Russian firms count the cost of Crimea crisis March 24, 2014 RUSSIAN firms in London have seen their share prices tank and borrowing costs leap since the Ukraine crisis, with the businesses worried their reputations have taken a severe knock. Some Russian stocks trading in the UK have fallen by more than 30 per cent since the start of the year, as turmoil in emerging markets [...]
Chinese languages climbing up the ranks of City’s most spoken March 24, 2014 CHINESE is rapidly climbing the ranks of the most common languages spoken in the City of London, as the UK looks to capitalise on an expansion of the country’s financial sector, according to new research. Mandarin Chinese was the fourth most quoted language on City CVs during 2013, up from 8th place in the previous [...]
All possible Russian sanctions in one chart March 21, 2014 The European Union is struggling to come up with any measures that would have a meaningful impact on Russian decision making. Earlier today it announced that sanctions related to Russia's annexation of Crimea would be extended to a further 12 individuals. Russia's upper house unanimously approved the treaty that annexed the Ukrainian region on Friday. [...]
What you need to know before the open March 21, 2014 Despite a stronger finish yesterday, markets are expected to remain cautious today, still recovering from Janet Yellen’s surprise suggestions on Wednesday that interest rates could go up sooner than expected. Better than forecast weekly jobless claims and manufacturing activity in Philadelphia in March gave equities something of a boost yesterday. European markets will most likely [...]
EU adds more individuals to Crimea sanctions list March 21, 2014 The EU has agreed to ramp up sanctions in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, imposing them on a further 12 individuals. The move follows President Barack Obama’s earlier confirmation that the US will be meting out further sanctions against Russia. The EU said it won’t accept the annexation now, or in [...]
US and Russia go tit for tat in sanctions row March 20, 2014 SANCTIONS against allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin were ramped up by the US government yesterday, targeting 20 more individuals and one of the country’s banks. Bank Rossiya and the listed men join the US Treasury’s specially designated nationals list, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Their assets in the US will be frozen, and US [...]
Chinese shoppers boost Hermes March 20, 2014 French luxury goods maker Hermes saw good demand over the Chinese New Year, the company said yesterday, underscoring its resilience to a crackdown on illicit gift-giving in the industry’s biggest market that has hit some rivals hard. Posting a nine per cent rise in 2013 operating profit, the maker of Birkin handbags and printed silk [...]
Letters to the Editor – 21/03 – Beer and bingo, Best of Twitter March 20, 2014 Beer and bingo [Re: No turning back: Four reasons Osborne’s Budget will matter, yesterday] This isn’t going to be remembered as the “slow and steady” Budget. It will be remembered as the “beer and bingo” Budget. This is unfortunate, because it will really be about savings and investment. Grant Shapps did George Osborne no favour. It [...]
Stocks rally after Putin speech despite Crimea tensions March 18, 2014 RUSSIAN markets rallied after a speech by President Vladimir Putin yesterday, bouncing back as he signalled an end to military aggression in Ukrainian territories. Putin signed a draft bill in Russia’s parliament to officially annex Crimea, saying that the peninsula was an integral part of Russia, but that he had no desire to further divide [...]
Surging exports send UK to top spot in Europe March 18, 2014 THE UK recorded the strongest export growth in the European Union last year, and outstripped every other large economy by a wide margin, according to official figures released yesterday. UK exports surged 11 per cent to €407.9bn (£341.97bn) over the year, while imports dropped eight per cent. In comparison, Germany’s exports stayed flat and France’s [...]