BT calls for Ofcom inquiry into Sky July 9, 2015 BT has called on industry watchdog Ofcom to expand its Digital Communications Review to tackle Sky's dominance of the pay-television sector. “Sky has benefited from a situation where there’s been very little or weak regulation,” John Petter, chief executive of BT’s consumer division, said in a speech to the Broadcasting Press Guild in London. "Sky [...]
Fashion chain Reiss is exploring a share sale July 9, 2015 Family owned high street fashion chain Reiss, a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, is reportedly exploring a share sale which could value the company at as much as £325m. The company's founder David Reiss is exploring bringing in outside investors for the first time since the company was founded in 1971. According to a report by Sky [...]
Greece could be about to enter a €2bn energy deal with Russia July 9, 2015 Greek energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis has just revealed plans for a huge energy deal with Russia – a move that will undoubtedly fan the flames over in Brussels. Read more: European markets rise sharply on Greece hopes In a speech to energy executives in Athens today, he said Greece might sign a €2bn (£1.4bn) [...]
European markets rise sharply on Greece hopes July 9, 2015 Stocks in Europe rebounded today as a glimmer of hope emerged that Greece may reach a deal with its creditors. Read more: Ryanair boss calls Greek government "a bunch of lunatics" Portugal's PSI 20 led the rise, jumping 3.7 per cent, while France's Cac climbed 2.4 per cent and the Dax rose two per cent. In [...]
Cyber security firm NCC’s revenue rise is not reflected in stalling profits July 9, 2015 Cyber security firm NCC has revealed rising revenue in the year ending 31 March. Revenue was up 21 per cent from 2014, to 133.7m. Finance boss Atul Patel, told City A.M. that this showed “another record year of strong international growth.” The revenue growth did not though prompt a rise in profits at the Manchester-based [...]
International Monetary Fund predicts weaker UK growth in 2015 as lower oil prices and Greek uncertainty take their toll July 9, 2015 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its UK growth forecast to 2.4 per cent in 2015, down from 2.7 per cent in April. In 2016, growth will fall to 2.2 per cent, 0.1 percentage points lower than it originally predicted, the IMF said in an update to its World Economic Outlook released today. It [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates as MPC minutes trial ends July 9, 2015 The Bank of England has finished an internal trial of new procedures and from now on will publish details of monetary policy decisions on the same day as they are made. In a much expected move, the nine-strong monetary policy committee held rates at 0.5 per cent today. They have been unchanged since March [...]
The UK is finally catching up with US in biotech investment – venture capital funding more than doubled last year July 9, 2015 The amount of funding received by UK life science companies reached a 10-year high last year, indicating Britain is finally starting to catch up with the US in biotech. Read more: The UK's biotech drain: This is why London's most successful startups are heading to New York According to a report by the UK [...]
July Budget 2015: IFA Hargreaves Lansdown offers 10 tips for investors to navigate new dividend rules carefully July 9, 2015 Yesterday's Budget included a significant shake up of the way dividends are taxed. Instead of the current tax credit, from next April investors will receive a £5,000 allowance after which dividends will be taxed at 7.5 per cent, 32.5 per cent, or 38.1 per cent depending on their income tax band. Isa and pension [...]
July Budget 2015: Transport for the North promises shorter train journey times and cheaper fares as high speed rail will drive Northern Powerhouse July 9, 2015 Slashed travel times between northern cities will cheer commuters, as new transport body Transport for the North gives a boost to George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse project. But how exactly will the new and improved transport system work? And how much time will you save? This handy map and the charts below show how much shorter [...]