BCC cuts UK economic forecasts in “wake-up call” as global backdrop darkens March 11, 2016 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has cut its forecasts for UK economic growth in a "wake up" call to policymakers against a darkening global backdrop. The BCC chopped its estimates for UK gross domestic product growth from 2.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent in 2016, from 2.5 per cent to 2.3 per cent [...]
World Energy Council: Industry leaders are increasingly worried about volatile commodity prices March 11, 2016 Global commodity prices have overtaken energy prices as the number one critical concern among energy leaders and world experts. The World Energy Council’s annual survey showed global industry leaders are most concerned about this, the effects of a global economic slowdown and its impact on demand, as well as continued climate framework uncertainty. "This movement of [...]
Waitrose is “well set up” to face arrival of Amazon, says outgoing boss Mark Price March 10, 2016 Waitrose's outgoing boss Lord Price played down the threat of Amazon's entry in the UK, insisting it was strong enough to fend off competition and would continue to be “one of the few” retailers to increase profitability this year. Price, who was made a peer last week ahead of his new role as trade minister [...]
Mario Draghi’s big guns: Here’s everything you need to know about the ECB’s TLTRO II programme March 10, 2016 Shares in European banks shot up today after the European Central Bank (ECB) announced a new round of bank lending measures, known as targeted longer-term refinancing operations, or TLTROs to their friends. This is the second round – so naturally it's known as TLTRO II. ECB president Mario Draghi called TLTRO "loans to banks and additional incentives to [...]
Activist investor Worldview buys 69.44 per cent of Petroceltic’s debt March 10, 2016 Worldview has bought almost 70 per cent of London-listed, Dublin-based Petroceltic's debt, the company revealed today. Sunny Hill, which is wholly owned by the Worldview Economic Recovery Fund, has bought 69.44 per cent of the group's debt relating to its senior bank facility. Worldview said it had bought the debt "at a significant discount to face value". [...]
Aviva share price rises as it unveils 20 per cent profit boost and hikes dividend after Friends Life buyout March 10, 2016 What floods? Insurer Aviva said it was hiking its dividend after it completed its acquisition of Friends Life ahead of schedule. The figures Operating profits rose 20 per cent to £2.7bn in 2015, Aviva said this morning – seven per cent ahead of analyst expectations of £2.5bn. That allowed it to hike dividend by 15 per cent to 20.8p. Nice. The company said the [...]
FTSE 100 closes lower after ECB president Mario Draghi takes stocks on a rollercoaster ride of emotions March 10, 2016 Oh, Mr Draghi. What have you done to us? The FTSE finished almost 1.8 per cent lower at 6,036.7 points today – perilously close to the 6,000 mark – after European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi sent equities (and the euro. And gold) on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The index started the day off undulating gently, before rising [...]
Brent crude and WTI: Global oil prices back below $40 as oversupply concern weighs March 10, 2016 Oil prices fell today, as seasonal changes fed into fears that the recent rally would be short lived. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell three per cent to $39.8 per barrel this afternoon. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, slumped 2.3 per cent to $37.4. Analysts said they expect refineries around the world to buy less oil [...]
Robert Walters share price up as recruitment company hikes its final dividend as profits prosper for year ended December 2015 March 10, 2016 Share price in Robert Walters rose today as the recruitment company announced an increase to both its profits and its dividend for the year ended December 2015. The recruiter revealed that profits before tax had rocketed to £22.4m, up 23 per cent from £18.2m the year before, while revenue had increased to £812.7m, up 20 [...]
John Lewis Partnership bonus 2016: Four charts showing just how generous it is and why staff are still celebrating despite it being cut to its lowest in years March 10, 2016 The bonus of staff working at high street favourite John Lewis and Waitrose is less than last year, but you'll still find them cheering that cut. They'll be taking home 10 per cent of their annual salary, amounting to a bonus pot totaling £145m, but that's less than last year and the third consecutive year it's been cut – so why the happy faces? [...]
