European Press Roundup: U.K. Dividends Hit Record High in 2018

In Europe today, Philip Hampton intends to step down as GlaxoSmithKline chairman while Henkel shares fall on weaker-than-expected guidance. Read about the above topics on Dow Jones Newswires or WSJ.com.

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U.K.-listed firms paid record dividends of GBP99.8 billion in 2018, up 5.1% from the previous year, according to a report by Link Asset Services. Payouts were boosted by the weaker pound, and the mining sector was the biggest contributor. -The Guardian

German industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp wants to invest EUR10 billion by 2050 to lower carbon emissions by shifting towards hydrogen-based steel production. Thyssen aims to contribute to climate protection and comply with E.U. plans for carbon-free manufacturing by modernizing its facilities and phasing out coking coal in its steel plants. -Handelsblatt

The ECB has included Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit, Italy's largest banks, in a group of stronger European banks, which it wants to cover at least 60% of all secured bad loans by 2020 and reach 100% by 2024. As for unsecured bad loans, the banks are expected to cover at least 70% by 2020 and 100% by 2023. UBI Banca, Banco BPM and BPER Banca were included in a second-tier group of banks, which should have more time to cover bad loans. -Il Sole 24 Ore

The leader of the British opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, is unlikely to back a second referendum on the country's withdrawal from the E.U. until Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan B is voted on, as Labour Party strategists believe there is a majority, both in the shadow cabinet and in parliament, against shifting towards fully backing a referendum. -The Guardian

The U.K. retail sector is set to lose 175,000 jobs and 23,000 shops in 2019 according to research by real-estate advisors Altus Group. This compares with 150,000 job losses and 20,000 store closures in 2018. -Retail Gazette

A draft law aimed at taxing the so-called FAANG in France will be submitted to the council of ministers by the end of February, Labor Minister Bruno Le Maire said in an interview Sunday. Paris keeps moving ahead alone as the E.U. failed to find an agreement to levy big tech firms. -JDD

Taxi drivers in Madrid join their Barcelona colleagues in a strike to protest over the regulation of ride-hailing services. Barcelona taxi drivers have also been blocking one the most important city avenues since Friday. -El Pais

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 21, 2019 07:54 ET (12:54 GMT)

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