Export recovery lifts outlook for manufacturers April 1, 2015 THE UK’S manufacturing sector hit an eight-month high growth rate last month, a set of new data shows. A survey of private sector firms – Markit’s purchasing managers’ index – climbed to a score of 54.4 in March from February’s 54, according to figures released yesterday. Any score above 50 marks expansion, with higher figures [...]
Stock market flotations grind to a halt ahead of General Election March 29, 2015 The expected flood of initial public offerings (IPOs) racing to debut on the stock market ahead of the election has barely materialised, analysts at EY said today. Market commentators had expected a rush of floating firms as sellers tried to cash out before the uncertainty of the General Election, combined with any potential coalition negotiations [...]
Crowdfunding: A brief history March 26, 2015 It’s transforming the prospects of small businesses, but it’s still early days for crowdfunding in the UK. By the middle of this month, the Scottish National Party had raised nearly £35,000 on crowdfunding website Crowdfunder. It’s not the only party to turn to crowdfunding to bankroll its General Election campaign – over the past three [...]
Budget, oil rig count and Nigerian GDP: Here’s our world view March 26, 2015 Rising debt, capital outflows and falling commodity prices – we highlight the numbers that matter from around the globe NORTH AMERICA 268 the number of rigs drilling for shale gas in the week ending 6 March 2015, down from 1,606 in the summer of 2008. And yet US gas production has continued to rise. Baker [...]
Will an MBA boost your career in finance? March 25, 2015 The business degree is becoming increasingly relevant to financial services. For decades the MBA has been the staple degree for those aspiring to leadership roles in consultancy, technology, and business. But increasing numbers of people are taking an MBA to further their careers in finance. Around 30 per cent of graduates from Cambridge Judge [...]
As the number of women on boards nearly doubles from 2011, are quotas unnecessary? March 24, 2015 Liz Bingham, managing partner for talent, UK & Ireland, at EY, says Yes Yes – but we must remain vigilant. I would be the first to advocate quotas if progress either stalls, or we start going backwards. However, it is important to remember that diversity isn’t just a boardroom issue, so can’t be solved by [...]
City Moves for 24 March 2015 | Who’s switching jobs March 23, 2015 Baker Tilly The accountancy and business advisory firm has appointed Steve Hopkins as a consultant in its restructuring and recovery practice. He was previously head of corporate insolvency at Barclays Bank, and has over 20 years’ experience in restructuring and insolvency. LCH.Clearnet Frank Soussan has been appointed global head of CDSClear at the clearing house. [...]
Eurozone to see lending pick-up after long slump March 23, 2015 MORTGAGE lending is predicted to hit an all-time high in the Eurozone this year, while business lending will grow for the first time in four years, according to forecasts from EY. The accountancy firm says the bloc’s recovery, combined with lower energy prices, will mean this year is a turning point after a decade-long lending [...]
Budget 2015: Banks bear brunt of pre-election tax increases March 18, 2015 Britain’s banks were targeted yet again for a tax raid yesterday, as the chancellor hit them with the biggest tax hike of any sector. George Osborne increased the bank levy for the ninth time since it was introduced in 2011, in a move which will raise an extra £4.4bn in five years. The tax, which [...]
Budget 2015 summary: Analysts, economists and think tanks give their verdict on Osborne March 18, 2015 George Osborne delivered a Budget stacked with facts, figures and policies intended to ward off Labour's cost of living offensive and get the electorate on side before May the reactions are already flooding in. Here is a sampling of analysts' reactions to the final set-piece event of the coalition government. BNP Paribas' Dominic Bryant gives [...]