UK manufacturing sector picking up steam March 2, 2015 The speed at which the UK’s manufacturing sector is expanding reached a seven-month high in January, new survey data show. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – a survey of private sector firms – rose to a score of 54.1 in February from January’s 53.1, according to figures released yesterday. Any figure above 50 [...]
Eurozone manufacturing flat in February March 2, 2015 The Eurozone's manufacturing sector showed disappointing growth in February, figures out this morning have shown. Markit's Eurozone manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) hit 51 in February. That's down from the flash estimate of 51.1, and flat on the 51 it hit in January. Still, at least the region's manufacturers can take some solace in the [...]
Sterling’s strength hampers chemical manufacturer Croda February 24, 2015 CHEMICAL manufacturer Croda became the latest victim of sterling’s strength after the company yesterday blamed declining profits last year on the currency. The company struggled during 2014 as fragile consumer confidence and significant exchange rate volatility compounded a general slowdown in all its main markets, especially in Europe, a situation it expects to continue into [...]
Growth surges in manufacturing sector as export orders recover February 19, 2015 MANUFACTURERS are seeing business pick up this month, new survey data shows. They are also expecting to grow more quickly over the next three months, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Output volumes had increased for 40 per cent of firms in February compared with the 23 per cent who said they had [...]
Smart materials: Why the future face of manufacturing matters to investors February 16, 2015 The traditional resources services sector had a challenging year in 2014. While growth rates have trended positively in most parts of the world, resources equities and commodity prices, including oil and gold, declined because of uncertainties and increased supply. Longer term, population growth and demographic shifts will alter consumption patterns and place additional strain on [...]
Manufacturers line up for Arm’s blockbuster smartphone chip February 3, 2015 BRITISH chip designer Arm Holdings last night unveiled its next generation in mobile processors which it says will make next year’s smartphones 50 times more powerful than those from five years ago. The FTSE 100 firm’s marketing chief Ian Drew said the new high end chip design, known as the ARM Cortex-A72 processor, already has [...]
PMI: UK manufacturing gets off to a good 2015 as costs drop while orders grow February 2, 2015 UK manufacturing has had a good start to the year, with output and new orders both shrugging off the slowdown at the end of last year. Figures out this morning show that the UK's manufacturing PMI rose to 53 in January, up from 52.7 in December, which was itself revised up from 52.5. [...]
Eurozone manufacturing sector is growing at its fastest rate for six months February 2, 2015 As many headline stats for the Eurozone continue to cause headaches for markets and governments alike, there was a tiny spark of good news from the bloc‘s manufacturers. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI), compiled by Markit Economics, showed that the manufacturing sector’s rate of growth rose by 0.4 percentage points in January, to 51. Any [...]
Manufacturers want Heathrow expansion plan January 29, 2015 HEATHROW’S bid to build a third runway received a boost this morning after a leading business group added support for the plan just days before a consultation on airport expansion options closes. EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, conducted a survey that reveals 80 per cent of companies surveyed back expansion of Heathrow over rival Gatwick. The [...]
Bain Capital swoops on historic British car parts manufacturer TI Automotive January 27, 2015 The US private equity outfit founded by former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney yesterday snapped up a century-old British car parts maker. Bain Capital, which has a substantial London presence, has bought TI Automotive, which makes parts for Europe’s leading car manufacturers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the transaction is thought to be [...]