TSB results: Chief executive Paul Pester says the big banks have it far too easy as his challenger bank reports 22 per cent increase in customer lending for 2015 January 28, 2016 TSB Bank chief executive Paul Pester told Morning Wire that the challenger bank "definitely went from strength to strength" in 2015, as the lender announced its full-year results this morning. The retail and commercial bank, which was carved out of Lloyds Banking Group in 2014, reported profits were ahead of expectations, with management profit before tax of £105.7m, while [...]
Lloyds share sale delayed as George Osborne cites market turbulence January 28, 2016 The "Tell Sid"-style sale of Lloyds shares has been delayed as global markets face a continued hammering from falling oil prices and fears of an economic slowdown in China. Chancellor George Osborne said now was not the right time to sell the remaining shares the Treasury holds in the bank to retail investors as planned. The sell-off had been [...]
Anglo American share price rises as it ramps up production January 28, 2016 Shares in Anglo American rose as much as 10.4 per cent to 280.15p today, as the South African miner ramped up production in the face of plunging commodity prices. The FTSE 100 miners reported copper production rose four per cent year-on-year to 181,400 metrics tonnes in the three months ended December 31. Nickel output added 57 per cent [...]
FirstGroup’s share price drops on profit warning January 28, 2016 FirstGroup's share price fell more than five per cent this morning after the transport operator issued a profit warning on the back of major flooding in the north of England. The figures Revenues in the third quarter fell by 9.5 per cent on a constant currency basis, on the back of changes to its rail franchise portfolio and [...]
Diageo profits hit by foreign exchange rates but beats expectations with a rise in organic sales January 28, 2016 Diageo reported a 1.8 per cent rise in sales in its half year results to the end of December 2015. The drinks giant owns the Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys and Tanqueray gin brands, to name a few. Diageo shares fell 0.75 per cent to 1,854.50p in early trading. The figures Organic sales grew 1.8 per cent, and there was [...]
Dixons Carphone deputy chief executive Andrew Harrison to join Ocado board January 28, 2016 Dixons Carphone deputy chief executive Andrew Harrison is joining the board of Ocado, bolstering the business' retail skills further. Harrison will join as an independent non-executive director on 1 March. His appointment comes at an interesting time for the business, which is rumoured to be in talks about a tie-up with Amazon – rather than go [...]
Deutsche Bank ‘s share price slides as Germany’s biggest lender records full year loss of €6.8bn – more than forecast January 28, 2016 Deutsche Bank's share price fell this morning after Germany's biggest lender reported its first annual loss since 2008 – a figure even bigger than was expected. The figures The German lender has posted a full year loss of €6.8bn (£5.1bn) – more than the €6.7bn that had been trailed – with fourth quarter losses of €2.1bn. Litigation charges [...]
How Tyrrells aims to be the big cheese (and onion) of the crisp world January 28, 2016 Six years ago, David Milner received a phone call from private equity firm Langholm Partners, the former owners of Tyrrells Crisps. They needed help. After an eight-year growth spurt, sales at the posh crisp brand had turned rather stale and Langholm wanted the former Mars and Campbell’s Soup executive on board. “The first thing I [...]
Google tax: European Commission sets out new proposals to crack down on tax avoidance January 28, 2016 The European Commission will today put forward new proposals to crack down on tax evasion and avoidance, as UK politicians continue to spar over Google’s tax payments. Pierre Moscovici, the EU commissioner for economic and financial affairs, taxation and customs, is expected to lay out a series of legally-binding measures intended to close loopholes in [...]
Household spending power slows to 14-month low, Asda income tracker shows January 28, 2016 The average household income grew at its slowest rate in 14 months, a new survey has found, due to a slowdown in wage growth and a slight increase in inflation. According Asda's Income Tracker published today, consumers were £13 – or 7.2 per cent – better off year-on-year in December with an average of £194 of [...]