The 10 biggest challenges facing small businesses in 2014 January 16, 2014 Business confidence blossomed at the end of 2013, and things have got off to a good start for firms this year too. Figures from the British Chambers of Commerce showed that confidence in a broad-based UK recovery is growing, and net optimism flew to 71 per cent at the end of the year. When it [...]
EU rules make it harder for firms to cut risk exposure January 15, 2014 BUSINESSES and their customers could face higher costs after new EU rules were approved which could make it harder to cut their risks, lawyers warned yesterday. Rules to increase transparency in derivatives markets could make the industry safer and easier to police, but also mean firms will not be able to find bespoke products to [...]
London Report: Banks lift FTSE as new leverage rules welcomed January 13, 2014 ARALLY in banking shares helped the FTSE 100 rise to a two-month closing high yesterday as investors welcomed the prospect of lighter rules on leverage for the sector. Supermarket WM Morrison was the top FTSE gainer on speculation it may sell some property and return some of the proceeds to shareholders, while oil and gas [...]
Britain must do more to accelerate exploitation of its vast shale potential January 13, 2014 TO SUPPORT the development of its huge shale potential, Britain desperately needs the backing of investors, local communities, and local government. The stakes are high – with the slow demise of the North Sea, we face rising import bills, a rapidly declining tax base and, as last year’s dispute at the Grangemouth refinery warned us, [...]
JP Morgan think a lack of frack is hurting European chemicals January 10, 2014 JP Morgan has warned that the rise of shale gas could prove to be a "structural negative" for the European chemicals industry. JP Morgan remains negative on the European chemical sector citing BASF, Solvay, Lanxess (all under weight) as its least preferred options. However, US chemical producers are booming due to a sharp fall in [...]
China’s economic slowdown sees markets cautious January 10, 2014 Some disappointing numbers for China overnight, as it missed its official target on foreign trade for the second year in the row, confirming a loss of momentum at the end of 2013. But despite its export growth slowing by more than expected in December, the country has now overtaken the US as the world's largest [...]
JP Morgan think a lack of frack is hurting European chemicals January 10, 2014 JP Morgan has warned that the rise of shale gas could prove to be a “structural negative” for the European chemicals industry. JP Morgan remains negative on the European chemical sector citing BASF, Solvay, Lanxess (all under weight) as its least preferred options. However, US chemical producers are booming due to a sharp fall in [...]
Centrica finance chief leaves for Reed Elsevier January 7, 2014 CENTRICA finance director Nick Luff will depart the company this year to join information group Reed Elsevier, leaving Britain’s biggest household energy supplier in the midst of a political row over rising bills. Energy costs have become a big political issue in recent months, leading to intense scrutiny of utility companies like Centrica, after Ed [...]
Investors: fracking will cut bills January 6, 2014 MOST FUND managers believe fracking will lower energy bills and transform the global power market, according to a survey out yesterday. Hydraulic fracturing, which uses high-pressure water to extract shale gas that cannot be reached using traditional tools, has come under fire after it caused small tremors in Blackpool in 2011. The method is currently [...]
The year in preview: Our in-depth guide January 5, 2014 City A.M.’s journalists take a wide-ranging look at what 2014 has in store for the world of finance and business BANKINGRestoring faith means costly overhaulsA CAUTIOUS optimism pervades the British and European banking system at the start of 2014. The incoming economic recovery is at last improving customers’ creditworthiness, while the hard work running down [...]