Volkswagen emissions scandal: Are VW shares untouchable? September 30, 2015 Shares in car companies have plunged since Volkswagen admitted cheating in emissions tests on its diesel cars. One expert says the situation has parallels with BP in 2010, when the worst oil disaster in US history left the company’s shares virtually untouchable. Will this storm blow over, or has the death knell been sounded for [...]
The strengths that will undo the very best of leaders: Overplaying the things you’re best at can end in disaster September 30, 2015 It seems obvious that leaders must understand and play to their strengths – those qualities that energise them and enable them to do their best work – to effectively lead their teams to success. However, research shows that leaders often fail, not because they are weak in particular areas, but because they are using their [...]
Global markets on track for worst quarter since 2011 September 30, 2015 The commodity price rout, fresh concerns over the Chinese economy followed by its shock devaluation, uncertainty surrounding the Greek bailout deal, the prospect of a September interest rate rise from the Fed were some of the factors that made this summer a white knuckle ride for investors. Federal Reserve's first interest rate rise since 2006. [...]
City Moves for 30 September 2015 | Who’s switching jobs September 30, 2015 SAVILLS Jonathan Channing will join the real estate firm as director. Channing has over 15 years of experience in property management, and will lead the firm’s block management service as part of the prime estates division. He joins from Farrar Property Management. BAIRD The global investment bank has appointed Terry Huffine as managing director [...]
European M&A at highest levels for eight years September 30, 2015 M&A deals are getting bigger and better as a set of data shows their value is rising even as their numbers are falling. According to research from law firm CMS, the value of deals in the first half of 2015 was at its highest level since 2007 – up 17 per cent – from 14 [...]
UK consumers’ confidence hit by school return September 30, 2015 Consumer confidence in Britain has taken a knock in the past month due to back-to-school blues, according to German-based market research company GfK. The index, released today, measuring changes in personal finances during the past 12 months has decreased by two points this month to one, but still nine points higher than September 2014. The [...]
Hammerson and Allianz buy £1.4bn Irish shopping mall loans portfolio September 30, 2015 Hammerson has made a major foray into the Irish property market after buying a portfolio of loans secured against some of the country’s biggest shopping centres for €1.85bn (£1.37bn). The property giant and its joint venture partner Allianz Real Estate said yesterday they have signed an agreement with Ireland’s National Management Agency (Nama) to buy [...]
Panmure Gordon share price: Greece and China chaos hit Panmure profit September 30, 2015 Panmure Gordon announced yesterday it had made a loss of £200,000 in the six months to 30 June, compared with profits of £2m in the same period last year. Despite an increase in clients, and a six per cent rise in commission and trading income, to £5.7m, the investment bank reported a loss per share [...]
The graduate gender pay gap: What’s there to think about? September 30, 2015 Recently, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Cambridge and Harvard Universities found that women earn, annually, 23 per cent less than men 10 years after graduating. The Office for National Statistics had estimated it at around 33 per cent. So, we're 10 per cent to the good. Unfortunately, we're still 23 per cent to the bad. That’s not good. The overall UK [...]
Bank of England governor Mark Carney warns of financial risk posed by climate change September 29, 2015 Bank of England (BoE) governor Mark Carney has warned the City of climate change's threat to economic stability. Read more: Tackling climate change is possible without hindering economic growth Carney used a speech at a Lloyd's of London dinner to give a stark warning of the huge risks to financial security posed by global warming. [...]