UK economy gets end of year boost as City jobs market flourishes December 12, 2016 The economy will end the year on a high note with an upswing in the City’s job market, improved growth forecasts and a brighter outlook for business output. A survey from professional services recruiter Morgan McKinley out today shows the City’s job market picking up pace again following the Brexit vote. There was a six [...]
Santa’s naughty list could well be shorter this year as coal demand waning and growth set to stall for next five years December 12, 2016 Waning appetite from key consuming nations and swift growth in other sources of energy will stall global demand for coal over the next five years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). (Though maybe it's just that so few children were naughty this year that coal's no longer needed…) Coal demand fell last year for [...]
The Memo proves investors still like media startups, landing six-digit funding December 12, 2016 London-based media startup The Memo has landed a new round of funding for international expansion, proving investor appetite for media despite the well-documented struggles of established print media. The more than quarter of a million pounds in cash comes as the 18-month-old online tech publication turned a profit for the first time. Investors ploughing in £280,000 [...]
The City has a loud voice in the Brexit debate December 12, 2016 How are we to discern the government's evolving Brexit strategy? Should we sit patiently and wait for strategic leaks? Should we scrutinise every handwritten memo photographed on its way into Downing St? Should we listen to the barrage of voices off, demanding action or concession in certain areas? Perhaps we should simply wait for the [...]
Aim liquidity rises by nine per cent over last year to shrug off Brexit uncertainty December 12, 2016 The average value of shares trading daily on London’s Aim market has risen over the last year, despite uncertainty following the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Liquidity on the UK’s junior market increased by nine per cent year on year, according to data from accountants UHY Hacker Young. The average daily value of shares [...]
It’s Europe that will push for a conciliatory Brexit – because Britain holds all the aces December 12, 2016 A strong case can be made that the UK economy is in a unique position within the European Economic Area (EEA). Unique, because its membership is to the categorical financial benefit of all other members. Other countries gain either through exports to or via businesses located within Britain. Were the UK to be sent outside the [...]
With the Fed set to hike interest rates this week, will a stronger dollar pose a threat to the world economy? December 12, 2016 Craig Melling, investment manager at Progeny Asset Management, says Yes. The recent boost to the dollar since the US election has been welcomed by investors and stock markets alike. However, looking more closely at the impact of a surging dollar leads us to believe that this is a potential setback for the world economy. First, [...]
Business as usual gives a post-referendum boost to GDP forecasts but inflation is going to dent growth, says British Chambers of Commerce December 12, 2016 A “business as usual” approach from UK businesses has kept the economy steady since the EU referendum, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), as they revised up growth for 2016 and 2017. The business lobby group’s forecast of this year’s annual GDP growth rate has been upgraded to 2.1 per cent, as firms [...]
Bermudian government reacts with fury as Oxfam report names it world’s worst tax haven December 12, 2016 The Bermudian government has reacted with fury to an Oxfam report that places it at the top of a list of global tax havens. The Oxfam list ranks the countries by how far it judges them to “facilitate the most extreme forms of tax dodging”, including low corporation tax rates and non-cooperation with tax avoidance [...]
Job market shakes off Brexit blues as number of City roles up for grabs soars in November December 12, 2016 Londoners who plan to spend the festive period polishing off their CVs are in luck, as the City job market has surged back into action following the Brexit vote. Figures out today from professional services recruiter Morgan McKinley show a six per cent year-on-year increase in professional jobs available for November, the first year-on-year rise recorded [...]