Five at Five: Pearson rejects Apollo, stocks for uncertain times, rocketing profit for Inspired and recession risks elevated...

Here’s Proactive’s round-up of the top financial stories of the day, with helpful links taking you directly to the news

Proactive Published 30/03/2022

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1. Apollo ready to admit defeat over Pearson

Pearson has rejected a third takeover offer from US investment group Apollo worth 884p per share leading the US private equity firm to admit defeat and walk away.

2. Credit Suisse back Lloyds, Diageo and Reckitt

Fifteen stocks pass the defensive test says the Swiss bank with (in the UK) Lloyds Bank, National Grid and Reckitt Benckiser the stand-outs.

3. Inspired’s chief executive sits down with Proactive

Revenues over 2021 rose 47% and profits by 30% as optimisation activity bounced back from Covid to record levels, with customers needing it more than ever with the gas price soaring.

4. Footsie finishes higher

Thr FTSE 100 index closed 41.50 points, or 0.55% higher at 7,578.75 on Wednesday as oil and commodity share price gains outweighed inflation concerns.

5. Inverted yield curve doesn't mean recession, but risks are higher

When the interest rate (yield) on shorter-dated government bonds rises above those of longer-term treasuries, many people in finance get the willies.