Remember Osborne’s global race? We are in danger of losing it January 20, 2014 WITHOUT foreign investment, we would be toast. How many of you, dear readers, work for UK subsidiaries of foreign companies? Or for a business that relies significantly on overseas investors for its debt or equity financing? In the case of the latter at least, the list now includes almost every company listed on the London [...]
Apple to refund $32.5m of kids’ in-app sprees January 15, 2014 TECHNOLOGY giant Apple will refund around £20m worth of in-app purchases made by children without their parent’s permission, it announced yesterday. Following a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), bosses agreed to refund $32.5m worth of the in-game buys after thousands of complaints came to light. The company will also be forced to [...]
Apple falls out of favour with UK consumers January 15, 2014 APPLE fell out of favour with UK consumers in 2013, losing its coveted spot last year as one of the UK’s top ten brands. In 2012 Apple’s iPad held the No 6 slot on YouGov’s BrandIndex report, but this year the technology giant is nowhere to be found. “Samsung has risen the most places as [...]
Apple falls out of favour with UK consumers January 15, 2014 Apple has fallen out of favour with UK consumers, losing its coveted spot as one of the UK’s top 10 brands. Last year Apple’s iPad held the No 6 slot on YouGov’s BrandIndex report, but this year the technology giant is nowhere to be found. UK Top Brands 1. BBC iPlayer (no change)2. John Lewis [...]
10 problems with the French embassy’s economic analysis January 14, 2014 After a recent editorial from City A.M. editor Allister Heath (France’s failed socialist experiment is turning into a tragedy) the French embassy wrote a piece in response. Here are 10 points on which we disagree over the French economy. 1. Growth prospects The European Commission’s growth forecast for France stands at 0.2% for 2013 and [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 13 January 2014 January 12, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Treasury debt pledge on Scotland The UK Treasury will today assume full responsibility for Britain’s £1.2 trillion debt stock in the event of Scottish independence, in an attempt to head off market jitters ahead of September’s referendum. Danny Alexander, Treasury chief secretary, fears gilt investors could start demanding a risk premium in the [...]
Apple’s mobile sales in Europe grow in strength January 12, 2014 APPLE’S smartphone sales continue to increase month-on-month, making up 18.1 per cent of the smartphones sold in Europe’s five biggest markets during the three months to November, data from Kantar Worldpanel showed today. In October Apple’s share was 15.8 per cent. November’s strong sales are linked to high levels of customer satisfaction of its iPhone [...]
The dovish consensus is wrong: It is time for interest rate hikes January 9, 2014 ECONOMISTS seem to lurch from one dangerous fad to another. In the late 1980s, most supported the European exchange rate mechanism, which blew up spectacularly; in the 1990s, many supported UK membership of the euro, which would have been a disaster; during the 2000s, few saw the bubble coming and most missed the credit and [...]
Apple and Samsung chiefs agree to mediation in US patent fight January 9, 2014 APPLE and Samsung Electronics have agreed to attend a mediation session to be held on or before 19 February, as they prepare to clash in court in March over smartphone patents. Apple chief executive Tim Cook and his Samsung counterpart Oh-Hyun Kwon will attend the session with in-house lawyers only, according to a Wednesday court filing. [...]
Laird soars on Asia plans and trading update January 9, 2014 SHARES in electronic parts maker Laird soared over 12 per cent yesterday, after the FTSE 250 firm said trading was in line with expectations and unveiled its Asian expansion plans. The company – which makes components for Apple and Samsung – is building a new manufacturing facility in Vietnam and expanding a design centre in [...]