Collins makes a good start at KPMG but the hard part’s to come December 15, 2013 This probably hasn’t been the easiest year to be the top dog at one of the country’s big four accountancy groups. The industry is still wracked with self doubt as to whether it should or could have spotted the problems that led to the financial crash earlier, and, to make matters worse, the Big Four [...]
Outlook for new year rises up to 46-month peak December 15, 2013 HOUSEHOLDS are more positive about the financial outlook now than at any point since January 2010, after two quarters of robust economic growth. Respondents to Markit’s November household finance index also report the strongest level of workplace activity since the survey started in early 2009. The figures also reveal more muted expectations for inflation. On [...]
US Republicans eye deal benefits December 15, 2013 The US Republicans are gearing up for a fresh attack on President Obama’s spending plans in spite of a budget settlement to prevent another shutdown next year, the House of Representatives budget chairman Paul Ryan said yesterday. He told Fox News that “government has to function and we saw the specter of two possible government [...]
“Lawrence of Arabia”, has died aged 81 in December 15, 2013 Actor Peter O’Toole, who shot to international fame in the film classic “Lawrence of Arabia”, has died aged 81 in London after a long illness. O’Toole’s most famous role was as T.E. Lawrence, the British army officer who fought with Arab irregular troops against Ottoman Turkish rule in World War One. In a career of [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 16 December 2013 December 15, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Sale of NuGen stake boosts plans Westinghouse, the Japanese-owned engineering group, will shortly announce that it is buying a big stake in one of the UK’s three nuclear-building consortiums, inthe latest example of Asian investment in UK infrastructure. Westinghouse, which is owned by Toshiba, is expected to announce it is acquiring a 50 [...]
KPMG cost cuts help push profit up 27 per cent December 15, 2013 ACCOUNTING giant KPMG said today the “first and toughest year” of its plan to restore growth has been a success, with earnings up 27 per cent in the 12 months to the end of September. The company, one of the so-called Big Four professional services firms, posted £455m in annual profits on revenues up 0.4 [...]
RBS claims shareholders knew it was weak when it raised £12bn December 15, 2013 THE WEAK capital position at RBS was well known to investors in 2008, the bank said yesterday, defending itself against claims from investors that it hid vital information. The bank is fighting legal action over its £12bn rights issue in April 2008. Investors lost out when the bank failed months later. In legal filings seen [...]
Treasury to launch boardroom search for Whitehall finance job December 15, 2013 THE TREASURY plans to launch a search today for a newly created position to help oversee public finances at Whitehall. Chief Treasury secretary Danny Alexander is expected to announce the new senior role today alongside the release of the results of a financial management review across Whitehall, a person familiar with the situation confirmed. The [...]
London asking prices to hit record levels in 2014 December 15, 2013 INITIAL asking prices for London homes are set to rise by six per cent next year, a slowdown on 2013 but still taking London prices to new all-time records, new research out today shows. According to Rightmove’s latest house price index, the average price of property coming to market in London is up by 10.6 [...]
Job vacancies and pay rise in the City as the recovery kicks in December 15, 2013 PAY PACKETS in financial services outstripped inflation this year, recruiters Astbury Marsden said, as the economic recovery reached salaries at long last. And the number of City firms hiring more staff jumped sharply last month, according to data out today from headhunters Morgan McKinley. Salaries increased by an average of six per cent, rising above [...]
