Businesses must put more cash into commercialising top tech R&D from universities, say MPs March 13, 2017 Businesses have been told to increase their investment in the world-class research and development which goes on in UK universities by MPs, to bring innovations to market and bring it in line with other countries. Members of the science and technology committee have called for a greater focus on the demands of business rather than the supply of [...]
Mario Draghi says Eurozone should make it easier for companies to fail to boost productivity March 13, 2017 European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi has said the Eurozone should make it easier for companies to fail in order to allow stuttering productivity in the region to accelerate, while his criticised the deregulatory impulses of Donald Trump in a thinly veiled attack. He said: “Ensuring that failed firms are able to smoothly exit [...]
Computacenter promises jam tomorrow as UK was “disappointing” this year March 13, 2017 IT infrastructure company Computacenter today said its UK performance for 2016 was disappointing but says next year will be “a year of progress overall” for the group. The figures Adjusted profit before tax fell by £0.5m to £86.4m, as adjusted revenues rose to £3.2bn from £3bn in 2015. The company declared a dividend of 22.2p per share, [...]
Clarkson hits choppy waters but sees plain sailing ahead March 13, 2017 Shipping broker Clarkson told investors in its preliminary results today that the outlook for profits in the medium term is good. The company said there “are now a number of indicators of improvement in the industry via measurable, if as yet relatively modest, demand growth and a slowing in the new capacity reaching the market.” [...]
Why markets are so calm about the coming triggering of Article 50 March 13, 2017 Brexit is back and this time it looks for real. The UK government’s decision to trigger Article 50 imminently means the start of official negotiations with the European Union on the exit plan. But while financial markets remain cautious, the tension seems to be less as compared to the 23 June referendum vote. There are [...]
Sterling sustains strength as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signals second Scottish referendum March 13, 2017 Markets have stayed steady despite First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing she will seek a second referendum on Scottish independence. Against the US dollar sterling was broadly unchanged at the time of publication, sustaining gains of around 0.48 per cent, after reaching highs of $1.2240. The FTSE 100 meanwhile did not give up any gains, remaining [...]
Bitcoin’s back over $1,200 despite the Winklevoss twins’ ETF disappointment March 13, 2017 Bitcoin surged upwards overnight after it took a dive at the end of last week when the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) denied approval for Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss to list a bitcoin only exchange-traded fund (ETF). The twins' hopes were dashed on Friday after the US regulator said it wasn't happy with the fact the [...]
What will happen to sterling against the US dollar when Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Article 50? We asked the experts March 13, 2017 Now the Budget is out of the way with barely a mention of Brexit, currency traders’ attentions can turn to the next big set-piece event in the political calendar: the moment Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Article 50. May could notify the EU as soon as tomorrow if MPs in the House of Commons vote [...]
UK oil services companies John Wood Group and Amec Foster Wheeler in £5bn merger deal March 13, 2017 Two UK oil services firms have agreed to a £5bn merger. John Wood Group announced this morning it had agreed a takeover deal for FTSE 250-listed Amec Foster Wheeler. Amec’s share price jumped 18 per cent to £5.76 at the time of writing, while John Wood’s was up eight per cent to £8.10. [stockChart code="AMFW" date="2017-03-13 [...]
Private sector business confidence has rebounded to its strongest level since 2015 as Brexit fear fades March 13, 2017 Business confidence among the UK's private sector firms recovered to the strongest level since mid-2015, according to new figures. The EU referendum sent the net balance of optimism to a four-year low of 39 per cent, but now the index has rebounded to 52 per cent, comparing favourably with other developed markets, data released today [...]