Goldman Sachs is positioning for a fresh wave of dealmaking and capital markets activity as Wall Street bets that Donald Trump’s return to the White House will usher in a more business-friendly regulatory environment and stronger corporate activity. Shares in Goldman had climbed about 55% in 2024 by early December, putting the investment bank on course for its strongest annual gain in more than a decade as investors anticipated a revival in mergers, acquisitions and equity is

Merger Mondays are making a comeback on Wall Street as a fresh wave of multibillion-dollar transactions signals renewed confidence among corporate dealmakers after two years of subdued mergers and acquisitions activity. Advertising giant Omnicom agreed to acquire rival Interpublic Group in a $13.25 billion all-stock transaction, creating the world’s largest advertising agency by revenue. The combined business would generate more than $25 billion in annual revenue and is expec

Citigroup is heading into the final quarter of 2024 with renewed momentum across investment banking and markets, as a rebound in dealmaking and capital markets activity strengthens the Wall Street lender’s year-end outlook. Chief Financial Officer Mark Mason said, investment banking fees were expected to rise by 25% to 30% from a year earlier, supported by stronger activity in equity capital markets, debt capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. Citi also expects markets

UK mortgage borrowers have received a pre-Christmas boost after NatWest and Coventry Building Society announced a fresh round of rate reductions, intensifying competition among lenders as the market shows signs of stabilising after months of volatility. NatWest cut rates across its residential and buy-to-let mortgage ranges by as much as 0.39%, with changes taking effect from 6 December 2024. Residential two-year fixed rates started from 4.27% at 60% loan-to-value, while five

Leading social mobility organisations are urging UK financial regulators to force firms to report the socio-economic backgrounds of their employees, intensifying pressure on the industry to break what campaigners describe as a persistent "class ceiling". Progress Together, the Social Mobility Foundation and upReach have called on the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority to make socio-economic background a mandatory reporting metric rather than leavi

London’s battle to restore its standing as a leading global listing destination is intensifying, with London Stock Exchange chief executive Dame Julia Hoggett backing sweeping market reforms as the UK seeks to reverse a prolonged decline in initial public offerings. London accounted for just 2% of European IPO proceeds between January and April 2024, according to Reuters, after a series of high-profile companies chose alternative markets or were acquired and removed from the

Lloyds Banking Group chief executive Charlie Nunn has warned that uncertainty surrounding the UK motor finance industry risks making Britain less attractive to international investors, as lenders confront potentially substantial compensation costs from disputed commission arrangements. The controversy intensified after the Court of Appeal ruled in October 2024 that car dealers acting as credit brokers could not lawfully receive certain commissions from lenders without adequat

HSBC has reshaped the leadership of its investment banking operations as chief executive Georges Elhedery accelerates a sweeping reorganisation designed to simplify the group and sharpen its focus on businesses where it holds a competitive advantage. Adam Bagshaw has been appointed Global Head of Investment Banking, strengthening HSBC’s leadership across corporate finance and international client relationships. He previously served as co-head of global banking alongside Matth