Finance and marriage – should go together like a horse and carriage February 12, 2012 TAKING care to maximise income and capital gains tax allowances and reliefs may not seem like rocket science but over the years it can save a great deal of tax. In a world where “clever clever” tax mitigation is increasingly frowned upon there is a lot to be said for this low key approach. There [...]
KKR bosses earn $94m February 27, 2012 HENRY Kravis and George Roberts, the co-founders and chief executives of KKR, have each received a payout of around $94m from the private equity group. The two 68-year-old cousins earned about $64.2m each in cash dividend payments from their combined 25 per cent stake in KKR last year, according to documents filed with the Securities [...]
Hollande hikes taxes as rich flee for London September 9, 2012 FRENCH PRESIDENT Francois Hollande last night confirmed plans to raise taxes, particularly on the rich, as he fights to return the country to full strength within two years. Those earning more than €1m a year will be hit by a 75 per cent marginal rate, Hollande confirmed, with “no exceptions”. However, the levy could be [...]
What the other papers say this morning October 24, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Walker plans Barclays clear-out Sir David Walker is planning a clean sweep of Barclays’ board after he formally becomes chairman of the scandal-tainted bank next week and will also oversee the replacement of some executive positions. The City grandee has been sounding out top figures over their suitability to join the bank in [...]
What the other papers say this morning October 24, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Walker plans Barclays clear-out Sir David Walker is planning a clean sweep of Barclays’ board after he formally becomes chairman of the scandal-tainted bank next week and will also oversee the replacement of some executive positions. The City grandee has been sounding out top figures over their suitability to join the bank in [...]
Loopholes on home sale fee slammed shut March 21, 2012 AN AGGRESSIVE crackdown against stamp duty avoidance on high-end properties will begin today, as the government slaps a punitive tax on the sales of expensive homes that wealthy people put into companies’ names. Sales of properties worth £2m or more that are “enveloped” in a bid to avoid the tax, will now be hit with [...]
RAPID RESPONSES January 26, 2012 Data deluge Craig Drake rightly emphasises the importance of institutions making big data “work for their business” [Big industry responses are needed to big data explosion, yesterday]. Data must be seen as an asset for businesses and managed properly. If it’s not, then it just becomes a liability. The financial services industry is only now [...]
Here’s the real Plan B for Britain: We need a competition revolution May 14, 2012 NO ONE can dispute that the UK economy needs more growth. It seems that the coalition’s essential austerity measures are not enough. But despite its cheerleaders, the usual Plan B, based on debt-financed infrastructure spending, won’t make any difference to growth – while denting confidence. One such plan suggested £30bn in spending. Over three years, [...]
Osborne sets UK £1 trillion export target March 21, 2012 CONSERVATIVE backbenchers roared with delight as George Osborne unveiled a series of initiatives to boost businesses amid Britain’s flagging economic recovery. Their main wish had already been granted after the chancellor scrapped the 50p top rate of income tax but he also devised several moves on enterprise, investment and exports. Osborne announced a £200m increase [...]
THE TIPSTER | Rebuilding dominance September 24, 2012 AS TALK of a housing recovery gains momentum, investors may be looking to add growth-orientated stocks to their portfolio. Persimmon has seen tough times since the onset of the financial crisis, with shares falling from their peak above 1,500p. However, the house builder has added 67 per cent to its share price this year and [...]