Sophos Group share price drops despite double digit like-for-like revenue growth in third quarter February 9, 2016 Shares in Sophos Group dropped this morning despite the company achieving double digit revenue growth in its third quarter. The cybersecurity company, which floated on the London stock exchange last July, today reported revenue of $121.4m (£83.9m) for its three months ended December 2015, up 11.9 per cent on a constant currency basis compared to $115.9m the year before. [...]
Don’t drop while you shop: Three out of five would be happy to see a doctor in a retail store rather than a traditional GPs surgery February 9, 2016 NULL
Shrove Tuesday 2016: Fire insurance claim costs almost double on Pancake Day, and new world record for tallest pancake tower set February 9, 2016 For some people, trying to nail the perfect pancake flip is more than just a cause of frustration – it's a costly fire hazard. According to statistics from home insurance provider Policy Expert, in 2015, claims for fire damage rocketed up to £11,546 on Shrove Tuesday, compared to just £6,543 on an average day for the rest of [...]
Mind the skills gap: Skills shortages mean just three per cent of companies are capable of delivering their own strategies with their existing in-house team, hindering growth February 9, 2016 Skills shortages are now so serious at UK companies that less than one in 20 are able to successfully keep pace with their own strategy. According to a study released today by business transformation consultants Moorhouse, 97 per cent of the FTSE 250 board members and direct reports surveyed felt they needed new or additional skills [...]
Legal & General Group share price up after insurer reveals bond portfolio position to help calm nervous investors February 9, 2016 Shares in Legal & General opened higher this morning after the insurer disclosed its annuity bond position. Following questions from investors and sell side analysts, the company revealed that the bond portfolio backing its annuity business was valued at roughly £39bn, down slightly compared to £40.7bn the year before. Legal & General also revealed that, in [...]
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has brought in over £2bn from tax avoidance scheme users since a rule change in 2014 allowed it to collect money upfront February 8, 2016 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has collected over £2bn from tax avoidance scheme users since 2014, thanks to a rule change that makes it easier to collect disputed amounts upfront. The UK's tax authority today revealed that its use of accelerated payment notices, which were introduced under the Finance Act 2014, had allowed it to collect cash without [...]
Libor scandal trial: Start of SFO’s third Libor trial delayed as Barclays provides new information February 8, 2016 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today had to postpone the start of its third Libor trial after Barclays, the former employer of those accused, brought new evidence to its attention. The SFO has said that the trial, which was originally scheduled to begin next week on 15 February, may now be delayed until mid-April as [...]
Axa to pay €75m for an eight per cent stake in Africa Internet Group (AIG) and plans to distribute insurance through Jumia online stores February 8, 2016 French insurance giant Axa agreed to pay €75m (£57.9m) today for an eight per cent stake in ecommerce company Africa Internet Group (AIG). As part of the deal, Axa will gain the right to exclusively provide insurance products through Jumia, an online shopping platform and AIG's main subsidiary. "Internet is creating unparalleled opportunities for consumers and businesses in Africa to [...]
Old Mutual share price down as financial services giant agrees sale of Rogge Global Partners to Allianz Global Investors February 8, 2016 Shares in Old Mutual fell this morning, after the company agreed to sell a London-based fixed income asset management unit to Allianz Global Investors. In a short statement issued this morning, the financial services company said that it expected its sale of Rogge Global Partners, which had £24.1bn of funds under management as at the end of December 2015, to complete [...]
Valentine’s Day 2016: Forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday – today’s the day for peak online hunting for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift February 8, 2016 If your colleagues' computer screens have taken on a pink and red hue, don't fire off a concerned email to IT. They're probably just on the hunt for a gift for their significant other as Valentine's Day looms. According to an analysis of Google Trends data released today by the Post Office, the Monday before Valentine's Day [...]
