Cenkos shares dive after small cap fundraising dries up September 21, 2016 Shares in Cenkos fell as much as 16.96 per cent to 95.50p per share this morning, after the City stockbroker revealed profits plunged as small cap fundraising dried up ahead of the Brexit vote. The figures Cenkos' pre-tax profit plummeted 91 per cent to £1.7m in the six months to 30 June, down from £18.6m in the first half [...]
European initiative launched to push for energy efficient mortgages September 20, 2016 A European initiative which wants energy efficient homeowners to be rewarded with cheaper mortgage rates was launched today. The European Energy Efficiency Mortgage will explore the link between energy efficiency, a borrower’s reduced probability of default and the increase in value of energy efficient properties. "For banks and investors, this could lead to loans which represent a [...]
S&P identifies silver lining for stricken European steelmakers September 20, 2016 Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's has identified a "small glimmer of hope" which could suggest Europe's beleaguered steelmakers will emerge from the throes of a global crisis. It took the industry's better performance in the second half as a sign it would be able to regain some balance and generate more sustainable profits. It's been hurt in recent [...]
Faroe Petroleum falls to a loss but hikes production targets September 20, 2016 Shares in independent oil and gas explorer Faroe Petroleum rose as much as 1.53 per cent to 66p after the North Sea player hiked its production forecasts. The figures Revenue fell 54.8 per cent year-on-year to £23.1m in the six months ended 30 June, down from £51.1m a year earlier. Lower revenue and higher exploration costs helped [...]
Oil prices swing wildly as market receives mixed messages September 20, 2016 Oil prices swung wildly today as traders weighed diminished concerns over rising US stockpiles against the broader market outlook. Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped as much as 0.76 per cent to $46.30 per barrel as a key US petrol pipeline was on pace to return to service following an outage, offsetting concerns over a potential rise in crude [...]
George Soros earmarks $500m for investments to help the refugee crisis September 20, 2016 Billionaire George Soros said today that he will be investing $500m to help refugees and migrants who are fleeing civil war, oppressive regimes and extreme poverty. The announcement came as the United Nations held its first-ever general assembly on refugees and migrants in New York. The Syrian civil war has put a spotlight on these issues, as hundreds of thousands of [...]
US inflation just about beat economists’ expectations last month September 16, 2016 US consumer price growth came in slightly better-than-expected last month, according to official data released today. The Labour Department said today that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2 per cent last month after it remained unchanged in July. In the 12 months to August, the CPI swelled 1.1 per cent after increasing 0.8 per cent in [...]
New York attorney general launches investigation into Exxon Mobil’s accounting practices September 16, 2016 New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman is reportedly probing why Exxon Mobil has not written down the value of its assets, despite the prolonged oil price slump which has riled the industry. The Wall Street Journal reported that Schneiderman's office has launched an investigation into the firm's accounting practices. It's already looking into whether Exxon misled investors over the [...]
ITV inks new deal to screen Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor until 2019 September 16, 2016 Fans of X Factor and Britain's Got Talent will be relieved to hear that the popular TV shows will not be doing a Bake Off. Broadcaster ITV said today that it's signed a new contract with Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia UK allowing it to air the shows until at least 2019. It comes days after [...]
Watchstone, formerly known as Quindell, narrows losses September 16, 2016 Watchstone's shares rose this morning after it whittled down pre-tax losses in the first half. The figures The group's pre-tax losses narrowed to £8.2m in the six months ended 30 June, down from £32.2m a year earlier. It came as its underlying business revenue rose 11 per cent to £31.9m, inching up from £28.8m in the [...]
