China’s economic woes continue as factory activity contracts at fastest pace in three years September 1, 2015 Here we go again? Shares closed lower in China this morning, after manufacturing figures showed the sector in the world's second largest economy contracted last month at its fastest pace in three years. Read more: China warned: You don’t know what you’re doing The official purchasing manager's index (PMI) was 49.7 in August [...]
China stock market crackdown: Chinese government arrests nearly 200 over ‘illegal rumour-mongering’ August 31, 2015 City figures launched a broadside against China’s government last night, after authorities spent the weekend rounding up nearly 200 people deemed guilty of “illegal rumour-mongering”. Beijing appears to have lost faith in its ability to stem a decline in China’s shares through large-scale purchases. Instead, it has turned on traders, social media users and [...]
UK shoppers flee high street over August bank holiday weekend August 31, 2015 Heavy rain over the bank holiday weekend resulted in a washout for high streets across the country with people opting to visit shopping centres instead, new figures show. High street stores suffered a 4.1 per cent year-on-year decline in footfall on Sunday after the wet weather and strong winds dampened shoppers' mood, according to [...]
UK income tax haul from non-doms has risen 7 per cent and hit £6.6bn last year August 31, 2015 The amount of income tax paid by so-called “non-doms” based in the UK has risen by seven per cent, according to a new report out today from Pinsent Masons, the global law firm. According to the report, non-doms – individuals claiming certain tax benefits because their permanent home is outside of the UK – [...]
Card spending via contactless jumps to £2.5bn in the UK as the payment limit rises to £30 August 31, 2015 The spending limit on contactless cards has today increased from £20 to £30, as new figures show a surge in spending to £2.5bn in the first six months of the year. The use of contactless technology to pay in restaurants and shops has soared in popularity since it was first introduced in 2007, when [...]
Pay hike on the cards as Oliver Bonas becomes first UK high street chain to pay living wage August 31, 2015 Gifts and homeware retailer Oliver Bonas has provided a major boost to the high street after committing to paying its staff the living wage. The chain, which has 43 UK stores as well as a warehouse and head office in Chessington, announced it will start paying all directly-employed staff and third party contractors at [...]
JP Morgan Cazenove stays ahead of rival Bank of America Merrill Lynch in top broker battle August 31, 2015 JP Morgan Cazenove’s capture of Barclays’ coveted broking mandate has helped the investment bank stretch its lead at the top of the latest adviser rankings. The bank, which brokers giants like Vodafone and Standard Chartered, has 34 FTSE 100 clients, seven more than its nearest rival Bank of America Merrill Lynch, according to the [...]
Cannabis firm Tweed Marijuana makes profit for first time August 31, 2015 Canadian marijuana company Tweed Marijuana is riding high after posting its first profitable quarter and agreeing a friendly merger with Bedrocan Cannabis Corporation. The figures The Ontario-based parent company of medicinal marijuana producers announced revenue of $1.7m (£1.1m) in the three months to 30 June – a 39 per cent quarterly increase – which helped [...]
German retail sales accelerate to beat forecasts with 3.3 per cent growth August 31, 2015 German retail sales beat expectations, gaining 3.3 per cent year-on-year despite eurozone confidence being shaken by the Greek debt crisis. Economists were forecasting a growth of just 1.7 per cent so Germany’s bullish sales figures come close to doubling expectations. Monthly figures showed retail sales jumping by 1.4 per cent from June to July, according [...]
North Sea boost: Maersk gets production on Culzean gas field approved by UK Oil & Gas Authority August 31, 2015 Maersk has got a green light for production on the largest gas field found in the North Sea for a decade. The UK Oil & Gas Authority has given the Danish energy company the go-ahead on the Culzean gas field, which is expected to hold some 250m barrels of oil. Once it reaches peak production, [...]