Direct Line motors ahead of expectations despite whiplash concerns November 8, 2016 Direct Line's share price edged up slightly today after revealing a strong nine month performance from its motor brands. Shares were up around 0.5 per cent after the company said that the amount of motor insurance the group had written increased by 10 per cent. Overall gross written premiums were up by 4.2 per cent compared with the [...]
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary predicts airline fares will fall up to 15 per cent this winter November 8, 2016 Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has predicted that air fares will fall by as much as 15 per cent over the winter, as airlines compete to win passengers in a slow economy. O'Leary said there would be "extraordinary fare declines" over the year, after reporting results for the first half of the year. The budget airline's [...]
On economic policy, Trump is the bigger danger to both the US and the world November 7, 2016 The Western world is retreating from economic liberalism. Don’t take my word for it – look at the platforms of both Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump ahead of today’s election. While a commitment to individual rights and a clear separation of powers has facilitated the conditions to maintain the US at the world’s [...]
Britain must raise its game on innovation to make a success of Brexit November 7, 2016 The UK economy has so far proved hardy in the face of the vote to leave the EU. While GDP growth has slowed, it’s been higher than many had expected – consumers continue to spend on the high street and exporters have been taking advantage of a weaker sterling. But uncertain times are still ahead [...]
BT investor calls for talks over Openreach arm November 6, 2016 A major BT shareholder, Aviva Investors, has called for the telecoms giant to open discussions about a possible sale of its infrastructure arm Openreach. BT has been fighting for control of its network division for the past 18 months, following repeated calls from its rivals that Openreach should be split out of the group. Aviva is [...]
Sainsbury’s to reveal how much its pension scheme has grown over the last six months November 6, 2016 Sainsbury's pension scheme deficit is expected to have ballooned by up to £900m over the last six months when the company releases its interim results on Wednesday. The supermarket's pension hole stood at £390m in March but analysts are predicting that a chasm will have developed. Market expectations are that the deficit will be between £900m and £1.3bn. Read [...]
Women should hold one third of senior executive jobs at FTSE 100 firms by 2020, says Sir Philip Hampton’s review November 6, 2016 One in three senior executive positions at FTSE 100 firms should be occupied by women by 2020, a new government-backed review will say this week. Led by Sir Philip Hampton, the chairman of GlaxoSmithKline and UBM chair Dame Helen Alexander, the review will recommend the new target for FTSE 100 exec committees and the management [...]
England rugby ace Billy Vunipola wants to try the NFL: You watch it and think, ‘I can do that’ November 5, 2016 England rugby star Billy Vunipola wants to try on the pads and helmet of American Football after he's finished with rugby. The giant back row believes he has all the attributes in the NFL someday but insists he is currently committed to seeing out the remaining three years of his contract at Saracens. Read more: All [...]
This Arizona town will let you play out your cowboy fantasy: Ride bulls, wear cool hats, walk into a saloon and have the music suddenly stop playing, the works November 4, 2016 They say “all sunshine makes a desert.” But in Arizona (299 sunny days per year; average temp 24 degrees celsius) I don’t hear anyone complaining. In fact, this state is booming, with capital Phoenix now one of the fastest growing metro areas in the US. Scottsdale, a wealthy destination town in the northeast of the [...]
M&S to close dozens of stores November 4, 2016 Marks & Spencer will be closing dozens of UK stores and will cut its clothing offer in others, it's been claimed. Following reports from Bloomberg that M&S will be closing its Paris store and shops in China, Sky News has said that M&S boss Steve Rowe will announce UK store closures next week. It is expected that [...]