The Horizon Group’s Post

UK Financial Firms Eye IPOs as Europe's Market Awaits Boost UK-based financial entities such as Canopius Group, Banco Santander's Ebury, and Revolut are contemplating initial public offerings (IPOs), which could potentially invigorate Europe's market recovery. Despite this, up to this point in the year, European IPOs have amassed €13 billion, a sum that falls short of the figures witnessed in 2021. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is deliberating on implementing alterations to enhance London's capital markets. One prospective change involves streamlining commercial insurance regulations and reducing compliance burdens, with the aim of facilitating business operations. The performance of the European stock market has been relatively lackluster. The Stoxx 600 index has shown minimal movement, and earnings have not exceeded expectations. Investor confidence is somewhat shaky, particularly in light of concerns about the economy and a deceleration in China’s growth. However, there is a glimmer of optimism. Adam Cox, a figure at PwC UK, exudes positivity regarding the financial services sector in the UK. He believes that the nation's formidable standing in finance will attract investors, particularly those eyeing companies with expansion plans. Despite the current air of caution in the market, there is a prevailing sense that a turnaround may be on the horizon, especially if more companies opt for public offerings. Stay tuned for further developments! # Thank you Luisa Rossi for your submission!

Some rays of light amid the gloom? More than 2,000 UK firms went bust in February, nearly a fifth more than the same time last year, according to the latest research. However, there are some rays of light amid the gloom. The UK has returned to growth after a brief recession at the end of last year, although trading conditions still remain challenging. A survey commissioned by KPMG of 150 senior executives revealed that financial services leaders are confident about their second quarter results. “Around 87% had a positive outlook on profitability, up four points from January.” Nevertheless, interest rates remain at a 16 year high and inflationary pressures are still pushing up operating costs, the survey found. “Nearly 40% of leaders named cost pressures as the biggest challenge facing their business in the coming quarter.” In addition, a survey by Lloyds found that output in most sectors had returned to growth although Bibby financial services has found that interest rates and political uncertainty are holding back many businesses from investing. This is no time for businesses to take their eyes off the ball. It is crucial to keep track of cash flow and that’s where we can help. To help you keep track you might want to download our free cash management tool here: https://lnkd.in/ee3pfuGa If you would like to talk over the state of your business you can also book a free call with K2 here https://lnkd.in/edy2aGmd   #K2BusinessPartners #cashflow #insolvency #returntogrowth #businessconfidence    

Check out Capstone's Annual Consumer M&A report; it includes sector highlights on both the E-commerce and Health & Wellness verticals. #consumer #mergersandacquisitions #ecommerce #DTCbrands #vitaminsandsupplements #healthandwellness #middlemarket

Deal activity in the Asia-Pacific finance sector is set to gradually pick up after multiple factors, including high interest rates and a challenging fund-raising market, dragged deal count in 2023 to the worst level in at least a decade, write my colleagues Shahrukh Madni and Muhammad Uneeb Asim write.

Singapore banks have launched promotions for savings accounts, promising guaranteed cash, cash rewards, and even lucky draws. Considering the returns from these promotions, do they provide you with sufficient financial benefits, or would you be better off investing your money elsewhere? In this Lianhe Zaobao article, our Client Adviser, Bryan Reginald Chan, CFP®, shares a cautious view, reminding depositors to pay close attention to the terms and conditions of such promotions. At Providend, we believe it is crucial for our clients to have clarity on their financial positions and to develop a comprehensive long-term wealth plan. This plan will enable them to reach their life goals and have peace of mind, with retirement in mind. Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/d3svTdQ9

Denise Wee from Bloomberg reports: "Sliding stock and property markets are pushing wealthy investors from Hong Kong and mainland China into private credit to chase big yields in the $1.7 trillion industry despite warnings of rising defaults. Some of Hong Kong’s biggest family offices including Nan Fung Trinity are following global peers to ramp up investments in alternative assets offered by firms such as Blackstone Inc. and Apollo Global Management Inc. Others like wealth manager Carret Private Investments Ltd. are investing in direct private credit deals, with some offering returns of more than 20%.... A survey by #Deloitte and Raffles Family Office showed a quarter of #familyoffices in Asia aimed to allocate more to private debt and direct lending this year — the same percentage globally — exceeding other asset classes including fixed income and private equity..." #familyoffice #investing #wealthmanagement #deloitteprivate Wolfe Tone Adrian Batty Yali Yin Anthony Lau Sekar Kr Christina Staples

In February, the West End saw £131m in total volumes from eight transactions, which is a decrease compared to the average volumes seen in the last decade during the same period. However, there was an increase in the number of transactions compared to January. So far this year, there have been twelve transactions totaling just under £300m, which is a significant decrease compared to the averages of the past five and ten years. This is the lowest year-to-date turnover we have seen since 2010. Despite the slow start to volume in Q1, the West End is only down 12% on the five-year average in terms of number of transactions, indicating some liquidity in smaller sizes. The average lot size this year is £16.4m, a big difference from the averages of the past five and ten years.

In February, the West End saw £131m in total volumes from eight transactions, which is a decrease compared to the average volumes seen in the last decade during the same period. However, there was an increase in the number of transactions compared to January. So far this year, there have been twelve transactions totaling just under £300m, which is a significant decrease compared to the averages of the past five and ten years. This is the lowest year-to-date turnover we have seen since 2010. Despite the slow start to volume in Q1, the West End is only down 12% on the five-year average in terms of number of transactions, indicating some liquidity in smaller sizes. The average lot size this year is £16.4m, a big difference from the averages of the past five and ten years.

🌟 Lower Borrowing Costs on the Horizon for 2024: Seize the Moment with Strategic Financial Planning 🌟 As a seasoned wealth manager here in the vibrant financial hub of Singapore, I've witnessed our economy's dynamic responses to global and local fiscal shifts. Looking towards 2024, there's palpable optimism as we anticipate reduced borrowing costs. This projection invites a pivotal opportunity for individuals to recalibrate their financial strategies. What does this mean for you? Here are key considerations to maximize the potential of lowering interest rates: 🔍 Revisit Your Debt Strategy: Lower borrowing costs can be a prime time to restructure existing debt or finance new ventures. Consider refinancing high-interest loans or mortgages to take advantage of the reduced rates, potentially saving you significant sums in the long term. 🏠 Property Investment: If real estate is on your radar, the forecast calls for an opportune market climate. Lower interest rates can increase your buying power, giving you a competitive edge in acquiring property, be it for personal use or investment purposes. 📈 Investment Rebalancing: A shift in interest rates can impact various asset classes differently. Review your investment portfolio with an eye towards sectors that stand to benefit from the economic environment. This ensures your investments align with the evolving market. 🔮 Plan for the Long Haul: While it’s important to leverage favorable conditions, it’s equally critical to prepare for eventual rate increases. Incorporate flexibility into your financial plan to ensure resilience against future economic fluctuations. 💡 The bottom line: Lower borrowing costs present a strategic window for those prepared to act. However, the cornerstone of capitalizing on these opportunities lies in sound financial planning. Partnering with a seasoned wealth manager can provide you with the insights and guidance needed to navigate these changing tides with finesse and foresight. Let’s work together to optimize your financial playbook in anticipation of these shifts. 📲 Interested in crafting a strategic response to the upcoming changes in borrowing costs? Reach out to start the conversation – your future self will thank you. #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #InvestmentOpportunities #StrategicGrowth #FinancialResilience Eric Tan Wealth Specialist IBF Advanced (Level 3) Source: The Straits Times - 2.1.2024

The PE rebound expected in H2! KPMG's most recent study revealed 321 mid-market transactions were completed during the first six months of the year, representing a drop of 11% when compared to 360 transactions completed during the same period in 2023. However, against pre-pandemic M&A activity (H1 2019), 2024’s figure reflects an increase in activity of 25%, suggesting the market has begun to normalise. Alex Hartley, Head of Private Equity within corporate finance at KPMG UK, states that “despite a slower start to the year, we’re optimistic that with greater economic and political stability, there are strong fundamentals for the M&A market to return to healthier levels of activity. Both private equity firms and lenders are back in the market looking to complete transactions, albeit the quality threshold for doing deals remains high." #privateequity #dealtransactions #2024market