Deutsche Bank could cut bonuses by as much as 30 per cent January 25, 2016 Deutsche Bank is expected to cut staff bonuses for the outgoing financial year, as the lender is braced to post a record loss with write-downs, litigation charges, restructuring costs and a tough trading environment all conspiring to hurt its bottom line. Reuters is reporting that the bank's employees have already been told their bonuses will [...]
How Philip Morris International is trying to make smoking less risky for its customers January 25, 2016 Philip Morris International, the tobacco giant behind Marlboro, is smoking out new ways to make money in a rapidly changing marketplace. The firm has poured $2bn (£1.4bn) into research and development since 2008 and its latest wheeze is developing safer cigarettes that still taste like the real thing. This isn’t for purely altruistic reasons. Smokers [...]
McDonald’s fills up on all day breakfast as fourth quarter sales rise January 25, 2016 McDonald’s has served up a five per cent jump in global like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter as efforts to turnaround its ailing US business showed signs of paying off. The fast food giant, which promoted former UK boss Steve Easterbrook to the top spot a year ago, said US fourth quarter comparable sales increased by 5.7 per cent, thanks in [...]
High street retailers steal share of physical entertainment market from Amazon January 25, 2016 Sales of physical DVDs, CDs and video games may be dropping but bricks and mortar stores are still holding their own after taking market share from the likes of Amazon in the quarter. According to Kantar Worldpanel figures, high street retailers took 68 per cent of spend on physical entertainment in the 12 weeks to 20 [...]
Electra Private Equity forced to shake up its strategy now activist investor Edward Bramson is on the board January 25, 2016 The board of Electra Private Equity has announced it is reviewing its investment strategy just a few months after activist investor Edward Bramson joined the board. Bramson was finally voted on to the Electra board in November with 53.5 per cent of shareholders voting in favour, along with Ian Brindle, former PwC boss and a [...]
Kingfisher’s share price dips as it reveals new strategy to target £500m annual profit uplift January 25, 2016 KIingfisher led the FTSE lower this morning as investors digested the DIY giant's new five year strategy – and the costs it will incur. Kingfisher, whose share price dropped as low 4.5 per cent in early trading, is hoping to return an additional £600m to shareholders over the next three years, with a plan to deliver a [...]
Falling demand for diamonds and the weak South African rand weigh on Petra Diamonds’ revenues January 25, 2016 Petra Diamonds, the FTSE listed miner, announced revenues for the last six months fell 28 per cent, as a result of falling diamond prices, and a weak South African rand. The figures Revenue fell 28 per cent to $154m (£108m) in the six months ending December, down from $214.8m the year before. This includes the $10.5m sale of a 23.16 [...]
JKX Oil & Gas blocks shareholders Eclairs and Glengary from vote over Proxima bid January 25, 2016 JKX Oil & Gas has blocked two of its biggest shareholders from attending or voting at a general meeting this week, at which the board risks being ejected. Eclairs Group and Glengary Overseas – who own 27.5 per cent and 11.4 per cent respectively – have been banned from taking part in the meeting on Thursday, [...]
Adidas ends sponsorship with IAAF four years early as doping scandal continues to dog athletics January 25, 2016 Adidas is pulling out of its sponsorship of athletics' world governing body IAAF four years before the contract was due to expire, as the doping scandal continues to dog the sport. The BBC reports that the sportswear giant told the IAAF of its plans – which will result in millions of dollars in lost income – earlier [...]
Astbury Marsden warns City workers face bonus shock this year January 25, 2016 City workers are anticipating bumper bonuses this season, but recruitment experts have warned that they could be in for disappointment. Two thirds of employees are expecting a hefty bonus payout, according to a survey published by Astbury Marsden this morning. Yet the job specialist’s MD, Adam Jackson, added: “This optimism is being severely tested. The current [...]