After the Nvidelity comes the Huangover. Jensen Huang joins long list who confused boardroom and bedroom
UK business optimism at 20-year high January 6, 2014 Three major business surveys out today have shown that companies of all sizes are growing in confidence over their ability to grow sales, exports and profits. In fact, they're more optimistic this year than they've been over the last twenty, said Lloyds' external relations head Stephen Pegge to the BBC. A survey of over 1,500 [...]
Meet the CEO betting big on his company’s success January 6, 2014 The new chief executive (CEO) of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) is investing more than just his time in the company's success. Phil Bentley, who replaced Tony Rice as CEO on 1 January has bought 4.3m shares in the company since his appointment. The value of the shares amounts to three times Mr Bentley's base [...]
What you need to know before the open – 06/01 January 6, 2014 European bourses are set to open lower this morning as investors await service PMI results. They follow Asian markets, which were led lower by PMI data that indicated a sharp slowing in Chinese services growth in December. Lack- lustre opening expected in Europe in response to downbeat mood in Asia – FTSE -6, DAX [...]
Balfour Beatty bags Olympic stadium transformation contract January 6, 2014 Construction firm Balfour Beatty has won a £154m contract to transform the London 2012 Olympic stadium. The stadium will become a multi-use venue, and is due to host five matches during the Rugby World Cup next year. It'll also be the permanent home of West Ham United from 2016. Balfour Beatty already has a £41m [...]
Fear of financial risk drives China into new regulatory clampdown January 6, 2014 China has begun clamping down on its shadow banking industry in an attempt to head off a potential financial crisis, sources told Reuters. The new regulations issued by the State Council will strengthen rules governing off-balance sheet lending. The Peoples Bank of China will attempt to develop new methods to oversee the shadow banking sector [...]
Business groups pan migrant crackdown January 6, 2014 BUSINESS leaders have condemned Ed Miliband’s plan to prevent employers paying low wages to migrant workers, calling it “misguided,” after a day in which both the Prime Minister and leader of Ukip Nigel Farage also toughened their rhetoric on migrant labour. The Labour leader vowed to close an opt-out allowing employment agencies, which can employ [...]
Lonely Christmas for traditional retail as web dominates January 6, 2014 BRITAIN’S bricks-and-mortar retailers have had another disappointing Christmas, with in-store sales failing to match inflation and online spending making up more than half of seasonal boost in spending. Compared to 2012’s Christmas period, consumption only rose by 1.2 per cent in physical retail stores, Barclaycard revealed this weekend. Despite a slight improvement, the increase was [...]
Minister: Let pensioners switch their annuities January 6, 2014 THE government announced a series of reforms to private and state pensions yesterday. Under the proposals, retired workers would be able to switch annuities regularly to get the best value for money. It would work in a similar way to mortgage switching. David Cameron also vowed to maintain the triple-lock on the state pension, which [...]
Q and A: Why reform the annuity market? January 6, 2014 Q What is an annuity? A An annuity is a financial product that pays a guaranteed income for life. It is most commonly used by people with private pensions to convert their lump sum payment into regular income. Annuities are becoming more popular as final-salary pensions have died out in the private sector. Annuities can [...]
Barristers in court walkout January 6, 2014 CRIMINAL barristers across England and Wales are set to stage a mass walkout this morning to protest against legal aid cuts proposed by the government. Up to 2,000 barristers are expected to stay away from court until 2pm today, with protests planned outside the Old Bailey and Southwark Crown Court. The Ministry of Justice wants [...]