FTSE 100 non-executive directors sees lowest levels of fee growth for more than 15 years, rising just three per cent to £65,000 January 25, 2016 Generous pay packets in the boardroom could be set to become a thing of the past, as a new report has found that fees for non-executive directors have grown at their slowest rate for more than 15 years. According to research out today from PwC, the median non-executive director base fee increased by three per cent [...]
Oil price fall set to drag down UK dividends January 25, 2016 The collapse in oil and commodity prices took its toll on UK dividends last year as companies began to feel the bite of the price slump, with the worse expected in 2016. While oil multinationals are expected to maintain payouts, smaller producers with weaker balance sheets have slashed their distributions, according to the latest dividend [...]
Rip out four in five traffic lights to boost British economy, says Institute of Economic Affairs January 25, 2016 The government should scrap four in five traffic lights to boost the economy and improve road safety, an influential think tank has argued. In a new paper out today, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) claims a “huge proliferation in traffic regulations over the past 20 years has imposed a heavy burden” on the UK economy, [...]
Oil price swings expected to continue as market sends mixed messages January 24, 2016 The oil price is expected to remain volatile throughout trading this week after recording massive swings over the last week. Supplies remain high around the world as analysts continue to slash their outlook on the oil price, though industry leaders have remained bullish on a price rise. The oil price staged its biggest two day [...]
With just one week left until self-assessment tax return deadline day, people confess they’d rather undergo a trip to the dentist’s chair than fill out their tax forms January 24, 2016 Unbelievably, there is something people dread more than a trip to the dentist's office, and you don't even get a sticker and a lollipop for good behaviour afterwards. According to a survey by Which?, 38 per cent of people loathe completing their tax return more than they do going to the dentist. Other tasks people would [...]
British banks face landmark legal challenge over mis-selling of interest rate swaps January 24, 2016 Britain's biggest banks are set to face yet another legal challenge tomorrow, when a hearing relating to the mis-selling of rate swap products begins in the Royal Courts of Justice. The hearing, which is expected to last no more than three days, could have far-reaching implications for a multi-billion pound scheme to compensate victims of [...]
IMF director Christine Lagarde says Brexit is one of two big concerns for the world economy January 23, 2016 The International Monetary Fund's director Christine Lagarde has warned that while the world economy is in better shape than a year ago, Brexit is one of the IMF's two big concerns. Speaking on a panel at Davos, Lagarde said the possibility that the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union is a concern for the world economy. Read more: Lagarde [...]
The FTSE crash is not Armageddon – but investors should still be light on their feet January 23, 2016 We all know that "hindsight" is the most successful trader in the world. Its performance has always been exemplary since time immemorial. However, alarm bells should have started ringing after the Shanghai Composite had added 150 per cent in value between June 2014 and June 2015, just when it was becoming decidedly obvious that China’s economy [...]
Davos World Economic Forum: Swiss soldiers sent home for taking cocaine January 23, 2016 Some Swiss soldiers at the Davos World Economic Forum have been sent home after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis. Tests show that 12 soldiers who were meant to be guarding the gathering of world leaders tested positive for cannabis, while five of the 12 soldiers also tested positive for cocaine, army spokesman Stefan Hofer told the [...]
London mayor Boris Johnson presses ahead with plans for 3,000 new houses in Beam Park January 22, 2016 Mayor of London Boris Johnson is pressing ahead with plans to transform a derelict factory plant, which once formed the backdrop to popular film "Made in Dagenham", into 30,000 new homes. Johnson today announced that developer Countryside Properties with Quadrant Housing Trust will take forward the regeneration of Beam Park. This includes a new train station which will run [...]
