Mars Acquires UK's Hotel Chocolat for £534m; Jobless Claims Rise as Walmart Warns on Spending; Young's Expands with £162m Pub Deal; Pound Hits 6-Month Low Despite BoE Warning; EY Names Janet Truncale as First Female CEO
-
Mars has agreed to acquire UK chocolatier Hotel Chocolat in a £534m deal to help expand it internationally. Mars is paying a 170% premium over Hotel Chocolat's share price.
-
US jobless claims rose last week, indicating potential weakening in the labor market. Walmart has also warned consumer spending has weakened recently.
-
Young's is acquiring rival pub group City Pub Group in a £162m deal, consolidating its position as a top pub operator in London.
-
The pound hit a 6-month low against the euro as traders anticipate UK interest rate cuts despite a BoE policymaker warning it's too early.
-
EY has appointed Janet Truncale as its next CEO, making her the first woman to lead a Big Four accounting firm.