Financial services optimism at 17-year high October 7, 2013 Confidence amongst British banks and financial institutions is at a 17-year high, according to the latest CBI/PwC financial services survey. The survey covers the three months up until early September found 59 per cent of financial firms said they were optimistic with only 6 per cent saying they were not optimistic. The positive outlook is [...]
Growth for Eurozone GDP remains unchanged in second quarter October 7, 2013 Eurzone GDP growth remains unchanged, at 0.3 per cent for the second quarter of 2013.
Eurozone economic confidence lessens in October October 7, 2013 Eurozone confidence in the economy has diminished with the sentix index coming in at 6.1, following expections of 8.3, and September's figure of 6.5. The monthly sentix index measure investor current confidence in the economic climate.
Cranswick shares fall after marginal sales and higher start-up costs October 7, 2013 Food producer Cranswick has reported a marginal sales increase for the first half of 2013, but higher than expected start-up costs for its new savoury pastry facility mean the group anticipate profits to be flat for the year. (Release) Cranswick, which also produces pet products, saw a 15 per cent increase in total sales for [...]
National Express shortlisted for Berlin Ringbahn contract October 7, 2013 National Express has been shortlisted for the Berlin Ringbahn, a railway line around the centre of Berlin. Dean Finch, group chief executive, said: We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Berlin Ringbahn. Following on from our recent success in winning two contracts to operate regional rail services in North-Rhine Westphalia, it confirms that [...]
Strong production for Petra Diamonds despite work stoppages October 7, 2013 Diamond producer Petra Diamonds has seen strong production in the three months to September, producing 816,735 carats. (Release) Despite recent industrial action at a number of the group's South African mines, Petra has announced that it remains on track to reach a record output of 3m carats in the financial year 2014. Johan Dippenaar, chief [...]
Fresh start for Albemarle & Bond as new CEO steps up October 7, 2013 Today Chris Gillespie joins troubled company Albemarle & Bond as the new CEO. Gillespie was, until September 2013, the executive director for Provident Financial, which he joined in 2007 as managing director, consumer credit division. Shares in the company took a hammering on the 30th September with a fall 44 per cent, after the company [...]
$496m US government aircraft contract for Rolls-Royce October 7, 2013 Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce has been awarded two contracts totally up to $496m (£309m) to provide parts for US government aircraft. (Release) The company will support T56 engines, which it's been making since the 1950s, with a $406m (£253) six-year contract to provide parts and field and engineering support for thousands of engines. The contract, awarded by [...]
Thomas Cook sells Egypt and Lebanon businesses for £6.5m October 7, 2013 Thomas Cook has sold Thomas Cook Egypt and Thomas Cook Lebanon. (Release) The travel agent today announced that the businesses have been sold to Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo for a cash consideration of £6.5m. Harriet Green, chief executive, Thomas Cook Group plc said: I am pleased to report further progress on our rapid transformation of [...]
What you need to know before the open – 07/10 October 7, 2013 Markets continue to be muted by ongoing shutdown in Washington – we're now on day seven – with fingers crossed for an agreement on the raising of the debt ceiling in time for the 17 October deadline. Asian markets closed down on US concern, and it is expected that the deadlock will mean sanguine European [...]