STOCKS TO WATCH: Royal Mail bullying tarnishing shares

STOCKS TO WATCH: Unfolding bullying affair at Royal Mail threatening to tarnish stellar year for its shares

The unfolding bullying affair at Royal Mail is threatening to tarnish a stellar year for its shares. 

The Mail on Sunday revealed last month that new boss Simon Thompson has vowed to root out longstanding bullying problems at the former state monopoly. 

Pledge: We revealed that new boss Simon Thompson has vowed to root out longstanding bullying problems at Royal Mail

The pledge has emboldened a wave of employees to share their harrowing claims, with many alleging they have been victims of verbal assaults or forced to take on too much work. 

Now one of the company’s investors, Edentree Investment Management, has expressed concern. 

Edentree’s Neville White said it plans to speak to the firm about the issue, adding: ‘During the pandemic, the Royal Mail has delivered for the country despite having to overcome sickness within its own workforce and as investors we commend the dedication of our postal workers. 

‘To that end, we support efforts that drive out all forms of bullying at the company.’

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Long-suffering BT shareholders could be forgiven for hanging up on the telecoms giant ahead of its recent rally. 

This week brings its annual results, with analysts pencilling in adjusted profits of £7.5billion, down from £7.9billion a year ago. 

Football fans have spent the past week lapping up English teams’ Champions League triumphs on BT Sport, and investors will be keen to hear the progress of talks to sell a stake in the broadcaster. 

Chief executive Philip Jansen – who has had to contend with rumours of a rift between him and outgoing chairman Jan Du Plessis – has already ditched the dividend this year, so any indication of when payouts may return will be eagerly anticipated. 

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Adopt the brace position as stock markets reopen tomorrow, allowing investors to trade on reaction to the Government’s green list of holiday destinations. 

Among the likely stocks changing hands will be travel firm Tui, which also has half-year results this week. 

Tui has just raised another €400million (£350million) to keep it on a steady footing. Any positive update on holiday bookings could reassure the City over its future.

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The French biotech Valneva is busily manufacturing its Covid-19 vaccine in Scotland and this week took advantage of positive sentiment on pharma stocks to float on the Nasdaq. 

The firm, also listed on Euronext, raised $93.5million (£67million) through the listing. It handed chief executive Thomas Lingelbach and finance boss David Lawrence stock worth nearly $3million each. 

The latter hit headlines when he was fined for speeding at 108mph in the Scottish Highlands as he raced home to Edinburgh for a meeting with Ministers last year. 

The float will mark a handy sign-off for Lawrence, who is retiring, and describes himself as a Scotch malt whisky fan.