Business

Microsoft has agreed a deal to buy the troubled Call of Duty and Candy Crush gaming firm Activision Blizzard for $68.7bn (£50.5bn). The all-cash takeover will give the Xbox maker a leap into the mobile gaming sphere and “play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms,” according to Microsoft boss Satya Nadella. The

Amazon has announced that it will not stop accepting Visa credit cards for UK payments later this week as had been planned. In an email to customers, the online retailer said it was “working closely with Visa on a potential solution”. The move had been due to take effect on 19 January with Amazon blaming

Credit Suisse’s chairman has resigned just nine months into the role after breaching COVID-19 quarantine rules – in fresh controversy for the global investment bank as it recovers from a string of scandals. Antonio Horta-Osorio’s departure was announced by the Switzerland-based lender on Monday in an abrupt move that comes less than a year after

There is no winter sport resort quite like Chamonix. Nestled in the shadow of Mont Blanc, it has a glittering history and a reputation for challenging even the best skiers. People travel from all around the world to try their luck on these slopes. And now, the British can join them once again. For nearly

A former executive at Farfetch, the online luxury fashion platform, is a contender to become the next boss of ASOS, the £2.3bn digital retailer. Sky News has learnt that Andrew Robb, who left Farfetch in 2020, is among the candidates being considered by the London-listed company as the successor to Nick Beighton. The choice of

The high street retailer WH Smith has been plunged into a major pay row with investors amid heightened tensions over boardroom rewards as Britain grapples with a deepening crisis over pressure on household bills. Sky News has learnt that three of the main proxy advisers which issue guidance to City shareholders ahead of annual meetings

Lord John Sainsbury of Preston Candover – the former chairman of the supermarket chain – has died aged 94. The supermarket’s current chairman and chief executive announced the death of the Baron on Friday evening, saying he had lived a “remarkable life”. Martin Scicluna said: “We are all deeply saddened to learn of the death

Customers can expect to pay more for electrical and tech goods in 2022 with price increases “inevitable”, the boss of Currys has told Sky News. Speaking to Ian King Live, group chief executive Alex Baldock pointed to rising costs ranging from components and transport through to wages. However, he said the electrical retail giant would

Britain’s economy grew stronger than expected in November before the Omicron variant struck, bouncing back for the first time above pre-pandemic levels. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) had risen 0.9% during the month, up from a just 0.1% rise in October. Analysts had predicted a 0.4% rise in November.

An estimated 3% of the UK workforce was off work in late December while a fifth of businesses reported increased cancellations over the past month amid the surge in the Omicron variant, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number-crunchers reported that 21% of firms had seen a rise in

Ovo Energy, the UK’s third-largest household supplier, has informed staff of its decision to cut its workforce by a quarter. Sky News reported on Wednesday evening that 1,700 roles were to be axed in a bid to save money as the industry battles crippling rises in the cost of raw energy, especially gas, that have

Ovo Energy, the UK’s third-biggest gas and electricity supplier, is to cut a quarter of its workforce as part of a restructuring aimed at saving costs amid the deepening industry crisis. Sky News has learnt that Ovo could announce details of its plans as soon as Thursday, with roughly 1,700 out of 6,200 roles expected

Former directors of Thomas Cook, one of Britain’s biggest travel companies, are to be formally cleared of wrongdoing by the government’s bankruptcy watchdog after a probe lasting more than two years. Sky News has learnt that the Insolvency Service has concluded its investigation into the collapse of Thomas Cook, which was forced into compulsory liquidation

The World Bank has warned of a “pronounced slowdown” in global growth as threats from new COVID-19 variants and cost of living pressures bite. It also pointed to the risks of debt and income inequality as it stressed in particular the risk to emerging and developing economies. The warning came as separate figures showed inflation

Heathrow Airport has called for all coronavirus testing to be dropped for fully-vaccinated people while revealing that “at least” 600,000 passengers cancelled flights during the key holiday month of December. The UK’s largest airport said “swiftly imposed” action during the month to tackle the Omicron variant in the run-up to the festive season prompted uncertainty

A residential energy supplier part-owned by a Cheshire local authority is lining up administrators amid suggestions that it could collapse as soon as this week. Sky News has learnt that Together Energy, which serves about 170,000 homes, is preparing to call in insolvency practitioners from FRP Advisory, the London-listed restructuring firm. One energy industry executive

The chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (RRMC) has told Sky News the company expects to continue to be immune from the global shortage of semiconductors holding back the wider car industry. Torsten Müller-Ötvös was speaking after the BMW-owned but Goodwood-based luxury marque revealed a record set of annual sales figures for 2021 – the

With lots of focus on the current cost of living crisis, new data for Sky News reveals which professions have been most affected. UK wage data from hiring website Indeed shows that only a few jobs have experienced wage increases far higher than inflation since the start of the pandemic. Those with the highest pay

WH Smith has kicked off a search for a new chairman as the high street and travel hub-focused retailer continues to grapple with the impact of the pandemic. Sky News understands that headhunters advising the chain have begun approaching prospective replacements for Henry Staunton, who has chaired the business since 2013. Mr Staunton, a former

The British company which has orchestrated a torrent of retail share placings for cash-strapped companies during the pandemic is in advanced talks to sell a big stake to the world’s largest technology investor. Sky News has learnt that PrimaryBid is close to finalising the details of a $150m (£110m) funding round that will be led