The Long View: Computer games have grown up – and they’re an economic powerhouse September 19, 2013 COMPUTER games are serious business. Grand Theft Auto V took $800m (£497m) in 24 hours this week, a record-breaking achievement that rivals the success of blockbuster films. Warner Brothers’ Man of Steel, the third-best box office earner this year according to Variety, only took in $663m. Some are predicting sales for the latest installment in [...]
Bottom Line: Don’t get overexcited at the first signs of life September 8, 2013 THERE’S two ways to look at London’s initial public offering (IPO) market in light of the torrent of floats (about 15 at the last count) coming to market. One, that this is the natural release of pent up demand as market sentiment improves. Or two, that slightly frothy markets have got everyone a bit too [...]
Overcome your inhibitions to get ahead in the rat race October 14, 2013 You’re hard working and highly skilled. What else do you need? Confidence, says Steve Irish To get ahead at work, or to land a dream job somewhere else, there will be a list of skills you need. At this stage, you have a pretty good idea whether you have most of them. If you don’t [...]
Victory for Clegg on economics as left-leaning Lib Dems fail to scupper motion September 16, 2013 Liberal Democrats have supported Nick Clegg's motion "Strengthening the UK Economy" (pages 37-39). The proposed and largely rejected changes – put forward by the left-leaning faction the Social Liberal Forum (SLF) – are below. The party leadership were happy to accept the first amendment if the first four lines of that did not pass, and [...]
Initial analyst responses to Bank of England inflation report and Q&A August 7, 2013 Some reactions to the Bank of England's quarterly inflation report and governor Mark Carney's announcement of a forward guidance policy. Joe Rundle, head of trading at ETX Capital: Sensible Fed-style strategy adopted by dovish governor BOE Mark Carney, switching things up at the Bank of England since his occupancy started in July. At the press [...]
Bowlers left to sweat by Cook for Ashes place July 17, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook knows he faces a tough selection dilemma against Australia today, but insists he will not let emotion get in the way of picking an attack capable of bowling his team into a 2-0 Ashes lead at Lord’s. Following a narrow 14-run victory in last week’s first Test, Cook is weighing up [...]
City Moves for 9 January 2013 | Who’s switching jobs January 8, 2013 Carmignac Gestion Anne Bellavoine has been appointed head of marketing at the asset management firm. She joins from Societe Generale, where she was most recently relationship manager for financial institutions. Bellavoine has over 25 years’ experience in the industry, and was additionally global head of equity sales at Societe Generale and chairwoman of SG Securities. [...]
Fly away to the fantastical mountains of St Lucia September 26, 2013 There’s a lot of local charm beyond the idyllic beaches, azure waters and postcard sunsets, says Oliver Pickup WHAT connects Superman, Amy Winehouse, Oprah Winfrey, Blackbeard and Napoléon Bonaparte? No, it’s not my ultimate dinner party guest list – although that would be some karaoke line up. The link is that they have all been [...]
Fly away to the fantastical mountains of St Lucia September 22, 2013 There’s a lot of local charm beyond the idyllic beaches, azure waters and postcard sunsets, says Oliver Pickup WHAT connects Superman, Amy Winehouse, Oprah Winfrey, Blackbeard and Napoléon Bonaparte? No, it’s not my ultimate dinner party guest list – although that would be some karaoke line up. The link is that they have all been [...]
Visit Malaysia for the birds, the bees and the leeches October 7, 2012 MY HERO swoops down in the nick of time. I’m perched atop a bare rock, too petrified to move when she flies to my rescue. Barely seven inches tall, the blue-winged pitta flits to the ground and within moments, her beak is filled with what look like needle-thin worms. I’ve never been happier to see [...]