North Sea oil workers ready for fresh strike as low prices bite July 31, 2016 North Sea oil workers are preparing to walk out for the second time in just over a week, as the embattled sector continues to struggle amid stubbornly low oil prices. Workers will go on strike for 48 hours on 4 August, as part of an ongoing dispute over changes to wages and shift patterns which has pitted trade [...]
Retail industry attention turns to high street bellwether Next July 31, 2016 The retail industry's attention will turn to Next, with the UK high street bellwether expected to report a fall in sales in the coming week. The FTSE-100 listed firm's widely-watched results are regarded as a good indicator for how its peers, such as Marks & Spencer, are faring. Read more: Retailers rocked by sales shocker Next's trading is likely to have [...]
Anglo American jumps as its losses narrow in the first half July 28, 2016 Anglo American shares closed up 5.48 per cent to 843p this afternoon, after the embattled miner's losses narrowed in the first half. The FTSE 100-listed firm posted a net loss of $813 (£617m) in the six months to 30 June, more than two thirds less than the $3bn loss it recorded the same time a year ago. Underlying earnings fell [...]
EDF board member resigns ahead of key Hinkley Point vote July 28, 2016 An EDF board member has resigned, as the French utility giant meets to greenlight the controversial Hinkley Point C power plant in Somerset. Gerard Magnin stepped down from the 18-strong board, citing concerns over the project's affordability and its effect on France's appetite for renewable energy. In a resignation letter to Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy, as reported [...]
BAE Systems lifted by increased security spend July 28, 2016 BAE Systems jumped in early morning trading, after the defence and aerospace group was boosted by increased security spending. The British group's revenue rose 3.46 per cent to £8,28bn in the six months ended 30 June, up from £8bn in the same period a year earlier. Read more: Defence giant Lockheed Martin says UK could be more attractive to invest post-Brexit vote [...]
Children’s reading skills pave the way for a successful business career July 28, 2016 “Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter…” For many, this opening line of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit is instantly recognisable, bringing back fond childhood memories. Today marks 150 years since Potter’s birth and her classic tales continue to charm children [...]
How the Brexit vote will affect house prices over the next five years July 28, 2016 The immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote will briefly slow house price growth in the UK, nevertheless it's set to pick up thereafter. Think tank the Centre for Economics and Business Research predicts that they'll rise 5.7 per cent over 2016, however given the average price increased eight per cent year-on-year in the first quarter, this points [...]
Brent crude and WTI: Oil hovers near bear market territory as oversupply weighs July 28, 2016 Fresh oversupply concerns and waning international demand has pushed crude near bear market territory. Oil has fallen nearly 20 per cent since hitting a year-high above $52 per barrel in June, when it was buoyed by unexpected supply outages in countries across the world. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 0.97 per cent to $43.05 per barrel today. West [...]
All eyes of EDF as it meets to decide on £18bn Hinkley Point C July 28, 2016 French utility giant EDF is expected to take the long-delayed final investment decision on its Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset. EDF board members are meeting in Paris today, where they're expected to greenlight the controversial project. UK unions have thrown their weight behind the project, which will create tens of thousands of jobs and [...]
RAC calls for petrol price drop as oil prices soften July 28, 2016 The RAC today called on forecourts across the country to cut petrol prices, saying they should "play fair" given the recent dip in oil prices. It warned them against taking advantage of the public's expectation for fuel prices to rise following Britain's decision to leave the European Union last month. The motoring body wants a 3p cut, which [...]
