New sanctions against Russia could come on Monday June 27, 2014 Russia has until Monday to take steps to improve the situation in eastern Ukraine or face further sanctions, European Union leaders meeting in Brussels today announced. The measures that the EU has asked to be in place by Monday are: agreement on a verification mechanism for the ceasefire and effective border control the release of [...]
Why Ukraine’s free trade agreement with EU puts all eyes on Moscow June 27, 2014 Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have signed landmark free-trade pacts with European leaders this morning, binding the former Soviet states closer to the west. The agreement slashes import tariffs between the countries and the European Union and is considered a watershed moment for the region: a marked shift away from Russian influence and Moscow's proposals to [...]
Over four in ten Britons think the country is in good economic shape June 26, 2014 Twice as many Britons have confidence in the UK economy compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Ipsos Mori data. The Ipsos Global @dvisor survey shows more than four in ten rating the UK's current economic situation as "good", double the 21 per cent saying the same twelve months ago. As [...]
Russia could face new US sanctions June 25, 2014 Russia could face more economic sanctions from the US amid the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine. The new sanctions would affect exports, reports the FT. According to industry executives, US companies would be required to apply for licences if they wish to export technology to Russia. The rules would apply to new projects rather than existing [...]
Rouble firms on Ukraine hopes June 24, 2014 THE RUSSIAN rouble shot up against the dollar yesterday, reaching its highest level since January, as Moscow gave stronger indications that the conflict in Ukraine would be de-escalated. Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the country’s legislators yesterday to rescind permission he had been previously granted to intervene militarily in Ukraine. The dollar dropped below the [...]
City Moves for 24 June 2014 | Who’s switching jobs June 23, 2014 Colliers International Chris Monkhouse has been appointed as a director at the commercial real estate services firm, and will head up its minerals, energy and waste management team. Monkhouse joins from GVA, where he spent 12 years. Gazprombank Asset Management Igor Kan has been appointed vice-president and head of structured products for portfolio management and [...]
Ukrainian upheaval takes heavy toll on JP Morgan’s Russia fund June 19, 2014 JP MORGAN’S listed Russian fund sank to its lowest value for five years at the end of April after unrest in Ukraine cast a pall over Russian companies. JP Morgan Russian Securities Plc, the only UK listed fund investing exclusively in Russia, lost about one third of its value for the six months ending April. [...]
Abramovich ups Velocys stake June 19, 2014 Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club, has increased his stake in synthetic fuel producer Velocys from 3.5 to 7.7 per cent. The stake is now worth nearly £20m. Abramovich’s Ervington Investments had invested £5m in the Aim-listed company in January 2014. Velocys, formally known as Oxford Catalysts, provides modular technology for [...]
My Titania ready to give Oxx another Coronation June 19, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS TODAY’S ROYAL ASCOT ACTION AND THE BEST OF TOMORROW’S RACES IT WAS the fillies off the track who were the stars of the show yesterday on Ladies Day. Now it is the turn of the equine fairer sex to take centre stage in this afternoon’s Coronation Stakes (4.25pm). You will rarely see as [...]
China and BP sign £11.8bn gas trade deal June 17, 2014 BP yesterday confirmed a £11.78bn deal to supply the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) with 20 years’ worth of liquified natural gas (LNG). BP chief executive Bob Dudley said it was “a fair price for them and a fair price for us” in a deal that coincides with the state visit to the UK [...]