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Tuesday newspaper round-up: Natural gas pact, inheritance tax, global brands

(Sharecast News) - Germany is keen to talk to Britain about a solidarity pact that would allow Europe's largest consumers of natural gas to bail each other out if an extreme cold snap were to create shortages this winter, German officials have said. Such an agreement could be mutually beneficial for both London and Berlin, the German civil servant in charge of rationing in the case of a supply crisis told the Guardian in an interview. - Guardian A slump in the pound has seen US investors put almost $1bn into London commercial property in recent months even as other international investors take flight. American investors spent $929m (£809m) on commercial property such as offices, shops and warehouses in the capital between July and September, according to data compiled by Savills. That was almost double the $479m invested by US businesses in the second quarter. - Telegraph

Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a new tax raid on inheritance as he battles to balance the books at next week's Autumn Statement. The Chancellor and Rishi Sunak are understood to have agreed to freeze the threshold above which people must pay tax for another two years. - Telegraph

Global corporations including UPS and Manpower were among 18 companies pursued by the UK government for failing to comply with rules governing the treatment of suppliers, a criminal offence punishable by fines. The business department launched proceedings against them for failing to abide by rules related to the reporting of supplier-payment performance, The Times can reveal. They all complied with the rules after the government intervened - but one, part of Europe's largest veterinary group, took more than three months to do so. - The Times

A leading British fund manager has been increasing its investment in debt issued by UK companies in the belief that the rapid raising of interest rates by central bankers could be nearing its peak and that the risk of borrowers defaulting is already priced into corporate bonds. The yields on UK corporate bonds have risen sharply since the start of this year on the back of the increase in government debt and fears of growing pressure on companies as the economic outlook darkens. - The Times

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Wednesday newspaper round-up: Wealth tax, net zero economy, Sizewell C
(Sharecast News) - The London stock market risks "drifting into irrelevance" without government and regulatory reforms, ranging from tax breaks for stock market listings to looser bonus rules for directors, a lobbying group has said. The 20 recommendation put forward by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which lobbies on behalf of UK businesses, suggest financial incentives, marketing campaigns and boardroom pay are central to guaranteeing the future success of the London Stock Exchange, which has been losing stock market listings and floats to foreign rivals. - Guardian
Tuesday newspaper round-up: NDAs, Amazon, wealth tax, Seraphine
(Sharecast News) - Bosses in the UK will be banned from using non-disclosure agreements to silence employees who have suffered harassment and discrimination in the workplace as part of the government's overhaul of workers' rights. Ministers will on Monday night table amendments to the government's employment rights bill to prohibit the widespread practice of using legally enforceable NDAs to conceal unacceptable behaviour at work. - Guardian
Monday newspaper round-up: EasyJet staff, hiring confidence, Apple
(Sharecast News) - Donald Trump has said that his administration plans to start sending letters on Monday to US trade partners dictating new tariffs, amid confusion over when the new rates will come into effect. "It could be 12, maybe 15 [letters]," the president told reporters, "and we've made deals also, so we're going to have a combination of letters and some deals have been made." - Guardian
Sunday newspaper round-up: Trade, AstraZeneca, Tax hikes
(Sharecast News) - Brussels is heading into a critical week, with just two to go to clinch a trade agreement with the US or face a 50% levy on its exports. At stake are €1.6trn in transatlantic trade. Germany is down as favouring a quick deal akin to that inked by the UK so as to avoid a full-blown trade war. Paris on the other hand believes that the EU should hold out if too quick a deal is "imbalanced" - Guardian

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

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