Analysts to the fore in big sectorial shakeups September 9, 2014 ANALYST of the year The role of the analyst has become increasingly important at such an uncertain time in the economy, when everyone is looking for guidance. With the UK retail sector in turmoil over the decline of Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, Waitrose and especially Tesco – caused mainly by the rise of the German discounters – their views [...]
Nervous investors quit Scots stocks on vote fears September 8, 2014 SCOTTISH shares led the UK markets down yesterday as investors responded to the real possibility Scotland could vote to leave the union in next week’s referendum. Sterling slumped again, as a TNS poll put the independence and unionist camps neck and neck. The FTSE100 slid 0.3 per cent yesterday. Scottish-based banks RBS and Lloyds led the slide, down 1.3 [...]
World’s energy watchdog slashes renewables forecast August 28, 2014 The world's leading energy watchdog slashed its forecasts for renewable energy in a new report published today. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned the sector faced serious threats from policy uncertainty and grid integration risks. However, investment in renewable energy capacity is still expected to soar to $1.6 trillion by 2020. The IEA cut [...]
Glencore share price rises as mining giant gives $1bn buyback to shareholders August 20, 2014 Mining and commodities giant Glencore kept to its commitment to reward shareholders as it announced a $1bn share buyback yesterday, with shares rising on the news and strong first-half results that saw its profits rise above expectations. The Switzerland based firm, founded in 1974, saw its underlying profit rise by eight per cent to [...]
UK’s industrial firms named as regional stars of world’s manufacturing sector August 18, 2014 UK factories are in a sweet spot, according to a report on global industrial conditions released this morning, with companies re-shoring to an increasingly competitive UK manufacturing sector. The Boston Consulting Group released research on the state of the world’s manufacturing sector this morning, calling the UK a “rising regional star”. The authors also say [...]
SSE calls for one national cost to deliver energy August 14, 2014 ENERGY giant SSE yesterday called for a shake-up of electricity transportation costs that could result in higher bills for some customers. The FTSE 100-quoted firm said it planned to examine “whether the different regional costs of transporting electricity could be passed on to suppliers as one national charge”. The cost of delivering electricity to different [...]
London Report: Putin’s Crimea comments help to calm FTSE August 14, 2014 THE FTSE yesterday rose after being bolstered by apparently conciliatory comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin on a visit to Crimea, as well as expectations for a continuation of ultra-loose monetary policy. On a trip to Crimea, the Ukrainian region annexed by Russia in March, Putin said his country would stand up for itself but [...]
E.On UK supply profits dive due to mild weather August 13, 2014 German energy giant E.On’s UK subsidiary yesterday posted a 31 per cent drop in first-half profit for its supply arm – but its generation earnings rose by the same percentage. The warmer weather lowered demand for energy, causing revenue from the supply part of the business to fall 9.7 per cent to £3.95bn over the [...]
Brussels blamed for driving up energy prices for UK factories August 12, 2014 European regulation has driven up the cost of energy to British companies, and the country’s manufacturing firms are less positive about current EU membership than previously suggested, according to a report released this morning. Research by Business for Britain, which advocates a renegotiated relationship with the EU, the single market’s regulations have driven up the [...]
Brent crude and petrol prices fall as oversupply offsets global risks August 6, 2014 The price of brent crude hovered around a nine-month low yesterday, with plentiful supplies offsetting concerns of geopolitical risk in key oil producing countries. The industry benchmark fell below $105 (£62) a barrel due to oversupply, weak seasonal demand and the possibility of a deal between Russia and Iran, which would put more oil on [...]