Why the World Cup is reversing the fortunes of Aggreko December 16, 2013 Some good news for generator hire specialist Aggreko, as it announced this morning that it's been chosen to supply power for next year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The firm also said that its full year results for 2013 will be "slightly ahead of expectations". Underlying group revenues for [...]
What you need to know before the open – 16/12 December 16, 2013 Dispiriting numbers from China – the HSBC purchasing managers' index came in at 50.5 overnight, a three-month low – along with ongoing tapering anxiety, mean Europe's set for a lower open this morning. Of course, this is the last full week of trading before the Christmas break, and of 2013. ETX Capital #MorningCall FTSE [...]
Oxford Instruments agrees to £176m Andor Technology deal December 16, 2013 OXFORD Instruments yesterday agreed to buy Andor Technology for £176m after its raised bid was accepted by the board of the scientific digital camera-maker. Oxford Instruments, which designs and manufactures tools for industry and research, had offered 500p per share in cash for Andor Technology last month, but the approach failed to impress Andor’s board. [...]
Failing UK drugs policy should take a leaf from Uruguay and Portugal December 16, 2013 DRUGS are harmful, whether they are legal or illegal. The challenge is how to reduce the harms they cause. For decades, countries have tried to stop drug use by handing out criminal justice sanctions. People are arrested, tried, and convicted, at vast expense. But this has not stopped the ready availability of a huge range [...]
Rescue plan for Eurozone banks to hurt creditors December 16, 2013 FINANCE firms yesterday welcomed European Union plans to avoid further taxpayer bailouts of troubled lenders by ensuring shareholders and bond holders suffer the biggest hit. Each Eurozone state will build up a pot worth one per cent of deposits in a bid to make sure failed banks’ savers can be protected using lenders’ funds. And [...]
Bitcoin under attack as Norway introduces new tax December 16, 2013 Bitcoin users have been dealt a blow as Norwegian authorities have announced that they will be placing a tax on the virtual currency. Hans Christian Holte, director at the Norwegian tax administration said in an interview: Bitcoin don’t fall under the usual definition of money or currency. We’ve done some assessments on what’s the right [...]
Here’s what Theresa May doesn’t want you to see December 15, 2013 A controversial government review into European migration has encountered something of an obstacle, in the form of home secretary Theresa May. The Balance of Competences review was due to be released yesterday, as part of a set of documents evaluating the UK’s relationship with the EU, but has been delayed by May, reports the Times. [...]
Experian expands healthcare reach as it buys up Passport Health Communications December 14, 2013 Experian has signed a deal to buy another US company, Passport Health Communications, for $850m (£528m). The announcement comes a month after the information services group acquired US-based fraud protection provider 41st Parameter. (Release) Passport Health Communications, a data and software provider, services over 2,500 hospitals and 9,000 other healthcare providers. The deal will see [...]
Britain’s great wage squeeze ends at last December 14, 2013 EARNINGS grew at the fastest pace since the financial crisis this year, while inflation dipped to the lowest level since 2009, putting the end of the UK’s long wage squeeze in sight. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday revealed the smallest squeeze on weekly real earnings since the recession, during the [...]
Victory for the City as EU backs down on banker bonuses December 13, 2013 The European Banking Authority has revised its position on capping banker bonuses. Bankers earning over €500,000 (£420,000) a year could be exempted from the cap if they are deemed not be major risk takers. Institutions will need to seek the permission of the EBA to exempt staff members from the cap. The original restriction sought [...]