Small businesses lament lack of basic skills in young staff August 22, 2012 SMALL BUSINESSES are sceptical about how ready school leavers are for work, according to a survey released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) yesterday. A full eight out of ten did not think school leavers were fit for employment, and that more must be done to get them into shape. Fifteen and 16 year [...]
Japan’s export industries hit by deep slump August 22, 2012 JAPAN slipped into a current account deficit in July, as exports dwindled and imports swelled, according to ministry of finance data released yesterday. Exports slipped 8.1 per cent over the year, to hit 5.3 trillion yen (£42.4bn), while imports climbed 2.1 per cent, reaching 5.8 trillion yen – leaving a deficit of 517bn yen. Japan’s [...]
Household incomes slip August 22, 2012 HOUSEHOLD incomes shrunk between May and June, while debt levels grew quickly, according to a report released by Aviva yesterday. Average monthly family incomes slumped seven per cent between May and August this year, from £2,150 to £2,003. The insurance company suggests this is likely to be due to the increased responsibilities acquired by parents [...]
RBS in Iran sanctions inquiry August 22, 2012 US authorities are investigating RBS and Commerzbank over possible breaches of sanctions in Iran, in a widening crackdown which has already cost Standard Chartered a hefty fine. RBS’ half-year results said the bank could face a “material impact” from the investigation.
New OTC rules may boost gilts August 22, 2012 Incoming regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives requiring greater capital will drive investment into government securities, ratings agency Moody’s said yesterday. However, ultra-low bond yields, and increased collateral requirements for transactions may drive bond funds to put more money into riskier investments, the report warned.
CLS launches latest retail bond August 22, 2012 In the latest attempt to capitalise on consumer cash, CLS holdings, the London property investment firm, launched a retail bond yesterday. Investors will be able to put anything from £2,000 in the instrument, at a rate of 5.5 per cent. CLS has a portfolio of properties in London, France, Germany and Sweden.
Central banks hurt securitisations August 22, 2012 Funding on offer from central banks has reduced the need for banks to issue securitised products, Standard and Poor’s said yesterday. Investor-placed securitisation issuance in Europe came in at €44bn (£34.8bn) in the first seven months of the year, down 10 per cent on the year.
OED endorses mansion taxes and micro pigs August 22, 2012 LEXICOGRAPHERS of the internet rejoice: the latest additions to Oxford Dictionaries Online are out. Like its dead-tree counterpart the Oxford English Dictionary, ODO periodically picks the best new words and phrases to add to its online library, skewing the list towards trendy buzzwords to craftily boost its traffic. Today’s additions include “Dunbar’s number”, the upper [...]
Poor show for Brits on Forbes’ female list August 22, 2012 It’s a rather poor show for Brits on Forbes’ annual ranking of the most powerful women with just two sneaking into the top 100. In Jubilee year, it seems fitting that Queen Elizabeth II is ranked 26. At 86, she’s the oldest woman on the list. And although it’s not mentioned, the Capitalist suspects she’s [...]
Paralympic Torch relay gets underway August 22, 2012 THE flames which will light the Paralympic torch were lit on top of the UK’s four highest mountains yesterday. At Scafell Pike (above) war hero Karl Hinett ignited the torch. The Paralympic Torch Relay will cover 87 miles before it eventually reaches London.
