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Trufin: Balatro poker craze boosts finance company to profit

January 5, 2025

Financial services firm Trufin is set to announce an adjusted profit before tax “significantly ahead of market expectations” thanks to its video game arm publishing the indie hit Balatro. Trufin is now preparing to report its first ever full year profit, a year earlier than had been expected. While the group is primarily known as [...]

Rail regulator orders HS1 to slash train ticket prices on Eurostar route

January 5, 2025

The Office of Rail and Road has ordered HS1 to lower its train ticket prices from April 2025, after finding it did not meet its duties for efficient spending. The 109km high-speed rail line was ordered to bring charges down by 3.8 per cent compared to its latest plans, saving passengers and freight trains as [...]

Typhoo Tea racked up debts of £100m as it collapsed into administration

January 5, 2025

Typhoo Tea collapsed into administration owing around £100m to its creditors ahead of being rescued, it has been revealed. The Bristol-based company entered administration in November 2024 before being bought in a £10m deal the following month. Now, a new document filed with Companies House by Kroll has revealed how much Typhoo Tea owed to [...]

Billionaire Bet365 boss Denise Coates slashes pay as betting giant makes huge profit

January 5, 2025

The billionaire boss of Bet365, Denise Coates, has seen her salary slashed by almost £130m as the betting giant surged back into the red with a profit of almost £600m. Coates, whose father founded the Stoke-on-Trent company, was paid £94.6m in the year to 31 March 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The [...]

Waterstones plans dozens more UK stores as it mulls possible London or US IPO

January 5, 2025

Waterstones boss James Daunt has said he plans to open dozens more bookshops this year in the UK, along with considering a potential flotation in London or New York. He told the Financial Times it would be “logical” to look at an initial public offering of a consolidated combination of Waterstones and Barnes & Noble [...]

TGL explained: All you need to know about Woods and McIlroy’s new golf league

January 5, 2025

A year later than planned, golf will get a glimpse of its possible future when the first match of TGL, the brand new, made-for-TV team golf competition from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports, swings into virtual action on Tuesday. The contest between New York Golf Club, featuring Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander [...]

Baillie Gifford ‘appalled’ by US activist investor Saba Capital’s conduct

January 5, 2025

Baillie Gifford has hit back against an activist campaign by US hedge fund Saba Capital targeting three of its investment trusts, calling the hedge fund’s actions “a backdoor attempt to seize control”. “We are appalled by Saba’s actions and conduct,” said Karen Brade, chair of one of Baillie Gifford’s trusts targeted by the attack. Last [...]

2025 Predictions for Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, and other tech leaders

January 5, 2025

The Magnificent Seven group of leading tech companies: Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Tesla, gained a combined 63 per cent in 2024, building on 2023’s strong performance. Deutsche Bank revealed the group generated more profit in 2024 than most national stock markets. However, JP Morgan has projected their contribution to S&P 500 earnings [...]

Westfield slashes loss ahead of huge funding boost

January 5, 2025

The company behind the Westfield shopping centres in London has recorded its lowest pre-tax loss since 2019 despite its turnover being slashed by over 30 per cent. Westfield Europe, which includes sites in Stratford and Croydon, has reported a pre-tax loss of £25.2m for 2023, according to accounts filed late with Companies House. The latest [...]

Yeo Valley doubles profit after natural yoghurt demand surges

January 5, 2025

Profit at Yeo Valley has almost doubled after sales at the dairy giant jumped by £40m during its latest financial year. The Somerset-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax profit of £8.1m for the year to 26 May, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The latest figure comes after Yeo Valley returned to the [...]

Lucky Saint founder: Don’t let ‘Dry January’ dull Britain’s pub culture

January 5, 2025

It is no secret that pub culture has long-been deeply ingrained into the social structure of Britain. That said, you’d be forgiven for assuming your latest Dry January drinking hiatus might result in a hiatus from socialising at your favourite local pub. Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint, however, has launched a new nationwide campaign to [...]

UK’s top court puts final nail in FCA case against former Julius Baer staff

January 5, 2025

The Supreme Court has refused to hear a FCA appeal which brings an end to its unsuccessful case against three former employees of the Julius Baer Group

Small firms slash jobs on fears of employment rights bill

January 5, 2025

An alarming number of businesses have become increasingly concerned about the future of the UK’s workforce under the new Labour government’s employment reforms. A fresh survey of 1,270 small employers by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed over 90 per cent are worried about the implications of the Employment Rights Bill. A majority [...]

Sarkozy: Former French president on trial over alleged Gaddafi financing

January 5, 2025

Former president of France Nicolas Sarkozy goes on trial today over allegations he received funding from the late Libyan dictator

Sell Asos and buy Currys says City broker

January 5, 2025

Analysts have backed Currys as their most preferred consumer stock of the year whilst warning investors away from struggling online marketplace Asos. Panmure Liberum analysts set a target price for Currys at 155p versus its current price of 94.25p. The tech retailer had a strong run last year, with its stock up more than 90 [...]