Investor confidence at Barclays was shaken this week when the company announced that it and a number of former executives were being charged by the Serious Fraud Office in relation to fundraisings in the Gulf during the financial crisis. Our banking correspondent Emma Powell examines the implications and also confirms our positive stance on the shares.
Sticking with the Gulf, the Saudi royal family has seen some tumult this week after the King’s son Mohammed bin Salman replaced his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef as heir to the throne this week. The new heir apparent has been a prime mover in economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, moves which have brought Saudi Aramco close to launching the world’s biggest IPO. Our resources specialist Alex Newman’s feature finds out what it could offer to investors.
Meanwhile, the alternative lenders have been in the news this week with Provident Financial’s shares coming under pressure – although we remain positive, and challenger bank Shawbrook looking like it is heading off the market soon.
