Eurozone economy posts sluggish expansion in September as concerns grow over Spain October 5, 2015 The Eurozone economy managed to keep up its lacklustre economic recovery in September, new survey figures show this morning. Markit’s economy-wide purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – derived from surveys of businesses – slipped to a score of of 53.6 in September from 53.4 in August. Despite the dip, the PMI is above the 50 level which [...]
Glencore share price leaps 72 per cent in Hong Kong October 5, 2015 Shares in troubled miner Glencore surged as much as 72 per cent to HK$18.36 during trading in Hong Kong today. In a statement this morning, the company said it was "not aware" of any reason behind the price rises. The board confirms that it is not aware of any reasons for these price and volume [...]
Asian markets boosted by poor US jobs data October 5, 2015 Asian shares were boosted this morning by poor jobs data released by the US. US non-farm pay rolls rose by 142,000 in September, which was a long way off hitting the 203,000 figure markets had expected. Read more: Non-farm payroll: Weak US jobs growth pushes back rate hike expectations Asian markets benefited [...]
World Bank lowers growth forecasts for East Asian economies October 5, 2015 The World Bank has cut its growth predictions for the developing East-Asia Pacific region. The global lender said in a report this morning that growth would reach 6.5 per cent in 2015, dropping to 6.4 per cent and 6.3 per cent in the two following years. It had previously estimated growth of 6.7 [...]
UK Oil & Gas sites could yield 2,500 barrels of oil a day October 5, 2015 Sites owned by "Gatwick Gusher" company UK Oil & Gas could yield as much as 2,500 barrels of oil a day, according to consultants. As part of an evaluation into sites in the Weald and Purbeck-Wight Basins of southern England, where Ukog owns 11 licences equivalent to 650 square kilometres, Xodus Group and Barton Willmore [...]
It’s official: Google is now Alphabet as restructuring process comes to an end October 5, 2015 Google's transition to Alphabet is now complete, the company confirmed last night. In a statement posted on its investor relations site, it said the restructuring process was due to be finished by the end of the day, and that on Monday Google shares will be traded under Alphabet for the first time. Google [...]
Losses widen at shirt-maker Austin Reed October 5, 2015 Losses at Austin Reed widened last year after a torrid trading period that resulted in the retailer closing 31 stores to pay down debts. The 114-year-old tailor, which counts International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde among its customers, posted a £5.4m loss in the year to 31 January, compared with a £1.3m loss the previous [...]
OECD reveals plans to crack down on tax avoidance and win over cynics of tax reforms October 5, 2015 The organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) must win over cynics when it announces its recommendations for a co-ordinated international approach to reform the international tax system later today. The measures will range from debt relief and harmonising rules on subsidiary companies, to linking sales and tax in each country more closely by changing [...]
UK housing crisis: Local authorities want to boost housebuilding October 5, 2015 The local Government Association (LGA) is urging chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne to raise the government’s targets for selling public land ahead of next month’s comprehensive spending review. In a formal submission sent this week, the LGA said the government should lift its target revenues from selling off public land for housing development [...]
Northern powerhouse project: Researchers predict widening of North-South economic divide October 5, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne’s plan to create a “northern powerhouse” has been dealt a blow as a new report estimates that the gap between London and the rest of the UK is set to widen. London’s economy is forecast to grow 27 per cent over the next decade, according to a report from law firm Irwin [...]