Microsoft insists Samsung owes it $6.9m in unpaid interest October 5, 2014 Microsoft is suing Samsung for $6.9m (£4.33m) in unpaid interest, an unsealed lawsuit has revealed. In August Microsoft announced it was suing the South Korean firm in a dispute over unpaid interest on Android patent royalties. The lawsuit, now made public by a New York federal court, reveals that although Microsoft has already [...]
Income alternatives: Where should you look for income in your portfolio? April 23, 2015 Once upon a time, bonds could always be relied upon to deliver a consistent fixed income. Sadly, those days are long gone, and now most bonds pay a miserly return – with some even in negative territory. But income is still useful for many investors. We asked the experts to name their top alternatives. COMMERCIAL [...]
The North Sea is drowning in tax: Only radical action will salvage UK oil now March 2, 2015 Following his comments at the recent opening of the OECD’s Economic Survey, it is to be hoped that the chancellor gives North Sea oil companies, their shareholders, and their employees enough reason to cheer when he announces the Budget on 18 March. He recognised that the oil and gas industry is a vital national asset [...]
Sinclair is back like a powered up Pac-man December 2, 2014 BRITISH video game legend Sir Clive Sinclair re-emerged on the scene yesterday, launching a crowdfunding campaign to create a new Spectrum computer equipped with all the classic games. The 74-year-old inventor was the brains behind the original ZX Spectrum computer range that found fame in the 1980s – one of the first mainstream home computers [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]
Amazon says it “received no special tax treatment” after EU begins Luxembourg tax arrangement investigation October 7, 2014 Amazon has said it “received no special tax treatment” in response to the European Commission opening an investigation into its tax affairs in Luxembourg. Brussels is examining the online retail giant's arrangements with the Luxembourg government claiming it amounted to illegal state aid in the latest crackdown on companies and countries believed to be negotiating [...]
Qatari Harrods owners cash in with £118m dividend payment October 30, 2014 Luxury department store Harrods paid out a £118m dividend to its Qatari owners after making record sales of £794m in the year ended 1 February 2014, up from £716m in the previous year. The business also paid a £35.6m royalty to Harrods Corporate Management. It said the year had seen a “confirmed programme of significant [...]
Lord Tim launches Bell Pottinger’s first charity dinner at Lancaster House November 4, 2014 It’s not very often that a pop star gets to introduce a member of the royal family on to a stage, but at last night’s inaugural Bell Pottinger charity dinner at Lancaster House that’s what happened. Singer Jamelia summoned Princess Beatrice to speak to the gathered crowd, which included City grandees Harvey Soning of James [...]
Heron Tower police raid: The colourful world of Chelsea FC’s forex partner CWM FX March 6, 2015 Only one company in the Heron Tower has alluded to this week’s police raid. We ask who they are… Three days ago police raided offices in the Heron Tower, hauling 13 City workers out of the building and away for questioning. The event has sent shockwaves through the Square Mile; but aside from pub gossip [...]
Taylor Swift’s withdrawal signals trouble for Spotify – Brand Index November 11, 2014 To the dismay of fans the world over, in the last week Taylor Swift decided to remove all her songs and albums from the music streaming service Spotify. But what does this say about the future of the service, the way we engage with music, and the industry itself? The numbers leave us in no [...]