With Theresa May expected to give it the green light, is Hinkley Point just a colossal white elephant? September 14, 2016 Ruth Lea, economic adviser to the Arbuthnot Banking Group, says Yes. There is little doubt that we need more electricity generating capacity – and the sooner the better. So the government’s determination to expand capacity is welcome. But Hinkley Point is flawed. Putting aside security fears over Chinese finance behind the proposed EDF nuclear power plant, [...]
Hunting share price jumps five per cent despite loss-making six months September 5, 2016 Shares in energy service provider Hunting rose over five per cent in morning trading despite announcing falling revenues and loss-making operations for the first half of 2016. Markets responded positively to the news of a reduction in Hunting's cost base and an interim financing arrangement that it is hoped will give the group sufficient breathing space in the short-term. The [...]
Uranium miner Aura Energy to list on the Aim market August 15, 2016 Aura Energy announced today it it's seeking a dual-listing on London's junior market, to help it meet an anticipated rise in the world's demand for nuclear energy. The uranium mining firm, which is already listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, wants to raise its profile and attract European investors. Read more: Companies aim away from junior [...]
Economists expect another month of stable inflation before sterling’s Brexit devaluation hits prices August 13, 2016 Inflation figures out this week are expected to reveal sterling's dramatic post-referendum collapse is yet to hit prices for UK consumers. Statistics out on Tuesday, which will show how quickly prices rose in July, the first full month after the referendum, will also be watched closely by commuters as they determine how much train tickets will [...]
Coca-Cola HBC AG’s share price fizzes on popping profits August 11, 2016 A leading Coca-Cola bottler has jumped to the top of the blue chips today as its share price fizzed seven per cent on better-than-expected results. The figures Cost efficiencies and better pricing in established markets drove Coca-Cola HBC AG's operating profit up 10.8 per cent to €220.6m (£188.8m) in the six months to 1 July, from €199.1m in the same period [...]
Oil prices fall after Opec meeting talk fails to lift mood August 9, 2016 Crude prices fell today, after renewed hopes over a possible meeting of Opec producers gave way to pessimism. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 0.79 per cent to $45.03 per barrel this morning. Its US counterpart, West Texas Intermediate crude, slumped 0.60 per cent to $42.76. Read more: Why oil prices are pushing higher Venezuelan [...]
The pound has not been so sterling after Brexit: How currency weakness will hit our travel plans, inflation and trade August 8, 2016 The pound has been steadily falling as the Brexit referendum and Bank of England’s moves to shore up the economy have pushed investors into selling the pound. Its downward slide over the last 12 months means sterling is now worth 16 per cent less against the dollar, at £1/$1.31, compared to £1/$1.56 previously. It’s even [...]
Tesla Motors loss widens despite putting pedal to the floor to ramp up production August 3, 2016 Elon Musk’s electric car giant Tesla Motors reported lower-than-expected second quarter results, driven by a dip in the number of cars delivered as it ramped up production. The figures Tesla’s total revenue rose 33 per cent year-on-year to $1.27bn (£959m) in the quarter ended 30 June. The company delivered 14,402 vehicles in the second quarter, [...]
We’re dangerously close to an energy crunch but Hinkley isn’t the solution August 1, 2016 "I want to see an energy policy that emphasises the reliability of supply and lower costs for users.” Just two days before becoming Prime Minister, this key extract from Theresa May’s first major campaign speech in Birmingham was welcomed by the energy industry and consumers alike. But what would it mean in practice and in [...]
Shares in EDF have jumped – but not because of last night’s Hinkley Point decision July 29, 2016 Shares in French power giant EDF were up more than 10 per cent this morning – but it wasn't just investors rewarding its board for finally getting around to making a decision on the construction of the much-delayed Hinkley Point C. Shares rose 10.5 per cent to €12.16 in Paris, after results posted by the company [...]