When it comes to old boys’ clubs, investment banks are far from the worst. But it may be time to launch a brown shoe revolution September 2, 2016 Footwear is not traditionally a City issue, but in recent months it has become something of a sticking point. First, there was high heels-gate, in which a PwC receptionist was sent home for refusing to wear a heel (PwC has since pointed out, quite reasonably, it had no quarrel with the height of the receptionist’s [...]
Dollar falls as US manufacturing sector shows surprise contraction in August September 1, 2016 We've missed the hat trick: after this morning's purchasing managers' indexes (PMIs) for manufacturing in the Eurozone and UK both beat expectations, this afternoon's US equivalent was a rather damper squib, with the country's factories sector posting a surprise contraction in August. The Institute of Supply Managers' PMI for economic activity in the manufacturing sector fell to [...]
Read like an investment banker: 11 titles from Goldman Sachs’ back to school book list September 1, 2016 If you've ever wanted to get into the mindset of an investment banker, here's one thing that can help (besides avoiding brown shoes): Goldman Sachs has just published its annual back to school reading list. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Bill Gates, the list is compiled by some of the bank's most senior people [...]
Weathering the Brexit storm? Pound jumps almost one per cent after UK manufacturing PMI smashed expectations September 1, 2016 Growth in the UK's manufacturing sector smashed expectations in August – suggesting the manufacturers are weathering the Brexit storm. Markit's purchasing managers index (PMI) for the sector jumped to 53.3 in August, figures published today showed. That's not only the highest in 10 months, but way above expectations of 49 (N.B. any figure above 50 denotes growth). It's also a [...]
Growth in the Eurozone’s manufacturing sector fell to a three-month low in August September 1, 2016 Growth in the Eurozone's manufacturing sector fell to its lowest in three months in August, as jitters over Brexit continued to take their toll. Markit's latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the sector fell to 51.7 – any figure above 50 denotes growth. The figure pushed the euro down against the dollar. In early trading [...]
Here’s where London’s next cycle superhighway will be September 1, 2016 Cyclists, rejoice (and drivers, commiserate): there's going to be a new extension to London's cycle superhighway network, running from South to North London. Transport for London (TfL) said today it is going ahead with plans to construct Cycle Superhighway 6, running between Elephant & Castle and King's Cross. The plans involve widening pavements and creating more crossing points, it [...]
Back of the Nets: This Nordic fintech company is planning a £626m IPO September 1, 2016 You might not have heard of Nets, but if you've been to Scandinavia recently, chances are you've used its digital payment services. Today the Nordic payments company unveiled plans to launch an IPO on Nasdaq Copenhagen, aka the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. Read more: These are the seven fintech startups being backed by Mastercard In a statement this morning, it [...]
Toast at 300ft? The Emirates Line Thames cable car has applied to serve booze August 31, 2016 If you're the sort who is comfortable quaffing champagne 300ft above the swirling waters of the Thames, we have good news: the Emirates Air Line cable car may be about to serve alcohol. Bottoms up. Yep: transport bosses have applied for a licence to sell booze to passengers in an effort to make the struggling cable car more popular. [...]
Ouch: Eurozone inflation misses expectations as unemployment sticks at five-year low August 31, 2016 We're not angry, we're just disappointed. Eurozone inflation stayed decidedly flat in August, rising just 0.2 per cent during the month – missing expectations of a rise to 0.3 per cent. It's a mark of quite how quiet the City is that it had almost no effect on the euro, which held steady at $1.1147 [...]
These are London’s best postcodes for quality of life August 31, 2016 If you're looking for a better quality of life, look no further than SE1, according to new research, which suggests Bermondsey is the capital's most desirable postcode. According to the research, by Banda Property, Bermondsey is top of the postcode pops because of its "elusive London village feel". Read more: House price growth is driving [...]
