Low export orders hit Chinese growth April 1, 2012 FACTORY output fell again in March, survey data confirmed yesterday, increasing worries over the severity of China’s economic slowdown. Export orders declined once more, Markit’s purchasing managers’ index showed, boosting expectations of a further monetary loosening by the authorities which should stimulate economic activity. The index came in at 48.3 in March, down from 49.6 [...]
Non-execs say boards are not utilising them April 1, 2012 ALMOST half of non-executive directors feel their knowledge and experience is not being used to the full, according to a new study. Some 46 per cent of those polled in the Korn/ Ferry Whitehead Mann and KPMG survey felt under-utilised by the boards they sit on. The research, which involved 300 non-execs from FTSE 350 [...]
FOXCONN GIVING WORKERS A RAISE April 1, 2012 FOXCONN Technology Group will keep on increasing worker salaries in China and cutting the hours of work, chairman Terry Gou said yesterday. Foxconn has come under fire for poor working conditions for employees making Apple iPhones and iPads. Foxconn is building manufacturing facilities in Hainan, as well as expanding its operations in Brazil.
Bullish finance firms up hiring April 1, 2012 CITY firms went on a hiring spree in the first quarter as profits jumped and optimism grew on the stabilisation of the economy and calming of the Eurozone crisis, a survey showed today. Business volumes expanded, fees increased unusually quickly and investment expectations rose, although costs also increased an the value of non-performing loans rose [...]
House prices rise as supply fails to keep up with solid demand April 1, 2012 HOUSE prices rose sharply in March thanks to a lack of supply and the expiry of the stamp duty holiday, but are set to stagnate over the rest of the year, figures from Hometrack suggested today. Prices rose 0.2 per cent in the month, the survey of 1,500 agents and surveyors showed, after 20 months [...]
Manufacturers to lead a mild UK recovery April 1, 2012 MANUFACTURING, media and telecoms will lead the UK’s economic recovery, while construction and business services will struggle to keep up, a study out today claims. The weak pound will support manufacturing by keeping the sector internationally competitive, which should see business failures keep falling into 2013, according to the study from accountancy and law firm [...]
Mid-sized firms pick up profits in technology and outsourcing April 1, 2012 THE FASTEST-GROWING mid-sized companies in Britain have brushed off the downturn over the last four years to increase sales by an average 44 per cent, according to research by Investec. Energy, commodities and financial companies feature prominently among rising private businesses, with London-based solar firm Alternergy topping Investec’s Hot 100 table, released today. The research [...]
EASTON DREAMS: NEW BVCA CHAIRMAN NAMED April 1, 2012 PRIVATE equity industry group the BVCA has named an ex-investment banker as its new chair. Robert Easton, a managing director at Carlyle Group, has succeeded Richard Anton. Dr Easton has been with Carlyle since 2000 and is now co-head of Carlyle Europe Technology Partners. He trained as a chemist and previously worked at CSFB and [...]
Market indexes likely to prove mixed in short trading week April 1, 2012 TODAY The purchasing managers index (PMI) manufacturing reading is expected at 50.7 against 51.2 previously. This is a sector that performed strongly after the banking crisis, but which is now struggling. A reading less than 50 would indicate that the UK manufacturing sector is contracting. Earnings: Punch Taverns. TUESDAY The PMI construction reading is expected [...]
Greggs in the City up in arms over pasty tax April 1, 2012 THE Capitalist attends the swankiest openings on the calendar, from galleries in Mayfair to fashion shows in Milan. But we’ve never seen anything like the hysteria on display at the launch of Greggs’ 200th London store on Cheapside in the heart of the City last Friday. As staff proffered free pastries and passers-by queued to [...]
