Little old Betaville is not a big fan of travelling on the London tube but it does tend to be a place where this website comes up with its best ideas, conspiracy theories and stories (you would never believe how many bankers read confidential deal documents on the underground and sometimes you can sneak a peek)...
I rekindled my "top of the market?" series back in late December 2016 as the FTSE 100 index began to flirt with a recod high of 7100. Here is the link to that piece in case you don't recall:
https://www.betaville.co.uk/news/top-of-the-market-the-series-returns/
But since then the blue-chip index has powered on, closing yesterday at just over 7400...
Trade publications really are having a good week on the story front this week.
Indeed, today legal publication The Lawyer landed a rather intriguing tale about how a British High Court judge has thrown into question the legitimacy of a £16 million bill charged to Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation by Decherts, the law firm that counts the former deputy prime minister's wife as a partner...
Regular readers will be aware that I have recently re-introduced the "top of the market?" series since the FTSE 100 index started to flirt with fresh all-time highs.
However, little old Betaville likes to give respected commentators with a completely different pespective an opportunity to air their views to provoke thought and debate among readers...
Apologies for the lack of posts Betavillers - I have a had a few (deserved?) days off enjoying the holidays.
Fear not, though, I'm now back in full force. Yes, while many of little old Betaville's competitors continue their merrymaking I'm back at my desk looking to break big stories, provide thoughtful insight and also crack a few jokes...
Mediclinic is preparing to bid for Spire Healthcare, the FTSE 250 company that was formed from the sale of BUPA hospitals.
According to excellent sources, Mediclinic is working with bankers from Morgan Stanley on the potential purchase of the remainder of Spire that it doesn't own (remember last year Mediclinic bought 29.9pc of Spire Healthcare for 360p a share)...
I hear SAB Miller has just cancelled its "goodbye" drinks event scheduled for this Wednesday in London for investors, analysts and brokers...
It turns out Brexit has in fact be rather painful for Crispin Odey, the charming fund manager who campaigned for Britain the leave the European Union.
Stock markets might have crashed the days after the referendum result but since then equity and bond markets have rallied substantially. In particular, London-listed equities that generate earnings abroad have been in serious demand, driving the FTSE 100 to an 11-month high this week...
The venerable Wall Street Journal has just landed a cracking scoop about Mondelez submitting a $23 billion takeover bid for rival Hershey. Hat tip to those hacks who dug up that jackanory. Here is a link to their piece:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/mondelez-makes-takeover-bid-for-hershey-1467297248..