“Amazon is like IS” terrorist group says Andrew Wylie, literary agent of Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie October 31, 2014 One of the most powerful people in the publishing world has compared Amazon to the Islamic terrorist group IS. Andrew Wylie, agent to literary stars such as Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie, called the online retailer a “sort of Isis-like distribution channel” in a speech at the International Festival of Authors on the future of [...]
Eurozone unemployment stays flat at 11.5 per cent October 31, 2014 It is a reflection of the economic times that a flat unemployment figure inspires a sense of relief, but today analysts breathed a sigh of relief as EU unemployment remained stable at 11.5 per cent in September. Although it was the fourth consecutive month the rate had stayed the same, the total number of unemployed [...]
Eurozone inflation hits expectations – but it’s still in the ECB’s “danger zone” October 31, 2014 Inflation in the Eurozone ticked up a tenth of a percentage point in October, which will do little to allay fears about the state of the economy in the single currency zone. According to the latest flash estimate (which will be confirmed next month) the rate was 0.4 per cent in October, compared with 0.3 [...]
Russian central bank hikes interest rate by 1.5 percentage points to stave off rouble slide October 31, 2014 So much for the softly-softly approach to monetary policy taken by most central banks at the moment. Russia has hiked interest rates by 1.5 percentage points to 9.5 per cent, in an effort to stave off further slides in the rouble. The value of Russia's international reserve stockpile has fallen more than $30bn since the [...]
London property prices: More million-pound properties have been sold in London this year than ever before October 31, 2014 London house prices might be cooling, but things are certainly hotting up at the premium end of the market. Sales of properties costing more than £1m have reached record levels in the UK with 6,143 houses sold in the first half of the year- 70 per cent of which were in London. That’s nearly 2,000 [...]
UK weather: Has this autumn been warmer than normal? Turns out October 2014 has been colder than the 20-year average October 31, 2014 Has this October really been “unseasonably warm”? This week two retailers have blamed the weather for poor sales. First up it was Next, which has become renowned for generally being so cautious on its guidance that it surprises on the upside. It was forced to lower its full year guidance, however, saying autumn had [...]
WPP share price rises after unexpected sales slow down October 31, 2014 Growth at the world’s largest advertising group, WPP, has unexpectedly slowed in the third quarter as geopolitical tension and global economic woes take their toll. Like-for-like net sales in the three months to 30 September grew three per cent, compared with expectations of 3.3 per cent and 4.1 per cent in the first half of [...]
Bonfire night 2014 London: Where to watch Guy Fawkes firework displays in the capital this weekend October 31, 2014 It’s that time of year, the fifth of November- remember? And that means the skies across London will be lit up with stunning firework displays. More fireworks this week: Where to watch 5 November and 7 November So get your sparklers ready, here’s where you can watch the best firework displays in the capital this [...]
International Airlines Group share price rises on higher profit guidance October 31, 2014 Shares in International Airlines Group (IAG), the company behind British Airways and Spanish flag carrier Iberia, rose 3.5 per cent in early trading after it raised its full-year profit guidance. The airline said it expected operating profit before exceptional items to be between €550m and €600m (£432m to £471.5m) higher than 2013's €770m. IAG said [...]
International Airlines Group share price rises on higher profit guidance October 31, 2014 Shares in International Airlines Group (IAG), the company behind British Airways and Spanish flag carrier Iberia, rose 3.5 per cent in early trading after it raised its full-year profit guidance. The airline said it expected operating profit before exceptional items to be between €550m and €600m (£432m to £471.5m) higher than 2013's €770m. IAG said [...]