Norway doubles down on Arctic oil February 21, 2017 While Canada and the U.S. ban Arctic drilling for oil and gas motivated by environmental concerns, and majors such as Shell pull out of their Arctic projects due to financial pressures, Norwegian energy companies are planning to increase drilling in the country’s Arctic shelf in the Barents Sea. It seems that the limited oil price [...]
Bacanora Minerals eyes the European electric car industry with its acquisition of a German lithium business February 21, 2017 Shares in Bacanora Minerals have lifted today on news the firm has gained a foothold in Europe's lithium market. The resource developer has agreed to acquire a 50 per cent stake in and joint operational control of a German lithium project. The Alternative Investment Market (Aim)-listed firm's shares were up 8.96 per cent at 83.9p in afternoon trading. [...]
Clarks looks to revamp its property portfolio February 21, 2017 Clarks is looking to revamp its presence on the high street with a review of its property portfolio, conducted by consultancy Harper Dennis Hobbs. As part of the review, Harper Dennis Hobbs will be examining Clarks' 550 outlets to see if the company is in the right locations, and has the right type of stores. [...]
Transferwise now lets you transfer money just by talking to a Facebook Messenger chatbot February 21, 2017 Forget simply messaging friends, now you can use Facebook Messenger to transfer money with the latest chatbot wanting to take care of your finances. London fintech unicorn Transferwise is bringing its online money transfer service to the messaging app, allowing users in the UK to send money to friends or family in the rest of Europe, [...]
Wolseley taps up Walter Meier to buy stake in Swiss arm Tobler February 21, 2017 Trade merchant Wolseley has agreed to sell a majority stake in Tobler, its Swiss plumbing subsidiary, to local competitor Walter Meier for SFr118m (£94m). The FTSE 250 firm will retain a 39 per cent stake in the Tobler and the transaction is subject to approval by Walter Meier's shareholders and Swiss authorities. Read more: Wolseley shares restrained despite gushing first quarter [...]
Sadiq Khan “shocked” at business rate rises that threaten small firms February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is "shocked" by the business rate rises set to hit the capital, and has told chancellor Philip Hammond the tax changes could wipe out firms across the city. He has warned that the changes to commercial property taxes, which will come into effect on 1 April, could force the closure [...]
HSBC reveals it’s being probed by the watchdog over money laundering compliance issues February 21, 2017 HSBC revealed this morning it is being investigated by the City watchdog over potential shortcomings in its anti-money laundering controls. The bank's 2016 results statement, in which it also revealed its reported profits before tax had slumped 62 per cent to $7.1bn (£5.7bn), said it was "the subject of an investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority [...]
Russian mining giant Rosneft agrees to a deal with the NOC to increase Libyan oil production February 21, 2017 Russia's top oil producer Rosneft has struck up an oil exploration deal with the National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya. The NOC is working to encourage more foreign investment and ramp up Libyan output, the NOC said in a statement. “We need the assistance and investment of major international oil companies to reach our production goals and [...]
Now maintenance workers have voted for strike action on the London Underground, says the RMT February 21, 2017 Maintenance workers on London Underground have voted for industrial action over claims of a breakdown in industrial relations, according to the RMT union. RMT's executive is now considering the result of the ballot, where 67 per cent voted in favour of a walkout and 88 per cent in favour of action short of a strike. There was [...]
Galliford Try commits to building more homes February 21, 2017 Galliford Try's share price edged upwards this morning after the housebuilder's profit jumped, and it said it had a confident outlook on the year ahead. The figures For the six months to the end of 2016, group revenue grew four per cent, up from £1.18bn to £1.24bn. Galliford's profit jumped 19 per cent, from £52.9m to [...]