UK dividends hit record-breaking high in 2018 January 21, 2019 UK dividend payments rose to a record £99.8bn last year driven by rising profits and better than expected special dividends. British American Tobacco accounted for almost one fifth of the increase in UK dividends as it paid out an additional £900m over the course of 2018, entering the UK top five for the first time, according [...]
China could turn to Indonesian imports as coal mines shut after accident which left 21 dead January 18, 2019 A collapsed coal mine which left 21 dead in China’s Shaanxi province could force the country to ramp up coal imports as production is shut down in two counties. Coal mining has been halted for at least a month in all private mines in Shenmu county where the roof collapsed at the 0.9m tonnes per [...]
Stock markets slide as Chinese data reveals impact of US-China trade war January 14, 2019 European stock markets have tumbled after weak Chinese trade data laid bare the impact of the US-China trade war. China’s export and import figures fell dramatically in December, going against analysts’ predictions of a rise. Read more: Markets lift as US-China talks reach conclusion Negotiations between the two nations concluded last week without a resolution, although [...]
Global stock markets and sterling slide as economic slowdown fears continue into new year January 2, 2019 Global markets have started the year in the red as investors struggle to shake off the economic slowdown fears that plagued stocks last year, while the pound has taken a more than one per cent hit against the dollar on the first day of 2019 trading. The FTSE 100 was down more than one per [...]
FTSE and sterling rebound from lows caused by Brexit deal vote delay December 11, 2018 The FTSE 100 has rebounded this morning after yesterday's decision to delay the Brexit deal vote sent the index tumbling. The blue chip index has risen 1.2 per cent this morning to 6,800 points – as high as it was before the vote was delayed – as markets began to stabilise after a tumultuous start [...]
Glencore copper chief Telis Mistakidis to step down at the end of the year amid management reshuffle December 3, 2018 Glencore's billionaire copper chief Telis Mistakidis is to step down at the end of the year amid a wider management reshuffle at the mining company. Mistakidis, a Greek billionaire who began working at Glencore in the early 1990s, will be replaced by Nico Paraskevas. The management shakeup comes as the mining giant faces a probe by the US [...]
Global markets rally on improved US-China trade relations December 3, 2018 Markets worldwide rallied this morning on the news that China and the US had pulled back from the brink in their escalating trade war. The FTSE 100 was up 145 points on 7,125, the FTSE 250 up 250 points to 18,730 and the FTSE all-share was up 73 points on 3,896. Among the biggest risers [...]
FTSE 100 roundup: Today’s winners and losers November 2, 2018 The FTSE 100 lost ground today, with the index down 8.05 points at 7,106.61 shortly before the market close. Markets globally reacted positively to suggestions that the US and China may be coming towards a deal to end their recent trade war. However, looking at the week just gone, it appears that the FTSE 100 [...]
Glencore increases cost savings forecast on stronger coal prices October 31, 2018 Mining giant Glencore expects to achieve 50 per cent more cost savings after being boosted by strong coal prices. As part of a two-year cost-cutting drive the Anglo-Swiss firm had expected to save around $300m (£235m) by the end of the year but could now make savings of more than $450m, it said on Wednesday. [...]
How to capitalise on the electric car revolution October 23, 2018 Electric vehicles have existed since 1828, and yet their prevalence in popular society has remained the stuff of science fiction for more than two centuries. It’s only recently that electric cars have become commonplace, helped partly by government policies – such as the planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by [...]