Centamin shares on the rise as gold production grows January 30, 2020 Centamin’s shares rose over five per cent today as the gold miner’s fourth quarter results vindicated its decision to resist a takeover offer from mining giant Endeavour. Gold production from the firm’s flagship Sukari mine rose eight per cent year on year to 148,387 ounces for the last quarter. Full year gold production rose two [...]
Oil prices fall again as coronavirus continues to weigh on demand January 30, 2020 Oil prices fell again today after a brief respite on Wednesday as the worsening coronavirus outbreak continued to take its toll on economies. Brent crude fell two per cent to $57.68, whilst West Texas Intermediate showed a similar decline to $52.32. The renewed fall came after a Brent crude rallied by 0.5 per cent yesterday, [...]
Shell’s final quarter profit halves amid oil price slump January 30, 2020 Shell saw its final quarter income halve as the continued slump in global oil prices knocked the company’s full year profits. The figures Shell’s full year income attributable to shareholders for 2019 was $16.5bn (£12.7bn), a 23 per cent fall from last years $21.4bn. In the final quarter, shareholder income fell 48 per cent from [...]
FTSE 100 back in the red as coronavirus surpasses Sars outbreak January 30, 2020 The FTSE 100 fell sharply in early trading today as European stocks sank into the red after the number of coronavirus cases surpassed the total for the Sars outbreak in the early 2000s. Coronavirus has now killed 170 while the number of infections has risen to 7,700. There were around 5,200 cases of Sars, which [...]
Trade tensions the biggest threat to markets in 2020, say traders January 30, 2020 Traders are worried about the impact international trade tensions will have on the markets in 2020, but only see Brexit as a minor concern, a new survey from JP Morgan has found. Despite the “phase one” deal between the US and China lessening tensions, 50 per cent of the 650 online traders surveyed by JP [...]
Households paying too much to support UK electricity networks January 30, 2020 Consumers have paid more than they should have to support the UK’s electricity networks, according to a new paper from the National Audit Office (NAO). Each year around one fifth of a typical household’s annual electricity bill – £130 – goes towards the running and maintenance of the UK’s power networks, which transports electricity to [...]
Lawyers challenge Andrea Leadsom’s decision to approve power plant January 30, 2020 An environmental law charity has launched a High Court challenge against business secretary Andrea Leadsom’s decision to approve a new gas power plant in North Yorkshire. Clientearth is challenging Leadsom’s decision on the grounds that construction of the plant, which would be the largest in Europe, goes against the Planning Inspectorate’s (PI) recommendation that it [...]
Fresnillo production falls as firm prepares for mine closure January 29, 2020 Full year gold and silver production at FTSE 250 miner Fresnillo fell in 2019 as the firm prepared for the closure of its Noche Buena mine in Mexico. Total silver production fell 11 per cent, from 61.8 million ounces in 2018 to 54.6 million ounces last year. However, the final quarter showed a 3.7 per [...]
Hong Kong stocks tumble three per cent on coronavirus fears January 29, 2020 The Hong Kong stock index slumped three per cent overnight in its first day of trading since the coronavirus outbreak intensified over the Chinese Lunar New Year. Coronavirus has now claimed 132 lives while the number of cases has hit 5,974. The jump in deaths has triggered an international response, with British Airways the latest [...]
Ovo Energy slapped with £8.9m fine for inaccurate billing January 29, 2020 Ovo Energy has been charged £8.9m by industry regulator Ofgem after inaccurate information on bills led to some customers being charged too much. The challenger firm, which recently became one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers, fell foul of the watchdog after incorrect annual statements were sent to more than 500,000 customers between July 2015 [...]