NatWest shares plunge after warning on rising costs

NatWest’s shares fell as much as 9% on Friday after the British bank warned of rising costs, and as its third-quarter results were hit by a deteriorating UK economic outlook that prompted an increase in bad debt provisions.
Analysis: Sterling returns to the 1980s, and it may get cheaper still

Sterling’s slide against the dollar to a rate last seen in 1985 has sparked talk of a dramatic spiral downwards that ends in a collapse in confidence in British assets and a balance of payments crisis.
KPMG escapes record fine over Carillion, Regenersis audit checks

KPMG was fined 14.4 million pounds ($17.27 million) on Monday after the accounting firm admitted to providing false and misleading information to its regulator during spot checks on audits of construction firm Carillion and outsourcing firm Regenersis.
Analysis: Private equity’s swoop on listed European firms runs into rising execution risks

European listed companies have not been this cheap for more than a decade, yet for private equity firms looking to put their cash piles to work, costlier financing and stronger resistance from businesses are complicating dealmaking.
Barclays strikes $2.8 bln deal to buy mortgage lender Kensington

Barclays (BARC.L) has struck a deal worth around 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) to buy specialist lender Kensington Mortgage Company, extending its reach in Britain’s housing market.
Major UK companies plan 2022 investment surge – Deloitte

Major British companies plan a surge in investment in 2022 to meet strong demand and respond to climate change against a backdrop of growing labour shortages, according to a survey from accountants Deloitte.
The New Masters: How auction houses are chasing crypto millions

Little could James Christie have known some 240 years ago, as he sold masterpieces by Rembrandt and Rubens to Catherine the Great, that his auction house would one day offer virtual apes to a crypto company for over $1 million.