TEMPUS

Good news as easy as one, two, three

IG Group has largely weathered the hit from European regulators
IG Group has largely weathered the hit from European regulators
NEIL HALL/REUTERS

IG Group has been in the wars for almost three years (Patrick Hosking writes). Regulatory crackdowns and long periods of market calm, when punters find more interesting things to do than bet on finance, have made for a torrid time for Britain’s biggest spread betting firm.

Yesterday, though, June Felix, chief executive for the past seven months, at last had some better news for shareholders. First, customers have got their betting juices flowing again, thanks to a recent pick-up in the volatility of markets, largely triggered by the worsening trade war between the United States and China. Net trading revenue for the quarter to May is expected to be £115 millon — a promising increase on the £108 million in the previous quarter and far