The five most useful things to know about Junior Isas February 5, 2012 JUNIOR Isas were launched in November 2011. Any child born before September 2002, who does not already have a Child Trust Fund (CTF), can be signed up, as well as all children born after 3 January 2011. The Junior Isa scheme supplants the CTF (though the government does not contribute to the new scheme), and [...]
NEWS IN BRIEF February 5, 2012 TAXED ON TIME According to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), this year saw a record 9.45m self assessment tax returns filed on time, with a record 7.65m filed online. This means that 90.4 per cent of taxpayers met the deadline – an increase of 4 per cent on last year and the highest on-time filing [...]
From the UK to Silicon Valley and back again February 5, 2012 GLOBALISATION throws up some interesting associations. The western world’s need to stay awake supports the coffee industries of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa; the desires of Japanese, Indians and Chinese consumers to imbibe is helping the UK’s Scotch whisky industry flourish. No less interesting is the case of WANdisco – a tech company that [...]
LOOK BEYOND THE UK TO CASH IN ON GROWTH February 5, 2012 THE UK is full of chief executives facing the harsh reality of uncertain home markets for years to come. So, with forecast sales flatlining – what is an entrepreneur to do? Successful companies are finding new customers and markets beyond our shores. In our recent global survey of over 400 companies, India (34 per cent) [...]
Money and brains inspire business beyond borders February 5, 2012 TRADE across borders – natural and man-made – binds humanity together: “When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will”, surmised the French economist Frédéric Bastiat. Trade enriches us, both in our standard of living and in the variety of our cultural experiences. And it makes others better off too, as if lead by an invisible [...]
FTSE sees boost from M&A muted by outlook warnings February 2, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index paused yesterday after recent sharp gains with a rally in miners on the prospects of a big sector merger counterbalanced by warnings from bluechips of a tough year ahead. The FTSE 100 finished 0.1 per cent, or 5.35 points, higher at 5,796.07, retreating from a six-month intra-day high of 5,809.82 after [...]
Investors wait for key US jobs report February 2, 2012 INVESTORS largely took a wait-and-see approach yesterday as US stocks ended little changed ahead of today’s key employment report, but tech shares rose after strong earnings from chipmaker Qualcomm. Recent economic data suggesting the economy is on a slow but steady path to recovery has helped fuel a rally in stocks. Today’s nonfarm payrolls report, [...]
Bankers beating the bonus time blues February 2, 2012 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ASTBURY MARSDEN WITH investment banks coming under increasing pressure from the government and City shareholders to cut or even cancel staff bonuses, what effect will this have on resignations during this year’s bonus season? The intense and acrimonious debate around Stephen Hester’s bonus shows that the subject is still far from closed. [...]
The four pillars of a successful job hunt February 2, 2012 CHIEF EXECUTIVE, QUARTIC TRAINING HOW far do you need to go to get that job? It won’t be news to you if we report that the jobs market in finance is pretty tough at the moment. But with hundreds of applicants for each position, how do you maximise your chances? FRESHEN UP YOUR CV Your [...]
Strong earnings and Greek hopes cause FTSE to jump February 1, 2012 BULLISH company earnings reports and the prospect of Greece nearing a debt deal helped lift Britain’s FTSE 100 higher yesterday, while robust manufacturing data from China, the US and Europe boosted appetite for the mining sector. London’s blue chip index rose 109.11 points, or 1.9 per cent to 5,790.72. The index closed below 5,800, where [...]
