Irish unemployment falls to lowest point since 2009 November 26, 2013 Ireland's unemployment rate has fallen to a four year low, according to the Central Statistics Office. The seasonally adjusted rate fell from 13.6 per cent in the second quarter, to 12.8 per cent in the third quarter. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Joan Burton, said: More than 1,000 people a week are returning to [...]
Advertising giants appeal to EU regulators to grant merger November 26, 2013 Advertising companies Omnicom and Publicis have urged European Union (EU) regulators to approve their $31bn (£22bn) merger. Omnicom and Publicis are the world's second and third largest advertising firms respectively, as such they will need to clear the hurdles of EU antitrust laws before proceeding with the deal. The merger agreed in July has been [...]
Partypoker back in the game after New Jersey launch November 26, 2013 Online gambling company Bwin. Party Digital Entertainment has announced that its flagship site, Partypoker went live in New jersey at 5:00am today. After gaining the approval of the New Jersey Division of Gaming, the launch of the website is possibly the start of a new dawn for the US gaming industry which hopes to replicate [...]
O’Neill’s owner Mitchells & Butlers profits rise to £150m November 26, 2013 Pub and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers profits rose to £150m for the year ended 28 September 2013. The group whose branded bars and restaurants include All Bar One and O'Neill's saw revenue rise 2.2 per cent to £1.2bn with like-for-like sales growth of0.1 per cent in the first eight weeks of the fiscal year [...]
Paragon posts record profits and awaits banking license November 26, 2013 Consumer finance group Paragon has posted bumper profits in its preliminary results for the year ended 30 September. Profit before tax jumped by 10.4 per cent to £105m while operating income rose by 4.5 per cent to £177.9m. The company saw a growth in buy-to-let loans of 90.5 per cent to £359.8m while £93m was [...]
Britvic posts strong growth but sees challenges ahead in 2014 November 26, 2013 Soft drinks producer Britvic has posted strong growth for the year ended 29 September 2013. The maker of Tango and White's Lemonade saw revenue climb by 4.4 per cent to £1.3bn and brand contribution growth across all business units. Net profit rose by eight per cent to £108m while the company reduced its debt by [...]
European Commission tightens corporate tax loopholes November 25, 2013 The European Commission has proposed restricting loopholes in the Parent-Subsidiary Directive in order to clamp down on tax avoidance. Companies will be unable to use differences in the way intra-group payments are taxed across the EU in order to avoid paying tax. The Commission asserts that the Parent-Subsidary Directive will ensure a level-playing field among [...]
Doug McMillon named new CEO of Walmart November 25, 2013 The world's largest retailer has appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO), 47 year old Doug McMillon. He will succeed Mike Duke at the beginning of February. Ron Walton, chairman of Walmart said: A merchant at heart, Doug has both a long history with our company and a keen sense of where our customers globally [...]
World Trade Organisation talks fail to make progress November 25, 2013 The World Trade Organisation's (WTO) global trade reform meeting in Geneva has failed to reach agreement on the text of a deal to be put to ministers. A worldwide agreement now depends on whether ministers can hammer out their remaining differences at next month's WTO biennial conference in Bali. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) [...]
Thomas Cook sells Neilson Active Holidays to private equity firm November 25, 2013 Thomas Cook announced today that it has agreed to sell its tour operator Neilson Active Holidays. The specialist activity tour operator will be sold to London-based private equity firm, Risk Capital Partners, for consideration of £9.15m. The deal is expected to be completed around 10 December 2013. None of Thomas Cook's other UK tour operations [...]
