Independent Scotland would be too small to rock the pound May 7, 2014 RESEARCH released today suggests that if an independent Scotland kept the pound, its size would give it minimal or no influence over monetary policy. A report published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) suggests that given the size imbalance between Scotland and the rest of the country, any such arrangement would [...]
Dreary April as Bric economies dip May 7, 2014 ALL FOUR of the Bric economies recorded some mild contraction in their private sectors last month, according to an influential survey of businesses released today. According to HSBC’s latest emerging markets index, firms in Brazil, Russia, India and China all reported a modest drop in business activity, with scores slightly below the neutral 50 level. It [...]
EasyJet is developing drones to help keep its planes in top form May 7, 2014 EASYJET is helping to develop new drone technology that can be used to inspect its fleet of planes. The airline said yesterday it is working with the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, CopterCraft and Measurement Solutions to modify an unmanned drone for trials within the next few months. “The drones will be programmed to scan and assess [...]
TRIG on track to issue dividend May 7, 2014 The Renewables Infrastructure Group, the London-listed renewable energy infrastructure investment firm, yesterday said it had made a “solid start to 2014 in terms of operational performance” and is on target to declare an interim dividend of 3p per share for the six months to 30 June 2014. The investment team are currently evaluating more opportunities [...]
Kirkland’s output meets targets May 7, 2014 Aim-listed miner Kirkland Lake Gold yesterday said full-year gold output had hit 122,309 ounces, which is a 34 per cent increase on the previous year and meets the company’s revised guidance. “These full year production numbers are a good result and together with lower costs, more efficient use of labour and the expansion project now [...]
Good Energy invests in tidal power May 7, 2014 Good Energy Group, the Aim-listed renewable electricity supplier, yesterday said it plans to acquire an option for 10 per cent of the output from the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project, in a deal that includes a £500,400 equity stake in the project. The tidal lagoon is expected to start generating electricity in 2018. Once fully [...]
City Moves for 08 May 2014 | Who’s switching jobs May 7, 2014 PwC The professional services firm has announced the appointment of Will Brown as a director in its enterprise resilience practice. He was most recently at KPMG, where he ran its business continuity team. Simmons & Simmons The law firm has appointed Mahrie Webb to its funds practice. She has over 12 years’ experience advising fund management [...]
Best of the Brokers for 08 May 2014 May 7, 2014 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com BALFOUR BEATTY UBS has upgraded the infrastructure firm from “sell” to “neutral” but cut its target from 260p to 225p following this week’s profit warning and the departure of boss Andrew McNaughton. The broker continues to harbour doubts about Balfour’s plan to refocus [...]
London Report: FTSE led down by Experian and HSBC first quarter results May 7, 2014 BRITAIN’s blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed down by 2.12 points at 6,796.44 points yesterday, hindered by a drop in HSBC and credit data firm Experian. HSBC’s 1.3 per cent fall trimmed the most points off of the FTSE. The bank said its 20 per cent drop in first-quarter profits resulted from muted customer activity in [...]
New York Report: Alibaba filing knocks Yahoo May 7, 2014 US STOCKS climbed mainly higher yesterday as Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen signaled continued support for the economy and Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a delay in an eastern Ukraine succession vote. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 117.52 points to close at 16,518.54 after Yellen said the US economy was still in need [...]