The Times
Trump predicts a deal will be done with China: Donald Trump has sought to allay fears of a trade war with China by predicting that “a deal will be done” that defuses the tit-for-tat tariff battle that sent markets reeling last week.
Royal Mail Parcel Chief in line to take reins as Greene leaves: It is understood that Moya Greene, who has led the privatised national postal company since 2010 and took it through its flotation in 2013, is to step down sooner rather than later.
Deutsche Bank picks insider Christian Sewing for top job: Deutsche Bank is poised to name a long-serving insider as Chief Executive as part of a wider boardroom shake-up as it brings the curtain down on John Cryan’s turbulent three-year reign.
Growth fears beat Brexit as biggest anxiety for business: Weak growth has displaced uncertainty about Britain’s future relationship with its largest trading partner as the main risk facing U.K. corporates, according to a quarterly survey of finance Directors by the accountants Deloitte.
The Independent
U.K. economy will be worse than all other G7 advanced countries this year, City Bosses warn: U.K. economic growth will lag behind all other G7 advanced nations this year, the world’s biggest financial firms have warned. Almost three-quarters of 100 senior Executives surveyed said they worry that U.K. economic growth will be weaker this year than in any other advanced economy – a dramatic worsening of sentiment compared to a year ago when just 23% held that view.
Number of buy-to-let landlords reaches record high despite tax hike: The number of buy-to-let investors in the U.K. rose to a record high of 2.5 million in the latest tax year, new research shows. The increase of 5% on the previous year comes despite the introduction of a host of extra taxes and regulations on the sector.
Financial Times
Citic Resources plans stake sale to Kazakhstan: Hong Kong listed Citic Resources Holdings is negotiating with Kazakhstan to sell a significant minority stake to the country, which is preparing to play a bigger role in Beijing’s “Belt and Road” trade and development initiative, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.
Larry Fink identifies China as critical BlackRock priority: Larry Fink said China was a top BlackRock priority after Beijing last year granted foreign asset management companies greater access to the world’s second-biggest economy, even as trade tension between China and the U.S. are ratcheting up.
Barclays plans to split euro trading hub over Brexit: Barclays is preparing to split its euro rates trading team because of Brexit and plans to move part of the unit that trades eurozone government bonds and interest rate swaps away from its main trading floor in London.
HSBC brings in AI to help spot money laundering: HSBC is bringing in robots to help it spot money laundering, fraud and terrorist funding, as the latest bank to harness artificial intelligence to tackle financial crime more quickly and cheaply than with armies of compliance staff.
Celgene hunts deals to offset loss of Revlimid patent protection: Celgene, one of the world’s largest biotech groups, is hunting for acquisition targets with promising drugs to offset the loss of patent protection on its top medicine, according to people briefed on its plans.
Sotheby’s brings back fees for online-only auctions: Sotheby’s will no longer automatically waive fees for buyers in online-only auctions, as it seeks to profit from growth in this part of the market.
China TV maker TCL feels the heat from U.S. trade tensions: China’s TCL Corporation, the world’s third-largest TV manufacturer, has seen its fast-growing U.S. sales put under new pressure by Washington’s vow to levy a 25% tariff on imports of flatscreen televisions from China.
Banks urge Toshiba to push ahead with Bain deal: Toshiba’s biggest lenders are urging the company to push ahead with the ¥2 trillion sale of its prized memory chip unit despite calculations by an activist shareholder that the business is worth more than twice that figure, say bankers close to the situation.
Saudi Arabia agrees to gender mixing for local Apple staff: Apple has spearheaded a push by foreign consumer brands to ensure male and female employees will be allowed to work side-by-side in Saudi Arabia, removing a key obstacle to foreign investment in the kingdom.
Facebook suspends another data analytics firm: Facebook has suspended another data analytics firm with links to Cambridge university pending an investigation into the potential leak of personal data.
Lex:
Sinclair: flip the script: The broadcaster now is the centre of attention.
he Daily Telegraph
Nationwide and Virgin Money dip deep into cheap Bank of England funds: Nationwide and Virgin Money dipped deep into cheap Bank of England funding in the final months before the taps turned off on a £127 billion scheme.
Disney shells out £1.3 billion to make Marvel films in the U.K.: Marvel films have had an heroic impact in Britain, according to accounts that show Disney has spent more than £1.3 billion to produce elements of the series here over the years.
BrewDog beer plans stock flotation as soon as 2020: The Co-Founder of BrewDog has said the beer brand is targeting a stock market float as soon as 2020 following a hefty private equity investment.
North Sea Bosses head to oil rig after shock strike action: North Sea Oil Bosses will later today face disgruntled rig workers following an unofficial strike at the weekend over working conditions on a multi-billion pound Statoil project.
The Guardian
U.K. government aims to streamline house sales with new measures: Estate agents will be required to obtain a professional qualification and disclose payments for referring customers to solicitors, surveyors or mortgage brokers under government plans aimed at streamline property sales.
Tiger Founder ready to launch new kids and toys chain in U.K.: The retail entrepreneur who conquered the U.K. high street with the Danish brand Tiger is looking to repeat the success with the launch of a new children’s clothing and toy chain.
Daily Mail
Investors exploiting turmoil at WPP to push for break-up of firm’s sprawling global empire: Investors are exploiting turmoil at WPP to push for a break-up of the firm’s sprawling global empire, it is claimed. They are said to be calling for Bosses to offload Kantar, its £3.5 billion market research arm, and use the cash to pay down debt, launch share buybacks and focus on its core businesses.
John Lewis bombarded by complaints from irate shoppers after customer service meltdown at its home furnishings division: John Lewis has been bombarded by complaints from irate shoppers after a customer service meltdown at its home furnishings division. The department store group announced in February last year a major restructuring of the division, which includes carpets, curtains and flooring.
Struggling High Street chain Mothercare is mulling store closures as Bosses try to turn around fortunes: Struggling High Street chain Mothercare is mulling store closures as Bosses try to turn around its fortunes. The firm could close up to a third of its 143 U.K. stores or renegotiate rents, under a possible company voluntary agreement.
Daily Express
Airbnb management group Hostmaker in takeover talks with major rivals: Hostmaker, the British Airbnb apartment management group, is in takeover talks with one of its major rivals, according to Founder and Chief Executive Nakul Sharma.
Sky has a whale of a time raising money for Ocean project: Sky is understood to be close to securing outside investment for its £25 million green venture capital fund, which it set up to help solve plastic pollution in the oceans.
The Scottish Herald
Scots economy flat but pick-up projected, RBS survey reveals: Scottish economic growth ground to a halt in the first quarter but companies project a pick-up in the coming six months, a key survey reveals.
City A.M.
Nightclub operator Deltic prepares for night on the town as IPO plans are put back on the table: Nightclub operator Deltic has put plans for a public market float back on the table, mulling a capital markets day for later this month.
Asos to come under investors’ spotlight as infrastructure spending increases are expected in half year results: The London-listed firm, which is currently valued at more than £5.8 billion, is expected to announce an increase in infrastructure spending of around £200 million to £220 million as it races to keep up with consumer demand.
