Oil sinks to lowest price in a year as virus fears grow February 27, 2020 Oil prices today hit their lowest level since January last year as fears about the impact of the coronavirus on the world economy grew. Brent crude was down 4.3 per cent to $51.14 a barrel this afternoon as the virus continues its spread outside of China. Any impact on global consumption or manufacturing patterns will [...]
Exclusive: MPs warn over scrutiny as Downing Street prepares to ‘anoint’ friendly face in key role February 26, 2020 Downing Street is considering a controversial move to appoint its own chair of a powerful parliamentary committee – subverting parliamentary convention. The move would be seen as the latest attempt by Number 10 to avoid scrutiny after recent brouhahas over journalists’ access to key briefings. The chair of the Liaison Committee – the only committee [...]
Lessons for Britain over the tragedy of Syria February 25, 2020 The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, is coming to a bloody end — and, despite so many deaths that the United Nations essentially stopped counting, Bashar al-Assad is victorious. Idlib, the besieged home of the remaining Syrian rebels who fled as regime forces retook the rest of the country, will soon be added [...]
Only five car battery tech patents filed from the UK in 2019, says BDO February 24, 2020 A record number of patents were filed in 2018/2019 as countries race to develop electric car batteries – but data suggests the UK is falling behind when it comes to the automotive technology. Advisory firm BDO has found 3,400 battery patents were filed in this period, a 57 per cent increase on the year before [...]
Kaz Minerals posts profit and revenue boost in 2019 February 20, 2020 Kaz Minerals boosted both its profit and its revenue in 2019 as higher production rates and sales volumes offset a decline in copper prices. Shares in the mining company rose almost a per cent today. The figures Operating profit increased eight per cent in 2019, up to $923m (£717.2m) from $851m the year before. Revenue [...]
Dutch court reinstates $50bn Yukos award against Russia February 18, 2020 A Dutch appeals court today reinstated a $50bn (£38bn) award to shareholders in the now defunct oil giant Yukos. Yukos went bust in 2006 after its former chief executive Mikhail Khodorkovsky fell out with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian government began demanding billions in back taxes from Yukos and the company was ultimately expropriated [...]
Global dividend payouts hit $1.43 trillion last year February 17, 2020 Global dividends rose to a record $1.43 trillion (£1.1 trillion) in 2019, research published today showed. Dividends rose 3.5 per cent on a headline basis, according to asset manager Janus Henderson’s global dividend index. Underlying growth, adjusting for the strong US dollar and unusually high special dividends, was 5.4 per cent, driven by North America, [...]
Sweet results for Coca-Cola bottler as it reports increased profit February 13, 2020 Bottler Coca-Cola HBC delivered full year revenue growth in every segment last year as operating profit grew more than 10 per cent to €715.3m. The figures Operating profit grew 11.9 per cent last year from €639.4m to €715.3m. Revenue for the full year grew by 4.4 per cent and revenue in the fourth quarter grew [...]
UK coronavirus: Brighton GP practice closes after positive test February 10, 2020 A GP practice in Brighton has closed after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus, it is reported. The County Oak medical centre in Brighton closed this afternoon, urging patients to contact the NHS 111 phone service with any health concerns. It came as the government upgraded coronavirus to a “serious and imminent” threat [...]
FTSE 100 drops as coronavirus declared a ‘serious’ UK health threat February 10, 2020 The FTSE 100 edged down this morning as continued concern over the coronavirus outbreak knocked investor confidence around the world. London’s blue-chip index fell 0.2 per cent in early trading, landing at 7450p, as the UK declared the virus a serious and imminent threat to public health. The outbreak has now killed 908 people around [...]