Media Bites

Sunday Independent

A SHARP fall in valuations at peer companies has emerged as the biggest threat to the planned IPL Plastics IPO.

An industry source said the fall has the potential to scupper the flotation altogether. The IPO is still expected to go ahead, but the performance of peer companies RPC and Berry is likely to mean the company brings forward a lower price range to market than would otherwise be the case.

Sunday Times

THE UK government is set to impose a statutory code of conduct for big tech companies including Facebook, Google and Twitter.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said the plan is to require companies to publish details on how they locate and remove abusive material.

It may also include measures on political advertising, and on advertising directed at children.

Corriere della Sera

ITALY’S debt agency head Davide Iacovoni said he doesn’t see particularly negative signs from investors in the country’s bonds.

The bonds are being closely watched with a populist coalition poised to take power in Rome.

Despite his relative optimism on the bonds, Mr Iacovoni said debt stabilisation and deficit reduction are of key importance.

Sunday Telegraph

MARKS & Spencer is set to be relegated from the FTSE 100 as poor market conditions continue to hit UK retailers.

The company is set to reveal a fall in pre-tax profits in results on Wednesday. Relegation from the FTSE 100 would be a fall from grace for the company, which has become the UK’s fourth-most-shorted stock.