What you need to know before the open March 10, 2014 A muted open for European markets as investors remain cautious. Asian stocks slipped in Monday trading, and the dollar fell back from recent highs as Chinese trade data came in weaker than expected. China’s exports unexpectedly dropped in February, compounding fears of a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy. China’s CSI 300 index fell 3.3 [...]
The world’s biggest banana company: Fyffes and Chiquita to merge March 10, 2014 Some banana news this morning. Fyffes and Chiquita, two of the world’s largest banana companies, have announced they’re combining. Fyffes shares have rocketed an astonishing 26 per cent on the news. Source: Google The company will be named ChiquitaFyffes (best not to attempt that with a mouthful of banana), and will operate in [...]
Asian markets fall as China trade balance slips into deficit March 10, 2014 Asian markets are taking a beating this morning after data showed an unexpected fall in Chinese exports in February, fuelling fears of a slowdown in the world's second largest economy. The disappointing data from China dampened the optimism seen in the wake of Friday's better than expected US job numbers. Investors are remaining cautious as [...]
War breaks out in Co-op boardroom March 10, 2014 CO-OPERATIVE chief executive Euan Sutherland yesterday launched a furious attack on members of his own board after a suspected leak revealed details of his £3.66m pay deal. Sutherland took the unusual step of posting on social network Facebook to lash out at the “individual, or individuals” on the Co-op board who he said were determined [...]
A fifth of Britons expect to still be working on their 70th birthday March 10, 2014 A FIFTH of people in the UK think they will be still be working by their 70th birthday, according to shocking new research. A major international survey released by Nielsen today paints a grim picture of the retirement prospects for today’s workers, as worries about working longer and having too little saved loom large. A [...]
London basks in the hottest day of the year March 10, 2014 TEMPERATURES in the UK hit 20 degrees celsius yesterday on the hottest day of the year so far, as Londoners flocked to the capital’s parks to make the most of the sunny weather. The hottest temperature recorded was in Gravesend, Kent, where the mercury hit 20.5 degrees. Today is set to be cooler, with the [...]
Hague warns of violent conflict if Putin advances March 10, 2014 FOREIGN secretary William Hague issued a stark message to Russia yesterday, warning there is a “great danger of a shooting conflict” if Putin moves troops out of Crimea and into mainland Ukraine. Hague reiterated the threat of UK sanctions against President Putin’s nation after armed personnel carriers were seen rolling into the country on Saturday. [...]
Stanlow refinery faces uncertain future despite Essar’s denial over closure March 10, 2014 Essar Energy yesterday denied plans to close the Stanlow refinery in north west England, after City A.M. reported the plant’s long-term future was under threat due to weak margins. “Essar Energy and the entire transport fuel supply industry are working together with the UK government to improve the resilience of UK refineries and importers,” said [...]
US judge allows aluminium cases March 10, 2014 A US judge overseeing litigation accusing Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, their warehousing businesses and the London Metal Exchange of conspiring to reduce the supply and increase the price of aluminium will allow for now three groups of plaintiffs to pursue separate lawsuits. US District Judge Katherine Forrest made the order for direct purchaser plaintiffs and [...]
Google focuses on wearable tech March 10, 2014 Google is set to release an Android-based software development kit for wearable devices, its Android chief Sundar Pichai said yesterday while speaking at the South by Southwest Interactive conference in Texas. “In two weeks we are launching the first developer SDK for Android,” Pichai said. “That will lay out the vision for developers in how [...]