Let’s not go back to sub-prime loans November 21, 2011 THERE are two ways one can address a problem caused by faulty policies: by tackling its root causes – or by addressing some of its manifestations, and risk creating more issues thanks to the law of unintended consequences which plagues all government actions. Regrettably, when it comes to house prices, the government is largely going [...]
Let’s not go back to sub-prime loans November 20, 2011 THERE are two ways one can address a problem caused by faulty policies: by tackling its root causes – or by addressing some of its manifestations, and risk creating more issues thanks to the law of unintended consequences which plagues all government actions. Regrettably, when it comes to house prices, the government is largely going [...]
Readymix posts losses of £18m August 30, 2011 Building materials group Readymix yesterday reported a pre-tax loss of £18m in the first half of this year as demand for its products fell further. The group’s revenues fell by 24 per cent and an operating loss of £6.2m. Readymix said its priority was further cost cuts and that the company expects very demanding trading [...]
Readymix posts losses of £18m August 30, 2011 Building materials group Readymix yesterday reported a pre-tax loss of £18m in the first half of this year as demand for its products fell further. The group’s revenues fell by 24 per cent and an operating loss of £6.2m. Readymix said its priority was further cost cuts and that the company expects very demanding trading [...]
This year’s hot sectors: risk and compliance September 21, 2011 WE’VE been told that the boom years are over. The fast-growth sectors of City employment have ground to a halt. New job opportunities will be fewer and far between. Well, that is unless you work in risk and compliance: the fallout from the credit crunch has given a new lease of life to these sticklers [...]
MEGA-BRAND ADDS BANKING TO ITS WIDE RANGING INTERESTS November 17, 2011 VIRGIN MONEY With the purchase of 74 Northern Rock branches, the Virgin Money brand has just got a whole lot bigger. It already has a banking licence, having purchased Church House Trust, a tiny bank, in January 2010. It offers credit cards in conjunction with MBNA; mortgages in a joint venture with RBS-backed The One [...]
Rusal trebles profits after bumper year March 31, 2011 RUSAL, the world’s top aluminium maker, said its 2010 net profit more than tripled, beating forecasts, and expects strong global demand for the light metal to continue this year. RUSAL shares rose more than four per cent to their highest level in more than a month, outperforming a 0.4 per cent rise in the broader [...]
Motorists are massively over-taxed November 15, 2011 BRITISH motorists are massively over-taxed. In 2009/10, 66p in each pound spent on petrol and diesel was pocketed by the Exchequer, with just a third going to retailers and oil companies. Taking just fuel and vehicle excise duty (and ignoring other taxes, including value added tax) the government raises about £31.5bn a year from motorists. [...]
Ireland defies slowdown with an export-led boom September 22, 2011 BRISK growth surprised analysts as Ireland’s economy picked up the pace in quarter two and had first quarter estimates revised upwards, the Central Statistics Office announced yesterday. GDP increased by 1.6 per cent over the three months from April to July. First quarter growth was increased to 1.9 per cent, up from earlier estimates of [...]
Ireland defies slowdown with an export-led boom September 22, 2011 BRISK growth surprised analysts as Ireland’s economy picked up the pace in quarter two and had first quarter estimates revised upwards, the Central Statistics Office announced yesterday. GDP increased by 1.6 per cent over the three months from April to July. First quarter growth was increased to 1.9 per cent, up from earlier estimates of [...]