Ian King dissects the takeover of Switzerland’s second-biggest bank, Credit Suisse and asks what it means for the financial world. Ian’s joined by the director of property science at Rightmove, Tim Bannister, to look at the housing sector. He also finds out how internet’s become available at the summit of Mount Snowden. :: Listen and
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UBS will take over Credit Suisse in a deal aimed at stemming what was fast becoming a global crisis of confidence. Credit Suisse, the 167-year-old embattled lender had been brought to the brink of financial calamity last week, despite securing a $54bn (£44bn) credit line from Switzerland’s central bank. The credit line was agreed in
Sky News has learnt that the company has hired Spencer Stuart, the headhunting firm, to identify a successor to Bridget Rosewell, who has chaired it since 2018. City sources said the hunt for Ms Rosewell’s replacement formed part of a plan to reshape its board ahead of an initial public offering (IPO). Mark Mullen, Atom
Credit Suisse has said it will borrow up to 50bn Swiss francs (£44.5bn) from the Swiss central bank to shore up its liquidity. The bank said it was “taking decisive action to pre-emptively strengthen its liquidity”, after a drop in its shares intensified fears of a global financial crisis. “This additional liquidity would support Credit
Banking stocks are enduring fresh, steep losses on Wednesday as concern over the health of US banks crosses the Atlantic. Credit Suisse shares plunged to new record lows following comments by its largest investor that it could not provide the Swiss bank with more financial assistance. Switzerland’s second-largest bank, no stranger to crisis over the
Robots can improve mental wellbeing in the workplace, but only if they look right, research suggests. A study by the University of Cambridge found that people who interacted with robots that were more toy-like, felt a greater connection compared to human-like robots. Over four weeks, 26 employees took part in the weekly robot-led wellbeing sessions.
McLaren Group, the supercar manufacturer and Formula One team-owner, has received a £70m funding boost from investors in the first stage of a wider capital-raising plan. Sky News has learnt that the Surrey-based automotive group has been handed the funding by a group of its existing shareholders. Sources said the share sale was part of
Technology investors and founders representing over £560bn in capital raised and fund assets under management have expressed relief about the rescue of Silicon Valley Bank UK in an open letter to Rishi Sunak and banking regulators. More than 860 industry figures have put their names to the letter, which was coordinated hours after HSBC Holdings
The government’s savings bank is weighing the appointment of Dax Harkins, its new interim boss, as its next permanent chief executive. Sky News has learnt that National Savings & Investments (NS&I) is lining up Mr Harkins for the top job, with an announcement possible in the coming weeks. Appointments to the NS&I board are made
Men’s belts and electric bikes are in while many CDs and alcopops are out, in the annual update to the basket of goods and services used to calculate inflation. The Office for National Statistics (ONS), which refreshes the basket of more than 700 items each year to reflect changing trends, added 26 and removed 16
The Treasury is this week expected to deliver a £1bn-plus devolution boost to Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor. Sky News understands that the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, will outline plans for additional funding for the region in his budget on Wednesday. Sources said the plans would include money generated from the disposal of government-owned land,
Markets have not been reassured by HSBC’s purchase of the beleaguered Silicon Valley Bank UK (SVB UK). While the pound is up, to a three-week high of $1.2089, it’s a story of dollar weakness rather than sterling strength as major banks have not made up for the losses sustained on Friday as the crisis unfolded.
British tech firms face a “serious risk” over the collapse of the UK arm of Silicon Valley Bank, the chancellor has warned, but said the government was “working at pace” to limit the damage. Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Jeremy Hunt said the government and the Bank of England were “absolutely
WhatsApp is right not to back down in its opposition to UK government proposals that could allow encrypted messages to be scanned, online privacy campaigners have said. Robin Wilton, director of internet trust for the Internet Society, told Sky News that any requirements in the upcoming Online Safety Bill that would weaken user privacy would
Elon Musk has made no secret of his desire to colonise Mars, but seemingly not before he’s had a go at running his own community here on Earth. The SpaceX, Tesla, and Twitter owner wants to build a “utopia” called Snailbrook for his workers to live in Texas, reports The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). It
Mark Boggett from Seraphim Space discusses why Britain’s space sector is attracting more investment than any country other than the US and China. Also joining Ian on today’s show are Jette Nygaard-Andersen from the gambling firm Entain and brickmaker Forterra’s chief executive, Stephen Harrison. :: Listen and subscribe to The Ian King Business Podcast here.
China has criticised a Dutch plan to restrict the export of semiconductor equipment – a vital part of the high-tech supply chain. The Netherlands‘ government announced on Wednesday it would introduce limits to “protect national security”, following similar measures brought by the US last year. For the American curbs to be effective, other key suppliers
US motor vehicle safety regulators have opened an investigation into a Tesla model after getting two complaints that the steering wheels can come off while being driven. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the probe will look into Tesla’s Model Y SUV after the cars were delivered to customers in both cases with
BMW, the German car manufacturer, is applying the finishing touches to plans to invest hundreds of millions of pounds into its Oxford plant, securing future production of the iconic Mini in Britain. Sky News has learnt that BMW hopes to announce its decision later in the spring, with one industry insider saying on Wednesday that
Support for energy bills from the government is expected to continue for three months from April, protecting consumers from an average increase of £500. Sky News understands the chancellor will cancel a reduction in support that would have seen typical annual bills rise from £2,500 to £3,000. In recent days, the government has asked energy