Before the Open: Politics continue to mute markets September 26, 2013 US and European markets are expected to open lower again today after political squabbling in the US over raising the debt ceiling. Global markets are suffering from risk-off. US equities saw their 5th straight loss overnight with risk currencies once again following. — RMB Global Markets (@RMB_GM) September 26, 2013 Asian markets closed lower, [...]
Global Britain: Over half of UK company shares owned by foreign investors September 25, 2013 More than half of shares in listed UK firms owned by foreign investors for the first time UK CAPITAL markets are more global than ever, it was revealed yesterday, as official statistics showed that for the first time more than half of shares in British companies are now owned outside the UK. In just a [...]
Labour wipes billions off energy firms as price freeze predicted to cost £6.8bn September 25, 2013 ED MILIBAND yesterday wiped £2bn off the value of leading energy firms, as investors rushed to sell shares in gas and electricity suppliers following the Labour leader’s announcement that he would freeze bills if elected in 2015. British Gas owner Centrica saw £1.1bn wiped off its market value and fellow supplier SSE shed £870m, as [...]
Osborne backs City with challenge to EU bonus cap September 25, 2013 THE TREASURY yesterday lodged a legal challenge to the EU’s planned bank bonus cap, arguing it breaks European law and will cause more harm than good by undermining financial stability. Brussels claims capping bonuses atone times salary – or double salary if shareholders agree – will rein in bad behaviour in the sector. But British [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 26 September 2013 September 25, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Nokia asked Elop to give back €18m Nokia’s chairman asked Stephen Elop, the Finnish group’s former chief executive, if he would forgo part or all of his €18.8m pay-off several days ago as the furore over it grew. People close to Nokia said that as pressure mounted over the weekend from Finnish politicians, [...]
US could run out of money by 17 October September 25, 2013 THE US CONGRESS, already struggling to avert a government shutdown next week, turned its attention yesterday to the other fiscal bullet it had to dodge: a federal debt default. Republican leaders in the House of Representatives notified members that a vote on raising the debt limit could come as early as Friday. Treasury Secretary Jack [...]
JP Morgan in talks to settle probes for $11bn September 25, 2013 JP MORGAN Chase is in talks with US officials to settle federal and state mortgage probes for $11bn (£6.8bn), two people familiar with the matter said yesterday. The sum could include $7bn in cash and $4bn for consumers, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private. The talks are [...]
Bonuses under threat as Icap is fined over Libor September 25, 2013 LONDON-BASED interdealer broker ICAP was yesterday fined £54m by US and UK regulators after 10 of its staff were involved in attempts to fiddle yen Libor from 2006 to 2011. The bill is expected in part to be paid by staff who will face a much lower bonus pool this year as a result. Three [...]
Mandelson says Miliband taking party backwards September 25, 2013 FORMER business secretary Lord Mandelson yesterday accused Ed Miliband of dragging the Labour party backwards with plans to freeze energy prices. Mandelson, widely seen as the architect of new Labour, lashed out after Miliband told the Labour Party conference he would impose a 20-month suspension of household fuel bills if he wins the next election. “As [...]
Energy providers: How easy is it to switch? September 25, 2013 CHANGING energy supplier is not an easy process, it can often take ample amounts of patience and perseverance, but consumers could all save money if they decided to change more often. As Chris Huhne said in 2011, “We should be switching if we’re not on the cheapest tariff.” Which? this week reported that UK consumers [...]