Winter breeze: Almost a third of electricity generated by wind on Christmas Day as three new records set January 3, 2017 Festive cheer pushed the UK's wind power sector to record levels on Christmas Day, setting a trio of new records in the process. Almost a third (32 per cent) of the UK's electricity was generated by wind power on 25 December, up from a previous high of 24 per cent the energy network reached in [...]
Oil price slump pushes UK oil and gas sector insolvencies to five-year high January 3, 2017 The oil price slump drove insolvencies in the UK oil and gas sector to a five-year high in 2016, according to accountancy firm Moore Stephens. There was an eightfold increase in the number of companies that collapsed last year, from two in 2015 to 16 in 2016. In 2014, six companies folded, compared to just one [...]
Eurozone stocks start 2017 with a bang as share rally rolls on January 3, 2017 Eurozone stocks started 2017 with a bang yesterday after manufacturing data showed the biggest ramp-up in production across the bloc for five years. Germany’s Dax closed up one per cent to 11,598.33 points, its highest level in almost 17 months, while France’s Cac 40 closed up 0.4 per cent to 4,882.38 points. The rise continues a [...]
Household bills jumped almost £200 in 2016 as fall in sterling and added taxes took their toll January 2, 2017 Household bills leapt around 10 per cent last year, costing Britons almost £200 more than in 2015, according to price comparison site Compare the Market. The combined cost of energy, motor and home insurance rose to £2,223 in 2016, compared to £2,032 the year before. Sharp hikes were registered in motor and household energy premiums, [...]
From the best verbs to that dreaded “personal interests” section, here are all the ways we learned to pimp our CVs this year December 29, 2016 It might be your most valuable job hunting asset, but sometimes CVs can be your biggest headache too. It's a matter of days before the annual January job rush ensues, when New Year's Resolutions and added goals for the year ahead mean everyone dusts off their CV and starts applying for the same positions. While there are timeless [...]
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude prices hold steady as US stockpile increase interrupts oil rally December 29, 2016 Oil prices steadied today after a surprise uplift in US crude stockpiles impeded a recent upward trend that has pushed global benchmarks to 15-month highs. Brent crude was up 16 cents, or 0.3 per cent, today to $56.38 a barrel after industry data released by the American Petroleum Institute last night showed a 4.2m barrel [...]
Tata Sons’ very public spat with former chairman Cyrus Mistry has taken another turn with legal notice to return confidential documents December 29, 2016 The spat between Tata Steel's parent company and its former chairman Cyrus Mistry has taken another turn, after the group demanded he return all confidential information and documents regarding the Indian conglomerate in his possession. The letter, sent by lawyers at Tata Group's holding firm Tata Sons, also demanded Mistry sign a letter pledging not to disclose any [...]
Egypt nets $220m from trio of oil and gas deals with BP, Total and Eni December 29, 2016 The Egyptian government has signed three offshore oil and gas deals worth at least $220m (£180m) with BP, French oil major Total and Italian Eni's Egyptian subsidiary firm. The exploration and production deal for blocks in the Mediterranean Sea include drilling for six wells and a signing bonus of $9m, Egypt's oil ministry said in a statement yesterday. [...]
Russian President Vladimir Putin announces new Syria ceasefire deal between government and opposition forces, with Russia and Turkey as guarantors December 29, 2016 The Syrian government and rebel groups have agreed a countrywide ceasefire that will take effect at midnight on 30 December, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today. The agreement will be followed by peace talks between Bashar al-Assad's government and opposition forces in Kazakhstan at an as yet unspecified date. Syria's army said the ceasefire will begin [...]
Drumroll please: This was the best performing FTSE 100 stock of 2016 and, hint, it’s a miner December 29, 2016 It's been a tumultuous year for global markets, but you might not have realised that by looking at the FTSE 100. The blue-chip index has largely brushed aside concerns over Brexit and the US election to hit its highest ever close yesterday, when it reached 7,106.08 points. Many of the FTSE 100's best days this year [...]
