Shell sees earnings plummet after impairment charges April 30, 2014 It’s the first set of results for new chief executive Ben van Beurden and, in the first quarter, Shell saw a 36 per cent drop in income before tax, down to $8.6bn (£5.1bn) from a year earlier. But shares have gained over three per cent this morning, to their highest since 2012. With several numbers [...]
Here’s why 2014 could still prove a great year for Bitcoin bugs April 25, 2014 The past few months have proved to be a tough time for cryptocurrency Bitcoin. The MtGox exchange suffered a dramatic fall from grace, while the price of the digital currency has fallen by 37 per cent the year to date. However, things may be looking up for Bitcoin as venture capital money continues pour in [...]
Here’s why 2014 could still prove a great year for Bitcoin bugs April 25, 2014 The past few months have proved to be a tough time for cryptocurrency Bitcoin. The MtGox exchange suffered a dramatic fall from grace, while the price of the digital currency has fallen by 37 per cent the year to date. However, things may be looking up for Bitcoin as venture capital money continues pour in [...]
Vodafone rides into an uncertain future after Verizon sale September 2, 2013 The sun was shining brightly yesterday on the first proper day back to work after the summer holidays and unless you were leaving a parked car in the shadow of the Walkie Talkie building in Eastcheap that had to be a good thing. The financial markets were in fine fettle too, with the FTSE 100 [...]
Asian markets remain subdued as Bank of Japan holds firm April 8, 2014 Asian markets are holding steady after the Bank of Japan maintained its stance on monetary policy and disappointed some investors with a refusal to hike purchases of risk assets. Japan's current account balance showed a surplus for the first time in five months in February, this was attributed to strengthening exports and an increase in [...]
Clothing sales at M&S set to come up short April 7, 2014 MARKS & SPENCER chief executive Marc Bolland is expected to come under renewed pressure this week when the retailer posts yet another fall in underlying sales for its key clothing arm. The high street retailer is expected to report a decline of around one per cent in like-for-like general merchandise sales – which included clothing [...]
Asian shares jump after bullish day on Wall Street February 25, 2014 Asian shares a regaining some momentum after a bullish day on Wall Street helped ease fears over Chinese credit contraction. An unexpected rise in German business sentiment provided further reason for optimism over the Eurozone recovery. The Nikkei has jumped 1.4 per cent while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index is up a more modest [...]
Politicians must not interfere to block takeovers of UK firms April 28, 2014 THERE is how the French do things, and then there is the British way. Germany’s Siemens and America’s General Electric are both seeking to woo French politicians as they prepare their rival offers for Alstom. In the UK, however, America’s Pfizer knows who it really has to convince if it is to pull off its [...]
A single income tax would simplify our excessively convoluted system October 7, 2013 TAX simplification is back on the agenda, thanks to Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors. Highlighting combined marginal rates of child benefit withdrawal and income tax of 73 per cent for those with four children earning between £50,000 and £60,000 a year, Walker called for radically simpler taxes. “I am all for [...]
Shares for rights could lure talent to smaller firms September 1, 2013 AS NEW rules came into force yesterday allowing employees to waive certain workers’ rights in exchange for shares in their employer, lawyers have said the legislation could drive top talent towards the UK’s smaller companies. Under the new scheme, first proposed by chancellor George Osborne last year, employees can exchange certain rights – including statutory [...]