Dubai shares plunge as construction giant Arabtec hit June 24, 2014 Dubai shares have taken a dive as concerns over major construction firm Arabtec intensify, with the benchmark index heading potentially towards its biggest fall since 2008 after an intraday low of more than eight per cent. The DFM General Index was down more than eight per cent at pixel time, 1.35pm local time, with stocks [...]
Pound falls as Bank of England staffers imply interest rate hike could be further off June 24, 2014 Bank of England governor Mark Carney has performed another backflip in testimony before MPs. After changing stance in recent weeks, he is yet again implying that the first interest rate hike could happen later, rather than sooner. Wage data has been softer than expected, says the governor. That's key because the central bank has been [...]
The new map tool that has data geeks crying with joy June 23, 2014 Two University College London (UCL) researchers have set up a paradise for data-lovers, giving people the ability to map a huge range of social and economic indicators onto their own area, or any in England and Wales. The site looks almost effortless, and is far superior to any similar offerings from government databases. [...]
Just Eat gobbles up tech gongs June 18, 2014 TAKEAWAY tech star Just Eat cleaned up at the inaugural Digital Masters Awards at One Mayfair last night. Its chief financial and marketing officers picked up awards in their categories with CEO David Buttress just (pun intended) missing out on the top chief gong to King co-founder Riccardo Zacconi. Also just pipped to the top [...]
Rising confidence helps boost commercial property activity June 11, 2014 IMPROVING confidence, a rising economy and easing lending conditions have helped to boost activity in the commercial property sector for the 21st month in a row. According to Savills’ monthly index, which monitors 200 commercial property developers’ activity, showed the net balance stood at 26.9 per cent in May, slightly down on the 23.6 per [...]
UK industrial output sees strongest annual increase since 2011 June 10, 2014 The UK's manufacturing sector continues to go from strength to strength, with output growing by 0.4 per cent in April, according to new Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates. That's manufacturing's fifth consecutive rise, and is bang in line with the consensus estimates of analysts, while being matched by an equivalent increase in overall industrial [...]
Visa’s Valerie Dias in a daze at Asian Woman Award triumph June 4, 2014 VISA Europe’s chief risk officer Valerie Dias was taken by surprise in winning the Finance Award at the Asian Women of Achievement awards at Park Lane’s Hilton last night, saying she was surprised to even be nominated. “I was a reluctant participant when my team put me forward – I didn’t think I was worthy,” [...]
Measuring vice: Why our creative national accountants mostly get it right June 3, 2014 THE OFFICE for National Statistics (ONS) has just increased the size of the British economy by nearly £10bn, a figure equivalent to around 0.7 per cent of its total size. George Osborne has not waved a magic wand, and we have not suddenly become more productive. The reason is that, for the first time, estimates [...]
The state is in crisis – but free marketeers are losing the battle for reform June 2, 2014 DO YOU ever feel government isn’t fit for purpose? The evidence suggests you’re not alone. The EU elections saw anti-establishment parties tear chunks out of mainstream incumbents. In the US, Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party have shown the degree of discontent from left and right, expressed in partisan gridlock in DC. Some on [...]
Seth MacFarlane: wanted dead or alive for making dreadful Western spoof May 29, 2014 FILM A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST Cert 15 | One Star THERE are a million ways to die in Hollywood, but being one of the worst ever hosts of the Academy Awards apparently isn’t one of them. Seth MacFarlane survived his Oscars nightmare with enough star quality intact to attract a number [...]