How manipulated figures distort the FTSE pay debate November 6, 2012 BROAD sections of the media are reporting misleading statistics on recent increases in directors’ pay. According to figures released by Incomes Data Services (IDS), the average salary rise among FTSE 100 directors was a huge 27 per cent over the last year. But highlighting 27 per cent misrepresents the facts. It follows on the reporting [...]
After its profits once again disappoint, can Marks & Spencer return to its former glory? November 6, 2012 YES Rafael Gilston Marks & Spencer sits squarely in the mid-market. Because of this, it’s under constant attack from more specialist brands like Next (for families), John Lewis (for labels), Zara (for the career woman) and even New Look (for teenagers and young adults). The historical legacy of the Marks & Spencer brand is that, by [...]
Rapid responses November 6, 2012 Minimum wage [Re: As the mayor announces a rise in London’s Living Wage, does it make economic sense? Yesterday] Sam Bowman is right that low paid workers should be taxed less. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has shown that, if firms paid the Living Wage, the government would knock £1,000 per worker off of the [...]
Learning from models behaving badly November 6, 2012 FOREIGN exchange is the world’s largest and most liquid market. Some estimates put the average daily turnover at $4 trillion (£2.5 trillion). Currency is traded over the counter rather than on an exchange, meaning that the machines do not have to be turned on to get a counter-party to your trade. It is traded 24 [...]
US budgetary stalemate could have a negative impact on the price of gold November 6, 2012 AS A historically close US election comes to an end, the outcome may still be uncertain. But more certain is the less ambiguous outcome of a potential Mitt Romney victory – a negative impact on gold and other metals, due to his intention not to re-appoint Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke when his term expires [...]
The new Jaguar estate. Yes…estate November 6, 2012 Why are we changing cars?” I ask, momentarily confused. Climbing out of Jaguar’s new XF Sportbrake and into exactly the same car – the top-end 271bhp 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel V6 version – makes no sense. And then it all becomes clear – the new car has a 50kg Smeg fridge in the back. This [...]
CAR TALK November 6, 2012 Jessica Ennis shows off the new Jaguar Olympian Jessica Ennis will be driving the new Jaguar F-Type at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show on 10 November. Ennis has already driven the two-seater at Jaguar’s test track reaching a speed of 150mph. Ennis is a Jaguar Academy of Sport Ambassador and already drives an XKR. She [...]
British fashion reaps rewards at industry gongs November 6, 2012 The 2012 Global Fashion Awards was a very British affair this week. The annual event, which celebrates the best in fashion and retail across the world, saw many British companies walk away with several of the big awards. Victoria Beckham was one of the biggest winners of the night, beating stiff competition from the likes [...]
UK house prices fall in October November 6, 2012 UK house prices fell 0.7 per cent in October, Halifax said today. On an annual basis, property values fell 1.7 per cent. In the three months to October, prices were 1.2 per cent lower than in the previous quarter, the fifth successive decline, Halifax said. Martin Ellis, housing economist at the lender, today said: “The [...]
FTSE 100 edges up as investors bide time before US election November 6, 2012 The leading share index was up this morning on a wave of corporate earnings releases, although trading was expected to be subdued as investors bided time before the closely-fought US election today. G4S and Marks & Spencer were risers on the FTSE 100 this morning, as they released positive trading updates. On the FTSE All-Share, [...]
