move cash [...]
Gen Z dream of early retirement while ignoring alarm bells October 15, 2025 Young Brits are eyeing an early retirement, due to a growing belief that investing the minimum will be enough to fund their dream later life, ignoring warnings their savings are falling short. According to Standard Life, on average Gen Z hold ambitious aspirations to retire at 60, earlier than any other generation and years before [...]
Reeves revives plan to cut cash ISA despite backlash October 15, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking to use the looming Autumn Budget to kickstart plans for a major overhaul of tax-free ISAs, in a bid to get people’s cash savings into domestic stocks. The Chancellor is understood to be reviving a plan to cut the tax-free limit on cash ISAs, potentially halving it from £20,000 to [...]
Tinned tuna giant Princes confirms intention to float October 10, 2025 Tinned tuna heavyweight, Princes, has confirmed its intention to proceed with its IPO to list on London’s main index. The decision comes just one week after the Italian-owned business announced it was considering a listing. The offer will be comprised of new ordinary shares to be listed by the company, in order to raise net [...]
Lloyds banking group acquires remaining stake in Schroders personal wealth October 9, 2025 Lloyds Banking Group has completed the full acquisition of Schroders’ personal wealth arm, six years after the establishment of the unit. Lloyds acquired the remaining 49.9 per cent of Schroders Personal Wealth (SPW) from the asset manager, handing the bank sole control of the business. Lloyds noted the acquisition will support the group’s “ambition to [...]