US economy adds more jobs than expected in October November 8, 2013 "First Friday" jobs day is back in the US with nonfarm payrolls jumping up 204,000 in October, after analysts predicted a 125,000 gain, and a previous figure of 163,000 (revised up from 148,000). The unemployment rate in October was up 7.3 per cent, in line with expectations – up from September's 7.2 per cent increase. [...]
MPs summon bankers over Royal Mail sale November 8, 2013 Several of the investment banks associated with the sell-off of Royal Mail have been called up by MPs to an inquiry into the company's privatisation, reports Sky News' City editor, Mark Kleinman. The banks have been contacted by the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee (BIS) which has asked them to attend sessions later this [...]
WPP acquires award winning Bottle Rocket November 8, 2013 WPP announced today that it has acquired US mobile solution provider, Bottle Rocket. Bottle Rocket creates specialised high-end apps for iPhones, iPads and Androids. The company won several industry awards including the Apple Hall of Fame awards. Bottle Rocket, founded in 2008, posted unaudited revenue for the previous twelve months ended September 2013 of $17m [...]
UK construction growth falls as trade deficit widens says ONS November 8, 2013 Figures released on Friday by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), show that Britain's trade deficit is at its highest point since October 2012. The trade deficit in goods now stands at £9.8bn. Economists had estimated it would fall to £9.2bn. The trade deficit with non-EU countries fell to £3.8bn in September, beating forecasts of [...]
Facebook picks Frank Gehry to design new London offices November 8, 2013 FACEBOOK has picked a British Land building near Euston for its new London offices and has hired one of the world’s top architects Frank Gehry to design the interiors. The social media giant signed a 10-year deal yesterday for three floors at 10 Brock Street in Regent’s Place, which is also home to Debenhams, Twitter [...]
Telefonica sees profits fall as Spanish market remains weak November 8, 2013 Spanish O2 operator, Telfonica, has posted a nine per cent fall in net profit over the nine months to 30 September. The Spanish telecoms giant struggled against poor domestic market conditions and weakening Latin American currencies. Revenue declined by €3.14bn (£2.62bn) and operating income before depreciation and amortization fell by 10.7 per cent to €14.1bn [...]
Rolls Royce big riser on FTSE after raising guidance November 8, 2013 Rolls Royce is one of the FTSE100's biggest risers this morning, after it raised its guidance in Defence Aerospace but lowered it for its Marine division. In the former, it expects to see modest growth, but the latter's underlying profit is predicted "broadly flat" for the full year. (Release) The jet company is one of [...]
Bovis Homes’ 45 per cent reservations increase boosted by Help to Buy November 8, 2013 Bovis Homes has reported an impressive 45 per cent like-for-like increase in reservations, at 2,390 in the 44 weeks to 1 November 2012. The strong growth was, said the housebuilding company, boosted by access to "higher loan to value mortgages and Government support in the form of the Help to Buy scheme contributing to an already [...]
Ofwat rejects Thames Water eight per cent price hike November 8, 2013 Water regulator Ofwat has prevented Thames Water from increasing its prices by eight per cent, or £29, for 2014-15. Regulation officer, Sonia Brown said: We said we would challenge Thames' application, in the interests of customers. We did just that and on the evidence provided we are not convinced that an extra bill increase is [...]
What you need to know before the open – 08/11 November 8, 2013 Losses in both the US and Asia, after Twitter's strong debut onto the New York Stock Exchange sparked fears of a brewing tech bubble, will see the FTSE100 open -35pts at 6660, says Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets. Morning call: we are calling the #FTSE +7 at 6753. — DavidMadden_IG (@DavidMadden_IG) November [...]