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- Binance
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned the major Cryptocurrency exchange Binance for conducting its regular activities in the UK. The UK’s watchdog did not clarify the exact reason for banning Binance but said that Binance Markets Ltd, Binance’s only regulated UK entity, cannot carry the regular activities without the prior written consent of the FCA.
Binance offers a range of products and services via its website, Binance.com, to British customers. As per Binance, the move of FCA would have no impact on people’s ability to trade through their website.
Earlier this month, the UK’s financial watchdog issued a warning stating that many crypto exchanges are not meeting its anti-money laundering standards. However, at the weekend published a warning for the consumers that cryptocurrencies are not authorised in the UK.
- UDG Healthcare (LON: UDG)
The US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has moved a step further for taking over UDG Healthcare after raising its offer to £2.8 billion. The firm CD&R has increased its offer to £10.80 a share compared to a bid of £10.23 a share in May. The UDG board has recommended that shareholders accept the offer, as CD&R had not received any rival buyout proposals.
As reported by CD&R, UDG’s biggest shareholder Allianz Global Investors, owns an 8.6% stake, which rejected the initial bid stating it too low, and another shareholder, Kabouter Management which owns a 2.8% stake, had agreed to accept the higher offer.
- Dixon Carphone Plc (LON: DC.)
Dixons Carphone is expecting high demand for electrical goods ahead of the pandemic, as technology has become more important to people. As per the retailer, the company’s annual sales have reached £10.3 billion.
Dixons saw high demand for laptops and games consoles as the demand for remote working increased during the pandemic. So far, as of 1 May, electricals online sales surged 103% to £4.7 billion. Whereas total revenues in the year increased by 2% to £10.3 billion. The reported growth had helped in offsetting the loss that occurred when shops were closed on account of Covid-19 lockdowns.
- AstraZeneca Plc (LON: AZN)
As per the weekly surveillance report released by Public Health England (PHE), a fully vaccinated person with two doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has approximately 94% protection against death from the disease in people aged above 65.
However, the data is derived from a period when alpha variant was first detected in the UK. The PHE report further stated that for the age group under 40, a single dose of Pfizer's vaccine is 61%, and Moderna’s vaccine is 72% effective against the symptomatic disease.
The European airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air holding reported a surge in passengers’ number in June. The people gained the confidence to travel backed by successful vaccination programs in Europe.
Ryanair carried 5.3 million passengers in 38000 flights in June compared to 1.8 million in May and only 400,000 passengers in last June a year ago, Wizz Air Holdings revealed to carry 1.55 million passengers compared to 500,000 people who flew with Wizz air in last June and 3.6 million people in June 2019 pre-pandemic. The surge in number shows regaining confidence in the travel industry as the restrictions are easing gradually.
