A business model for a low growth world November 28, 2012 FACED with the most severe downturn since the 1930s, corporate confidence has declined. Recent research from Ernst and Young revealed that company executives are more pessimistic about the current state of the global economy now than they were a year ago. But more interestingly, given the Bank of England’s recent growth forecast, over 78 per [...]
Firms can weather the storm and thrive despite the current climate November 28, 2012 Q What questions should businesses consider when planning investment during a difficult economic period? A The Institute for Fiscal studies said this week that the current economic environment – “austerity” – is likely to be with us until 2018. Organisations will thrive if they embrace this outlook and design into their processes, people and infrastructure [...]
There are rays of hope in a sluggish City jobs market November 28, 2012 CONSIDERING the current employment climate in the City, and the ruthless job cuts hitting the headlines, you would be forgiven for considering packing your bags and taking an early retirement in the country. A report released by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants last week showed that investment banks are set to lose another 40,000 jobs in [...]
Jobs of the Week November 28, 2012 COMPLIANCE ANALYST LONDON £60k-£84k pa A global financial services firm is looking to recruit a compliance analyst on a six month rolling contract. Knowledge and/or experience of UK and European regulation is essential. http://www.cityamcareers.com/job/32217 FIXED INCOME QUANT LONDON £100k pa, plus equity A 12 man start-up company is looking to recruit someone with strong fixed [...]
Nestle turns to China in bid for herbal remedy November 28, 2012 THE HEALTH unit of Nestle yesterday launched a tie-up with a company that specialises in traditional Chinese medicine in a bid to develop novel medicines derived from plants. Nestle Health Science is expected to plough at least £100m into the joint venture with London-listed Chi-Med, which creates a new company called Nutrition Science Partners (NSP). [...]
Luxury firm PPR close to a deal to sell off Redcats plus-size unit November 28, 2012 THE Redcats mail order unit of French retail and luxury group PPR SA is in late-stage talks to sell its plus-size fashion business to Boston-based private equity firm Charlesbank, according to four sources. The deal for OneStopPlus will likely be between $400m and $500m (£250m to £300m), the sources said. Earlier this month, PPR’s Redcats [...]
Gatwick looks to grow through single runway as traffic rises November 28, 2012 GATWICK executives talked up the airport’s chances of competing with London’s biggest hubs yesterday as the firm posted rising revenues and traffic. Britain’s second-biggest airport said passengers rose 1.2 per cent on last year to 19.9m in the half-year to the end of September. Turnover jumped 3.6 per cent to £325.8m, helped in part by [...]
Costco plans $3bn special payout ahead of fiscal cliff tax increases November 28, 2012 RETAILER Costco Wholesale yesterday said it will pay a special dividend worth some $3bn (£1.9bn) to investors, sending cash to its shareholders ahead of a likely increase in the dividend tax. The retailer also posted monthly same-store sales that beat analysts’ expectations. Several companies have declared one-time cash dividends in recent days ahead of a [...]
General Motors pushes further East with $1bn factory expansion November 28, 2012 GENERAL MOTORS and its Chinese joint-venture partners yesterday announced plans to build a $1bn (£620m) auto assembly plant in the city of Chongqing in a bid to remain the leader in the world’s largest auto market. GM, SAIC Motor and Wuling Motors said they will begin construction of the plant early next year, pending government [...]
Great Portland secures West End letting November 28, 2012 GREAT Portland Estates revealed yesterday that its joint venture with Scottish Widows Investment Partnership has signed up its first tenant at its office development in the West End. The Great Wigmore Partnership has signed a pre-let deal with actuarial firm Lane Clare and Peacock to take the first three floors at 95 Wigmore Street on [...]
