Why so-called corporate social responsibility is not the answer to our problems October 23, 2011 WHAT’S your image of a socially responsible company? One that pledges not to pollute unnecessarily and donates a percentage of its profits to supporting vulnerable communities or habitats maybe? Better still, one that encourages its staff to volunteer their time to achieving this? Certainly one whose aims go beyond making a profit and are clear [...]
An insider’s take on what Mifid 2 means to the UK October 23, 2011 AT A TIME when growth in the UK economy is stalling, any proposal that aims to make it easier for businesses to raise capital should be welcomed. I hope that a single rulebook will improve the regulatory framework for investors but there are many elements of the Commission’s new Market in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid [...]
Angels will help show the City’s power to all October 23, 2011 AS THE geographic and financial heart of London, protests have been part of the Square Mile’s history ever since the settlement was first founded. So while demonstrators pitching their tents outside St Paul’s Cathedral may make for an eyesore – and pose considerable logistical and environmental challenges – it is important these alternative views are [...]
RAPID RESPONSES October 23, 2011 Brain drain fears I read Friday’s article by Emma Boon on the merger of income tax and national insurance contributions (NIC) with interest, as a Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Association of Taxation Technicians. I fear the global nature of social security contributions and its underlying contributory principle (contributions made by an individual [...]
Oil prices in a fierce tug of war October 23, 2011 DIFFERENT VIEWS ON WHETHER THE OIL PRICE IS GOING UP OR DOWN – CRAIG DRAKE IS UNSURE, LIOR ALKALAY IS BULLISH CRUDE prices fell last week on the assumption that the demise of Muammar Gaddafi would have the magical effect of freeing up oil supplies. Gaddafi’s welcome demise is hopefully a sign that Libya will [...]
THE WEEK AHEAD October 23, 2011 COMPANY NEWS ● Tomorrow, BG and BP announce third-quarter results. The tide might just be turning for BP – its run of bad news is dissipating somewhat on the news of new North Sea investments. Royal Dutch Shell announces on Thursday. ● Reckitt Benckiser announces tomorrow. The world’s largest producer of household products, which is [...]
THE TIPSTER October 23, 2011 THE week ahead could prove to be the most crucial in the relatively short history of the continent’s common currency. We now know that banks will have to raise capital – but markets are still hoping for news of just how much money the better-funded elements of the Eurozone are prepared to throw at the crisis. [...]
OIL PRICES ARE GOING TO SHINE October 23, 2011 ON THE CONTRARY WHILE some see uncertainty in the future direction of oil, (see feature, left) I take a bullish view. The recent crude oil review prepared by analysts at Morgan Stanley points to a very slowly improving supply outlook. Their analysts are forecasting a growth in supply by 1.1m barrels per day, on average, [...]
ROTHSCHILD GIVES STAFF ITS TURKEY OF A BONUS October 23, 2011 EVERY little helps, as the Tesco slogan goes. So the price-conscious supermarket giant will be pleased to learn that the competitively remunerated London employees of Rothschild receive daily luncheon vouchers for the sum of £3 that can be refunded in any of its stores. But Rothschild’s solicitous attempts to ensure its workforce is well fed [...]
BILL OF THE WEEK October 23, 2011 THE TOUGH times have finally reached Mayfair. When four private investors hit Bellamys on Bruton Place, they economised by settling for only the second-most expensive vintage on the wine list that prides itself on “accessible prices” – the 1982 Château Cos d’Estournel St Estèphe at £975. Add in a £150 bottle of 2007 Clos des [...]
