We’d rather discuss age and gender in the office than race, as incidences of racial harassment in the workplace rise November 10, 2015 When it comes to touchy subjects in the office, it turns out talking about race makes us more uncomfortable than discussing age or gender. In a survey by Business in the Community (BITC) of 24,457 UK employees, 37 per cent said they thought their colleagues would be comfortable discussing race, compared to 44 per cent [...]
National Grid moves to assure over power crunch this winter November 10, 2015 National Grid has sought to assure British households that it will be able to keep the lights on this winter. The company's chief executive Steven Holliday said that historically, between 2003-2008, it issued around seven alerts a year. "We have got used to a lower amount, but if we went back to those levels it is not necessarily something [...]
Moody’s and S&P cut credit ratings for AstraZeneca November 10, 2015 Moody's and S&P both lowered their credit ratings for AstraZeneca today, highlighting the company's plight as it tries to tackle a number of looming patent expirations. S&P cut its rating from "A+" to "A", while Moody's lowered its rating from "stable" to "negative". The former said it did not expect a significant recovery in profits [...]
Prudential share price dips as it unveils net outflows of £2.7bn at asset management arm M&G November 10, 2015 Prudential's asset management division M&G failed to impress in its third quarter of 2015, today reporting net outflows of £2.7bn for the last three months. M&G's retail business was particularly badly hit, with net outflows for the quarter of £3.9bn, compared to net inflows in its institutional business of £1.2bn. Share price in the company dropped [...]
Global construction market to grow by 85 per cent to $15.5 trillion by 2030 November 10, 2015 The global construction market is expected to grow by 85 per cent to $15.5 trillion worldwide by 2030, new research shows, with China, US and India leading the way and accounting for 57 per cent of all global growth. The latest study from industry analysts Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics predicts that growth in [...]
Vodafone share price back in positive territory on better-than-expected results despite terminated talks with Liberty Global November 10, 2015 Despite cancelled merger talks with Liberty Global disappointing shareholders, Vodafone shows it’s well back on track with sales smashing expectations. The figures Vodafone posted first half results showing the company’s organic service revenue rose one per cent to £18.4bn in the six months to 30 September. This outstripped most analysts’ forecasts, which hovered around 0.8 per [...]
London office rents: Naysayers are right to worry about a bubble – but London will keep growing November 10, 2015 London’s office market is booming, there’s no doubt about it. We are the midst of an upward cycle and have seen huge levels of capital investment and rental growth in the last few years. This is largely thanks to a spike in demand fuelled by the economic recovery and increased confidence in businesses. With the [...]
IEA: Oil prices won’t breach $100 mark until 2040 November 10, 2015 Due to the supply glut it will be another 25 years before oil prices break through the crucial $100 mark, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). And the black stuff is unlikely to hit $80 a barrel before the end of the next decade, as annual global demand growth rises by 900,000 barrels per day to [...]
Hornby share price dips as it warns on full year profits, revenues despite turnaround plan building steam November 10, 2015 Shares in Thomas & Friends manufacturer Hornby fell almost six per cent to 91.25p in early trading, after it admitted full year profits and revenues will be lower than expected as it attempts to build up steam on its turnaround plan. The group is expecting to make a "disappointing" pre-tax loss of £2m this year, although it [...]
National Grid kicks off sale of UK gas distribution business November 10, 2015 UK power operator National Grid has kicked off the process of flogging a majority stake in its gas distribution business. The figures The UK electricity and natural gas operator reported a 21 per cent jump in its adjusted pre-tax profits, up from £1.14bn to £1.37bn, in the six months to 30 September. Earnings per share were also up [...]