US corporate results round up July 24, 2014 Recalls batter GM profits but Ford makes progress General Motors reported a much lower second-quarter profit yesterday due to numerous recalls and the expected cost of at least $400m for a compensation fund for those killed or injured by a defective ignition switch. Net income fell to $190m, from $1.2bn a year earlier. Meanwhile, smaller [...]
Asda sales drop as boss Andy Clarke admits “pace and scale of change exceeded expectations” February 19, 2015 The boss of Asda has warned that the retail sector is in “one of its most challenging and changeable periods in history” as the supermarket today posted a drop in sales in 2014. The figures Like-for-likes at Wal-mart owned Asda dropped one per cent in the 12 months to December 31, while fourth quarter figures [...]
Sky agrees deal with O2 owner Telefonica to launch mobile service January 29, 2015 Sky has agreed a deal with Telefonica to launch a mobile network in the UK. The broadcaster will launch a mobile service for customers in 2016 using Telefonica’s 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The move follows hot on the heels of rivals moving into the mobile business in order to offer customers so-called "quad play" [...]
London mayor Boris Johnson’s trade mission helped by $40m investment in life sciences and technology companies February 10, 2015 Boris Johnson's most recent trade mission was helped by news of a $40m (£26m) investment from two US companies yesterday, boosting the capital's reputation for cultivating life science and technology industries. The London mayor is currently on a US trade mission in a bid to attract investments for British businesses. Heavy snowfall means he's currently [...]
Bagging talent: How to recruit the best people May 4, 2015 Turn to the HR team to find the right recruiter and get candidate feedback. As demand returns to the economy, many organisations can’t find the people they need to grow. Talent shortages are rife, and are set to worsen over the next two years. Meanwhile, our latest data shows that 95 per cent of [...]
Political risk is rising globally – with worrying consequences for markets April 1, 2015 Uncertainty about global and domestic politics is greater today than it has been for some years. It is therefore inevitable that political risk will play a more prominent role in capital market investment decisions than it has done for many years. Political risk is not a new phenomenon in markets. As early as 1294, the [...]
UK energy firms face calls to add female leaders February 1, 2015 JUST nine per cent of seats on the boards of the UK’s top 100 energy firms are held by women, according to research from PwC and industry body Powerful Women (PfW). A new report from the financial services firm and PfW also reveals just five per cent of executive board seats are held by women [...]
The most exciting frontier markets opportunities: From Vietnam to Pakistan, Romania to Nigeria March 26, 2015 Every portfolio needs diversifiers, and frontier markets are becoming increasingly relevant for investors seeking growth. Frontiers tend to be uncorrelated with developed markets, so the investment stories will thrive – or fail – independent of events in Europe or the US. Below, we highlight four of the hottest frontier markets right now. VIETNAM After [...]
Rising confidence helps boost commercial property activity June 11, 2014 IMPROVING confidence, a rising economy and easing lending conditions have helped to boost activity in the commercial property sector for the 21st month in a row. According to Savills’ monthly index, which monitors 200 commercial property developers’ activity, showed the net balance stood at 26.9 per cent in May, slightly down on the 23.6 per [...]
UK construction growth rebounds unexpectedly in January February 3, 2015 The UK's construction sector rebounded in January, pulling away from December's 17-month low. The Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 59.1 from December's 17-month low of 57.6, buoyed by residential home-building. Any reading above 50 indicates growth. "UK construction companies have found their feet again after a protracted slowdown in output growth at the [...]