African Barrick appoints industry veteran as chief executive August 21, 2013 Mining firm African Barrick Gold has announced the appointment of Bradley Gordon as chief executive. Gordon will replace Greg Hawkins, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. Gordon has 30 years’ experience in the mining industry, joingin from his position as chief executive of precious metals exploration and development company Intrepid Mines. Chairman of the [...]
Lloyds sells off Heidelberger Leben for less than expected £250m August 21, 2013 State-backed bank Lloyds has sold off German life insurer Heidelberger Leben to Cinven Partners and Hannover Ruck for €300m (£250m) (release). That's below what the market had expected for the sale. The gross assets subject to the transaction are £7.2 billion, which are predominantly policyholder assets. In the year to 31 December 2012 the business [...]
Before the open – 21/08 August 21, 2013 Traders are expecting European markets to open lower after a mixed US session as it goes ex dividend today. The big action in today's markets will come at 19.00 as the Federal Open Market Committee publishes its minutes. #FTSE called around 5 points lower. #EURUSD bedding in above 1.3400 – release of #FOMC minutes [...]
Fresh Greek bailout fears for Eurozone August 20, 2013 GREECE may need a third bailout, Germany warned yesterday, hinting that the Eurozone crisis could flare up again and smashing hopes that the continent is on the mend. The troubled state is still deep in recession and is likely to need more aid when the current bailout deal runs out at the end of 2014, [...]
Emerging markets suffer on worries over Federal Reserve tapering August 20, 2013 JITTERY investors sent markets into a spiral yesterday on fears the US Federal Reserve could announce plans to slow down the pace of money printing as soon as tonight. India led the emerging markets down as stocks plummeted and the rupee hit record lows. Brazil’s markets dropped fast enough to put fundraising bids on ice, [...]
BAML says interns can go home early after death August 20, 2013 INTERNS at Bank of America Merrill Lynch are to be given the option to finish their summer placements early following the death of 21-year-old student Moritz Erhardt last week. A spokesman said “we are providing full support to our interns”, who are due to complete their postings next week, while BAML conducts its own enquiries [...]
Bonus season pushed to April as tax cut kicked in August 20, 2013 OFFICIAL statistics released yesterday confirmed that many companies held off on their bonus season until April this year, when the highest rate of income tax was cut to 45 per cent. Bonus payments for finance and insurance this April reached £1.3bn, more than twice as high as in the same month in 2012, when £600m [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 21 August 2013 August 20, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Investment bank hiring uptick Investment banks including Nomura, Citigroup and Bank of America have started hiring dealmakers and traders in Europe in a sign that recruitment is picking up following a two-year cull that saw thousands of bankers lose their jobs. Recruiters say they are at their busiest since 2010 as banks add [...]
Tech guru warns that London will lose out on IPOs August 20, 2013 LONDON will continue to lose out on initial public offerings (IPOs) in the technology sector unless banks and investors learn more about these businesses, according to the head of a British ecommerce company hoping to list soon. A lack of specialised analysts and committed investors could prevent new firms from staying in the UK, chief [...]
Treasury looks to ease cost of living burden August 20, 2013 THE TREASURY is looking at ways to ease the cost of living, City A.M. understands, raising hopes that the Autumn Statement could see another round of tax cuts or freezes. After years of high inflation outstripping wage growth, the government has faced criticism for doing to little to ease the squeeze on living standards. As [...]