Reeves on growth ‘hell slide’ after welfare U-turn as rebels call for wealth tax July 2, 2025 Rachel Reeves faces a “hell slide” in her ambition to balance economic growth with her “iron clad” fiscal rules following Labour’s U-turn on welfare. The Chancellor had hoped government plans for welfare reform would shed £5bn in spending as they targeted restrictions on personal independence payments (PIP) and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. The [...]
Losing AstraZeneca would be more than a bitter pill for the City – it could be fatal July 2, 2025 The government must urgently scrap stamp duty on shares and abolish new cash ISAs to prevent the London Stock Exchange losing its most valuable listing, Astrazeneca, says Michael Healy The UK stock market just received its biggest wake-up call yet. Reports that Astrazeneca – the most valuable company on the London Stock Exchange – is [...]
UK on track for biggest year of takeovers since 2021 July 2, 2025 The UK is on course for its biggest year of takeovers since 2021 as more and more companies exit the London stock market after being snapped up by private equity. As much as £74bn in offers was made to UK firms in the first half of the year, according to an analysis by Peel Hunt, [...]
Exclusive: Revolut, Octopus mull joining Pisces July 2, 2025 Revolut, Octopus and Oaknorth are among billion-pound businesses weighing joining the new Pisces private stock market after being courted by prospective operator London Stock Exchange Group, Morning Wire can reveal. The fast-growing firms were part of a group of around two dozen major businesses who attended a private conference hosted by LSE boss Julia Hoggett [...]
Astrazeneca chief ‘wants to shift London listing to US’ July 1, 2025 The boss of Britain’s most valuable company, Astrazeneca, has reportedly voiced his preference to move the firm’s stock market listing to the United States. Sir Pascal Soriot, who has been at the helm of the pharma juggernaut since 2012, is said to have spoken privately about his desire to abandon the UK listing in favour [...]
FCA ‘concerned’ over number of takeovers leaked to press July 1, 2025 The UK’s financial watchdog has expressed its concern after fresh figures found nearly two in five takeovers were reported in the press before being formally announced. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned the leaks, which can constitute a breach of market abuse rules, were triggering “price moves…caused by financial analysts or the media correctly predicting [...]
Ex LSEG boss slams London stock market ‘gimmicks’ June 29, 2025 The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)’s former boss Xavier Rolet has blasted stewards of UK capital markets for focussing on “gimmicks and quick headline-grabbing fixes” to liquidity levels. Officials at the London Stock Exchange and at the Treasury have mooted possible reforms to savings as part of a bid to revive capital markets. London Stock [...]
Metlen moves listing to London in £5bn boost for City June 27, 2025 Greek industrial giant Metlen Energy & Metals hopes to list in London in August, in a much needed £5.1bn boost to the capital’s beleaguered stock market. The mining and energy firm confirmed on Friday that, after months of anticipation, it planned to move its primary listing from Athens to London on 4 August subject to [...]
Visma to snub Amsterdam for London IPO in rare win for Britain’s stalling market June 26, 2025 Norwegian software giant Visma has provisionally selected London over Amsterdam for its upcoming IPO, a rare win for the UK’s shrinking public markets as the country battles to remain a viable home for high-growth tech listings. The €19bn firm – backed by British private equity firm Hg – has chosen the capital because of its [...]
ABF confirms plans to shut bioethanol plant despite last-minute government negotiations June 26, 2025 Associated British Foods has confirmed plans to shut its Yorkshire bioethanol plant despite the government entering formal negotiations to rescue the site, in a blow to Labour’s new industrial strategy. The food producer, which also owns the retail giant Primark, said it had now begun consultation with employees to effect an orderly wind-down, with purchases [...]