Bank of England deputy governor says Bitcoin is an “interesting” payment tech June 11, 2014 Bitcoin is an “interesting” technology, says newly appointed Bank of England deputy governor Ben Broadbent. Speaking before the Treasury Select Committee (TSC), Broadbent said that “the payment technology is interesting” but that the idea that it is a proper currency is “much less clear”. Now responsible for monetary policy, Broadbent said that the first lesson [...]
London’s Uber app taxi protests: Here’s what you need to know June 11, 2014 Thousands of London’s iconic black cabs are today staging a mass protest against innovative taxi app service Uber. Uber customers can hail a ride using their smartphone, which will show them the nearest vehicle available. Organised by the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA), the protest could wreak traffic chaos across large swathes of the capital. [...]
Four ways to blow your own trumpet June 10, 2014 Treading the line between self-promotion and narcissism is crucial to career progression IN SMALL doses, bragging can be effective – it’s the inconvenient truth of business. It’d be nice to think that quietly toiling away, completing work quickly and efficiently, is all that matters. But the evidence suggests otherwise. A 2012 study published in the [...]
World Cup fever: Why an England loss will wipe billions off the stock market June 10, 2014 THE WORLD Cup, which starts tomorrow, will spark a huge range of human emotions, from the excitement of victory to the despair of defeat. The effect of football results on national mood is so strong that it can spill over into the stock market and cause swings of billions of pounds. Why? While the World [...]
UK GDP passed its pre-crisis peak in May, says think tank June 10, 2014 The long, slow path to a GDP recovery is complete, says think tank Niesr. They estimate that GDP grew by 0.9 per cent in the three months to May, taking output above its previous all-time high. By their reckoning it’s taken from 2008 to May 2014 for GDP to recover fully. We’ll still have to [...]
Bitcoin businesses welcomed in the Isle of Man June 10, 2014 Digital currencies have received a ringing endorsement from the government of the Isle of Man. The crown dependency has announced it will be taking specific measures to protect businesses and customers utilising digital currencies, such as Bitcoin. “Our stance is intended to welcome those who can meet the necessary standards while also preserving the Island’s good [...]
Warren Buffett was spending $15bn on renewable energy. He’s now upped that to $30bn June 10, 2014 Yesterday, it momentarily slipped Warren Buffett’s mind how much money Berkshire Hathaway is shelling out on wind and solar power in the US – $15bn (£8.9bn). Speaking at the Edison Electric Institute’s annual convention in Las Vegas, the guru investor turned to deputy Greg Abel for a reminder of the figure, before coming back with, [...]
UK shares, stock markets and corporate news: What you need to know before the open June 10, 2014 A lower open is expected for European markets this morning, as investor wariness hangs around. Record lows for bond yields demonstrate a turnaround for Eurozone sovereign debt, but also compound fears that deflation could haunt the bloc. Stock market investors have been responding well to the European Central Bank announcements made last week, yet currency [...]
The labour squeeze: How slow reform threatens Abenomics June 9, 2014 More QE cannot be a substitute for labour market reform JAPANESE shares hit a three-month high yesterday, boosted by an upward revision to first quarter GDP and Friday’s strong US jobs report. The Japanese government announced that the economy grew at an annualised 6.7 per cent in the first quarter, up sharply on the initial [...]
Trading the World Cup: Shrewd betters look to Argentina June 9, 2014 THE WORLD Cup kicks off in Brazil this Thursday, and some put the figure that is going to be wagered at a cool £1bn. It’s an extraordinary number, and quite what the bookmakers’ liabilities are on a win for the favourites Brazil is anyone’s guess. With raucous home support, and star names like Neymar, David [...]