Mergers and acquisitions involving British firms fell to a three-year low last year. Deal volumes totalled $355bn, down from $603bn in 2015.
The global backdrop was partly to blame, with fears over Chinese growth last January and jitters over the US presidential election result unnerving investors. The Brexit vote and the immediate resignation of David Cameron "added to the sense of unease", as Deirdre Hipwell notes in The Times.
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Steve Webb: The triple lock is there to do a job. I’m not embarrassed or ashamed of itThe triple lock means 13 million pensioners will now get an above-inflation state pension boost in April. While the rising cost of the policy has stirred controversy, Steve Webb, who served as pensions minister when it was introduced, argues the triple lock is vital and should stay. Webb speaks to Kalpana Fitzpatrick on the new episode of MoneyWeek Talks – out now.
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How retirement pots risk running out 11 years early if inflation remains highPension savers could find their retirement income may not last as long as they anticipated over fears that inflation may not slow down
