BUSINESS LIVE: Oil prices up on conflict fears; JD Sports sales record; AO World eyes Music Magpie takeover

Starling Bank has been fined £29million by the City watchdog for shortcomings in the British digital lender’s financial crime systems and controls.

The Financial Conduct Authority said Starling discovered last year its automated screening system had only been screening customers against a fraction of the full list of those subject to financial sanctions.

A subsequent internal review identified systemic issues in its financial sanctions framework and the bank has reported multiple potential breaches of financial sanctions to the relevant authorities.

Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, said: ‘Starling’s financial sanction screening controls were shockingly lax. It left the financial system wide open to criminals and those subject to sanctions.

‘It compounded this by failing to properly comply with FCA requirements it had agreed to, which were put in place to lower the risk of Starling facilitating financial crime.’

AO World has agreed to buy MusicMagpie in a deal worth almost £10million in an effort to expand its mobile and consumer technology offering.

AO World will pay MusicMagpie investors about 9.1 pence for every share they hold, a 58 per cent premium to the firm’s closing share price on Tuesday.

Mike Ashley faces stiff opposition from billionaire investors in Singapore as he battles to take control of Mulberry.

The tracksuit tycoon, whose Frasers Group is the second largest shareholder in the British fashion house with a 37 per cent stake, this week launched a bid to buy the whole company in a deal that would value it at £83million.

Saga is in talks with Belgium’s Ageas over a potential partnership for its insurance business.

The group, which specialises in holidays and insurance for people over 50, has been struggling with its insurance business and a rising debt pile.

Brent Crude futures have continued their climb in early trading, adding another 2.2 per cent to $75.19 a barrel.

Demand for electric cars across Europe is ‘on a continual downward trajectory’ after a ‘spectacular’ collapse in sales in Germany and France.

In the latest sign that the brakes have been slammed on the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, figures showed just 92,627 battery-only powered cars were registered in the European Union last month.

Jaguar Land Rover is doubling its investment in a ‘factory of the future’ on Merseyside to build electric vehicles (EVs).

The UK’s largest carmaker will plough a further £250million into its Halewood plant on top of the £250million spent over the past year.

Adam Vettese, market analyst at investment platform eToro:

‘Following on from Nike’s disappointing numbers yesterday, JD Sports shares are also down this morning despite posting a profit ahead of estimates and reiterated guidance.

‘JD Sports has a multi-brand strategy and is continuing to roll out new stores and make acquisitions globally, yet Nike’s warning that the festive period may be littered with discounts could well have had some contagion effect this morning. Investors who have been in JD Sports for a while will be haunted by last year’s disappointing Christmas figures which saw shares plummet in January and will be looking to avoid a repeat performance this year.

‘That said, conditions for the retailer should be better than 12 months ago with inflation easing up and potentially another rate cut in between now and the end of the year. Shares have steadily climbed this ear paring those January losses but are still some 20% from the 12 month high.’

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown:

‘A subdued tone has hit trading as markets brace for further repercussions from the Middle East crisis.

‘The FTSE 100 has headed higher in early trade, partly because of its defensive nature, helped by strength in energy stocks as oil prices continue their march upwards.

‘The uncertainty has made safe-haven assets like gold more popular, with demand for the precious metal ticking up close to record levels, as violence spills further across the Middle East, briefly climbing above $2,670 an ounce. Already sought after, amid concerns that inflationary pressures would persist, fresh geopolitical fracture has increased demand for gold.

‘The dollar has steadied after gaining ground and US Treasuries proved more popular, indicated by falling yields, as investors have sought out trusted shelters amid the widening conflict.

‘Oil prices are climbing, with Brent Crude approaching $75 a barrel, as supply concerns swirl again, sparked by heightened aggression. These worries are being mitigated by expectations that Saudi Arabia will turn on the taps more fully, and lower demand from China, but upwards pressure is likely to continue while uncertainty reigns about just how far conflict will spread.

‘This has been accompanied by a rise in the Vix Index, the so-called ‘Fear Index’, as speculation swirls about the extent to which the US could be drawn into the war, given its pledge to support Israel.’

Holiday group Saga is in talks with Belgium’s Ageas for a potential partnership for its insurance business.

Saga, which specialises in holidays and insurance for people over 50, has been struggling with its insurance business and a rising debt pile.

The company has taken measures including increasing prices at its insurance underwriting business and reducing its workforce in an effort to control costs.

Naeem Aslam, chief investment officer at Zaye Capital Markets:

‘The current surge in [oil] prices doesn’t indicate that the conflict will expand significantly.

The current rally merely indicates that, similar to previous events, we may witness a larger-scale response from Iran, but beyond that, there will be no further developments.

‘Essentially, oil traders are not currently factoring in the possibility of a full-scale war with Iran. This is because under such scenarios, oil prices would likely surge, with the only significant price level they could easily reach being the 100 dollar mark.

‘It’s crucial to remember that global central banks have only been able to lower interest rates due to stable oil prices. If oil prices start to rise, they will have no choice but to raise interest rates once more.’

Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:

‘After a tough period of volatile conditions and missing market expectations, JD Sports looks to be back on the front foot.

‘Recent retail sector data had pointed to increased discounting at shops to help keep the tills ringing. While that’s good news for customers, it’s not typically good for retailers who tend to feel the effect of increased price cuts on their profit lines.

‘But filling the racks in JD’s stores are exclusive items from the likes of Nike and Adidas. JD is known for its strong brand relationships and is even Nike’s single largest partner globally.

‘Offering these ‘JD Exclusives’ has helped to keep luring customers into stores and paying full price, so profitability has remained in good shape.

‘Sales have improved throughout the first half, with double-digit growth in North America and Europe helping to keep full-year guidance on track, which points to pre-tax profits of between £955-1,035mn.’

Manufacturers have suffered the sharpest drop in confidence since the start of the pandemic – in the latest evidence that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s doom-mongering is weighing on the economy.

AO World is set to buy used smartphones and electronic products retailer musicMagpie for just shy of £10million, in efforts to boost its mobile and consumer tech businesses.

The 9.07p-per-share offer represents a premium of 58 per cent to musicMagpie stock’s closing price on Tuesday.

‘With highly complementary business models, this acquisition will enable us to broaden our customer offerings while simultaneously advancing our sustainability objectives,’ AO World non-executive chair Geoff Cooper said.

JD Sports Fashion beat consensus forecasts for first-half profit amid record sales of £5billion, as the retailer said it was on track to meet annual guidance, showing its multi-brand strategy working at a time when Nike is struggling.

The FTSE 100-listed group, which sells Nike, Adidas, On, HOKA and other brands in Britain, Europe and the US, it would meet targets, despite what it called a competitive and promotional marketplace.

Nike on Tuesday posted disappointing quarterly sales growth and warned its holiday season would likely to be filled with discounts.

Boss Régis Schultz said: ‘Our success is a direct reflection of the strength and agility of our global, multi-brand strategy, which allows us to adapt swiftly to fast-changing industry trends across the world, and our operational excellence.

‘This ensures we continue to deliver an industry-leading customer proposition both in store and online.’

Brent crude prices have spiked 4.8 per cent in the last 24 hours to $74.61 as investors fear further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East could restrict oil supply from the region.