FTSE 100 opens lower as miners’ share prices including Anglo American, Glencore and BHP Billiton fall after weak Chinese trade data March 8, 2016 The FTSE 100 index opened down this morning, following Asian markets lower after Chinese trade data declined by more than expected. The UK's blue-chip index fell 0.71 per cent to 6,136 points in early morning trading. "This morning’s latest Chinese trade numbers for February speak to that concern about the Chinese economy as imports declined 13.8 [...]
China’s foreign exchange reserves are falling at a slower pace March 7, 2016 The stash of US dollars used by China to shore up the value of its currency, the yuan, declined at a slower rate in February. China had $3.202 trillion of foreign exchange reserves last month, according to figures released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange this morning. It is down by $29bn (£20.5bn) on January. [...]
Godiva is galloping into growth markets: Chief executive Mohamed Elsarky talks managing growth and high quality March 7, 2016 As Godiva celebrates its 90th anniversary, few would contest the heritage of the Belgian chocolatier. But since Turkish food manufacturer Yildiz Holding acquired the firm from Campbell Soup in 2007, it has been given a new lease of life. Now, chief executive Mohamed Elsarky has his sights on Asia. Since entering the Chinese market in late 2009, nearly 70 stores [...]
Chinese economy: China will “absolutely not experience a hard landing” says chief economic planner Xu Shaoshi March 6, 2016 Despite lingering concerns of a slowdown in the Chinese economy, China’s chief economic planner has said it will "absolutely not experience a hard landing". Growth forecasts for the Chinese economy have been cut, but any predictions of a hard landing are "destined to become nothing", Xu Shaoshi, head of China’s state planning agency, has said. [...]
FTSE finishes the week higher after Brent crude, WTI oil and commodities prices rally March 4, 2016 The FTSE 100 finished the week comfortably above the 6,000 mark, after a week in which the price of oil surged. The FTSE finished at 6,199 points – 1.1 per cent higher. That brought its total rise for the week to 1.7 per cent. The rally came after the price of oil surged every day [...]
Why Chinese equity crowdfunding is taking its lead from the UK – and what challenges the sector faces March 3, 2016 Despite a relatively slow start, the past two years have seen exponential growth in the Chinese equity crowdfunding sector, and there are indications that it could skyrocket in the 12 months to come. Chinese New Year on 8 February kicked off the Year of the Monkey, but will 2016 be a year of alternative finance [...]
EU referendum: Lord Mandelson warns Brexit would lead to tariffs of up to 20 per cent on UK exports, inflicting “serious damage on competitiveness” March 1, 2016 Labour peer Peter Mandelson has warned Britain leaving the European Union would lead to tariffs of up to 20 per cent on UK exports, inflicting "serious damage on the competitiveness" of some industries. The former European Union trade commissioner said in a speech today that those campaigning for a so-called Brexit are "trying to sell people a fantasy” [...]
EU referendum: Brexit could affect property prices – but the Chinese slowdown and a potential interest rate rise are greater causes for concern February 29, 2016 The date has been set and the die has been cast – after 40 years this June voters will have a chance to decide if Britain should stay in the EU and speculation on the possible impact of a Brexit has reached fever pitch. While politicians, businesses and industry experts are willing to throw their [...]
So-called Chinese Google Baidu sees share price rocket as profit jumps 663 per cent and revenue climbs in fourth quarter February 25, 2016 Shares in Chinese internet giant Baidu have rocketed by 13.13 per cent in after hours trading, after the company reported 663 per cent growth in profit in the final quarter of 2015, up to 24.7bn yuan (£2.7bn) from 3.2bn yuan in the same period of 2014. The group,sometimes referred to as China's Google, also posted revenue [...]
City Airport sold to consortium of Canadian and Kuwaiti investors led by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Borealis Infrastructure February 25, 2016 City Airport has been sold to a consortium made up of Canadian and Kuwaiti investors, led by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Borealis Infrastructure, for around £2bn. The group also includes AimCo and the infrastructure investment vehicle owned by the sovereign wealth fund of Kuwait, Wren House. It beat out bids from Chinese airline owner [...]