BP share price edges up as profits plummet 20 per cent, but still beat expectations April 28, 2015 BP's share price rose slightly this morning, even as the company's results suffered from the effects of low oil prices. The energy giant’s underlying replacement cost profit was down 20 per cent for the three months ending 31 March, compared with the same period a year earlier. That sounds like terrible news, but the company [...]
Whitbread chief executive Andy Harrison announces retirement plans as company profits soar April 28, 2015 The figures Whitbread chief executive Andy Harrison has announced his intention to retire from the role at the end of the next financial year, after the company reported a rise in sales, earnings and profit for the year ended 26 February 2015. Harrison, who previously occupied the same role at easyJet and RAC, said "it is [...]
Santander shrugs of Eurozone troubles to record 39 per cent jump in profit April 28, 2015 The Eurozone’s largest bank showed it can thrive in the region’s crisis. Profit before tax was up 39 per cent in the three months to March 2015, compared to the same three months a year ago. It came in at €2.9bn (£2.1bn), up from €2.1bn in quarter one 2014. Banco Santander’s net income grew 32 [...]
Apple sales soar on back of China growth: Profits rise despite decline in iPad sales April 27, 2015 Apple has reported a 27 per cent increase in revenue to $58bn (£38bn) for the second quarter, boosted by strong demand in China. Sales in China alone rose 71 per cent to $16.8bn, helping the smartphone giant rake in profits of $13.6bn, up from $10.2bn last year. The firm sold 61.2m iPhones during the period, [...]
Bank holiday cancelled: RBS branches stay open on Monday April 27, 2015 Bank holidays could soon be a relic of a bygone age of short opening hours and inconvenient service, as RBS plans to open dozens of branches this Monday. As internet and mobile banking have taken off, branch use has plummeted, prompting banks to try to make access to their expensive high street sites more convenient. [...]
Deutsche Bank’s Anshu Jain takes responsibility for Libor rigging scandal but won’t quit April 27, 2015 One of Deutsche Bank’s co-chief executives yesterday said he takes responsibility for the Libor fiddling that took place in London on his watch. But Anshu Jain said that he will not resign. The bank has disciplined or fired everyone who it believes is responsible, and has been told to sack another seven staff identified by [...]
Bank of America analysts back HSBC’s possible move out of UK April 27, 2015 HSBC’s bosses are right to look at quitting the UK, a Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst said yesterday. The high tax charge from the bank levy is a key factor, as is the cost of splitting the UK retail bank away from the rest of the business under the new ring fence rules. The [...]
Styropack and Jablite deal sets up factory floor-to-corner office rise move April 27, 2015 THE DIRECTORS of Jablite and Styropack, including one who started his career on the factory floor at the latter 28 years ago, have completed a management buyout from previous owner Synbra Group. Richard Lee, managing director and new joint owner of the expanded polystyrene manufacturing business, started working at Styropack aged 17, and has worked [...]
Staffline is new leader for welfare-to-work after £34m deal to buy A4E April 27, 2015 Recruitment firm Staffline yesterday became the UK’s biggest welfare-to-work supplier after it struck a £36.4m deal to buy business consultancy A4E, helping crystallise a £20m fortune for A4E founder Emma Harrison. The junior stock market listed firm, which offers a variety of outsourcing services, will pay £23.5m in cash and assume A4E’s £11m of [...]
Bob Diamond firm Atlas Mara eyes up Banque Populaire du Rwanda as Africa expansion continues April 27, 2015 Bob Diamond’s firm Atlas Mara is in talks to buy a second Rwandan bank, as part of his plan to shake up lending across Africa. If the deal goes ahead, Atlas Mara will acquire a 45 per cent stake in Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR), on an investment of $22.5m (£14.7m). BPR has 191 branches [...]