No more misery? Southern rail deal announced between the train operator and union Aslef February 2, 2017 A deal has been agreed in the long-running dispute between Southern rail and train drivers' union Aslef, in the wake of fresh talks. It is expected to bring the row over the so-called driver-only operated trains to a close, subject to a referendum of Aslef members. The ballot of Aslef drivers on whether to accept the deal [...]
Estee Lauder’s share price climbs as it grows sales February 2, 2017 Beauty group Estee Lauder Companies' share price climbed four per cent as it reported strong sales in its second quarter results. The figures The company – which owns brands such as MAC, Clinique and Bobbi Brown – reported net sales of $3.21bn (£2.56bn) for the quarter ending 31 December, up three per cent as compared to the [...]
Severe delays on Bakerloo and District lines after fire alert at Edgware Road February 2, 2017 There are severe delays on the Bakerloo and District lines this afternoon, following a fire alert in the Edgware Road area. There is no service between Piccadilly Circus and Queen's Park on the Bakerloo line at the moment. Meanwhile, on the District line there are severe delays between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road. Transport [...]
Government makes savings on latest board appointment for Premium Bond operator February 2, 2017 The government has appointed the new chief executive of National Savings & Investments (NS&I), the firm that looks after over £135bn of Treasury-backed savings. Ian Ackerley takes over from interim boss Steve Owen, who babysat the position after Jane Platt left last August following 10 years in the role. Platt moved on to concentrate on her position as a non-exec [...]
Six things we learned from the Brexit white paper February 2, 2017 Theresa May has finally answered the calls of MPs and published a Brexit white paper, today releasing a 77-page document detailing her plan to quit the EU. May previously laid out much of the detail in her landmark address at Lancaster House last month, but what can we glean from all the extra information released today? 1. [...]
Air travel soared last year as more than 700 new routes were established globally February 2, 2017 Air travel across the world soared last year, as new figures showed international passenger traffic rose 6.7 per cent in 2016. And global demand for air travel finished the year on a particularly strong note, driven by double digit growth in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe. There was an industry-wide 8.8 per cent [...]
ING grows its full-year profits, as bank gets going with restructuring plan February 2, 2017 ING announced this morning its full-year profits for 2016 have climbed, shortly after the bank revealed it was undergoing a massive restructuring which would shed thousands of jobs. The figures The Dutch bank boosted its net profits for the year to €4.7bn (£4.1bn), up 16 per cent compared with €4bn the year before. Meanwhile, underlying [...]
Sports Direct buys 11 per cent share in French Connection February 2, 2017 Sports Direct has bought an 11 per cent of French Connection, a stake that would allow the company to disrupt any buy-out bid for the ailing high street retailer. The move comes at a time of flux for the company, which has been hit by losses for five years. Activist investors have been pushing non-executives [...]
Vodafone shares lose momentum: Analysts reflect on Indian and UK concerns February 2, 2017 Pricing pressure in both Europe and India continued to weigh on Vodafone, after the telecoms giant revealed its third quarter trading today. Organic group service revenue grew by 1.7 per cent during the third quarter to December, a touch ahead of market consensus expectations of 1.6 per cent. Shares initially fell nearly three per cent [...]