Goldman Sachs warns US government shutdown will hit growth October 7, 2013 Goldman Sachs has warned that a two day shutdown of the US Federal government could reduce fourth quarter GDP (annualised) by 0.1 percentage points, and that a shutdown as long as one week could see GDP take a 0.3 percentage point hit. Over the weekend Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a bill to [...]
Newcastle Uni brands students RUNTs October 7, 2013 Rebrands are tricky at the best of times, risking alienating customers or spending a fortune on a new logo nobody notices. But Newcastle University is sure to get noticed if some of its brand ideas make it to the public. It has applied to trademark the Research University of Newcastle upon Tyne – or RUNT, [...]
Draghi says he will flood banks with cheap money if it is needed October 6, 2013 EUROPE’S banks will get more support if there is any sign of them hiking the interest rate at which they lend to each other, European Central Bank (ECB) boss Mario Draghi said yesterday. Speaking to the European parliament he reaffirmed his commitment to keep interest rates low until the economic recovery is firmly established. And [...]
Former head of Network Rail in line for Centrica chair October 4, 2013 The former head of Network Rail, Rick Haythornthwaite, has been scouted as the new chairman of British Gas, reports Mark Kleinman, City editor of Sky News. The owner of British Gas, Centrica, is in ongoing talks with Haythornthwaite, who looks set to take over form Sir Roger Carr. There are thought to be other candidates [...]
Government shutdown could knock 0.6 percentage points off fourth quarter growth October 4, 2013 As the US federal government enters its fourth day of shutdown, economists at IHS Global Insight say that a shutdown lasting as long as a week could see GDP take a hit. They've said that assuming the shutdown lasts seven days, GDP growth should now be 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter (rather than [...]
Cadbury loses right to purple packaging October 4, 2013 Mondelez International which makes Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, has lost its battle with Nestle to keep the exclusive use of the colour purple in its packaging of chocolate products. The UK court of Appeals overturned a decision in 2012 that ruled the shade of purple was distinctive to the Cadbury Dairy Milk bars. The 2012 [...]
Bank of England appoints new finance director from Barclays October 4, 2013 The Bank of England has appointed Ralph Coates as its new finance director. Ralph succeeds Warwick Jones, who retired from the Bank in June. He'll start the job on 4 November. Charlotte Hogg, chief operating officer said: I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ralph Coates as the Bank’s new Finance Director. Ralph will [...]
Sellafield clean-up contract renewal for Amec October 4, 2013 Amec has announced the renewal of a contract for a further five years to clean up the nuclear site at Sellafield (release). That's the first renewal for Amec, with more available for a total life of 17 years. Clive White, president of Amec's European clean energy business, said that "Sellafield is one of the world's [...]
Fed’s Fisher says no-one has confidence in the government but there won’t be a default October 4, 2013 The Federal Reserve's Richard Fisher has said that uncertainty over the shutdown of the US federal government has put business in a defensive crouch, as no-one has confidence in the federal government, and that the US is a country in denial. Shutdown of several functions of the Federal government has now lasted for four days [...]
Companies to be liberated from “sensitive” names October 4, 2013 Business minister Jo Swinson has announced today that the number of 'sensitive' names business-startups need to get approval for before setting up, is to be slashed. Companies House, the UK registrar of companies, classes some words as "sensitive" and therefore cannot form or change the name of a company if it contains one of these [...]