UK manufacturing sector picking up steam March 2, 2015 The speed at which the UK’s manufacturing sector is expanding reached a seven-month high in January, new survey data show. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – a survey of private sector firms – rose to a score of 54.1 in February from January’s 53.1, according to figures released yesterday. Any figure above 50 [...]
Tullow drags index lower – London Report March 2, 2015 BRITAIN’S top equity index briefly touched a new record high yesterday before turning negative as commodity stocks weakened, led lower by a slump in Tullow Oil. The blue-chip FTSE 100 equity index rose as much as 0.3 per cent to a record intraday high of 6,974.26 points, with early gains propelled by mining stocks after [...]
Marks & Spencer to enter Beijing as it shuts five Shanghai stores March 2, 2015 Marks & Spencer is poised to open stores in Beijing and Guangzhou – but will reduce its presence in greater Shanghai. Currently M&S has around 15 stores in China, but this will be the first time it has entered the country’s capital city. The high street giant said it had “firm intent” to enter those [...]
Ashmore assets continue to fall amid retreat February 24, 2015 SPECIALIST emerging markets manager Ashmore has once again been hit by a strong dollar and a leak in investment. In the six months ending 31 December 2014, assets under management fell 15 per cent to $63.7bn (£41.7bn) as investors pulled $4.5bn from the company. Average assets under management were $71.2bn – eight per cent lower [...]
Ashmore assets continue to fall as investors retreat from emerging markets February 24, 2015 The figures Specialist emerging markets manager Ashmore has once again been hit by a strong dollar and a leak in investment. In the six months ending 31 December 2014, assets under management fell 15 per cent to $63.7bn (£41.7bn) as investors pulled $4.5bn from the company. Average assets under management were $71.2bn – eight per [...]
Reasons to whine: After the Bordeaux wine market collapse, optimism is creeping back February 19, 2015 Imagine a financial market where prices have collapsed by more than 30 per cent in the past three years, where a hatful of investment companies have gone to the wall and investors are reportedly nursing losses of more than £100m. It sounds like a full blown crisis, doesn’t it? But this isn’t Chinese equities or [...]
Chinese New Year: How the goat could bring some prosperity to China’s struggling economy February 18, 2015 The year of the horse didn't work out too well for China. Growth slowed to its lowest point in two decades, while an over-investment in construction has resulted in too much property relative to demand. The country's leaders have attempted to spur growth on again, with the People's Bank of China cutting interest [...]
Eastern promise: Keys to investing in Asian markets February 17, 2015 Emerging Asia was one of the best performing regions in the five years leading up to the financial crisis, delivering a 20 per cent return per year in sterling terms. And despite the fact that, over the past two years, the region has underperformed developed markets, it remains a favourite place for UK investors to [...]
Former BP boss Lord Browne to chair Huawei UK February 16, 2015 Huawei, the world’s second-largest telecom equipment maker, yesterday appointed a trio of directors to its UK subsidiary’s board, including former BP chief executive Lord Browne as chairman. Lord Browne will become the first independent chairman of the Chinese company’s UK arm. Dame Helen Alexander, chair of marketing firm UBM and former UKTI head Sir Andrew [...]
Pizza Hut serves cocktails in an effort to win back the hipster generation February 16, 2015 Pizza Hut, that bastion of teenage dining, has unveiled plans to win back the hipster generation – by serving cocktails. Yep, from now on you can sip a Southern Punch as you chow down on your Texas Meat Meltdown, after the chain announced plans to spend £1.67m on a major revamp. Pizza Hut on The [...]