Why everything is awesome for Lego, in four charts February 25, 2015 Lego goes against all the stereotypes of a multinational company: partly because it's based in Denmark, and partly because when it comes down to it, it only has one product – little plastic bricks. But today it posted figures showing that, in the words of the blockbuster Lego Movie, everything is awesome. Last year represented [...]
Emma Thompson’s husband refuses to pay tax until HSBC staff are put in prison February 25, 2015 Oscar-winning, actress Emma Thompson, will refuse to pay any tax until those involved in the HSBC tax evasion scandal are put in prison. Thompson's husband and fellow actor Greg Wise told the Evening Standard that he and his wife would stop giving money to HMRC until "everyone pays tax". Wise trumpeted his commitment to socialism [...]
Royal Bank of Scotland suspends two staff in forex scandal probe February 25, 2015 Shares in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) edged one per cent lower today after it emerged it has suspended a further two employees amid an investigation into the rigging of foreign exchange markets. The bank, which is 81 per cent owned by the taxpayer, said: “We can confirm that two members of staff have been [...]
Barclays launches mobile payment via Twitter name using Pingit mobile payment app February 25, 2015 Anyone in the UK can now send or receive money via Twitter, after Barclays announced a new partnership between with the social network. Using just a person’s Twitter handle, users can send or receive money with Barclays’ Pingit mobile payment app in a banking first in the UK. Pingit users can already make payments using [...]
St James’s Place share price rises as it announces Metro Bank tie-up February 25, 2015 Another sign of how seriously the financial establishment is taking challenger banks? Wealth manager St James's Place has announced a tie-up with Metro Bank, the quirky high street banking chain best known for offering free dog biscuits in its branches. The two will offer a money management account which is "fully branded St James's Place, [...]
Weir Group share price plummets as oil and gas firm warns on year ahead February 25, 2015 Weir Group 's share price plummeted by 10 per cent this morning after the oil and gas company warned of a “significant reduction” in revenues for the year ahead. Though its results for the year to January 2 were just below expectations, investors were left more unsettled by the forecast of bid drop in demand [...]
Carillion preferred bidder on £380m Dubai contracts February 25, 2015 Carillion 's United Arab Emirates joint venture business Al Futtaim is poised to secure two new contracts worth £380m. Al Futtaim has been selected as the preferred bidder by Meraas for a £225m mixed-use development on the Dubai Creek waterfront. The project consists of food, beverage and other retail buildings, underground and multi-storey car [...]
SuperGroup CFO Shaun Wills forced to step down after being declared bankrupt February 25, 2015 SuperGroup's share price tumbled this morning after it emerged its chief financial officer has been forced to step down after being declared bankrupt. Shaun Wills, who had been in the role for nearly three years, has stepped down as a director of the company behind the SuperDry brand with immediate effect. It's not [...]
Whitbread share price rises after investors told to expect top end results February 25, 2015 The figures Shares in Whitbread opened 2.35 per cent up after the hospitality giant told investors to expect full-year results to come in towards the top end of current expectations, as sales at its cheap hotels and Costa Coffee chain continued to rise. Overall the group achieved a rise in like-for-like sales of 5.8 per [...]
Barratt Developments posts massive 75 per cent profit increase February 25, 2015 The figures Barratt Developments' half-year results will make cheerful reading for the company's shareholders. Pre-tax profit at the company climbed 74 per cent, while total completions rose 12.5 per cent. Basic earnings per share were also up 78.9 per cent. Why it's interesting Barratt enjoyed a booming 2014 with stronger profits, and shareholders were treated [...]