World Economic Forum 2016: Davos’ digital dream is a long way from business reality January 20, 2016 Digital transformation is front and centre at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos. The fourth industrial revolution is on everyone’s lips (and screens). It’s widely suggested that the world is in the early stages of a new fundamental shift, where digital will transform existing industries and solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. [...]
E.On slashes gas prices by more than five per cent as chief executive says it’s “the right thing to do” January 20, 2016 Energy giant E.On has announced a decision to slash 5.1 per cent off its gas prices – equivalent to three weeks' gas use, or £32 off your annual bill, it said today. The company said it was also launching two new dual fuel tariffs, including one aimed at people aged over 60 and one two-year [...]
Another Anglo American asset sale: Troubled miner sells off Callide coal mine in Australia January 20, 2016 Troubled Anglo American has sold another Australian mine to weather the deepening commodities crisis which has struck it hard. Having shed over 84 per cent of its value in the past two years, the FTSE 100-listed miner is now selling its entire stake in the Callide thermal coal mine in Queensland, its second Australian asset [...]
Royal Dutch Shell’s share price falls as energy giant says earnings will drop dramatically amid cost-cutting measures January 20, 2016 Royal Dutch Shell's share price fell this morning after the energy giant warned that earnings will fall dramatically for the full year as a result of lower oil prices. Shell said its full year 2015 earnings on a CCS basis, excluding identified items, was expected to be in the region of $10.4bn – 10.7bn – nearly half [...]
WH Smith’s share price climbs after stationer ups profit guidance after strong Christmas sales – and yes, we’re still buying colouring-in books January 20, 2016 WH Smith's share price rose this morning, after the stationer said it expects full-year profits to be ahead of expectations, after the group recorded solid growth – with adult colouring-in books once again receiving credit for driving sales. The figures Total sales for the 20 weeks to 16 January across the group rose four per cent, [...]
Paws for thought as Pets at Home customers go crazy for posh dogfood January 20, 2016 Pets at Home has posted strong sales growth in its third quarter – thanks, in part, to a craze for "advanced nutrition" for their pets. Only the best for little Fido… The numbers The retailer posted like-for-like sales growth of 2.2 per cent in the 12 weeks to 1 January, with 1.7 per cent growth in merchandise, which was [...]
BG Group’s share price falls, despite chief executive Helge Lund confirming results will come in “at or above” expectations January 20, 2016 BG Group's full year results could come in ahead of expectations, the energy giant said this morning. The group, which is currently edging towards a £36bn takeover by Royal Dutch Shell, said improved performance in some areas, and a post-tax gain of "at least" $600m from disposals, re-measurements and impairments, meant the business was looking strong [...]
Asylum seekers claim contractor G4S put them in houses with “identifiable” red doors January 20, 2016 Asylum contractor G4S has been forced to paint asylum seekers’ front doors over after claims red paint singled them out as targets for abuse, with the contractor facing an inquiry from the Home Office over the claims. Asylum seekers in the North East told The Times they’d been targeted, claiming they were easy to identify because nearly [...]
Asian markets tumble as oil hovers nearer $27 January 20, 2016 Asian markets have tumbled overnight, after oil wiped out most of the gains it made this week. Last night West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dipped as low as $27.55 per barrel, while Brent crude fell to $28.28. Yesterday both rose above $30 for the first time since the weekend, before erasing those gains. The news [...]
Wetherspoon’s share price plummets on warning that profits will come at lower end of expectations after labour costs start to bite January 20, 2016 JD Wetherspoon's share price tumbled more than nine per cent this morning, after warning that full year profits will be towards the lower end of expectations, as increases in labour costs eat into the bottom line. The figures Like-for-like sales at the pub group rose 3.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 17 January, while total [...]