The UK has the sixth best digital economy in Europe February 24, 2015 The UK is one of Europe's leading digital economies, ranking as the sixth best country in Europe a new report has found. It's ahead of the majority of the rest of Europe when it comes to digital in areas such as connectivity, internet use and the integration of digital technology, according to the European Commission [...]
Yellen: Fed will drop the word “patient” before it hikes interest rates February 24, 2015 The US Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee will lose patience before it hikes interest rates, promised Fed boss Janet Yellen today – although she remained cagey about when that would happen. In prepared remarks to the Senate Banking Committee, she suggested there is no "given point" at which the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) will decide [...]
The UK economy according to the OECD in six charts February 24, 2015 Andy Haldane, the Bank of England's chief economist, said last year that the economy "appears to be writhing in both agony and ecstasy." While the economy was growing at a faster rate that most of its rich counterparts, most people weren't benefiting from this because real wages were falling, and productivity, or output per hour work, [...]
HSBC share price hits two-year low in Hong Kong February 24, 2015 HSBC shares listed on Hong Kong's Hang Seng index, tumbled as much as 3.9 per cent to HK$69.15, after it posted figures showing pre-tax profits tanked 17 per cent to $18.6bn (£12.1bn) in 2014, down from $22.5bn the year before. The bank's shares listed on the FTSE 100 closed down 4.2 per cent at 573.3p yesterday, [...]
Persimmon share price falls despite profits jumping 44 per cent February 24, 2015 The figures Persimmon, the UK's biggest listed housebuilder, said underlying pre-tax profit jumped 44 per cent to £475m for the fiscal year 2014, up from £330m a year earlier. Full-year revenue rose 44 per cent to £475m, up from £330m in 2013. Completions – the number of homes built – rose 17 per cent to 13,509 while [...]
Apple plans €1.7bn investment in European data centre project February 23, 2015 TECHNOLOGY titan Apple’s shares reached a record high of $133 last night after the US group announced plans to invest €1.7bn (£1.2bn) on two massive European data centres. Chief executive Tim Cook called the data centres: “Apple’s biggest project in Europe to date”. Based in County Galway, Ireland, and Denmark’s central Jutland, the two data [...]
Quindell’s stock surges as it extends Slater & Gordon talks February 23, 2015 STOCK in the beleaguered insurance outsourcer Quindell surged 26 per cent in trading yesterday, after the company said it had extended the exclusivity period for talks with Slater & Gordon over the sale of its professional services division. The news was aimed at dampening market speculation that negotiations with the Australian law firm had come [...]
Apple helps Nasdaq to a healthy rise – New York Report February 23, 2015 THE Nasdaq ended higher yesterday for a ninth straight day following gains in Apple, while the Dow and S&P 500 eased off recent record highs as lower oil prices dragged down energy shares. The Nasdaq’s winning run was its longest since September 2010, putting the index closer to its 5,132.52 all-time intraday high, reached in [...]
The staggering figures behind Apple’s €1.7bn investment in Europe February 23, 2015 Shares in Apple rose 1.7 per cent today, after it announced plans to invest €1.7bn (£1.2bn) on two massive data centres in Europe. With a combined floor space of 332,000 sq m (that's just under two Wembley Stadiums, fact fans) the two data centres – one in Athenry, Ireland, and one in Viborg, Denmark – [...]
HSBC share price closes 4.6 per cent lower after full-year profits tank due to “challenging year” February 23, 2015 HSBC ended the day with its shares at 577p, 4.6 per cent lower than Friday's closing price. Having announced that profits fell 17 per cent during 2014, it admitted its US arm had also been subpoenaed by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The CFTC said wanted to see documents relating to its precious metals [...]