HSBC’s share price falls after revealing it’s being probed by SEC over so-called princeling hiring practices in Asia February 22, 2016 HSBC is being investigated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over nepotistic hiring practices, it revealed this morning. HSBC's share price was down 3.6 per cent in early trading. The bank, which today posted worse-than-expected figures for 2015, admitted it was one of many financial institutions being probed by the US watchdog over "hiring [...]
Primark parent Associated British Foods says half year figures will be better than expected as currency headaches lift February 22, 2016 Primark parent company Associated British Foods has said its half year results should come in slightly better than expected, as currency woes have partially lifted. The group said it expected "some progress" in adjusted operating profit for the six months to 27 February, but said adjusted earnings per share would come in slightly lower – a [...]
EU referendum: Brexit will affect business, sterling and interest rates – bond and equity investors must diversify now February 22, 2016 The date of the EU referendum has been announced and battle lines have been drawn over who is in the Remain camp and who is for Brexit. In fact, many MPs have made their stance clear – so now it's just down to the voting public to decide come 23 June. Commentators have been quick [...]
In defence of CVAs and pre-packs: The UK’s insolvency regime might not be perfect, but it does minimise creditors’ losses and protects staff more than alternatives February 19, 2016 When a company enters an insolvency procedure, it does so because its debts are unpayable or unsustainable. In all likelihood, creditors face losing money. There just isn’t enough to go around. And, without intervention, the impact of the company’s insolvency extends far beyond just the creditors’ loss: jobs could go and suppliers might be losing a key customer, [...]
EU referendum: Standard Life chairman Sir Gerry Grimstone warns Brexit could be “potentially damaging” to the UK economy February 19, 2016 Standard Life's chairman has warned that a Brexit would be "potentially damaging to the UK economy", saying his company backs the UK remaining a member of the European Union. In the chairman's statement, as the business revealed a strong set of results, Sir Gerry Grimstone said the business was "conducting a thorough study of the impact of this on [...]
Mobile World Congress 2016: Google’s guide to getting your business noticed on smartphone February 19, 2016 On Monday, marketers will flock to Barcelona for the annual Mobile World Congress – four days of presentations, networking and plenty of sangria. But what most will be looking for is how to convince prospective customers to engage with their brand on the most intimate device we own. Smartphones have become so ingrained in our lives that for [...]
So long, Siri: HSBC to launch voice and fingerprint recognition biometric system for up to 15 million users February 19, 2016 Always forgetting your password, have no idea what your grandmother's maiden name was or has that memorable place slipped your mind? HSBC thinks it has the answer: the bank is planning to launch voice recognition and touch security services in the UK. So long, Siri, this is all about "voice prints". First Direct customers will be [...]
Standard Life’s share price lifts as group raises dividends by 7.8p saying it is “well capitalised” under Solvency II February 19, 2016 Standard Life has upped its dividend after group inflows soared, boosting income and profits ahead of expectations, and showing a strong surplus under new Solvency II rules. The figures Group operating profit before tax at the 200-year-old investment bank and insurer rose nine per cent to £665m for the full calendar year, while group underlying performance was [...]
UK house prices: If only the buy to let surcharge was an April Fool’s Joke – instead, it’s an attack on entrepreneurial Britain February 18, 2016 George Osborne sensed he was onto a winner when he moved to raise stamp duty on buy-to-let homes by three per cent. The UK property market has long been a hot topic. Powers-that-be rarely let opportunity pass, and the chancellor’s move is one to allow the government to have a bigger slice of the pie. [...]
Want to help Syrian refugees? Go on holiday to Jordan February 18, 2016 As the war in Syria nears its fifth anniversary, the plight of civilians fleeing the carnage of Assad’s regime and Islamic State’s so called caliphate is all too apparent. But what we don’t see is the affect the refugee crisis is having on neighbouring Jordan. Next week King Abdullah II will travel to Washington DC [...]
