Afren share price falls 16 per cent after S&P downgrade on possible default February 5, 2015 Embattled oil producer Afren's share price closed down 13 per cent today, after major credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) warned of a possible default. Afren's share price had fallen as much as 15.8 per cent to 9.35 per pence share in mid-morning trade. However, it was still above this year's low of 4.2 pence [...]
Tesco faces investigation by yet another regulator over payment to suppliers February 5, 2015 Tesco has fallen under the scrutiny of yet another regulator, as a huge black hole in profits continues to raise questions about the supermarket's practices. In September last year, Tesco revealed that it overstated its group profits for the six months to 23 August by an estimated £250m, which was soon revised up to £263m. [...]
Greek fallout hits Wall St in final minutes – New York Report February 4, 2015 Eurozone worries, caused by a stand-off between Greece and one of its creditors in the dying minutes of trade led the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq lower yesterday. The benchmark index added to losses late in the session after the European Central Bank (ECB) abruptly cancelled its acceptance of Greek bonds in return for funding. [...]
Bank of England fears a public backlash on mortgage controls February 3, 2015 The Bank of England must educate the public on its new powers over mortgage lending or risk harm to its reputation, top official Donald Kohn told MPs yesterday. Officials can limit loan to income ratios and debt to income ratios if they fear the housing market is becoming a risk to financial stability. But that [...]
Apple taps US bond market for $5bn to fund its share buyback February 2, 2015 APPLE was last night issuing new bonds thought to be worth $5bn (£3.3bn) to fund a host of “general corporate purchases,” including share repurchases. Despite its record quarterly profits of $18bn, the tech giant is making the most of historically-low costs of corporate borrowing. In its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing Apple said the [...]
Afren share price jumps 88.7 per cent after debt deadline moves February 2, 2015 Shares in oil firm Afren shot up by 88.7 per cent yesterday, following news at the close of trading on Friday that the company has been given extra time to repay its debts. The Africa-focused firm has obtained a deferral of a $50m (£33m) amortisation payment, which was due on 31 January, until 27 February, [...]
Greece-Eurozone standoff presents “greatest risk to economy” George Osborne warns as Yanis Varoufakis visits London February 2, 2015 The standoff between Greece and the Eurozone presents the greatest risk to the global economy, chancellor George Osborne has said. Osborne, who met Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis in London today, said both sides needed to consider how they worked in future, or risk derailing growth, both globally and specifically within the UK. Varoufakis [...]
Quindell insists Slater & Gordon talks still on as share price tanks 20 per cent February 2, 2015 Quindell has moved to reassure investors that talks are still ongoing with legal giant Slater & Gordon after its share price tanked this morning. The troubled insurance claims processor, whose share price had been rallying since the start of the year, saw its share price fall by as much as 20 per cent today. [...]
UK economy starts 2015 in good health as rate setters meet – London Report February 1, 2015 CONSTRUCTION, manufacturing and services figures for January, due out this week, are expected to show a healthy economic start for the UK in 2015. Analysts expect all the numbers, based on purchasing managers’ surveys, to be up on December’s. The Bank of England is due to meet this week to set interest rates, with no [...]
Afren share price nightmare: Seplat gets another deadline extension over potential bid January 30, 2015 Embattled oil producer Afren will have to wait a little longer before it learns if rival Nigerian company Seplat is going to make it a formal takeover offer. Seplat now has until 5pm on 13 February to decide whether it'll firm up an informal offer originally made in December. City analysts had voiced doubts over [...]