Confidence is on the up in spite of cuts September 13, 2010 CONSUMER confidence rose last month bucking the downward trend of the previous three months as expectations for the future of the economy appeared to improve on the back of positive second quarter GDP growth and improving employment statistics. Nationwide’s consumer confidence index rose five points to 61 in August although the index remains significantly below [...]
IMF: We back Osborne’s cuts September 27, 2010 THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave its full backing to the coalition government’s deficit reduction plans yesterday, announcing that the UK economy is on the mend after the longest and deepest recession of the post-war era. In its annual health check of the UK economy the IMF said the recovery was underway, unemployment had stabilised [...]
City sees lift in financial services poll September 26, 2010 THE financial services sector grew at faster rate in the past three months than any time since June 2007 – but the increasing burden of regulation is hitting businesses hard, a CBI-led report warned today. A poll carried out by the CBI in tandem with professional services firm PwC revealed an increasingly upbeat City with [...]
Diamond is the right man for the job September 7, 2010 GOOD on Barclays for promoting Bob Diamond, head of the bank’s investment banking unit, to be the firm’s overall chief executive. He is the best man for the job, proving himself again with the successful integration of Lehman’s US operations. Yet given Diamond’s demonisation in the broadcast media and popular press, not least by the [...]
A spa in the home is the ultimate in luxury city living September 9, 2010 IN the past a health club was where you went to get pampered, a spa was a resort with natural springs and “wellness” was a hippy concept. Now that we’re both more health-conscious and luxe-conscious, however, spa facilities – meaning pools, treatment rooms, gyms, saunas, steam rooms and more – are a part of people’s [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 1, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES MEAT PRICE SURGE FUELS FEARS OF FOOD INFLATION Global meat prices have hit a 20-year high as robust demand from emerging countries has coincided with a drop in production by exporters such as the US and Australia, fuelling concerns about rising food inflation. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s index of meat prices [...]
REGAL DITCHES BROKER MIRABAUD AFTER TUSSLE OVER LEADERSHIP September 15, 2010 IT WAS the end of an activist era yesterday for broker Mirabaud Securities and oil and gas firm Regal Petroleum, which parted ways on, shall we say, less than friendly terms. Regal’s terse termination statement to the stock exchange came after Mirabaud questioned the tenure of the company’s chief executive, David Greer. That’s not a [...]
Future growth needs freedom now September 21, 2010 RICHARD WELLINGS DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, IEA WHEN the Soviet Union collapsed it seemed obvious that economic freedom was essential if individuals and societies were to thrive. But in the 20 years since, the enemies of liberty have fought back. The vested interests and bureaucracies that rely on big government have increasingly used environmental objectives and [...]
FTSE ends lower in thin trade October 4, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index closed lower in thin volumes yesterday, ahead of key macroeconomic data later in the week, with BP hit after issuing a €2bn (£1.72bn) bond to help pay for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The FTSE 100 ended down 0.7 per cent at 5,555.97 points, after closing up 44.28 points, or [...]
MPC poised to keep interest rates on hold September 5, 2010 THE Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to hold interest rates at 0.5 per cent when it meets later this week, as fears of a slowdown intensify following weaker-than-expected surveys. Data published last week showed further falls in house prices and a marked slowdown in economic activity across the manufacturing, construction and [...]